Boardings and inspections 2018/19: FOI release

Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002


Information requested

You asked for data for total boardings and inspections broken down into UK, EU and third country vessels.

Response

I enclose a copy of all of the information you requested.  I have also included figures that show the same information but with MPV Minna and RIB patrols excluded, as these work predominantly in Scottish inshore waters on the west coast where there are very few non UK vessels operating.  This shows a more comparable picture when comparing boardings in areas where both UK and EU / 3rd country vessels are allowed to fish.

You should note that:

  • The figures cover all of Scotland’s waters, including areas where EU and third country vessels cannot fish such as territorial waters and Marine Protected Areas;
  • EU and third country vessels are mainly inspected at sea, as opposed to in port or at the market; and
  • EU and third country vessels fishing in Scottish waters generally tend to be larger in size but fewer in number – therefore the number of physical inspections will be lower.
  • The numbers provided for UK vessels cover the full range of the fishing fleet as opposed to a small segment of it that would be more comparable with EU and 3rd country vessels of the same sector.

Boardings at Sea by Nationality

 

2018 (from 15/11/18 to end of year)

2019 (up to 04/11/19)

EU

3

79

3rd country

0

59

UK

31

444

 

                        616

Boardings in Port 

 

2018 (from 15/11/18 to end of year)

2019 (up to 04/11/19)

EU

46

235

3rd country

3

88

UK

159

1214

 

                      1745

Inspections (at market, premises or elsewhere)

 

2018 (from 15/11/18 to end of year)

2019 (up to 04/11/19)

EU

2

38

3rd country

9

61

UK

1254

12367

 

                      13731

Note: there is no direct read across from inspections at markets and other premises to the number of boats
 

Sightings in Port

 

2018 (from 15/11/18 to end of year)

2019 (up to 04/11/19)

EU

35

275

3rd country

7

98

UK

390

3204

 

                       4009

The figures are however skewed by the fact that MPV Minna and RIB patrols predominatly work the inshore waters of the west coast of Scotland, where there are very few boardings of non UK vessels yet boardings by these assets are included in calculating the above figures. 
Therefore, taking MPV Minna and RIB patrols out of the equation, the figures are thus:
Boardings at Sea by Nationality (excluding MPV Minna / RIB patrols)

Nationality

Dredge

Fixed nets

Lines

Inshore

Pots

Pelagic

Demersal

TOTAL

3rd country

0%

33%

12%

0%

0%

54%

3%

17%

Other EU

0%

33%

49%

0%

67%

34%

12%

22%

UK

100%

33%

40%

100%

33%

12%

85%

61%

This shows that the ratio of boardings is very much fishery dependent.  The figures above are also more up to date (up to 19 November 2019) rather than up to the point where the FOI request was made (up to 4 November 2019).

Boardings in Port
This can also be shown in the figures for boardings in port.  Once again, these figures are more up to date (up to 19 November 2019) rather than up to the point where the FOI request was made (up to 4 November 2019).

Nationality

Number Of In port Boardings

Number of Inspections on those boardings

TOTAL

3rd Country

130

92

71%

Other EU

734

288

39%

UK

57969

1432

2%


About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

Contact

Please quote the FOI reference
Central Enquiry Unit
Email: ceu@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000

The Scottish Government
St Andrews House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG

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