21 Oct 2025

Photo by Andy Grayson   The Scottish Government has implemented new fisheries management measures protecting over 176,900 km² of Scotland’s 20 offshore Marine Protected Areas and Special Areas of Conservation from bottom-towed fishing gear. The restrictions, which came into effect on 16th October, represent a significant step forward for marine conservation but have sparked debate […]

20 Jun 2023

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has confirmed there has been a very high-level of compliance with new byelaws introduced last year. On 13 June 2022, the MMO introduced new byelaws to protect four offshore marine protected areas (MPAs) from damaging fishing activity.   Photo: Subtidal coarse sediment ©Crown Copyright   England’s MPAs  There are currently […]