Minutes: 01 October 2025

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 3 in private.

2. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the Offshore Fishing (Prohibition of Fishing Methods) (Scotland) Order 2025 from—

Phil Taylor, Director, Open Seas;

Calum Duncan, Convener, Marine Group, Scottish Environment LINK;

Professor James Harrison, Professor of Environmental Law, University of Edinburgh;

Caitlin Turner, Youth Trustee, Young Sea Changers Scotland;

and then from—

David Anderson, Chief Executive, Aberdeen Fish Producers Organisation;

Elspeth Macdonald, Chief Executive, Scottish Fishermen’s Federation;

Kenny Coull, Fisheries Policy Officer, Scottish White Fish Producers Association Ltd;

Keith Whyte, Rural and Maritime Industry Support Executive, Aberdeenshire Council.

3. Subordinate legislation(In private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.

4. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the Offshore Fishing (Prohibition of Fishing Methods) (Scotland) Order 2025 from—

Gillian Martin, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy, Charlotte Altass,Offshore Marine Protected Areas Policy Manager, John Mouat,Head of Protected Seas and Conor Nangle,Offshore Marine Protected Areas Delivery Lead, Scottish Government.

5. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instrument—

Offshore Fishing (Prohibition of Fishing Methods) (Scotland) Order 2025 (SSI 2025/240)

The Committee agreed to make no recommendations in relation to the instrument.