Current status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 12 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government whether external consultants continue to be employed to assist with the development of management measures for inshore Marine Protected Areas, and, if so, when any such contracts run to.
Scottish Government currently employs one contractor to assist with the development of fisheries management measures. This contractor was engaged to carry out the socio-economic impact assessment, strategic environmental assessment, and the sustainability appraisal. This contract runs to September 2026, in order to complete the Post Adoption Statement after the consultation. With the delay to the public consultation, it is likely this will be extended.