Chamber and committees

We resume our session with marine stakeholders and move to our third theme, which is compliance and enforcement. The first questions will come from Beatrice Wishart.

I had a final question but, taking on board Alan Wells’s points, it appears that there needs to be significantly more information about the budget and other information about the marine directorate to help us assess it and hold it to account. That information may be there but, at the moment, it certainly does not appear to be easily accessible or in a format that we can make conclusions on.

That brings us to the end of what has been a mammoth session. The two-and-a-half hours has come and gone very quickly. It has been hugely useful and will help us when we consider the budget. Thank you all very much.

Our next item of business is a round-table discussion as part of our pre-budget scrutiny of the upcoming Scottish budget for 2025-26. The committee has agreed to focus its attention on the marine directorate budget to identify whether the directorate has the resources required to fully undertake its functions. This morning, we are joined by a panel of marine stakeholders. I thank you all for joining us.

We have about two and a half hours for this evidence session. Given that we have quite a few participants, I ask everyone to be succinct in their questions and answers. I invite you to indicate by waving your hand or giving me a look if you wish to participate at any point. If you feel that your only contribution is to agree with what has already been said, just say that you agree, rather than repeating the points. That would be most helpful. Likewise, if you are asked to contribute to a part of the discussion that does not relate to your area of expertise, please do not feel that you need to contribute in response to every question.

Before we start, I will ask everyone to introduce themselves, starting on my right.

Is that because there is a lack of resources or budget to get the work done? Is that where the issue lies?

I am conscious that we are moving off the main topic as the conversation goes on. I will bring in Colin Moffat, and we will then have an additional question from Ariane Burgess—but you will all have an opportunity to contribute on other themes.

We move on to our fourth theme, which is collaboration and co-management. We will start with questions from Elena Whitham.

Thank you—that was helpful.

I will bring in Robin Cook and Phil Taylor, and then Michel Kaiser.

Sorry—I missed out Elaine Whyte from my list. I will bring her in before Colin Moffat.

I will bring in Colin Moffat and Michel Kaiser, and then Phil Taylor.