Scottish inshore fisheries strategy 2015.

The Scottish inshore fishery strategy 2015 has as vision to support the development of a more sustainable, profitable and well-managed inshore fisheries sector in Scotland. The Strategy aims at doing this by modernising the management of inshore fisheries and reaping long-term sustainable rewards for the inshore sector, the marine environment and our coastal communities.
The Strategy identifies 6 strategic outcomes: Outcome 1: Marine Scotland will address the barriers to good governance and explore options to bring forward an updated legislative framework by 2020 that will support sound fisheries management. Outcome 2: Marine Scotland will implement an appropriate form of vessel monitoring to provide good quality information on the footprint of inshore fishing by 2020, in line with the goal of prosecuting fishing at Maximum Sustainable Yields. Outcome 3: Marine Scotland will ensure that there are clear governance arrangements with effective streamlined structures and support in place for the important role that the new regional fisheries groups will need to play in the marine planning process. The new regional bodies will become the authoritative voice on inshore fisheries matters in mainland marine regions. Outcome 4: Our inshore waters will be managed in a way which is environmentally sustainable and their potential will be maximised to the benefit of coastal communities. The management of our fisheries will be congruent with the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. By 2020 effective assessment methodologies will be in place for fishing at Maximum Sustainable Yield, achieving Good Environmental Status and maintaining compliance with other marine conservation initiatives such as the Natura Directive and the development of Marine Protected Areas. Outcome 5: A baseline of data will be developed to understand the fishing footprint and the interactions between sustainable fishing, other activities in the marine environment and the needs of marine environmental protection to ensure that an appropriate balance between these interests is maintained in management decisions. Outcome 6: We will fully utilise the funding opportunities available via the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and meet its obligations under the small scale fleet action plan within that Fund. We will seek opportunities to maximise value throughout the supply chain and to help facilitate accreditation ambitions for inshore fisheries where appropriate.