The health of key Scottish fishing stocks is closely linked to the type and quality of the seabed, new research findings have confirmed.
It was once an important area for each of these species but stocks are no longer strong enough to support the same amount of fishing
Previously, there was very little known about what makes a good “nursery” area for the most important commercial fish in the early stages of life.
The new research analysed environmental factors impacting on the fish – and showed biodiversity of the seabed affects the abundance and growth of juveniles.