Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Meeting date: Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Official Report 700KB pdf

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United Kingdom Subordinate Legislation

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Sea Fisheries (Amendment) Regulations 2023 [Draft]

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Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2023 [Draft]

Our next item of business is consideration of consent notifications for two UK statutory instruments. Do members have any comments on the consent notifications?

With regard to the Sea Fisheries (Amendment) Regulations 2023, my concern relates to more bass being seen around the coast of Scotland as a result of the warming of the seas. They are caught regularly—they have been caught right up as far as Tongue. The Scottish Government and the UK Government propose that no more than two sea bass may be retained per fisherman per day during the open season, which runs from March to December. How will they police that?

We could write to Marine Scotland to ask that question.

It seems strange to bring in a law if it cannot be enforced. Signing up to something that is unenforceable could bring discredit to the Government. I would be grateful if the committee would agree to seek guidance on that.

The papers explain that “piked dogfish under ... 100cm” in length will be removed from the prohibited species list. However, that type of shark is still listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list, so I have strong concerns about allowing it to be caught. I would like the committee to write to the Government or Marine Scotland to ask for an explanation of how compliance with the total allowable catch and size rules for the species will be ensured, including through remote electronic monitoring on quota vessels.

If members agree, we will do that.

I know that I am not a regular attendee of the committee—I am here as a substitute—but I would like to comment. In the notification, it says that the SI is to

“adjust the level of European seabass that may be caught within British fishing limits”.

I am aware that only one licence has been issued for catching sea bass in Scotland, so, when the notification talks about adjusting, does that mean both up and down?

We will seek clarity on that.

Are members content to agree with the Scottish Government’s decision to consent to the provisions that are set out in the notifications being included in UK, rather than Scottish, subordinate legislation?

Members indicated agreement.

That concludes the public session of the meeting.

11:47 Meeting continued in private until 12:01.