Scoping the remaining requirements for fisheries management measures in Scottish inshore MPAs

September 2022

Introduction

This document outlines the MPAs that have been included to date as part of the Phase 2 fisheries management measures and the sites still to be considered. In summary there are an additional 6 SACs, 4 MPAs and 44 SPAs where NatureScot is considering whether some form of fisheries management may be needed to meet the conservation objectives of the site. We would envisage for features which had measures put in place through Phase 1, e.g. seals, that the management measures needed for the additional SACs and MPAs for these features would be consistent with the existing measures. For other features not considered in Phase 1, management measures will need further discussion. 

Those MPAs that already have fisheries management measures in place to cover their protected features (Phase 1 sites) are listed in Table 6 along with the status of their CMAs. Table 7 outlines those MPAs where we consider there are no significant interactions between fishing and the protected features. Table 8 outlines those SPAs which form part of the MPA network in relation to their intertidal components and use by waders in particular. The requirements for these have not yet been considered. 

There are ongoing discussions regarding new fisheries, in particular for wrasse and therefore some consideration of this maybe required in relation to reef habitats in some of the MPAs. 

Evidence base

FeAST contains sensitivity information and the supporting evidence base for habitats and species in relation to pressures and associated activities. It is due to undergo further development which will improve usability, update the evidence and where appropriate include additional marine features of conservation importance (e.g. PMFs and Annex I habitats).

Fisheries Guidance Notes are also available that present our advice and evidence in relation to the interactions between fishing gear and specific features. These are provided NatureScot’s MPA and PMF management measures for fishing activity webpage. 

Overview of MPAs requiring fisheries management measures 

Table 1 outlines the MPAs (SACs and Nature Conservation MPAs) that are being considered already as part of the Phase 2 fisheries management measure process being led by Marine Scotland. The feature column provides clarity on where intertidal sedimentary features are included. To date, NatureScot has not provided advice on whether fisheries measures would be required for these intertidal features and further consideration is required, including in relation to existing Nature Conservation Orders and underpinning SSSIs. 

Tables 2, 3 and 4 outline the MPAs which have not been considered in current Phase 2 discussions where NatureScot are currently considering whether fisheries management measures are required, and overlaps between sites are also highlighted. These cover benthic habitats and marine mammals (Table 2) and birds (Tables 3 and 4). As noted above we would envisage that the management measures for benthic and marine mammal features would be consistent with those put in place through Phase 1 where the features are the same.

The SACs for otter that contribute to the MPA network are listed in Table 5. NatureScot provided initial advice that it may be necessary to reduce or limit pressures in relation to static gear by setting creels in water shallower than 10m to minimise the risk of entrapment of otters. This was based on the Otter Survey of Scotland 1984-1985 (Green & Green, 1987) which outlined some data from the Outer Hebrides where incidences of otter entrapment and drowning in creels were reduced when the creels were in depths greater than 10m. Additionally during surveys of creel fishermen to gather data for the Scottish Entanglement Alliance project (MacLennan et al., 2021), otters were noted as having been found in creels from 4-5 different fishermen (MacLennan, E., pers.comm).  Annex 1 provides the most recent site condition monitoring for otters at SACs that are part of the MPA network. For most sites the condition is favourable, with the exception of Dornoch Firth and Morrich More SAC which hasn’t been assessed and the two Shetland SACs (Hascosay and Yell Sound Coast) which are unfavourable. Further survey work may be required to update the population trends here in particular to understand the condition of these sites in relation to Shetland as a whole. 

Whilst entrapment happens our current view is that there is insufficient evidence at the current time to support taking forward specific management measures. There is uncertainty and a lack of information in relation to the frequency of incidences, the relationship between fishing intensity and creel type and whether the risk of entanglement may vary geographically. Therefore, at this time we would advise that the management advice should be ‘reduce or limit pressures should be considered.’ Also with the exception of the Shetland sites the condition of otter at these SACs is currently favourable. To improve the evidence base and enable us to provide more confidence in our advice and the need for management measures, NatureScot are planning to bid for internal funds to undertake a research project to survey fishers and collect data in 2023/24. We will provide additional advice to Marine Scotland when this work has been undertaken.     

 

Table 2. Additional sites under consideration for benthic habitats and marine mammals

Site name	Feature
North-east Lewis MPA	Sandeel, Risso’s dolphin
Sea of the Hebrides MPA	Benthic (Relates to biogenic features generating carbonate as part of the geodiversity feature – Inner Hebrides Carbonate Production Area.), Basking shark, Minke whale
Shiant East Bank MPA	Benthic
Southern Trench MPA	Benthic, Minke whale
Ascrib, Isay and Dunvegan SAC	Harbour seal
Eileanan agus Sgeiran Lios mór SAC	Harbour seal
Faray and Holm of Faray SAC	Grey seal
Inner Hebrides and the Minches SAC	Harbour porpoise
South-east Islay Skerries SAC	Harbour seal
Yell Sound Coast SAC	Harbour seal
Total - 10	-