About Us

The RIFG network comprises 6 national groups where commercial fishers have a forum to explore local fisheries management initiatives, ensuring fishing businesses of all sizes have a strong voice in matters that affect them.

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Our Aim

The Regional Inshore Fisheries Groups (RIFGs) are non-statutory bodies that aim to improve the management of fisheries in the 0-12 nautical mile zone of Scottish waters and to give commercial inshore fishers a strong voice in wider marine planning initiatives.

Regions

North & East Coast

The North and East Coast RIFG covers the area between Durness on the north coast and all the east coast down to Burnmouth close to the border with England.

The Group was established in April 2016 and succeeds the Moray Firth & North Coast Inshore Fisheries Group and East Coast Inshore Fisheries Group, that were in place from 2013 to 2016.

North West Coast

The North West Coast RIFG covers from Cape Wrath in the north to Ardnamurchan Point, including the Inner Hebrides and Firth of Clyde.

Prior to January 2023 this area was covered by the West Coast RIFG.

South West Coast

The South West RIFG covers from Ardnamurchan Point to the national border with England in the Solway Firth.

Prior to January 2023 this area was covered by the West Coast RIFG.

Outer Hebrides

The Outer Hebrides RIFG covers inshore waters from the baselines between the Butt of Lewis and Barra Head, as well as the sea out from St Kilda, the Flannan Isles, North Rona and Sula Sgeir.

Orkney

As from January 2023 a standalone RIFG was created for the Orkneys, extending out to 12 miles around the isles and the waters surrounding Sule Skerry to the west

Shetland

As from January 2023 a standalone RIFG was created for the Shetland Isles, extending out to 12 miles around the isles and operating separately to, but in close cooperation with, the Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation (SSMO).

The SSMO manage and regulate commercial fisheries for certain shellfish species within 6 miles of the isles, through use of the Shetland Islands Regulating Order.

6

FISHERY GROUPS

OVER

18,000

KILOMETRES OF SCOTTISH COASTLINE

Scottish Coastline
Scottish Regional Inshore Fisheries Groups