The 2026 Scottish elections mark a pivotal moment for Scotland’s coastal and marine environments. There are clear signs that our seas are in a critical state; over the past century fish landings have fallen dramatically despite an increase in fishing effort, and seabird population have fallen by 49% since 1986.
The next government will bring us to 2030, the milestone year where Scotland has committed to halting biodiversity loss and protecting 30% of our land and seas.
Community organisations from across Scotland’s coast have co-developed these priorities, drawing on their vast knowledge and experiences. These aim for an ecosystem based recovery of our marine and coastal environments that benefits nature and communities.
1. Community-led marine management
Communities around Scotland’s coast currently have next to no input in how our inshore area is managed, and instead almost all decisions are made by Scottish Ministers and the Marine Directorate. Communities must have a strong say in how their local waters are managed and be supported to do so; there must be a route for communities to bring bespoke proposals for local management of their waters to support biodiversity restoration and flourishing low-impact fleets, and for these proposals to be fairly considered, and, if successful, supported and funded.
2. Inshore reform, fisheries, and spatial planning
All activities in Scotland’s inshore waters should be subject to spatial management, developed in collaboration with coastal communities. This allows for integrated and strategic “big picture” planning, to support coastal communities and the environment. At least 30% of Scotland’s seas must be protected by 2030 from all bottom-contact trawling and dredging, with preferential access for low-impact fishing to support a just transition for communities.
3. Marine restoration
Marine restoration projects, whether active or passive, are a legitimate and important use of the marine area which can bring a multitude of benefits to coastal communities, though are often compromised by a lack of decent regulation. They need leadership, a streamlined consents and licensing system, and financial support for key projects.
4. Aquaculture
Any new fish farms must be subject to proper spatial planning, taking account of democratically-expressed community views and the industry’s cumulative impact on the environment and coastal landscapes, alongside a significant improvement of standards at existing facilities and a closure or relocation of the farms with the worst pollution and welfare histories. In the interim new fish farm approvals or extensions should be paused until fish welfare and mortality concerns have been addressed, and the environmental and socioeconomic impact of the existing sector have been assessed. Sustainable aquaculture – such as well-managed seaweed and shellfish farming – should be supported for community benefit.
5. Marine litter
Waste from fishing, aquaculture, shipping and other human activities are major sources of marine plastic pollution on our coastal communities. Responsibility for the costs associated with marine litter must be transferred from communities and local authorities to polluters, with recycling paid for by industry alongside funding for cleanup projects and dedicated support to address the unique challenges faced by island and remote mainland communities. Measures should be taken to reduce this litter at source.
6. Water quality
Untreated and unmonitored sewage overflows and other forms of water pollution across Scotland pose major risks to human health and marine ecosystems. We need to see a holistic approach to this issue, including more transparency around sewage pollution and water quality, wider access to bathing water status, increased funding for water testing, an end to the discharge of pesticides and waste to the sea by the fish farming sector, and sewer overflows must be screened to reduce debris discharge.