Freedom of Information Request - Translocation Project Form(s): Atlantic Salmon - Aberdeenshire Dee SAC
Date: 06 December 2024
Our ref: SIR177864/A4848401
Information Request – Translocation Project Form(s): Atlantic Salmon - Aberdeenshire Dee SAC
Your Request
Full copies of Translocation Project Form(s) submitted to NatureScot and any other supporting documentation submitted by the applicant(s) concerning the proposed removal or return of adult salmon, eggs or juvenile salmon originating from the Aberdeenshire Dee SAC as part of the so-called "Save the Spring", SAS or S2A Project(s);
• Full copies of any Management Plans and Risk Assessments submitted by the applicant(s) concerning the above;
• Full copies of any correspondence between NatureScot and Marine Scotland Science/Marine Directorate (Freshwater Laboratory - Pitlochry) concerning the above;
• Full copies of any licence(s), consent(s) and permission(s) issued by NatureScot concerning the above, including any associated conditions, binding rules and advice issued.
Our Response
Following discussions with the Operations Team, the information that we hold, that meets the terms of your request, is attached as a separate document to this response.
Although we have some information that meets the terms of your request, we need to clarify that no licences, consents or permission from NatureScot have been required for the elements of the of the project outlined above. The licence applications were made to Scottish Government – Marine Directorate and NatureScot provided advice on these.
We have redacted out some personal data from the information being released to you. This is because releasing personal data in response to an information request would breach the Data Protection Act 2018. We have therefore applied the following exemption, 11(2) – Personal Data under the EIRs.
How We Handled Your Request
We believe you have asked for environmental information as defined in the Environmental Information (Scotland Regulations 2004 (‘the EIRs’), so we are dealing with your request under those regulations. To be able to use the EIRs, we must apply an exemption under section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (‘FOISA’). The Scottish Information Commissioner’s guidance recommends that public authorities apply this exemption to environmental information and handle request under the EIRs.
If you would like to find out more about the access to information legislation, there is a guidance booklet available on the Scottish Information Commissioner’s website.
Review and Appeal
I hope this information meets your requirements, but if you are dissatisfied with how we have responded to your information request, please write to us within 40 working days explaining your concerns. You can contact us at Battleby, Redgorton, Perth, PH1 3EW or email us at [email protected]. We will carry out a review of our response and contact you with our findings within 20 working days.
If you are not satisfied following this, you can make an appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner within 6 months. The Scottish Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
Doubledykes Road
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9DS
Telephone: 01334 464610
Yours sincerely
FOI Officer,
NatureScot
Document downloads
Due to accessibility issues the attached information, referenced above, is available on request by contacting the FOI team at [email protected]. Please reference the case number (starting with SIR).