Scottish Government launches public consultation on inshore MPA fisheries management
I have been waiting a long time to write this blog.
The Scottish Government has finally launched its public consultation on fisheries management measures for inshore marine protected areas (MPAs).
This is genuinely welcome news.
But there is also a reason I’m particularly pleased to see this consultation finally open: we have been waiting for it for around ten years.
The measures being consulted on were originally due to be introduced in 2016. Since then, there have been years of discussion, engagement and delay. So, seeing the consultation finally launched is an important moment for Scotland’s seas – and for the whales, dolphins and porpoises who depend on them.
Why does fishing matter for whales and dolphins?
When you hear the words ‘marine protected area’, you might reasonably assume that the wildlife the area was created to protect is fully protected. Sadly, that isn’t always the case.
An MPA is essentially a recognised area of ocean that has been identified as important for wildlife or habitats. But simply drawing a boundary on a map does not stop harmful activities from taking place within it. The real test is whether the right measures are in place to reduce the threats.
For whales, dolphins and porpoises who live, feed or raise their young in these areas, some fishing methods can pose a serious risk.
Gillnets and other types of fishing gear can accidentally entangle and drown whales, dolphins and porpoises. Bottom trawling and dredging can damage the seabed and affect the marine life that whales and dolphins rely on for food.
These are not distant or theoretical concerns. Scotland’s coastal waters are important places for whales, dolphins and porpoises to feed, breed, raise their young and spend much of their lives.
I’ve been lucky enough to see this myself. From watching bottlenose dolphins feeding close to shore at our Scottish Dolphin Centre, to seeing minke whales and harbour porpoises from research boats, I’ve seen how rich and remarkable these waters can be.
These are places worth protecting – properly.
So, what happens next?
The consultation covers proposed fisheries management measures across Scotland’s inshore MPAs. The proposals vary between sites, depending on the wildlife and habitats found there and the fishing activities taking place.
For WDC, our focus will be on the sites that are important for whales, dolphins and porpoises. We’ll be looking closely at the proposals for these MPAs and considering whether the measures proposed will provide meaningful protection from harmful fishing activities.
This is an important opportunity to make sure that the final measures are based on the best available evidence and properly reflect the needs of the whales, dolphins and porpoises who rely on these waters.
We will be responding in detail to the proposals relevant to whales, dolphins and porpoises, drawing on the evidence we have gathered through our work on marine protected areas and the threats facing these species. We’ll be calling for strong, science-led protection.
Launching this consultation was one of the first asks in WDC’s 2026 Scottish election manifesto. At the time, I wrote about why getting this process started was so important. I’m very glad that we can now say: the consultation is finally here.
But launching it is only the beginning.
The Scottish Government now has an opportunity to turn years of discussion into meaningful action. We need fisheries management measures that actually reduce harm in these important areas and give marine wildlife the space it needs to recover and thrive.
And after ten years of waiting, I think Scotland’s whales, dolphins and porpoises deserve nothing less.