Scotland's shellfish water protected area (SWPA) designations - review: consultation

6. Criteria for designation and de-designation

The criteria used to identify potential areas for designation as an SWPA was evidence of three years of economically significant production (defined as the production of Oysters and Mussels for the purpose of SWPA reviews) in the last four years, allowing for one fallow year. Specifically, a new SWPA is proposed if:

• There is evidence of production for three years out of the past four, including the most recent year.
• There was no production in the most recent year, but documented evidence confirms plans to continue production.
• The site has not been classified as Class C for three consecutive years by FSS.
• The site can achieve at least a Class A or B classification, or remediation is technically feasible without disproportionate costs.

The criteria used for an existing SWPA to be proposed for de-designation was three continuous years of non-production. Specifically, a site was proposed for de-designation if:

• There has been no production for three consecutive years within the designated area; or
• The site has been classified as Class C for three consecutive years by FSS.

These criteria used to identify potential areas for designation and de-designation are consistent with those used in previous reviews. We intend to reconsider this methodology ahead of the next SWPA review before 2031.