Fishing - Clyde Seasonal Closure: partial business and regulatory impact assessment

Section Two: Engagement and evidence gathering

Evidence gathering

• Marine Directorate annually reports on the Clyde Seasonal Closure, including both scientific and monitoring work carried out^[7].
• The contents of this BRIA have been informed by data on tonnage landed and value of catches into the Scottish ports, which are collected by Marine Directorate.
• The components of the TSP discussed as part of Option Three have been developed with the input of Marine Directorate scientific advisors.

Internal Scottish Government / Public Sector engagement

Internal Scottish Government engagement

In preparing the material for the consultation we have consulted with colleagues within the Marine Directorate including science, nature conservation, fisheries management policy and compliance.

As a statutory consultee, the view of Naturescot was also sought ahead of the publication of this consultation.

UK / Devolved Administrations

This is a regionalised policy and though wider UK fishers will have an interest in this area, vessels active in the area are predominantly Scottish. Other devolved administrations will be made aware of this policy, through routine engagement.

This section will be updated following public consultation.

Wider Public Sector

We expect local authorities to have an interest in the consultation and engagement that forms a significant part of the work carried out by the Regional Inshore Fisheries Group (RIFG) network.

This section will be updated following public consultation.

International

There are no direct international implications for this policy. However overall management of the Northern Shelf cod stock is shared with the EU and Norway. Parties will meet in the autumn to agree a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and other management measures for the stock.

Business / Third Sector engagement

Throughout the consultation period, the RIFG network, local fishing associations, and the Fisheries Management and Conservation (FMAC) group will engage with affected fishers to encourage broad participation and ensure their views are represented.

Many of the fishers impacted by the policy are represented by the Clyde Fishermen’s Association (CFA), who maintain a regular dialogue with Marine Directorate.

This section will be updated following public consultation.

Public Consultation

An eight-week public consultation is scheduled to take place between August and September 2025.

This section will be updated following public consultation.