This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Plans to protect scallop stocks
03/07/2003
The Executive's plans to lay new measures to sustain
Scotland's scallop fisheries before Parliament were
announced today.
The key proposal will be the establishment of limits of
eight, ten and 14 dredges per side to be used within six,
between six and 12, and 12 to 200 miles of the Scottish
zone respectively.
There will also be restrictions on the use of French
dredges, a ban on the use of 'blinders' and the
introduction of a bycatch limit of 20 per cent for king
scallops in the queen scallop fishery.
Fisheries Minister Ross Finnie said:
"We have already laid the basis for a sustainable
scallop industry through the introduction of a restrictive
licensing scheme in 1999 but the latest stock assessment
indicates that further measures are now needed to protect
stocks.
"Most of the main stocks show declining biomass and
uncertain or declining recruitment.
"I recognise that the last few years have been difficult
for the scallop industry. We are therefore taking immediate
short-term action to avoid the stocks declining further and
will work towards a long-term strategy to develop a
flexible and holistic management system to deliver a
sustainable future for the scallop industry."
The package of measures will be introduced in three
phases:
- The first will see an SSI laid in Parliament as
soon as possible setting out dredge limits,
restrictions on the use of French dredges, a ban on the
use of "blinders" and a bycatch limit of twenty per
cent for king scallops in the queen scallop fishery.
The SSI will be subject to negative resolution, and
would come into force in late September 2003.
- A further SSI will be laid, before the end of the
year. This will set out a belly ring size, tow bar or
dredge lengths and tooth spacing. There will also be a
short study on the potential economic impact of a
weekend ban, and depending on the results, the weekend
ban which has been under consideration will also be
introduced. This phased approach recognises the
improvements suggested to the technical measures which
require further discussion with the industry, and the
concerns of some associations about the effect of the
proposed weekend ban on foreign markets.
- The third phase will involve the development of a
long term strategy for scallop management with
stakeholders by 2005, when the measures will be
reviewed.