Current status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 7 March 2017
To ask the Scottish Government how many Marine Scotland staff are working full-time or full-time equivalent on preparing for the devolution to Scotland of EU powers over fisheries.
Fisheries are fully devolved and therefore once Scotland is no longer part of the Common Fisheries Policy, we expect that the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Ministers will continue to exercise full control over fisheries management in Scotland, and of all Scottish vessels. Marine Scotland is making preparation for EU exit, although we do not yet know what approach the UK Government will take during the exit negotiations. However, Scotland will continue to manage fisheries in order to ensure a sustainable and vibrant industry now and into the future. As part of good governance and risk management, all Marine Scotland staff are giving due regard to the need to plan for Brexit including, where appropriate, identifying and delivering actions necessary to prepare for the devolution of EU powers to Scotland.