Current status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 18 January 2024
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the consultation on proposals to close fishing for sandeel in Scottish waters, what its position is on whether the benefit of any such closures would be considered to be an appropriate compensation measure for offshore wind farm developments that are required to seek derogation under the relevant habitats regulations.
Scottish Ministers will consider the suitability of any measures proposed as compensation as part of a case for derogating from the habitats regulations at the appropriate stage in the process, if and when such a derogation case may be required. This applies to any closure of the sandeel fishery in Scottish waters which may be proposed as a compensation measure for offshore wind farm developments.