The Firth of Clyde is among the most intensely studied and hotly debated fisheries and marine ecosystems in Scotland. That’s why this week, The Herald’s latest series is taking a dive into the big questions around the state and future of its marine wildlife, fish populations and fishing industry.

In the Clyde we can find a microcosm of many of the issues affecting inshore fisheries and coastal marine protection. We also find an atmosphere fraught with tension over how to protect nature and preserve the already dwindling fishing industry. 

To follow along, find every article in the series here.


Day One

How wild swimming made me take a dive into the future of Clyde fishing

Environmental reporter Vicky Allan went wild swimming in the Clyde, prompting big questions about how we protect both our fishing and fishermen.

'Things got aggressive and physical': How cod closure hit Clyde fishermen

Creel fishermen and trawlermen describe to Vicky Allan how the sudden closure of a fishery area drove some to leave the industry and put communities at war.

Hope for a Clyde cod supper? The battle to save a once common fish

Once common in the waters of the Clyde Sea, since the early 2000s, cod has been rare. Can recovery happen? And is the right effort being made?

A magnificent inland sea, Glasgow’s village pond: but is Firth of Clyde worth saving?

In 2014 Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead published his “Clyde 2020 Vision Statement”. That ‘Vision’ was for a healthy and thriving Firth of Clyde, the UK’s only inland sea with an area of 3000km2. 10 years on the Clyde 2020 programme has not generated one single measure to improve the Clyde and the Scottish Government has quietly withdrawn its support. Solicitor with Fish Legal Robert Younger comments.

Elaine Whyte: 'Everyone wants a sustainable future for the Clyde'

The Clyde is “unique” or a “microcosm of Scottish inshore fishing” are statements often used, except in reality it’s not, or it shouldn’t be, writes executive secretary of the Clyde Fishermen's Association Elaine Whyte.