This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Scottish Executive Outlines New Measures For Loch Torridon Area
02/11/2000
Rhona Brankin today announced new measures relating to fishing gear in the Loch Torridon area on the West Coast.The measures relate to fishing in the Inner Sound and Lochs Torridon, Carron, Kishorn, Duich, Alsh and Hourn. They are:
- An all-year closure to mobile gear fishing in the area between Red Point, including Loch Torridon, and the south end of the BUTEC Range in the Inner Sound;
- The remainder of the area to retain existing seasonal closure to mobile gear vessels;
- No multiple gear to be used in existing closure area;
- Demersal trawlers fishing the area limited to under 12 metres registered length; and
- Consideration to be given to a creel-free zone to enable parallel trials with trawl-free area.
The measures will be monitored by the Fisheries Research Services and reviewed after five years.
Responding to a written PQ from Rhoda Grant MSP, the Deputy Minister for Rural Development - who has particular responsibility for fisheries issues - said:
"As part of the most recent review of inshore fishing prohibitions under the Inshore Fishing (Scotland) Act 1984, the Scottish Executive received a large volume of representations from creel and trawl interests fishing for nephrops around the Loch Torridon area.
"The latest scientific work carried out by the FRS comparing the population effects of trawl and creel fishing for nephrops, and assessing nephrops stocks in the Loch Torridon area, suggests that stocks are reasonably healthy and a mixed gear fishery appears to be sustainable.
"The Executive has maintained that any change to the existing closures would be best decided by local dialogue and agreement. We want to involve fishermen in local management. The two groups have worked up proposals which are broadly acceptable to the Executive.
"We are of the view that the proposals offer the best opportunity for progress in the area, and have decided to adopt them. We welcome not only this local management initiative but also the additional voluntary measures which creeling interests in Loch Torridon are promoting.
"We aim to include the measures related to the proposed closures in the forthcoming inshore fishing Order."
News Release: SE2820/2000
2 Nov 2000