Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-15314 on 26 April 2018. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

Applications for the razor clam electrofishing trial were assessed by a cross-Departmental panel, which involved Marine Scotland, the Health and Safety Executive and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Applications were scored against published criteria that were concerned with vessel safety, economic impact, the safety of diving operations and experience in scientific research.

The criteria and scoring system were explained in the application form for the trial, which may be viewed here: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/Sea-Fisheries/management/razors/trialapp . The scoring system is described at Annex C of the form.

The scoring system allowed for a maximum of 36 points. Vessels that achieved a score of 16 or more have in general been offered a place on the trial, except in cases where there were considered to exist in relation to particular vessels contemporary and substantial concerns connected to safety. A maximum of 28 vessels will take part in the trial, subject to successful vessel inspection. This total number is similar to the number of vessels that have participated in this fishery in the recent past, and is considered a reasonable upper limit.

Vessels have been allocated to trial areas according to the preferences stated in their application form. The Scottish Government will keep under review the distribution of vessels across trial areas, and the total number of vessels in the trial.

The selection of areas for inclusion in the razor clam electrofishing trial was informed by consultation with fishermen and others with an interest in the razor clam fishery. Abundance of razor clams will fluctuate over time and across different geographical areas, but the total number of vessels that it is expected will be authorised to participate (up to 28) is similar to the number of vessels that have participated in this fishery in the recent past. The Scottish Government will keep under review the distribution of vessels across trial areas, and the total number of vessels in the trial.

Derogations issued to authorise vessels to take part in the trial require vessels to deploy only specified electrical equipment, and said equipment must be inspected prior to the commencement of fishing operations. Arrangements are being made to allow for the continuing monitoring of the use of equipment while vessels are at sea. The future participation in the trial of any participant not deploying the specified electrical equipment will be reviewed.

Vessels in the razor clam electrofishing trial may undertake fishing activity in one of four zones. The four zones are as follows with the number of vessels authorised to fish in that zone shown in brackets afterwards. One vessel is yet to be allocated an area.

Firth of Forth (4 vessels)

Outer Hebrides (Broad Bay, Sound of Harris, Benbecula) (4 vessels)

North West (Sound of Sleat, Coll and Tiree, Colonsay) (8 vessels)

South West (Gigha, Firth of Clyde, Wigtown Bay) (11 vessels)

The geographical extent of each of these areas is shown on a map which may be accessed on the Scottish Government website: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0053/00531236.pdf

The Food Standards Agency has no role on this issue in Scotland. It is presumed that Mr Wightman means Food Standards Scotland, the independent agency established to 2015 in Scotland and answers to his question are provided on that basis. The trial areas are limited to waters below mean low water spring (MLWS), whereas Food Standards Scotland (FSS) classified areas generally extend to mean high water spring (MHWS).

a) The boundary of the trial area 4 is yet to be confirmed, but there are four sites classified by FSS for razor clams in the general area of Barra. 75 per cent of the classified waters are included within the draft boundary, this represents 100 per cent of classified waters below MLWS.

b) The boundary of the trial area 10b is yet to be confirmed, but there are two sites classified by FSS for razor clams in the general area of Luce Bay. 82 per cent of the classified waters are included within the draft boundary, this represents 100 per cent of classified waters below MLWS.

c) There are fourteen sites classified by FSS for razor clams in these sites. In total, 83 per cent of the classified waters are included within these trial boundaries. For the fourteen sites within trial areas, this represents 100 per cent of classified waters below MLWS.

A derogation authorising participation in the electrofishing for razor clams trial is only issued once the electrofishing gear has been inspected on-board the vessel by Marine Scotland Compliance.

There are three fishing vessels presently registered in England that have been invited to take part in the trial.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-15314 on 26 April 2018. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

Further to consultation with fishermen and other interested parties the Scottish Government considered that it was possible, and potentially more informative, to undertake a trial over a larger number of clearly defined areas than was initially anticipated in the consultation response document of April 2017. It is considered that a trial over a larger number of areas has the potential to involve significantly greater economic benefits than a more limited trial, in the light of recent recorded landing figures and views expressed about the abundance of razor clams in a number of areas around the coast. In addition it is considered that it is possible to monitor effectively activity over the areas selected for the trial, in light of the conditions attached to vessel derogations and having regard to the use of electronic monitoring equipment that will be installed on-board fishing vessels. The Scottish Government will keep the trial under review and reserves the right to close areas to further fishing at any time during the trial period. The legal basis of the trial is Article 43 of EC Regulation 850/98.