SCOTLAND’S FUTURE CATCHING POLICY: SELECTIVITY CONSULTATION 2026

Scotland’s Future Catching Policy: Selectivity Consultation 2026 sets out proposals to improve the sustainability, selectivity, and accountability of fishing operations in Scottish waters. The consultation builds on earlier engagement in 2022 and forms part of Scotland’s Fisheries Management Strategy (2020–2030), the Fisheries Act 2020, and commitments under the Programme for Government 2025–26.

The central aim of the Future Catching Policy (FCP) is to reduce unwanted catches of fish and mitigate bycatch of sensitive marine species. It seeks to do this primarily through improvements to technical conservation measures (gear regulations), enhanced reporting, and clearer management rules tailored to specific fleet segments rather than applying blanket measures across all fisheries.

A major cross-cutting proposal is the consolidation and simplification of existing technical regulations. Current rules are dispersed across multiple legislative instruments and licence conditions, making them complex and difficult to navigate. The FCP proposes creating a streamlined framework that would incorporate improved selectivity standards while removing outdated or duplicative provisions.

A key monitoring reform is the introduction of haul-by-haul reporting for vessels already required to submit electronic logbooks (generally vessels 12 metres and over). Instead of submitting daily summaries, fishers would record catch data after each haul (or fleet recovery for static gear). This would improve data granularity, stock assessment accuracy, enforcement capability, traceability, and enable more responsive spatial management.

The consultation proposes targeted technical changes for different fleet segments:

Large mesh demersal fleet (whitefish vessels using ≥120mm codend mesh): The Government proposes permitting 100mm square-mesh codends, while retaining 120mm as the minimum for diamond mesh. Evidence suggests square mesh remains more open and can improve selectivity for small fish, potentially reducing discards.

Mixed demersal fleet: The current “one-net rule” would be updated to distinguish clearly between whitefish fisheries (≥120mm) and directed fisheries (e.g., Nephrops, <120mm). Vessels would no longer carry both gear types simultaneously unless using approved dual-codend separator gear. Directed fisheries would also be subject to updated catch composition rules requiring fishers to “move on” or return to port if bycatch thresholds are exceeded, encouraging better targeting and reducing juvenile whitefish catches.

Small mesh demersal fleet (primarily Nephrops): Proposals include potentially raising minimum codend mesh sizes to 100mm in high fish-abundance areas, standardising square mesh panel requirements across Scotland (e.g., 300mm panels of 3m length), reviewing low-power vessel exemptions, clarifying coverless trawl use, and tightening specifications on square mesh panel placement, flotation use, and lifting straps. The goal is to simplify regulation while raising selectivity standards.

Beyond fish stocks, the consultation addresses bycatch of sensitive marine species, including cetaceans and seabirds. While marine mammal reporting is mandatory, no equivalent requirement exists for seabirds. For the longline fleet, the Government proposes making bird-scaring lines (streamers) mandatory to reduce seabird mortality. For the gillnet fleet, ongoing monitoring and mitigation measures such as pingers and gear modifications are discussed, with further evidence sought.

Overall, the FCP aims to create a more robust, transparent, and modern catching policy that improves compliance, reduces unwanted catch, enhances ecosystem protection, and supports a sustainable and competitive Scottish fishing industry.