Chamber and committees

Thank you for that, Professor Diamond. I agree that the work that you do is incredibly important, as is the work of the NRS office.

My question goes back to what the convener was asking about. In March this year, Mr Gibb gave evidence about having to make a step change in how we consult, so it is good to hear about the changes that you have been making. At that meeting, I asked about monitoring the catch after decisions had been made. Can you give us an update on that or some information about what monitoring has been done?

Yes. Thank you, convener.

When we took evidence from Professor Griggs on his review, he said:

“I thought throughout the review that the one thing that we must do is put in place a system that tries to restore trust. Part of that is about making it robust enough for everybody’s voice to be heard in it.”—[Official Report, Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee, 22 June 2022; c 31.]

I am interested in hearing from the cabinet secretary about what her plans are and how she is moving in that direction to ensure that everyone’s voice—even the ones that are perhaps more difficult to hear—is heard.

I think that one of the recommendations that Professor Griggs made was about licensing and its going directly into the communities.

I have a quick question. Can you update us on progress on the carbon neutral islands project?

I am interested in what you said about how you have been working with farmers through the ARIOB and about the way forward and working with them to find out their views on the various areas. Can you contrast that with the situation south of the border?

I was thinking about the Clyde. We are one year into the change following the decision about that area, and I was wondering whether you could give us any information about that.

Like Ms Hamilton, I met and spoke to lots of farmers and crofters over the summer—in my case, they were west coast farmers and crofters. How can you ensure that the different types of farming and crofting across Scotland are supported by that process?

I wonder whether I should move on to the aquaculture questions.

How are the new technologies in the industry progressing?