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)
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 Longay without the information that was received from scallop divers, recreational divers and citizen science divers, as well as the local knowledge and feedback from creel fishermen, yet they are all to be banned from the no-take zone. That will clearly hinder the gathering of much of the sighting information and the local knowledge gained from divers and creel fishermen, resulting in a distinct lack of data being fed back. It is also concerning that organisations and individuals are now considering not providing data to NatureScot in case more no-take or no-touch zones are introduced, which will adversely affect their ability to operate in their areas. I am aware of the urgency, given that the seasonal closures will end shortly. It is clearly a difficult call for NatureScot, Marine Scotland and the Scottish Government, but we need to know that they are aware of the issues that are arising and that they are taking them on board. As a committee, we need to highlight the issues and their knock-on effects to the Government.
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...