What’s the catch? The environmental history of the north Minch fishery.

The project will explore the fishing industry in Scotland in its historical context focussing on the North Minch area. Current debates relating to the management, conservation and regeneration of fish stocks lack an appreciation of what the marine ecology of the area was prior to the advent of sustained commercial fishery, first recorded in the sixteenth century and which remained vibrant into the second half of the twentieth century but which has recently collapsed. By examining the historical profile of the fishery, this research will inform the current debate on the environment and the future viability of this industry.