The closure boundary as published in the source dataset, simplified for display. Basemap © Esri, HERE, Garmin, OpenStreetMap contributors.

What the rule actually says

A CAUGHT review has read the instrument behind this closure, rather than relying on the summary published with the boundary. Where the two differ, the instrument governs; this reading was made on 2026-09-06.

What is prohibited

Fishing for sea fish with demersal mobile gear.

The prohibition, in the instrument’s own words

Article 11(2), VERBATIM: "Fishing for sea fish with demersal mobile gear is prohibited in the North-east Faroe-Shetland Channel Second Protected Area." Area = Part 2 of schedule 9. Article 2 defines "demersal mobile gear" as including a demersal seine net, a demersal trawl and a dredge.

In summary

Article 11(2) of the Offshore Fishing (Prohibition of Fishing Methods) (Scotland) Order 2025 (SSI 2025/240) prohibits fishing for sea fish with demersal mobile gear in the North-east Faroe-Shetland Channel Second Protected Area, which is Part 2 of schedule 9. Article 2 defines demersal mobile gear as including a demersal seine net, a demersal trawl and a dredge.

As published with the boundary

Demersal mobile gear prohibited.

Summary as published in the source dataset, shown for comparison. A dataset paraphrase can be narrower or wider than the instrument it summarises, and finding out which is the work above.

What is prohibited: Bottom-towed gear prohibited
Authority: Scottish Government (Marine Scotland)
Instrument: Offshore Fishing (Prohibition of Fishing Methods) (Scotland) Order 2025
Type: Byelaw/ Regulation
In force since: 2025-10-16
Area: 22,690 km²

What satellites have recorded here

No cases have been recorded in this closure. That is not a finding that nothing happens here — it means our sweeps have not flagged anything inside these boundaries, and coverage depends on satellite passes and on vessels being tracked at all.

What a case here means. A CAUGHT case is a reason to look, not a verdict. Each one is judged on three independent factors — was it fishing, here and then; what gear does the vessel actually use; and what was prohibited there at that time — and the weakest of the three decides. Most cases are resolved.

Boundaries and rule summaries come from the published datasets named at the foot of this page and can contain errors; the legislation is the authority. If you believe this closure is described wrongly, tell us at contact@caught.org.uk.

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