Fisheries and Marine Spatial Planning
Many of Scotland’s rural communities depend on a flourishing fishing industry. Alongside the traditional pressures of stock management, fisheries are facing increasing challenges from the implementation of conservation measures and the growing use of marine space by other industries, such as the emerging marine renewable energy sector. The Marine Spatial Planning Team have been involved in number of projects and research studies around this subject.
Fisheries Management in the Context of Shared Seas
A large scale review was undertaken in 2014 which identified examples of best management practice from around the world. The results of the review were collated into a report which went on to inform two guidance documents to promote effective consideration of fishing within wider management.
Access the reports here
Peer-reviewed publications:
Withouck, I., Tett, P., Doran, J., Mouat, B., & Shucksmith, R. (2023). Diving into a just transition: How are fisheries considered during the emergence of renewable energy production in Scottish waters? Energy Research & Social Science, 101, 103135.
Shelmerdine R. L. and Leslie B. (2015); A multidisciplinary approach to the collection and use of VMS data from an inshore scallop fishery. Scottish Marine and Freshwater Science 6(13):1-27.
Shelmerdine R. L., Stone D., Leslie B., and Robinson M. (2014); Implications of defining fisheries closed areas based on predicted habitats in Shetland: a proactive and precautionary approach. Marine Policy 43:184-199.
Policy Briefs:
Withouck, I. (2023). Just transition to net zero: creating a transition process that fully accounts for social justice. ed. by Allan, K. UHI Shetland Policy Brief.
Reports:
Shelmerdine R. L. and Mouat B. (2021); Mapping fisheries and habitats in the North and East Coast RIFG area. NAFC Marine Centre report, 69 pp.
Shelmerdine R. L., Robinson M., Johnson A., Leslie B., Stone D., and Tait L. (2013); Assessment of the appropriateness of areas closed to protect priority marine features from scallop dredging around Shetland. NAFC Marine Centre Report, 166 pp.
Book Chapters:
Shucksmith, R., & Withouck, I. (2024). Barriers and opportunities for improved governance of fisheries within the context of marine spatial planning. In Governing Oceans (pp. 18-33). Edward Elgar Publishing.