Inshore MPA and PMF proposed fisheries management measures consultation – 2026

What is it:

The consultation for inshore fisheries management measures for MPAs that still require these and for 11 PMFs most vulnerable to bottom-contacting fishing gear outside network is aiming to be launched in 2026

There are 2 map layers associated with the consultation that feature on MS Maps NMPI:

Proposed PMF management areas Option 1 - Inshore MPA and PMF fisheries management measures consultation

Proposed PMF management areas Option 2 – Inshore MPA and PMF fisheries management measures consultation

Further to the 2018 illustrative areas, NatureScot provided advice on new, extended and reduced areas which Marine Directorate took into consideration when developing the proposed PMF management areas for the inshore fisheries management measures consultation.

These areas proposed for consultation are based on the distribution of the 11 PMFs in accordance with the recommendations in NatureScot’s PMF advice, which can be found on their website, and the boundary setting principles, developed jointly by Marine Directorate and NatureScot, which can be found in the additional information tab at the bottom of this page.

The layers have been updated to align the proposed PMF management areas to Mean Low Water Springs (MLWS). The proposed PMF management areas focus is on demersal mobile/active gear which operates subtidally. Therefore the boundaries of the management measures for PMFs have been drawn to MLWS.

In the specific case of Loch Bay (Skye) proposed PMF management area and the maerl bed in Ardmore Bay, whilst the maerl bed record in Ardmore Bay falls outside the proposed PMF management area it is plotting above MLWS. This is likely to be an issue with positional accuracy and would be protected by Option 2 within the bay.

The expected consultation is aiming to launch in 2026 and follows on from the discussions that began in 2017/18 and is where fisheries management measures and proposed PMF management areas will be proposed.

*These data layers are separate to the 2018 illustrative layers which were a starting point for the discussion and development of the PMF management areas to be proposed at consultation. The 2025 proposed PMF management areas have been developed and refined using advice from NatureScot, fishing data, scientific boundary setting principles and stakeholder engagement.

This information page is part of the theme: 

Protected Areas

Links to Scotland's Marine Atlas:

Chapter 4: Protected Areas

This information page is part of the theme:

Healthy and Biologically Diverse

More Information:

Following the identification of 11 PMFs most vulnerable to bottom-contacting mobile fishing gear, Marine Directorate and NatureScot initiated a multi-phase process to develop appropriate fisheries management measures for Scotland’s inshore waters. This began with a scoping consultation in 2018 on identifying the now established 11 PMFs most vulnerable to bottom-contacting mobile fishing gears.

Building on this, a stakeholder workshop was held in 2019. Recognising the importance of local knowledge and industry input, Marine Scotland committed to conducting targeted fisheries engagement before launching any formal consultation on proposed inshore fisheries management measures. This engagement took place in two phases: December 2019 to March 2020, and again from December 2021 to January 2022, with a pause due to COVID-19 restrictions.

In response to feedback from these sessions, the Scottish Government began work in 2023 on a combined sustainability appraisal, starting with social impact research. This included workshops and drop-in sessions across six regions to gather community perspectives on proposed management measures. These insights are now being incorporated into a full socio-economic impact assessment, which will inform the statutory assessments and public consultation required to implement new fisheries management measures.

The proposed management areas, shown in this dataset, within Scotland’s inshore waters were defined through a collaborative process involving scientific advice and stakeholder engagement led by Marine Directorate. boundary setting for proposed management areas was guided by ecological evidence, expert input, and feedback from stakeholders.

The overarching goal remains to ensure that PMFs are protected in accordance with General Policy 9b of the National Marine Plan, which states that marine development and use must not result in significant impact on the national status of PMFs.

The 11 PMFs are: Blue mussel beds; Cold water coral reefs; Fan mussel aggregations; Flame shell beds; Horse mussel beds; Maerl beds; Maerl or coarse shell gravel with burrowing sea cucumbers; Native oysters; Northern sea fan and sponge communities; Seagrass beds; Serpulid aggregations.  MS Maps NMPi hosts map layers for these PMFs as web map services (WMS) from SNH (search MS Maps NMPi for each PMF name).

This page was last modified on :

Monday, August 24, 2026 - 11:51

Map Type	Click title for metadata and licence information	Date of data	View Map
Map Layers (NMPi)	Proposed Priority Marine Feature (PMF) management areas Option 1 – Inshore MPA and PMF fisheries management measures consultation - 2025	2025-09-29	Access this map on NMPi
Map Layers (NMPi)	Proposed Priority Marine Feature (PMF) management areas Option 2 – Inshore MPA and PMF fisheries management measures consultation - 2025	2025-09-29	Access this map on NMPi

Type	Title	External link
Documents	Principles and process for defining PMF management Areas