Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Data Request for ICES rectangles: EIR release

Information requested

The data we would like to acquire for Scottish fishing vessels, relate to VMS data for all fleet segments; landed weight for all species by gear type, landings value (£) for all species by gear type, and any other fishing data that may be relevant and available. The ICES rectangles areas for which we require data are as follows;

• 36E9
• 36F0
• 37E9
• 37F0
• 37F1
• 37F2
• 38F0
• 38F1 
• 38F2

Are these data available in GIS format i.e. Shapefiles or are they CSV? Can these data be provided to ICES sub rectangle level?”

Response

I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested.

As part of our response, we are releasing redacted VMS data and Scottish fishing vessel data from 2015 to 2022 in relation to ICES rectangles 36E9, 36F0, 37E9, 37F0, 37F1, 37F2, 38F0, 38F1 and 38F2, as two discrete data sets.
The Scottish Government does not hold VMS and Scottish fishing vessel data for the above noted ICES rectangles in the requested, linked format and we are therefore refusing this aspect of the request under regulation 10(4)(a) – information not held. The reason why this exception applies is explained in the Annex to this letter.

Nevertheless, the UK Fisheries Authorities may hold further relevant information, or the data in a linked format. A request to the Marine Mammal Organisation (“MMO”) may therefore be appropriate. The MMO can be contacted at: info@marinemanagement.org.uk

Please also find below links to published data which may help in relation to your request:

• 2021 Scottish Sea Fisheries Statistics - Fishing Effort and Quantity and Value of Landings by ICES Rectangles | Marine Scotland Data Publications
• MMO United Kingdom Fish Landings by ICES rectangle (all vessels) 2007 – 2020. See spreadsheet with download and service links.
• Marine Scotland fishing statistic layers for previous 5 years

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because an exception under regulation 11(2) – third party personal data, of the EIRs applies to that information. The reason why that exception applies is explained in the Annex to this letter.

Due to the size of the files we are unable to upload the documents referred to above. If you wish to consider, please contact us at the address below and we will be happy to provide.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202300347032 - Information Released - Annex

File type

1 page PDF

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99.5 kB