Scotland’s Future Catching Policy: selectivity proposals 2026

What is the small mesh demersal fleet segment?

• This fleet segment comprises of approximately 246 fishing vessels in Scottish waters who use small mesh trawls as their primary method of fishing*. Of this, 186 are Scottish registered vessels, 57 are UK registered and 3 are non-UK vessels.
• These vessels operate all over Scotland, mainly inside the 12nm line
• These vessels use demersal bottom trawls to catch mainly Nephrops and some ground fish and utilise nets with a codend mesh size of between 80mm – 119mm (hence “small mesh”)
• This fleet segment is subject to the installation of selectivity devices given the relatively smaller mesh sizes in the codend e.g. square mesh panels.

*More vessels may use this method, but not as their primary gear

What measures do we have in place now?

• Demersal bottom trawls with codend mesh sizes between 80mm and 120mm specifically pursuing directed fisheries (i.e. Nephrops)
• A suite of additional selectivity requirements such as square mesh panels or other selectivity attachments
• These selectivity requirements are often accompanied by power or vessel size exemptions, for example, most vessels in the Firth of Clyde using 80mm – 119mm codends, must have a square mesh panel installed of 3m length and 300mm mesh size – however if the vessel is below 112kw or 12m in overall length, they may use a square mesh panel of 2m and 200mm.

What needs to change?

• Increasing minimum codend mesh size to 100mm in high fish abundant areas would result in less small fish being caught but could potentially lead to loss of marketable Nephrops
• There are many fishers who have sought to pursue the use of coverless trawls to minimise their fish bycatch but have been unsure whether this is allowed.

What are we proposing will change?

• Consideration of a move to a minimum mesh size of 100mm in directed fisheries, for high fish abundant areas.
• Unifying square mesh panel requirements across the small mesh demersal fleet segment so that all directed fisheries are fishing at the same standard (i.e. 80mm diamond mesh codend minimum, with a square mesh panel in the top of the extension piece of at least 300mm at 3m long). 
• Consideration of the low power exemption outlined above.
• Clarify the position surrounding the use of covers in trawls to allow for their removal or use. If a cover is still wanted by a fisher, provide the necessary requirements to make them fit for purpose.
• As outlined under the mixed fleet segment measures, all directed fishing vessels be subject to additional management measures, and catch composition rules. However, we understand that there is great variance in the small mesh fleet and so we would look to tailor these rules depending on the type of operation (e.g. varying reporting requirement thresholds depending on the length of the trip).

Proposed Outcome

• Simplified legislation and therefore a more simplified suite of technical measures for fishers to use and officials to enforce
• A higher minimum standard of selectivity and catch composition requirements

Square Mesh Panels

The square mesh panel is one of the most commonly used selectivity devices. In this, the diamond mesh is turned through 45 degrees to the water flow thereby ensuring the meshes in the panel remain fully open throughout the fishing operation, allowing for the release of small fish.  The current requirements in Scotland for square mesh panels are varied and complex. For example, in directed fisheries in the West of Scotland the standard is 300mm square mesh as part of a 3m panel, fitted in the top side of the fishing net, no more than 9-15m from the cod-line. There is an exemption to this standard however for lower powered, or lower length vessels (i.e. 200mm in a 2m panel instead of 300mm in a 3m panel, for vessels below 12 m in length and/or with engine power of 112 kW or less).

• We are proposing that these standards for square mesh panels of 300mm for 3m for all vessels fishing with codends under 120mm, should be applied across all of Scottish waters.

A study has outlined that removal of the low power exemptions for square mesh panels should not cause any issues in terms of selectivity or retention of wanted catch – removing these power exemptions would help to simplify rules for all fishers, ensuring everyone is fishing the same standard of selectivity gear regardless of the size and power of the vessel. However, another study  suggests that an increase to 300mm square mesh panel for these smaller, low powered vessels may result in a loss of medium sized marketable catches of Nephrops.

• Given the mixed evidence, we are seeking views on whether a legislative change is worthwhile in order to deliver a simplification of the rules.

Current rules state that a square mesh panel, when installed must have no more than two open diamond meshes between the longitudinal side of the panel and the adjacent selvedge in the West of Scotland and no more than five in the North Sea. This can cause some confusion for fishers and inhibits the ability for fishers to move across the North/West line without changing their gear.

• We are proposing to unify this measure across all of Scottish waters. Data suggests that we must ensure the rear most edge of the square mesh panel is not greater than 2 meshes from selvedge (stitched “seam” that joins the bottom and top half of the fishing net) as this prevents the panel being incorrectly inserted up the tapered section of the net.

Current legislation states that the overall length of the panel will be positioned no further than 9-15 metres from the cod-line (i.e. the rearmost row of meshes of the panel shall be no more than 15 metres from the cod-line). Data suggest that the closer the panel is inserted towards the cod-line, the more effective it will be at selecting out fish.

However through detailed discussion with industry and gear technologists it is apparent that if the square mesh panel is brought too far back towards the codline, there is high potential for fishers to lose marketable catches of Nephrops through the panel when hauling the gear. The current standard of no less than 15m can be improved upon, but bringing the panel as close as 3-6m could be economically detrimental. Therefore: 

• We propose that this range should be reduced from t9-15m to 6-12m.

Flotation buoys are often used around the Square Mesh Panel in order to keep the larger meshes open, in order to better facilitate the escape of fish, however there is no legislation regulating their use and this can cause issues with selectivity if attached incorrectly.

• We are proposing to allow floats to be used around the square mesh panel, provided they do not block the openings of the square mesh or are attached directly to it.
• We propose to increase the twine thickness allowed in the square mesh panel when the mesh size exceeds 300mm.

Strengthening bags/straps

A lifting strap is a piece of rope or wire loosely encircling the circumference of the codend or the strengthening bag, if any, and attached to it by means of loops or rings. More than one lifting strap may be used at any time.

• We propose to require lifting straps be made of a non-elastic material in order to prevent the use of bungee cords as a means of circumventing the measurement stipulations.