Razor clams - commercial fishery using electric current gear: consultation analysis - island communities impact assessment
Island communities impact assessment (ICIA) for the consultation on a commercial fishery for razor clams using electric current gear in Scottish waters.
2. Impacts/outcomes of the policy and how do these potentially differ across the islands
2.1 Summary of Outcome
Following consideration of the evidence gathered during the scientific trial, the responses received to this consultation, and the Scottish Government's wider fisheries management objectives, Ministers have concluded that the next phase of razor clam fishing in Scotland should be the establishment of a limited and tightly controlled commercial fishery using electric current gear. This reflects the majority view expressed by consultation respondents, whilst recognising the concerns raised regarding environmental protection, remaining evidence gaps and the need for effective compliance and monitoring arrangements.
The Scottish Government considers that the trial has demonstrated that a regulated fishery can operate within a robust management framework. However, commercialisation will not represent a move away from precaution, and we recognise evidence gaps remain. The future fishery will retain strong controls on fishing activity, including limits on vessel numbers, effort restrictions, spatial management measures, remote electronic monitoring (REM), stock assessment requirements and adaptive management arrangements designed to respond to new evidence as it emerges.
Implementation of these proposals will require changes to legislation and further operational development. These processes will be informed by continuing engagement with stakeholders, scientific advice and assessment of environmental, social and economic impacts. The Scottish Government will publish further information on implementation arrangements as policy development progresses.
There is interest in fishing in island communities and indeed there has been regular fishing in Broad Bay on Lewis, Tarbert Bank by Colonsay and in the Sound of Gigha. There have been other island areas where trial fishing has been authorised, but opportunities have not been consistently taken up (Coll and Tiree, Benbecula). However, many island communities are not part of the scientific trial (such as the Shetland and Orkney Isles) and have not seen the benefits or costs associated with this fishery.