New fisheries management arrangements to help ensure that coastal communities make the most of their waters are to be trialled in the Outer Hebrides, Mull and the east coast of Scotland. Of the seven proposals submitted last year at the Scottish government’s invitation, following selection and public consultation, three are to be taken forward.
The three successful proposals are to limiting the number of creels that can be used in a section of waters around the Outer Hebrides to test the practicality of managing creel fishing effort, to introduce a creel-only fishery off Mull for a set period of time to protect an important local brown crab fishery, and to support fishermen to agree and formalise access to fishing grounds off Arbroath and Montrose to test whether fishermen using different gears can negotiate and agree on access arrangements.
The trials, which are expected to last for two years, will give insight into the benefits of localised approaches to fisheries management.
‘These pilots will inform our future fisheries strategies and in doing so, help to underpin some of our most fragile fishing communities,’ commented Cabinet Secretary for fisheries Fergus Ewing.
‘I am grateful to all those that have participated in this initiative so far, particularly those who took the time to develop proposals. I look forward to following the progress of the trials and using the outcomes to help ensure a sustainable future for Scotland’s inshore fisheries.’
The result has been welcomed by Nick Turnbull, Chairman of the Mull Fishermen’s Association.
‘We are really pleased that our application has been successful and look forward to working with Marine Scotland on this innovative project. The fishermen in both the mobile and static sector have worked hard to arrive at a compromise and should be congratulated on working together through the West Coast Regional Inshore Fisheries Group on this proposal,’ Nick Turnbull said.
‘We welcome the news that the Scottish Government has supported the Outer Hebrides Regional Inshore Fisheries Group’s pilot proposal which should enhance shellfish stocks in the longer term,’ commented Duncan MacInnes, Secretary of the Western Isles Fishermen’s Association. ‘An estimated 140 static gear vessels operate in the area targeting wrasse, Nephrops, lobster, brown and velvet crab. These pilots offered a unique opportunity for stakeholders to develop management measures.’
