Question reference: S5W-23671
- Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 6 June 2019 Registered interest
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Current status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 18 June 2019
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to introducing the spatial management measures for the wild wrasse fishery similar to those that have been introduced elsewhere in the UK, including by the Devon and Severn Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority.
Answer
Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO) entered into a voluntary wild wrasse management arrangement with the Scottish Government in May 2018. These measures apply to suppliers to SSPO members catching wrasse and lay the foundations of an evidence base in better understanding these species.
Wrasse data currently being collected will help improve our understanding of the fishery and inform future management measures. We have no plans at present to introduce spatial management measures, but will continue to work closely with fishers and partners such as Scottish Natural Heritage, and keep the existing measures under review.