Commercial fishery for razor clams using electric current gear consultation: strategic environmental assessment screening

8. Context of the Plan

Fishing for razor clams has been a feature of inshore fishing in Scotland for some time. Prior to the making of The Razor Clams (Prohibition on Fishing and Landing) (Scotland) Order 2017, fishing for razor clams occupied a legally grey area. It was legal to fish for razor clams, but through using electric current to do so, other than as part of a scientific investigation, was illegal.

Fishing for razor clams could be done legally (by dredge hand diving or gathering at the shore, or illegally using electric current with divers. The attraction of electric current was the low cost of the gear (often made from off-the-shelf components) compared to dredge gear, the ease of harvesting and the high quality of the resulting catch. Enforcing this distinction was a challenge, as it was necessary to catch a fisher ‘in the act’ of using electric current gear. Because of its low cost, fishing vessels once aware of the presence of a fisheries protection vessel could simply discard the gear overboard and purchase new equipment some time later, following boarding.

In an effort to bring this under control, and following publication of research that indicated the method had potential to be a method of fishing with a lower environmental impact, the Scottish Government consulted on establishing a commercial fishery using electric current. Consultation responses highlighted a number of areas such as knowledge gaps on non-target species effects, impacts on the wider ecosystem, practical enforcement matters, conflict with other fishers, protecting hand gathering for personal consumption and sustainable harvesting. As a result, the Scottish Government established a trial fishery that sought to work towards a fuller understanding of the potential of this mode of fishing. The objectives of this trial were:

8.1 Biological and Ecological goals

I. to gather local level information on razor clam populations and stocks, including accurate data gathered by trial participants to supplement stock survey work

II. to ensure sustainable harvesting levels

III. to gather further information about the impacts of the electrofishing method on target and non-target species

8.2 Economic Goals

I. to develop understanding of the economic benefits that can be achieved for Scotland and its local coastal communities through an electrofishery for razor clams

II. to support the Scottish inshore fishing sector, in particular diversification opportunities for the sector

III. to support Scottish based businesses associated with the inshore fishing sector

8.3 Social Goals

I. to support economic activity in Scottish coastal communities with benefits of the trial delivered locally

8.4 Best Practice and Management Goals

I. to develop the operational measures required for a sustainable fishery

II. to ensure that trial participants are compliant with its terms and conditions at all times

III. to ensure that shellfish harvesting is safe and compliant with all relevant regulations

IV. to encourage good stewardship amongst trial participants

In the succeeding years there has been progress against each goal outlined above. An effective management system is in place that has driven compliance with terms and conditions, regulatory access for Marine Directorate, Health and Safety Executive and Food Standards Scotland ensures that fishing has been authorised to appropriate standards. We now know that economically viable fishing with the controls in place (effort limits, landing limits, gear current limits, minimum conservation reference size, seasonal closure informed by knowledge of the life cycle of razor clams) leads to fishing mortality that is below estimated FMSY (the maximum sustainable yield). We have scientific results that show no or short term and recoverable effects of exposure to an electric field in a variety of species.

Therefore, it is necessary to seek views again on establishing a commercial fishery, as progress has been made against all scientific goals of the trial - further trial effort is focused on expanding the number of stock assessments to as many trial areas as possible, while updating and refining existing stock assessments with better quality data. This is valuable, however the practice and management systems are mature enough that a commercial fishery is considered.

To this end, there will be a consultation which seeks views on end points for the trial and the immediate future for fishing for razor clams in Scotland. The broad outline of the consultation is set out in the following section.