Question reference: S5W-24901
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
- Date lodged: 23 August 2019
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Current status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 19 September 2019
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to further the conservation objectives for the West Shetland Shelf MPA.
Answer
The conservation objectives set out the broad ecological aims for the site. The conservation objectives for the West Shetland Shelf MPA are included in the designation order, which is available on the Scottish Government’s website at https://www2.gov.scot/Resource/0045/00457014.pdf .
The Scottish Government has prepared draft fisheries management measures for the West Shetland Shelf MPA in consultation with stakeholders, which were designed to be implemented in the event that the Windsock closure was lifted. Currently, fisheries management measures for MPAs in UK offshore waters are implemented under the EU's Common Fisheries Policy. The measures will therefore be taken forward once our future relationship with the European Union is resolved. A copy of the draft fisheries management proposal is available on the Scottish Government's website at
https://www2.gov.scot/Topics/marine/marine-environment/mpanetwork/SACmanagement/Offshore2017 .