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The Scottish Government is consulting with a range of interested parties about the selection of areas where trials of electrofishing for razors will be undertaken. No decision has been taken yet about which areas will be selected. The Government will consult with relevant statutory authorities, including Scottish Natural Heritage and Food Standards Scotland. The Government will also consult with regional Inshore Fisheries Groups, Fishermen's Associations and interested individual fishermen, and will take into account further representations from any persons in the areas of proposed trial areas, in addition to those received during the recent public consultation about razor fishing.

The Government will undertake any statutory assessments of proposed trial areas that are considered necessary, including "appropriate assessments" under the EU's Birds and Habitats Directives. Trial areas will also be surveyed for stock abundance under standard scientific protocols, prior to the commencement of commercial trial activity, but it is expected that survey information will also be supplemented by that gathered by fishermen during the trial. The Government will also consider what steps might be appropriate, among other marine science priorities, to undertake research into any long term effects of electrofishing for Razor Clams.

No decision has been taken yet about the duration of trials. This will be considered once areas have been selected.

It is not possible at present to estimate the number of vessels that will take part in the trial, as this will depend on the trial areas selected and consideration of an appropriate extraction rate. Fishing vessels will be selected following an application process that will be open to all vessels.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-08968 on 27 April 2017. 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/98191.aspx

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-08390 on 26 April 2017. 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

Section 2 of The Merchant Shipping (Ship-to-Ship Transfers) Regulations 2010, as amended, define Scottish Natural Heritage as the only consultation body providing nature conservation advice in Scottish waters on ship to ship transfers. Schedule 2 of those Regulations require the Secretary of State for Transport to have regard to any representation made by a consultation body when reaching a licence decision.

Managing flood risk at the catchment level through a portfolio of measures is key to achieving sustainable flood risk management and a statutory requirement set out in the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009. Scottish Government guidance on Sustainable Flood Risk Management (http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2011/06/15150211/0) and SEPA’s Natural Flood Management Handbook (https://www.sepa.org.uk/media/163560/sepa-natural-flood-management-handbook1.pdf), further reinforce the importance of working across catchments and coastlines to reduce flood risk.

The Scottish Government’s guidance on options appraisal for flood risk management http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0050/00500974.pdf) describes how the associated benefits of natural flood management are considered as part of decision making in selecting measures. SEPA and the responsible authorities considered both the positive and negative effects of any action, including effects on biodiversity. Where natural flood management actions were identified, more detailed assessments of opportunity (carried out in the natural flood management studies) will consider where additional benefits may be accrued, such as river restoration that benefits both Water Framework Directive status and flood risk.

Under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009, lead local authorities are required to provide an interim report on the progress that has been made towards implementing all actions in the local flood risk management plan. This review and report of the plans is to be no earlier than June 2018 and no later than June 2019. A final report is also required, due between June 2021 and June 2022. The final report will include an assessment of progress made towards implementing actions, including natural flood management, and a summary of any reasons for non-implementation.

The 14 Flood Risk Management Strategies and Local Plans include 104 actions with a natural flood management element; most of these actions are flood studies. Nearly all of the flood studies will be funded through this budget. Where local authorities subsequently decide to implement natural flood management measures, this budget will also be the main source of funds for works on the ground.

To support delivery of the natural flood management actions outlined in the flood risk management strategies, local authorities and other responsible authorities have committed to undertaking 85 natural flood management studies. These studies will examine the potential contribution of natural flood management in greater detail and, where appropriate, provide an initial specification for works on the ground. Some of these studies are being progressed as part of wider flood protection studies, while others are stand-alone natural flood management studies. Currently, 36 studies are underway and three have been completed on the South Esk (Angus), Glen Moss at Kilmacolm, and River Nith at Kirkconnel. Of the remaining studies, 35 are due to commence within the current planning cycle (2015-2021) while 11 will commence in the next planning cycle (2022-2028).

8 planning appeals have been determined under Ministerial Direction since April 2016.

The Secretary of State for Transport has apologised for not consulting the Scottish Ministers on a recent minor review of the Merchant Shipping (Ship-to-Ship Transfers) Regulations 2010, as amended. The Secretary of State for Transport has also advised that a more detailed exercise will take place in due course, involving all devolved administrations.