The Future Fisheries Management Strategy 12 point action plan also states that “WE WILL work with our stakeholders to deliver an ecosystem-based approach to management, including considering additional protections for spawning and juvenile congregation areas and restricting fishing activity or prohibiting fishing for species which are integral components of the marine food web, such as sandeels.” We welcome the Scottish Government proposal to ban sandeel fishing in Scottish waters, but a spatial approach to managing fishing is urgently needed to protect important “spawning and juvenile” aggregations for other commercial fish and shellfish species.