Publish the response to the inshore fishing vessel tracking and monitoring consultation and implement the outcomes.
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 on improving inshore fisheries data through vessel tracking and monitoring closed in 2023. A formal government response has not been clearly published or consolidated in a single dedicated document, and no implemented regulatory changes have yet been confirmed as resulting directly from this consultation.
Scottish Government fisheries policy materials indicate continued development of inshore fisheries monitoring and data systems, but there is no evidence of full implementation of consultation outcomes to date.
Improved vessel tracking and monitoring is strongly supported in marine policy and scientific evidence as a way to reduce fishing pressure uncertainty, improve compliance, and support ecosystem-based fisheries management. Better spatial and effort data can help identify overfished areas and reduce unintended ecological impacts. However, ecological benefits depend on publication of consultation outcomes and implementation of monitoring requirements, not policy intent or consultation closure alone. As no confirmed implementation has been evidenced, ecological outcomes remain potential rather than realised.
Scottish Government Consultation – Improving inshore fisheries data
Consult on proposals to transition our inshore fisheries to a more agile and responsive management system informed by the best available evidence.
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.
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