Current status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 21 August 2026
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the Clyde Cod Targeted Science Programme, for what reason the Clyde Fishermen's Association was the only stakeholder to be party to a memorandum of understanding with Scottish Ministers.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was developed to support delivery of the Clyde Targeted Scientific Programme (TSP). It provides a framework for collaborative working, setting out shared commitments, roles and responsibilities to help achieve the programme's objectives. The MoU is a voluntary, non-binding agreement entered into in good faith. Responsibility for delivery is shared between the parties, with the Marine Directorate retaining oversight responsibilities and a final determination role.
The Marine Directorate, the Clyde Fishermen's Association (CFA) and the Working Group are currently identified as parties to the MoU. The decision to develop the MoU was agreed at the programme's inception meeting in February 2026, where discussions focused on practical arrangements for implementing the TSP, including data collection and methodology. As the initial priority was to establish the programme quickly and begin gathering data from fishing vessels, the CFA was the obvious fishing industry organisation supporting delivery at that stage given its membership and location. This should not however be interpreted as limiting participation to a single organisation. The MoU remains a live document, and the Scottish Government welcomes engagement from all active Clyde fishers, including those operating independently or through other representative bodies.
Year 1 priorities for the TSP are set out in public documents and are intended to be delivered through collaboration between fishers, scientists and technical advisers. As the programme develops and evidence gaps are addressed, opportunities for wider scientific engagement and collaboration are expected.
The MoU does not give any organisation responsibility for appointing scientists to the programme, determining participation in meetings, or restricting the involvement of other research institutions or the sharing of programme outputs. The Marine Directorate has also committed to providing annual updates to the Scottish Parliament, supporting transparency and the dissemination of programme findings.
The TSP and wider Clyde cod policy were considered by the Scottish Parliament in January and February 2026, with relevant licence conditions taking effect on 1 March 2026. The MoU did not establish new policy or create legally binding commitments. Rather, it documented collaborative arrangements to support delivery of an existing programme and formed part of its routine governance arrangements.