Commercial fishery for razor clams using electric current gear consultation: strategic environmental assessment screening
A screening determination report of the environmental effects associated with the outcomes expected from the planned consultation on a commercial fishery for razor clams in Scotland.
11. Spatial scope
Information gathered during the trial indicates fishing to be sustainable at the current levels. There is a question on whether a commercial fishery, should Ministers opt to establish one, would need to be limited in its size to maintain control on fishing mortality. There are various routes to accomplish this, and views will be sought on these. For example, it may be appropriate to establish one or more Several Orders and then permit a consortium of fishers to exploit stocks in one area. On the other hand, we understand from PhD research that razor clam populations form a single genetic stock across Scotland and it may be preferable to adopt a Scotland-wide approach. There are benefits and drawbacks to either approach and we will seek views on which would be the best option for any notional commercial fishery.
It may be prudent if establishing a commercial fishery to limit it in its first iteration to those areas for which we have determined stock assessment and fishing mortality estimates.