The report comes after the Scottish Government delayed plans to consult on the future of inshore marine management until after the 2026 election. The research examined the economic impact of four different fishing methods (diving, creeling, trawling and dredging) in Argyll, which is home to some of Scotland’s most valuable inshore fisheries. For scallops, the impact was even more pronounced, with a tonne of hand-dived scallops generating four times the revenue of the equivalent produced by dredging (£3,113 GVA per tonne for hand-dived scallops, compared to £849 for those caught by dredging). Read more:Open Seas have now warned that Scottish Government inaction continues to put the low-impact fishing industry at risk. More vital habitats lost to destructive fishing methods, more pressure on the businesses which do fish responsibly, and more uncertainty for local communities.

Source: The Herald January 13, 2026 17:00 UTC