Inshore waters - regulated commercial use of traps/pots to catch wrasse: fisheries assessment

4. Assessment of the wrasse fishery on other benthic features in SACs

This assessment considers the targeted removal of wrasse and their role as part of the relevant feature and the associated ecosystem. It also considers the impact of the use of the fishing gear (traps) on specific sensitive benthic features.

4.1 Site affected

The following SAC has been identified by NatureScot as a site where the use of wrasse traps/pots (also including any associated ropes and end weights) could potentially exert pressures on benthic features, excluding reef.

Loch Laxford SAC

4.2 High-level conservation Objectives

The high-level conservation objectives for the site are:

1. To ensure that the reefs are in favourable condition and make an appropriate contribution to achieving Favourable Conservation Status.

2. To ensure that the integrity of the site is maintained/restored in the context of environmental changes by meeting objectives 2a, 2b and 2c:

2a. Extent and distribution of reefs within the site.

2b. Structure and function of reefs and the supporting environment on which it relies.

2c. Distribution and viability of typical species of reefs.

Site specific advice is given in the relevant CMA.

4.3 Is the plan or project directly connected with or necessary to the site management for nature conservation?

No, in this assessment, commercial wrasse fishing activity taking place within the site is the plan or project and is not directly connected or necessary to the site management for nature conservation.

4.4 Screening for likely significant effect (LSE)

4.4.1 Fishing activities considered capable of affecting the qualifying/classified features

Commercial fishing – static gear (traps)

Site

Loch Laxford

Advice to support management

Reduce or limit pressures is recommended.

Remove or avoid pressure on maerl beds is recommended

Relevant pressures

Removal of target species (including lethal), surface abrasion, removal of non-target species (including lethal)

4.4.2 Potential effect mechanisms from fishing with static gear (wrasse traps) and likely significant effect conclusions on benthic features

Site where no recent recorded wrasse fishing activity has occurred and there is no indication that there will be a future demand. From 2025, no wrasse fishing activity will be authorised in the site below unless following appropriate review of this assessment.

Site (feature)

Loch Laxford SAC

(Large shallow inlets and bays)

Advice to support management - Static gear

Reduce or limit pressures is recommended.

Remove or avoid pressure on maerl beds is recommended

Potential interaction with the wrasse fishery (typically <10m depth)

No interaction – no fishery currently permitted

Removal of target species (including lethal)

N/A

Surface abrasion

N/A

Removal of non-target species (including lethal)

N/A

4.5 Conclusion

There is no interaction between the wrasse fishery and the protected features in Loch Laxford SAC as there is currently no fishery occurring in this site, and no wrasse fishing activity will be authorised in the site unless following appropriate review of this assessment.