Scotland's Environment secretary has signalled a progressive approach to marine management by undertaking to lead a review of the Clyde following a recent meeting. A group of concerned Clyde stakeholders including commercial fishermen and C.O.A.S.T. met with Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, and Marine Scotland officials at Holyrood on Thursday 23rd September. The meeting was arranged and attended by Kenneth Gibson MSP for Cunninghame North.

In a constructive meeting concerns were raised about the ecological state of the Clyde. Mr Lochhead was told that to safeguard the future of both the Clyde marine environment and avert a total collapse in the Clyde fishing industry immediate action was necessary. The Cabinet Secretary was given a substantial quantity of scientific papers which proved conclusively that areas previously dredged recovered their fecundity once dredging and bottom trawling ceased. Such a cessation would allow the Clyde to start recovering from 25 years of rapid decline. It was also pointed out that previously there was a ban on bottom trawling within 3 miles of the shore from 1889 until 1985. Therefore it is only in the last 25 years that bottom trawling has been allowed within the 3 mile limit. The Cabinet Secretary was asked to go out to public consultation on the reintroduction of the prohibition of bottom trawling and dredging within 3 miles from the shore, thereby creating a regeneration area in the Clyde which would enable a recovery of the seabed and ultimately secure a long term future for the fishery.

The Cabinet Secretary assured everyone present that all decisions on the future of the Clyde would be based upon science.

He agreed to ask his officials to prepare recommendations for restoring the health of the Clyde, including the possibility of consulting on the restoration of a three mile limit.

The meeting concluded with the cabinet secretary giving these undertakings:
- Mr Lochhead said that he would set out in a letter an explanation of exactly what he would do.
- Mr Lochhead said that he would ask Marine Scotland to undertake, or commission, an urgent review of the state of the Clyde and make any recommendations on possible solutions to a degraded marine environment.
- The Cabinet Secretary also said that he would ask officials to collate the latest scientific reports on leaving areas of seabed undisturbed from bottom trawling and dredging. These would be considered by himself and Marine Scotland in any decisions which may be made about any future management of the Clyde and around the coast more generally.