Scotland has confirmed fresh rules for the Firth of Clyde that keep the spring shutdown in place and add a three‑year horizon. The Sea Fish (Prohibition on Fishing) (Firth of Clyde) Order 2026 takes effect on 14 February 2026 and runs to 13 February 2029, maintaining closed areas to protect spawning fish while introducing targeted access for vessels with an established local track record.

In practical terms, fishing for sea fish by any method from British‑registered vessels is prohibited in a wider Area A. Boats that fished and landed from Area A on at least one occasion between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2025 are classed as “relevant” and may continue to work in Area A year‑round, except inside the more sensitive Areas B and C. In Areas B and C, the seasonal closure applies each year from 14 February to 30 April; outside that window (1 May to 13 February), relevant boats may resume fishing. For non‑relevant British vessels, Area A remains closed until February 2029.

Scientific work remains encouraged. Ministers can authorise research operations, and a new Targeted Scientific Programme will operate year‑round across the Firth of Clyde from February 2026 for three years, co‑designed with local fishers to pinpoint juvenile and spawning cod hotspots and test real‑time protections where needed. ([gov.scot](Link

The timing is about biology, not bureaucracy. Cod gather to spawn in late winter and spring and are especially sensitive to seabed disturbance and noise during mating, when males defend territories and emit low‑frequency sounds to attract females. Reducing activity during this period improves the odds of successful spawning. ([blogs.gov.scot](Link

Government evidence shows the closure has been refined since 2022 to focus on habitat where cod are most likely to spawn, based on sediment mapping and published literature. The 2022 redesign reduced the overall closed area by about 28 per cent and avoided fine mud, which makes up only 8.7 per cent of the earlier footprint yet is unlikely to host spawning. The 2026 approach keeps that targeted logic. ([gov.scot](Link

Officials also acknowledge that recovery has been slow despite two decades of seasonal closures and that wider pressures-temperature, salinity and prey-interact with fishing mortality. The 2026 Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment sets out these trade‑offs and records diverging views: some want a return of certain exemptions to ease pressure on small boats; others call for tighter trawl limits to cut cod bycatch. ([gov.scot](Link

The Order applies to British fishing boats and sits alongside existing protections in the South Arran Nature Conservation MPA, where separate restrictions still apply across part of the footprint. For crews planning trips, that means checking both the legal coordinates in the Order and the MPA rules before sailing. ([legislation.gov.uk](Link

Enforcement remains robust. Breaching a prohibition can lead to a fine up to £50,000 on summary conviction, or an unlimited fine on indictment, with possible forfeiture of catch and gear. The penalty framework reflects long‑standing provisions of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967 and has been reiterated in recent Clyde orders. ([legislation.gov.uk](Link

For skippers, the immediate to‑dos are practical. Load the coordinates for Areas A, B and C into your plotter, confirm whether your vessel meets the 2023–2025 track‑record test for “relevant” status, and plan spring effort for grounds outside B and C. If you’re open to collaborating, contact the Marine Directorate about joining the Targeted Scientific Programme so your data inform any future real‑time closures. ([gov.scot](Link

Electronic monitoring is tightening across Scottish waters. Remote Electronic Monitoring will be mandatory for relevant pelagic vessels from 7 March 2026 and is expanding elsewhere; robust REM and haul‑by‑haul logs help demonstrate low bycatch and build the case for proportionate access as the science matures. ([gov.scot](Link

The debate will continue. The Sustainable Inshore Fisheries Trust has challenged the scientific basis of the 2026 package, warning that repeating past measures may not rebuild cod and could harm parts of the inshore fleet. Ministers argue the new programme and adaptive tools are designed to test those claims at sea and adjust quickly if evidence points to better options. ([sift.scot](Link

Eco Current takeaway: a clearer calendar to 2029 gives fishers planning certainty while new data come through. If the Targeted Scientific Programme maps spawning hotspots and pinpoints bycatch risk, Scotland can move from broad seasonal bans to targeted real‑time protection-good for cod and fairer for livelihoods.