Consult on proposals to transition our inshore fisheries to a more agile and responsive management system informed by the best available evidence.
Objective 3: Embed nature positive Farming, Fishing and Forestry
Priority Action 17. Implement the policies in Scotland’s Fisheries Management Strategy to deliver sustainable fisheries, using best available scientific advice, and minimising adverse impacts on nontarget species and habitats.
The consultation process on proposals to transition Scotland’s inshore fisheries towards a more adaptive, evidence-based management system has not yet been completed. Scottish Government policy sets out the intention for more responsive fisheries management, but no final consultation outcome or resulting regulatory changes have been published.
Published Scottish Government fisheries policy (including the Future Fisheries Management Strategy) confirms a direction of travel towards more adaptive, data-led decision-making in inshore waters. Marine Scotland science outputs provide supporting evidence on stock status and ecosystem impacts that inform this policy development. However, these materials do not confirm that a new inshore management system has been implemented.
More adaptive inshore fisheries management is supported in Scottish policy and marine science evidence as a way to improve stock resilience and reduce environmental pressure through more responsive, evidence-based controls.
However, ecological outcomes depend on the completion of consultation and implementation of new management measures. As no new system has yet been adopted, ecological benefits remain potential rather than demonstrated.
Scottish Government – Future fisheries: management strategy – 2020 to 2030
Marine Scotland Information
NatureScot – MPA and PMF Management Measures for Fishing Activity
Develop 21 Fisheries Management Plans as set out in the Joint Fisheries Statement to increase or maintain the sustainability of fish stocks.
Develop and implement a suite of technical and spatial measures to reduce levels of discarding of ‘unwanted’ fish catch alongside measures to reduce bycatch of sensitive marine species.
Identify high risk areas, gear types and/or fisheries for bycatch and entanglement of sensitive marine species, in which to focus monitoring and mitigation.
Work with stakeholders to focus on identifying practical, achievable actions to reduce pressure on seafloor habitats most at risk or most extensively impacted informed as appropriate by the development of an OSPAR Regional Action Plan on benthic shelf habitats.
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