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Section 4. Objectives for Inshore Fisheries in Scotland
List of high level objectives for inshore fisheries
27. An initial set of high level objectives has been developed to reflect shared goals for inshore fisheries throughout Scotland. The strategic framework does not place the objectives in any order of importance (although the governance objective underpins the other four). Collectively these reflect the delicate relationship and interdependency between fragile coastal communities, healthy fish stocks and healthy marine environment. These high level objectives will be reviewed on a regular basis.
- BIOLOGICAL: to conserve, enhance and restore commercial stocks in the inshore and its supporting ecosystem.
- ECONOMIC: to optimise long-term and sustained economic return to communities dependent on inshore fisheries, and to promote quality initiatives.
- ENVIRONMENTAL: to maintain and restore the quality of the inshore marine environment for fisheries and for wildlife.
- SOCIAL: to recognise historical fishing practices and traditional ways of life in managing inshore fisheries, to manage change, and to interact proactively with other activities in the marine environment.
- GOVERNANCE: to develop and implement a transparent, accountable and flexible management structure that places fishermen at the centre of the decision-making process, and that is underpinned by adequate information, legislation and enforcement.
Rationale for objectives
28. The biological objective relates primarily to fish stocks. It is in the fishing industry's interests to conserve stocks, to provide sustainable income for the present generation of fishers and for future generations. In the inshore there is particular scope for undertaking projects to enhance individual stocks, to promote diversification and to avoid reliance on one particular species. Where there has been a decline in a particular stock, there is a responsibility to consider the scope for restoration. In order to be consistent with the ecosystem-based approach, there will be a requirement to consider the implications of actions taken in the inshore for offshore fisheries, and vice versa.
29. The economic objective relates to the long-term view which is required for those communities dependent on inshore fisheries. It puts a focus on the pursuit of a sustained income from fishing activity, rather than short-term commercial benefits. It presumes against permitting fishing activities which threaten long-term economic return, whether these are carried out by local or nomadic vessels. It also emphasises the importance of improving the quality of product and supplying key markets, which should help to maintain vessels' viability without increasing volume.
30. The environmental objective reflects the responsibility to integrate environmental considerations into fisheries management. The inshore fishing industry is conscious of the importance of maintaining a healthy marine environment to support the stocks upon which it depends. The framework is intended to support workable solutions for fisheries management to help maintain and restore the environment. It also recognises the wider need for a healthy marine environment, and the efforts being made to meet international obligations.
31. The social objective reflects that fishing is a core feature of life in many isolated coastal communities in Scotland, and that change can have a disproportionate knock-on effect. The objective recognises that important link, but where traditional activities are no longer compatible with and threaten other objectives, the emphasis is on managing change. The objective also reflects that fisheries management should not operate in isolation from other activities, and addresses difficulties of competition for inshore grounds by encouraging a proactive and planned interaction with other activities.
32. The governance objective emphasises the need for a transparent, accountable and flexible structure to ensure that all participants in inshore fisheries management are clear about what is achievable, how it can best be realised and what the different responsibilities are. It makes a commitment to utilising the knowledge and experience of fishers in fisheries management in a coordinated way, and recognises the importance of industry involvement in achieving compliance with regulation. The objective also emphasises the need for mechanisms to inform the deployment of information, legislative and enforcement resources effectively.
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