Scotland’s deep seas and continental shelf seas are home to some of our most amazing wildlife, from beautiful coral reefs and sea sponges to whales, sharks and many species of fish.

Some of our cold water coral reefs are thought to be 8,000 years old. They provide oases of food and shelter for a huge variety of species, including commercial fish stocks on which coastal communities rely.

The ecosystems found in our deep and continental shelf seas are also key to helping tackle the climate crisis, such as deep sea sediments which are important long-term carbon stores.

Since 2014, defined and limited parts of these seas have been designated as marine protected areas, to protect many of the vulnerable species and habitats that make this environment so special.

But 10 years on, trawler fishing boats are still allowed to sweep across and damage large sections of the vital seabed habitats in these protected areas.

The Scottish government is required by law to design and implement specially tailored fishing restrictions for each marine protected area, but restrictions have been delayed again and again, leaving many of these areas largely unprotected.

Right now, the Scottish government is asking for people’s views on proposed restrictions for our ‘offshore’ marine protected areas - those between 12 and 200 nautical miles from the shore.

Restricting certain types of fishing in these areas, depending on the wildlife within each one, is a crucial first step to helping our seas recover. 

For our marine protected areas to help us restore marine ecosystems and help tackle the climate crisis, it’s vital that the bespoke restrictions designed for each marine protected area apply across the whole of that area - ensuring that trawling and other damaging forms of fishing can no longer harm these rich natural habitats.

Have your say! Tell the Scottish government to put tailored fisheries restrictions in place by the end of 2025, giving our deep sea and continental shelf marine protected areas the protection they need. 

Send an email to Gillian Martin, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, asking her to protect Scotland's deep seas.

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