Draft Inshore Marine Protected Areas Fisheries Assessment Methodology Report

In‑combination effects with other plans, projects and activities

Consideration has been given to whether the Fisheries Assessments need to contain an assessment of ‘in-combination’ effects on protected sites arising from commercial fishing activities under assessment taken together with other activities in the Scottish inshore region. The term “activities” is used to include “plans or projects” in relation to the Habitats Regulations for SACs and SPAs as well as “activities” in relation to NCMPAs.

Other activities proposed to occur within the Scottish inshore region, and which are considered likely to have or capable of having relevant effects on protected sites are subject to the requirements of the Habitats Regulations and/or Marine (Scotland) Act 2010.

Consent to such activities is given only after appropriate consideration of their effects on site integrity and/or the achievement of the conservation objectives has been undertaken through either a Habitats Regulations Appraisal or MPA assessment.

For the purposes of any such consideration, existing commercial fishing activities within MPAs is taken to form part of the baseline conditions at the particular designated site.

Where such other activities have been consented to or licensed, the following conclusions as to their effects can be drawn:

(i) they are not considered likely to have a significant effect on the site or capable of affecting the protected features at the site, either alone or in combination with other activities; or

(ii) they do not give rise to an adverse effect on site integrity or a significant risk of hindering the achievement of the conservation objectives at the site; or

(iii) an appropriate derogation or exception case has been made with appropriate compensatory measures (where required), or measures of equivalent environmental benefit to the damage, secured and/or undertaken, or arrangements made for them to be undertaken, as set out in either regulation 49 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 or section 83(4)(b) of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010.

There is no credible causal pathway by which any of the management measures outlined in the Fisheries Assessments could combine with such other activities to generate new, additional negative impacts on site integrity and/or the achievement of conservation objectives to those already considered elsewhere.

Accordingly, no ‘in-combination assessments’ of the effects of such other activities taken with the effects arising from the project/relevant activity are included in the Fisheries Assessments.

Accordingly, no ‘in-combination assessments’ of the effects of such other activities taken with the effects arising from the project/relevant activity are included in the Fisheries Assessments.