Letter to the Convener from the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, Mairi Gougeon, 5 November 2021
Dear Finlay,
You may recall that during consideration of The Razor Clams (Prohibition on Fishing and Landing) (Scotland) Order 2017 (Scottish Statutory Instrument 2017/419) the then Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee requested updates on the Scottish Government’s scientific trial of electrofishing for razor clams. Therefore, please find attached the latest report on progress made during the trial’s third year of operation (2020/2021).
As you know, whilst the trial is managed by my officials in Marine Scotland, it receives vital support from key public sector partners. Please note that all activity under the trial was suspended for almost three months during this reporting period and it is a great credit to all involved – regulators of inshore shellfish harvesting, scientists and industry – that it was reinstated so smoothly with revised protocols and procedures in place; all helping ensure participant safety and the continued gathering of data under the monitoring and sampling programmes.
I will send further information to the Committee in 2022, with a further update on data analysis once the current 12 month trial period is complete (1 February 2021-31 January 2022). In the meantime, if you have any questions about this report please do not hesitate to be in contact with my office or with the official responsible for policy on this matter (Malcolm MacLeod, Sea Fisheries team leader).
Yours sincerely,
MAIRI GOUGEON