Question reference: S6W-22438
- Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
- Date lodged: 2 November 2023
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Current status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 10 November 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the potential impact on the marine environment in Scotland, what its position is on the reported response from the Marine Management Organisation, to a Freedom of Information request from the World Cetacean Alliance, stating that it only holds bycatch data on the only UK-registered super trawler, not on foreign-owned super trawlers, in light of it being a requirement for all vessels operating in UK waters to report all incidences of marine mammal bycatch.
Answer
All vessels authorised to operate in Scottish waters do so under the appropriate licences, and are obliged to follow Scottish domestic management rules. This includes a mandatory requirement for all vessels, including EU vessels, operating in UK waters to report any incidental injury or mortality (bycatch) of marine mammal to the Marine Management Organisation.
We take any infringements of fishing vessel licence conditions seriously, including those relating the reporting of marine mammal bycatch. We continue to remind masters of their obligation to record and report incidental mortality and serious injury (bycatch) of marine mammals in accordance with their licence condition and will investigate any reports where there is evidence which suggests this condition is not complied with.
While the management of Scottish waters is an area of devolved competency, the Scottish Government continues to work with the UK Government and other devolved administrations through the delivery of the Marine Wildlife Bycatch Mitigation Initiative (BMI) which is a joint plan for tackling bycatch across the UK with the aim of minimising, and where possible eliminating, bycatch of sensitive marine species.