Question reference: S6W-17335
- Date lodged: 20 April 2023
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Current status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 4 May 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of Scotland’s inshore waters which are designated as being within the Marine Protected Areas network have any year-round spatial restrictions on (a) all commercial fishing, (b) scallop dredging, (c) nephrops trawling and (d) creeling.
Answer
(a) The area of Scotland's inshore waters where all commercial fishing is currently restricted, which are within the MPA network, is 60 square kilometres. This is less than 1%, of both, waters up to 12 Nautical Miles and waters in the inshore MPA network. The presumption for MPAs is that their use will be sustainable use, therefore fishing gears prohibited in MPAs is based on their potential impact on the protected features of the site, usually allowing some fishing to continue.
(b) The area of Scotland's inshore waters where scallop dredging is currently restricted, which are within the MPA network, is 4,753 square kilometres. This is 5% of waters up to 12 Nautical Miles and 13 % of waters in the inshore MPA network.
(c) Nephrops trawling is included in measures restricting trawl, bottom trawl or mobile gear. The numbers presented below reflect this. The area of Scotland's inshore waters where trawling is currently restricted, which are within the MPA network, is 5,084 square kilometres. This is 6% of waters up to 12 Nautical Miles and 13 % of waters in the inshore MPA network.
(d) The area of Scotland's inshore waters where creeling is currently restricted, which are within the MPA network, is 2,659 square kilometres. This is 3% of waters up to 12 Nautical Miles and 7% of waters in the inshore MPA network.
The MPA network includes Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), Special Areas of Conservation(SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and RAMSAR sites. The area calculated for restrictions is based on where there is a limit on the fishing activity all year round dependent on, for example, vessel size and power usage as well as where there is a complete ban on that type of fishing activity in a designated site as part of the MPA network. The Scottish Government are currently developing fisheries management measures for MPAs where they are required, but not already in place, and for Priority Marine Feature (PMF) management areas outside of MPAs.