Consultation on Proposed Pelagic Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs)

Environmental Report

A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is required for any qualifying public plans, programmes, and strategies during their preparation and prior to publication if they are likely to have a significant effect on a European marine site (either positively or negatively).

The five proposed pelagic FMPs, therefore, fall within the scope of the Environmental Assessment of plans and programmes Regulations 2004 because the geographical coverage extends beyond Scotland as defined in the 2004 Regulations. The Scottish Government has undertaken the assessments required in line with the Conservation (Natural Habitats, & c.) Regulations 1994 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, known as the Habitats Regulations, and determined that the pelagic FMPs may have a likely significant effect (either positive or negative) on European sites or on European offshore marine sites and, therefore, have completed a SEA which can be accessed via the consultation link which can be accessed on gov.scot website.

The scope and level of detail was informed through early consultation with UK SNCBs and conservation advice. We drew on published information on the state of the environment and the potential impact of fishing on environmental features.

Q. 14 Do you have any comments on the assessment of the environmental effects of the five pelagic FMPs which are subject to this consultation, as set out in the environmental report?

Around the UK, and particularly in Scotland there are a lot of different island communities which have a strong fishing presence. As required under the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 an Island Community Impact Assessment (ICIA) will be considered prior to the final publication of the FMPs. Fisheries management measures tend to be applied on a consistent basis and will not generally have a different or unbalanced impact on island communities. We will consider whether an ICIA is needed prior to finalising the FMPs and taking into account any feedback from this consultation.

Q. 15 Do you have any comments on any potential islands impacts arising from the draft FMPs?