Marine Scotland has announced proposed guidelines for the marking of static fishing gear used within 12 nautical miles.

In addition:

“We will also introduce regulations requiring all unlicensed fishermen to mark their gear with a unique reference number which will be issued on request by the local Marine Scotland Fishery Office. The regulations will also require licensed fishermen to mark their gear with the PLN.”

There will also be a ban on using objects such as plastic milk cartons and netted footballs.

Having held a consultation Marine Scotland felt it was unreasonable “to legislate and place fishermen in a position of having to choose between complying with legislation and risk losing gear, and breaching regulations to avoid loss.”

It, therefore, proposes to issue the guidelines.