Committee
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee 25 February 2026 [Draft]
25 Feb 2026 · S6 · Rural Affairs and Islands Committee
Item of business
Subordinate Legislation
Marine Licensing (Exempted Activities) (Scottish Inshore Region) Amendment Order 2026 [Draft]
We move to formal consideration of the motion to approve the instrument. As the cabinet secretary has nothing to add, I invite her to move motion S6M-20638.Motion moved,That the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee recommends that the Marine Licensing (Exempted Activities) (Scottish Inshore Region) Amendment Order 2026 draft be approved.—Mairi Gougeon
References in this contribution
Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.
In the same item of business
The Convener
Con
The next item on our agenda is consideration of a Scottish statutory instrument. I welcome to the meeting Mairi Gougeon, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affa...
The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands (Mairi Gougeon)
SNP
: Thank you, convener. The SSI that is in front of the committee today amends existing exemptions to marine licence requirements for the purpose of reducing ...
The Convener
Con
Thank you. Do members have any questions?
Ariane Burgess
Green
We have just had an extensive session on salmon farming. One of my concerns about the marine licensing SSI is that it is potentially premature. We are aware ...
Mairi Gougeon
SNP
I do not believe that it is happening too soon. Ultimately, we need to provide clarification on how discharge is regulated in the 3 to 12 nautical mile zone,...
Beatrice Wishart
LD
Do you have any sense of how many applications there might be further out to sea?
Mairi Gougeon
SNP
We know from some operators that they are not looking at that space, but, as we set out in the “Vision for sustainable aquaculture” report, we know that it i...
Emma Harper
SNP
To clarify, SEPA already extends the framework to 3 nautical miles, and the SSIs will extend it to 12 nautical miles. You are seeking to ensure simplificatio...
Mairi Gougeon
SNP
Yes, you are absolutely right. All that we are looking to do today is mirror what happens in the 0 to 3 nautical mile range by extending the framework to cov...
The Convener
Con
We move to formal consideration of the motion to approve the instrument. As the cabinet secretary has nothing to add, I invite her to move motion S6M-20638.M...
The Convener
Con
Do any members wish to debate the motion?
Ariane Burgess
Green
The evidence in the consultation raises concerns. The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation said:“The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation’s (SFF) position remains that...
Mairi Gougeon
SNP
I want to be clear, because a number of issues were raised by the panel in the previous session, and I do not want us to conflate them with what we are discu...
The Convener
Con
Are all members content to recommend approval of the instrument?Members: No.
The Convener
Con
Members are not content. There will be a division.
ForAllan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP)Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)Harper, Emma (South...
The Convener
Con
The result of the division is: For 7, Against 0, Abstentions 1.Motion agreed to,That the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee recommends that the Marine Licen...
The Convener
Con
Is the committee content to delegate authority to me to sign off on our report on the instrument?Members indicated agreement.
The Convener
Con
That completes consideration of the instrument. I thank the cabinet secretary and her officials for attending but ask them to remain at the table—do not pani...