Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-15314 on 26 April 2018. 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 .

There are no plans at present to publish these details.

Razor clam fishing can be conducted at all times during the year, but is most practicable in better weather. Allusion to a fishing season is intended as a reference to the summer months. Current plans allow for the trial to continue for at least two years from 1 February 2018 but the duration of the trial will be kept under review.

There is no difference in the implementation of the trial between Scottish and non-Scottish vessels. All fishing by UK vessels for razor clams is prohibited further to the Razor Clams (Prohibition on Fishing and Landing) (Scotland) Order 2017. Vessels taking part in the trial are authorised to do so further to a bespoke derogation issued in accordance with the terms of Section 9 of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967, Article 43 of Council Regulation 850/98 and Section 3(2) of the Razor Clams (Prohibition on Fishing and Landing) (Scotland) Order 2017.

Applications for the razor clam electrofishing trial were assessed by a cross-Departmental panel, which involved Marine Scotland, the Health and Safety Executive and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Applications were scored against published criteria that were concerned with vessel safety, economic impact, the safety of diving operations and experience in scientific research.

The criteria and scoring system were explained in the application form for the trial, which may be viewed here: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/Sea-Fisheries/management/razors/trialapp . The scoring system is described at Annex C of the form.

The scoring system allowed for a maximum of 36 points. Vessels that achieved a score of 16 or more have in general been offered a place on the trial, except in cases where there were considered to exist in relation to particular vessels contemporary and substantial concerns connected to safety. A maximum of 28 vessels will take part in the trial, subject to successful vessel inspection. This total number is similar to the number of vessels that have participated in this fishery in the recent past, and is considered a reasonable upper limit.

Vessels have been allocated to trial areas according to the preferences stated in their application form. The Scottish Government will keep under review the distribution of vessels across trial areas, and the total number of vessels in the trial.

Vessels in the razor clam electrofishing trial may undertake fishing activity in one of four zones. The four zones are as follows with the number of vessels authorised to fish in that zone shown in brackets afterwards. One vessel is yet to be allocated an area.

Firth of Forth (4 vessels)

Outer Hebrides (Broad Bay, Sound of Harris, Benbecula) (4 vessels)

North West (Sound of Sleat, Coll and Tiree, Colonsay) (8 vessels)

South West (Gigha, Firth of Clyde, Wigtown Bay) (11 vessels)

The geographical extent of each of these areas is shown on a map which may be accessed on the Scottish Government website: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0053/00531236.pdf

8.7 per cent. The total area covered by the trial sites, including those where an appropriate assessment is yet concluded and fishing is therefore not currently authorised, is 5,410 square kilometres. The total area of Scottish waters bounded by the area up to 6 nautical miles from the coast is 62,212 square kilometres.

Fishing vessels participating in the trial are required to gather information specified by Marine Scotland. The gathering of information may require the installation of electronic equipment, including cameras. A protocol for the gathering of information to further monitor the fishery, local catch rates and the electrofishing method is being developed and will be introduced into the derogation. Vessels will be required to provide information about catches, in terms of location and rates of catch, which will assist in building an evidence base about razor clam stocks in the trial areas. The Government will keep under review, as the trial progresses, rates of catches from the different areas in the trial. The Government reserves the right, in particular, to close further areas to fishing or introduce specific conditions for different trial areas.

Under present EU law vessels of length overall 12 metres and over must have installed an operating and tamper proof vessel monitoring system. It is planned however that all vessels participating in the trial will have installed on-board an additional and bespoke monitoring system, which will confirm both vessel position and also when specified electrical equipment is being used. Installation of this equipment is a condition of the derogation that authorises participation in the trial. The installation of this equipment will allow for real time access to the on-board system for Compliance Officers. This system has been trialled and gives clear indication of vessel activities, including the vessel’s position every 10 seconds.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-15314 on 26 April 2018. 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 .