Chamber and committees

(a) The area of Scotland's inshore waters where all commercial fishing is currently restricted, which are within the MPA network, is 60 square kilometres. This is less than 1%, of both, waters up to 12 Nautical Miles and waters in the inshore MPA network. The presumption for MPAs is that their use will be sustainable use, therefore fishing gears prohibited in MPAs is based on their potential impact on the protected features of the site, usually allowing some fishing to continue.

(b) The area of Scotland's inshore waters where scallop dredging is currently restricted, which are within the MPA network, is 4,753 square kilometres. This is 5% of waters up to 12 Nautical Miles and 13 % of waters in the inshore MPA network.

(c) Nephrops trawling is included in measures restricting trawl, bottom trawl or mobile gear. The numbers presented below reflect this. The area of Scotland's inshore waters where trawling is currently restricted, which are within the MPA network, is 5,084 square kilometres. This is 6% of waters up to 12 Nautical Miles and 13 % of waters in the inshore MPA network.

(d) The area of Scotland's inshore waters where creeling is currently restricted, which are within the MPA network, is 2,659 square kilometres. This is 3% of waters up to 12 Nautical Miles and 7% of waters in the inshore MPA network.

The MPA network includes Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), Special Areas of Conservation(SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and RAMSAR sites. The area calculated for restrictions is based on where there is a limit on the fishing activity all year round dependent on, for example, vessel size and power usage as well as where there is a complete ban on that type of fishing activity in a designated site as part of the MPA network. The Scottish Government are currently developing fisheries management measures for MPAs where they are required, but not already in place, and for Priority Marine Feature (PMF) management areas outside of MPAs.

The Scottish Government recognises that all recorded information relating to its business is subject to Freedom of Information (FOI) law, irrespective of its format or the platform on which it is held. This includes any information held in or originally generated in WhatsApp or similar messaging apps. This responsibility is discharged through the relevant business units who have the responsibility for capturing this information as set out in the Scottish Government Records Management Policy.

The Scottish Government has released such messaging exchanges in response to Freedom of Information requests. However, to ascertain the number of responses which have included such exchanges since 2019, would require officials to individually check every FOI response the Scottish Government has issued since the beginning of 2019. For that reason, this information could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.

The current contract between Ferguson Marine and BAE Systems ends on 30 June 2023.

The Scottish Government recognises and values the importance of tourism to the Scottish economy and local communities, but it is important we take action now to ensure all short-term lets comply with basic safety standards which many hosts will already be following as a matter of compliance with existing law or best practice. Many hosts have applied for, and obtained a licence, and we encourage those yet to do so to apply well in advance of the extended deadline.

We have committed to review short-term licensing and an update will be provided to the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee on the timings and scope of the review in due course.

We are not waiting for the licensing review to take action, and have already demonstrated we have been responsive to concerns raised by businesses, by engaging with licensing authorities to discuss areas of concern such as floor plan requirements. We will continue to work with stakeholders to monitor the ongoing implementation of the scheme, and respond to facilitate common processes where possible to do so.

We did consider alternatives to licensing as part of our 2019 consultation and as legislation was being developed, including registration proposals put forward by the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers. Registration does not offer the same protections to guests, neighbours and local communities as licensing does. To be robust and effective, a registration scheme would need to make much the same requirements as the licensing scheme does.

The Scottish Government funds the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership to work with local authorities, empty homes officers and private owners to return homes to active use. The range of tools available to help incentivise owners to take action include the council tax premium, VAT discounts and grant funding through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme for acquisitions, key worker housing and the Rural & Islands Housing Fund.

As we move into phase two of the Partnership project we want to develop a more strategic approach to bringing empty homes back into use and embed this within the Partnership and its delivery partners. This will help us deliver on our aims of making best use of existing stock and increasing the supply of affordable housing for those that need it. An independent audit is also underway to gather evidence about the effectiveness of our current approach and help with thinking on options for future policy and funding.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6O-02113 on 19 April 2023 and can be found: Meeting of the Parliament: 19/04/2023 | Scottish Parliament Website .

The Scottish Government does not hold this data, however it is collected by the Scottish Social Services Council and can be found in their annual data report here .

I refer the member to the answer to question S6O-02113 on 19 April 2023 and can be found at: Meeting of the Parliament: 19/04/2023 | Scottish Parliament Website .

The Scottish Government does not hold this data, however it is collected by the Scottish Social Services Council and can be found in their annual data report here .

The Health Board's interim plan to transfer the three ICU beds to University Hospital Crosshouse is to ensure adequate consultant medical cover. Patient safety remains of paramount concern.

NHS Ayrshire and Arran has provided assurances that all feasible options will continue to be explored to maintain the ICU beds at University Hospital Ayr; and that local communities and their representatives will be kept fully updated as this work progresses.

(i) The area of Scotland's inshore waters where all commercial fishing is currently restricted is 66 square kilometres or less than 1%.

(ii) The area of Scotland's inshore waters where scallop dredging is currently restricted is 8,068 square kilometres or 9%.

(iii) Nephrops trawling is included in measures restricting trawl, bottom trawl or mobile gear. The numbers presented below reflect this. The area of Scotland's inshore waters where trawling is currently restricted is 8,397 square kilometres or 9%.

(iv) The area of Scotland's inshore waters where creeling is currently restricted is 5,660 square kilometres or 6%.

For the answers above, Scottish inshore waters are classed as up to 12 Nautical Miles.

(i) The total area of Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) within Scottish inshore waters is 17,954.3 square kilometres or 19.9%.

(ii) The total area of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) within Scottish inshore waters is 17,547.8 square kilometres or 19.4%.

(iii) The total area of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) within Scottish inshore waters is 13,409.8 square kilometres or 14.8%.

(iv) The total area of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) within Scottish inshore waters is 531 square kilometres or 0.6%.

For the answers above Scottish inshore waters are classed as up to 12 Nautical Miles. The figures given above cannot be summed to get the total area of designated sites within Scotland's inshore waters as there will be double counting.