This layer contains locations of shellfish growing waters designated in line with the Shellfish Waters Directive (2006/113/EC) by Scottish Government under The Water Environment (Shellfish Water Protected Areas: Designation) (Scotland) Order 2013. Waters are used for commercial shellfish cultivation. Water quality in designated areas is regularly monitored by SEPA.
The annual Scottish Sea Fisheries Statistics report is aggregated into districts, which reflect the area of responsibility of the local fishery office. This dataset shows the approximate extent of each district using the 1:50,000 scale OS Meridian 2 mean high water spring coastline. The districts are for illustrative purposes only. The districts were updated in the 2013 report to reflect changes in responsibility of the Ullapool fishery office and renamed the Pittenweem district as Anstruther.
Marine Planning Zones are defined in Article 5 of the Town and Country Planning (Marine Fish Farming) (Scotland) Order 2007. The Zones designate marine areas for which planning authorities discharge their functions with regard to fish farming developments. This layer displays the marine planning zones for fish farming.
Non-UK fishing vessels require a licence from Scottish Ministers to fish within the Scottish Zone (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2019/87/made). The current licence prohibits access within territorial sea (12NM) (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/united-kingdom-single-issuing-authority-uksi...)
Also includes the "special area" for fishing as defined in the "UK/Denmark: Protocol to agreement with Faroe Islands on maritime delimitation" (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/faroe-islands-maritime-delimitation) where third country fishing vessels can be authorised by Faroe Islands to fish within the Scottish zone
