This report by economics consultancy eftec explored the ecosystem service impacts of protecting Scottish waters out to three nautical miles from the coast from bottom-trawling and dredging (referred to as bottom-towed fishing within this report). This assessment comes in the context of increasing recognition of the importance of conserving and restoring marine ecosystems, and their critical role in climate regulation, biodiversity objectives, and human well-being.
These impacts include both potential benefits such as enhanced carbon sequestration or economic and ecological gains for the static gear sector, and potential costs like the losses to the bottom-towed fishing sector. Through review of published literature and spatial analysis, aided by advice from marine ecosystem services experts, we have assembled an evidence-based assessment of the possible impacts. The results of the study are intended to inform policymaking and conversations with marine stakeholders, including conservation advocates, fishing industry representatives, and policymakers.
