Co-operating in fisheries management: trials and tribulations in Scotland

The UK Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967 gives power to the Minister to devolve inshore fisheries management to local co-operative groups under a Regulating Order. The device was not used in Scotland until Shetland fishermen made a successful application in 1999. The Shetland experience encouraged applications and the mechanism was written into Scottish government strategy as key to future management. However, in 2001 an Orkney proposal failed prior to submission following opposition from the fishermen. This study looks at the circumstances of the Orkney failure in the context of the Shetland success and asks if the Regulating Order policy has a future.