Question
Untitled item
S6W-13105 · Written Question · lodged by Burgess, Ariane
Lodged on
08 Dec 2022Heard / answered on
23 Dec 2022To ask the Scottish Government, when considering European Protected Species Licence applications, whether it will reject calculations to determine how many cetaceans would be disturbed or injured by an Acoustic Deterrent Device (ADD) based on a model that can only predict how many will be disturbed at one moment in time and makes no allowance for the movement of the animals during the periods of time the device is operating.
The answer
All applications for EPS licences are considered on a case by cases basis and it is expected that applicants use appropriate models and calculations such as those set out in the Marine Scotland guidance document - faq_adds_and_eps_including_annex_1_and_annex_2_-_version_5_-october_2021_-_final.pdf (marine.gov.scot) . Relevant models use data that is the best current representation of the locations where cetaceans are expected to be found.
Marine Scotland is currently updating this guidance document to include finer resolution species density surfaces and this will be published early in 2023. All applications for EPS licences will be expected to follow the updated guidance.
Marine Scotland is currently updating this guidance document to include finer resolution species density surfaces and this will be published early in 2023. All applications for EPS licences will be expected to follow the updated guidance.
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 23 Dec 2022.