Chamber and committees

The West Shetland Shelf MPA is designated for the protection of offshore subtidal sands and gravels. Although it covers a significant part of the previous Windsock closure, its purpose is not for the protection of cod. As yet unpublished survey-based analyses on the efficacy of the Windsock closure by Marine Scotland Science was inconclusive, and the ICES stock assessment for cod in ICES area 6a (where the Windsock closure was located) indicates the spawning stock biomass – the total weight of fish in the stock that are old enough to reproduce – has remained very low since the early 2000s. There is therefore no firm evidence that the Windsock closure has made a significant contribution to cod abundance across ICES area 6a.

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 .

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-24905 on 19 September 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

The end-year negotiations that will shortly commence with the EU and with Norway focus on the management of fish stocks within the wider ICES area 6a in which the Windsock is located. While the UK is an EU Member State, the Scottish Government will encourage EU and third country vessels to abide by any voluntary measures agreed for the Windsock area. In the event that the UK becomes a Coastal State, we will seek to formalise such measures in any relevant Coastal States Agreed Records.

We will publish the outcome of the review of our Climate Challenge Fund later this year, as set out on Page 62 of The Government's Programme for Scotland 2019-20.

Section 140 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 creates a general offence to deliberately or recklessly damage the protected features of an offshore MPA, such as the West Shetland Shelf MPA. Section 141(4) of the Act provides a defence to this general offence, where a person was legally sea-fishing and any damage could not have been reasonably avoided.

On 8 August, at the same time as making the announcement to stakeholders of my decision to progress the re-opening of Levenmouth rail link, I stated that I had asked officials for the remit and criteria for the Levenmouth Blueprint to be set out within the next three months. Transport Scotland officials are currently working on this with Fife Council. The details you are seeking are still in development and I understand Transport Scotland and Fife Council are on track to provide further information in early November.

The Scottish Government has received no scientific advice from the statutory nature conservation bodies on this matter. The removal of the Windsock cod recovery area under revised EU fisheries technical regulations was implemented by the European Parliament and Council.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-24902 on 12 September 2019 which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/ormain.aspx .

Licensed activities within the West Shetland Shelf MPA are consented in accordance with the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. A public authority must not grant authorisation unless they are satisfied that there is no significant risk of hindering the achievement of the conservation objectives for the site. This process does not apply to fisheries.

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 forwards 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.

Following the lifting of the Windsock closure in August 2019, the Scottish Government facilitated discussions between representatives from the Scottish fishing industry to agree voluntary measures which restrict trawling over approximately 37 per cent of the West Shetland Shelf MPA. Marine Scotland has agreed to monitor the situation to ensure the agreement is adhered to.