Fisheries statistics collated from FISH1 forms held by the Marine Directorate: EIR release

Information requested

Fisheries statistics collated from FISH1 forms held by the Marine Directorate for the most recent five-year period available (e.g. 2019–2024).

Specifically, I am seeking statistics for the following ICES rectangles:

• 39E2, 39E3, 39E4, 40E2, 40E3, 40E4, 41E2, 41E3, 41E4, 42E2, 42E3, and 42E4.

For each record, please include as far as available:

• Year
• Month
• ICES rectangle
• Gear type
• Species
• Landed weight (tonnes)
• First sales value (£, if available)

Response

I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested. Please find attached a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet entitled “EIR 202500493146 – FISH1 data.xlsx”.

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) (personal information of a third party) of the EIRs applies to that information. The reasons why that exception(s) applies are explained in the Annex to this letter.

ANNEX

REASONS FOR NOT PROVIDING INFORMATION

An exception applies

Regulation 11(2) – applicant has asked for personal data of a third party

An exception under regulation 11(2) of the EIRs (personal information) applies to some of the information requested because it is personal data of a third party and disclosing it would contravene the data protection principles in Article 5(1) of the General Data Protection Regulation and in section 34(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018. This exception is not subject to the ‘public interest test’, so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exception.

The majority of the vessels that are 10m and under (these are the vessels that complete FISH1 forms) are sole owner operated. This means information on location and earnings are classed as personal information. Fish species and weight would also enable value to be calculated so this is treated the same. If an ICES rectangle had less than 3 vessels operating in it during any month and if at least one of these vessels was owner operated then we have withheld this information. It appears as a "c" in the table in the excel file provided. However, the impact of this is small with over 99% of the data being supplied.

About FOI

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

EIR 202500493146 - Information released - Annex A

File type

Excel document

File size

220.9 kB