Committee
Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee 16 March 2021
16 Mar 2021 · S5 · Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee
Item of business
Subordinate Legislation
Red Rocks and Longay Urgent Marine Conservation Order 2021 (SSI 2021/131)
It is fundamentally important to protect such sites in our marine environment in the context of sustainable development. I am relieved that the SSI has been made. Other members might have questions about why the order had to be made on an urgent basis. The flapper skate is a protected species, and I am eager for the committee to agree that the order should come into force, but I seek clarification on advice that I understand that NatureScot has given, which is that, for recreational divers and scallop divers, there could be a no-touch arrangement as opposed to a no-take arrangement—that is, people should not touch the flapper skate eggs, which take a very long time to mature. I was recently approached by a recreational scuba diver who is also a citizen scientist and was involved in finding the eggs. The no-take zone was raised and it would be helpful to have clarification on it, because it is vital that we take with us people who have been working to discover things. It may well be that there should be a no-take zone—I would totally respect that, as I hope and expect that everybody would—but I would still like that clarification.
In the same item of business
The Convener
SNP
Item 4 is consideration of a Scottish statutory instrument that the Scottish Government laid on an urgent basis to protect a recently discovered nursery site...
Claudia Beamish
Lab
It is fundamentally important to protect such sites in our marine environment in the context of sustainable development. I am relieved that the SSI has been ...
Angus MacDonald (Falkirk East) (SNP)
SNP
Following on from Claudia Beamish’s comments, I agree that there seems to be an issue on that point. We would not be aware of the situation at Red Rocks and ...
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Con
It is important that we appreciate how important it is to protect the flapper skate, which the Scottish Government has identified as a priority feature. Howe...
Mark Ruskell
Green
It is right that NatureScot’s initial advice took a precautionary approach and called for the closure of a wide area with a buffer zone. It takes only one mi...
The Convener
SNP
Thank you. There is also the issue that NatureScot recommended that a wider area be protected but the Government has decided to go with the evidence of where...
Claudia Beamish
Lab
I echo your words, convener, and I would like to thank you heartily for convening the committee, managing us all and helping us to be, whenever we could be, ...
The Convener
SNP
That is really appreciated. Thank you. I should mention that the other person who is involved very closely with our committee, the Cabinet Secretary for Envi...