Question reference: S4W-26709
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for Argyll and Bute, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 15 July 2015
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Current status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 20 August 2015
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with the work of inshore fisheries groups (IFG) and what action the IFG for the Argyll and Clyde waters is taking to help the industry in that area.
Answer
The inshore fisheries groups (IFGs) are continuing to consider local inshore fisheries management issues while also engaging with national bodies and initiatives including inshore fisheries management and conservation group (IFMAC). The process of establishing Scottish marine region marine planning partnerships has seen the Clyde region as one of the first two formal areas to be designated. The south west inshore fisheries group (SWIFG) with a region including the Clyde and Argyll areas has engaged with this process through the chair. The Clyde 2020 initiative is also being supported through attendance at meetings. In terms of practical implementation the SWIFG has established Mull, Ayrshire and Solway sub groups which have undertaken trials such as the use of escape panels in creels, tail notching of lobster and participating in fisheries data gathering. The IFG process is currently the subject of an independent review to determine how inshore fishery management initiatives involving local fishermen and communities can be best represented by the IFGs within the wider marine planning framework created by the Scottish National Marine Plan. The findings were discussed with industry at the IFMAC meeting on 18 August 2015.