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.
13. Key components of the plan
As above, the key components being considered here are:
1. concluding the trial and returning to prohibition as outlined in SSI 2017/419
2. continuing the trial in some form beyond its scheduled end date of 31 January 2027
3. concluding the trial and establishing a commercial fishery.
The environmental considerations relating to each are summarised below:
13.1 Concluding the trial
Concluding the trial is likely to lead to resumption of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
13.2 Continuing the trial
Continuing the trial would mean repeated fishing of the same grounds in some areas for a decade or longer, giving rise to the risk of overexploitation. Though it is noted that stock assessments in these conditions so far indicate fishing mortality is at a sustainable level.
The effect of the trial on protected species has been appraised in a draft fisheries assessment which contains HRA and NCMPA assessments, as well as an assessment of the effect on PMFs outside MPAs with regard to General Policy 9B of Scotland’s National Marine Plan. These assessments would be revisited were the trial to be extended.
13.3 Establishing commercial fishing
The spatial extent of commercial fishing would be appraised, as vessels may seek to obtain shellfish harvesting area classifications for new areas outside of the razor clam trial areas. It could be a condition of any authorisation to fish commercially that regular stock assessments be funded.