Current status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 18 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government, in the interest of helping to ensure the sustainability of fishing activity in Scottish waters, whether it has any plans to call on other fisheries administrations that are responsible in adjacent waters to align with Scotland’s remote electronic monitoring requirements for relevant pelagic boats.
Since 7 March 2026, all relevant pelagic vessels wishing to operate in Scottish waters have been required to carry and operate a fully validated REM system onboard. All applicable pelagic vessels in Scottish waters, regardless of national origin, are required to adhere to the REM requirements as set out in the Sea Fisheries (Remote Electronic Monitoring and Regulation of Scallop Fishing) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2024/165/body/made).
The introduction of the remote electronic monitoring (REM) measures reinforces our commitment to ensure that fishing remains accountable and sustainable. Throughout the development and implementation of the REM legislation and technical specifications the Scottish Government engaged with other fisheries administrations to share learning and promote areas of future alignment on REM. Decisions on whether or not to make REM mandatory on board fishing vessels is a matter for individual authorities.