Question reference: S4W-26713
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for Argyll and Bute, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 15 July 2015
-
Current status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 20 August 2015
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action Marine Scotland is taking to develop a creel management plan for areas in which there (a) has been, or might be, disputes between the users of static and mobile fishing gear and (b) is an expectation of increased pressure on stocks because of an increase use of static gear.
Answer
The Scottish Government works closely with creel fishermen, fishing associations and inshore fisheries groups to develop local solutions for effective management. A national consultation on a range of creel management and control measures was held in 2012 with the respondents not in favour of national creel limits but were open to considering limits in local areas as part of other measures. A copy of the outcome report is available http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2013/10/1091.
However, in response to concerns about increased effort in the creel sector requests for controls were raised at inshore fisheries management and conservation group (IFMAC) on 11 March 2015 a small working group was established to explore potential local management options. The Scottish Government recently held a consultation on measures to tackle gear conflict in inshore waters, the outcome report will be issued at the end of August, early September. The proposals can be accessed here http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2014/11/6562.