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(a) The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for water quality monitoring in rivers. It does not currently monitor for microplastics but is engaged with academic researchers looking into improving understanding of this problem.

(b) Scottish Government agencies do not monitor microplastic pollution at beaches. Marine Scotland monitors microplastics in the water column, in sub-tidal marine sediment and also on the sea surface which can wash onto beaches. Marine Scotland is part of the Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland, and is working with another member, Heriot-Watt University, to consider the development of beach sediment monitoring methodologies.

There is limited information available on the size and extent of Scottish razor clam stocks. As part of preparations for the electrofishing trial, two razor clam surveys were undertaken over the summer of 2017, in the Firth of Clyde and the Sound of Harris. The final report from these surveys will be published shortly. It is intended that the trial will assist in building information about stock abundance across all the trial areas.

26 vessels have so far been invited to participate in the scientific trial of electro-fishing for razor clams. Of the applicants awarded a place on the trial, 2 have received a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) for electrofishing, 1 has been convicted of electrofishing related offences and 1 has both an FPN and a subsequent conviction.

Through the Scottish Government’s £1.8 billion Scotland’s Schools for the Future, The Highland Council has been awarded significant funding of over £63 million towards the construction of five school projects.

These projects were identified by the Council as its priority schools for investment and it has not approached the Scottish Government to seek funding towards the redevelopment of schools in your constituency.

In addition, from April 2016 to March 2019, The Highland Council's capital allocation is £103.4 million, including more than £41 million for 2018-19 which can be used at the council’s discretion to fund improvements to school buildings.

The Scottish Technical Standard determines technical requirements for fish farm equipment in Scotland and applies to all species of finfish. Discussions will continue with the industry to ensure that these standards are adhered to.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-14787 on 5 March 2018. An assessment of the main causes of net breaches at Scottish Salmon farms is available in the following report - http://www.sarf.org.uk/reports/

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

In accordance with standard practice, the site will be visited by the Fish Health Inspectorate to undertake an escape investigation and enhanced containment inspection.

Details on the number of salmon that have been reported to have escaped from Scottish fish farms are published on Scotland’s aquaculture website - http://aquaculture.scotland.gov.uk/data/fish_escapes.aspx . The Fish Health Inspectorate undertake a programme of statutory inspections conducted in association with fish health surveillance to ascertain whether satisfactory measures are in place for the containment of fish, prevention of escape of fish and recovery of escaped fish, in accordance with the requirements of Aquaculture and Fisheries (Act) 2007.

In addition, the Scottish Government published ‘A Technical Standard for Scottish Finfish Aquaculture’ in 2015 which determines technical requirements for fish farm equipment in Scotland and applies to all species of finfish. The Standard is designed to be used alongside operational procedures and training of staff to ensure equipment is used and maintained appropriately and procedures followed correctly.

At this stage it is important that the Fish Health Inspectorate undertake their escape investigation and enhanced containment inspection before any further assessments are considered.