Chamber and committees

Clyde Cod Seasonal (February to April) Closure for 2022 and 2023 - further update

Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, Mairi Gougeon, to the Convener, 1 February 2022

Dear Finlay,

Clyde Cod Seasonal (February to April) Closure for 2022 and 2023

I am writing to provide the Committee with a further update on the seasonal closure in the Firth of Clyde which aims to protect spawning cod and promote recovery of the West of Scotland stock.

In my letter of 17 January I explained that there had been further reflection on the Sea Fish (Prohibited Methods of Fishing) (Firth of Clyde) Order 2021 and, accordingly, the Sea Fish (Prohibition on Fishing) (Firth of Clyde) Order 2022 had been laid.

Today I have written to the Presiding Officer to explain that following further discussions with scientists and stakeholders we believe that it is necessary to make a further adjustment to the closure. In response to legitimate concerns raised by local fishermen we have reviewed the available scientific evidence to reassure ourselves that this approach is the most appropriate and proportionate. As such another SSI, The Sea Fish (Prohibition On Fishing) (Firth Of Clyde) (No. 2) Order 2022, was laid today. The Order maximizes protection of spawning cod and the habitats they are likely to spawn on by prohibiting all fishing activity within two smaller, targeted areas of the Firth of Clyde, whilst allowing fishing activity to continue where possible.

I have also asked Marine Scotland to ensure that there is increased monitoring of the closure areas and there will be a stocktake meeting with interested stakeholders after the closure period to review its effectiveness and impacts. I enclose a handout that Marine Scotland has prepared to explain the objectives of the closure.

I am conscious that the Committee’s Call for evidence is still under way and that this process is adding another layer to Parliamentary process before the spawning season starts. This has been a complex issue to balance, and we will be looking to learn lessons from this. It is, however, important to remain flexible and responsive to any additional evidence, data and perspectives that are available and to ensure that the approach we put in place as regards this closure achieves the right balance of objectives. I hope that the Committee can support the new SSI coming into force.

My officials and I will of course be happy to provide evidence to the Committee when I meet with you on 23 February.

Yours sincerely,

Mairi Gougeon

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