Mapping inshore fishing activity to inform marine planning in Scotland: A pilot project using stakeholder data in the Pentland Firth and Orkney waters

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Marine planning relies on robust data on human uses of the sea in order to minimise spatial conflicts and account for the cumulative effects of multiple activities in decision making. Capture fisheries are major users of our seas and it is important to account for the activity of this sector in marine plans. Activity and value data already exist for offshore fisheries in Scottish waters through the use of Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) on large (>15 m) vessel and have been used in sectoral planning in Scotland, to help identify areas of least conflict that may be suitable for marine renewable energy development. However, in many areas the competition for space is greatest in the inshore waters where most fishing is undertaken by small vessels (< 15 m) which are not currently fitted with VMS.