Community-Led Fisheries Management: Local data delivering regional sustainability & nature conservation

Shellfish fisheries management has been devolved to the regional level in Shetland for a quarter of a century, driven by a desire to have a greater say in the management of a key economic and cultural resource. This shift in delivery from Government to the community has resulted in a step change in fisheries management and innovation in data management, delivering sustainable marine resource management verified by MSC sustainability accreditation. The use of fishers data in local stock assessments and research, and it’s integration in the marine planning process have demonstrated the value of industry contributed data, with proactive spatial management for nature conservation and early engagement in planning developments. For the scallop dredge fishery, detailed high resolution fisheries track data and innovative habitat modelling have demonstrated the limited footprint and impact of this fishery on benthic habitats, evidencing a different perspective to accepted narrative for this fishery.