Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, Mairi Gougeon, to the Convener, 17 January 2022
Dear Finlay,
I am writing to inform you of the Order being laid today regarding the seasonal closure in the Firth of Clyde which aims to protect spawning cod and promote recovery of the West of Scotland stock. This seasonal closure, in place since 2001, spans an 11 week period between February and April each year.
As you will be aware, the Sea Fish (Prohibition on Fishing) (Firth of Clyde) Order 2021 was laid in December 2021 with the previous exemptions in place for certain fishing methods and the intention was to review these exemptions in 2022. However, upon further reflection, I believe that this approach is no longer appropriate. Despite the ongoing seasonal closure, the stock has shown little sign of recovery and as such the Scottish Government has removed the exemptions to maximise numbers.
I have therefore taken the decision to revoke The Sea Fish (Prohibition on Fishing) (Firth of Clyde) Order 2021 and replace it with The Sea Fish (Prohibition on Fishing) (Firth of Clyde) Order 2022 which continues the spawning closure for 2022 and 2023 without any exemptions.
This will create consistency with management measures in other areas, including the UK National North Sea Cod Avoidance Plan, which covers closure areas for all gear types (excluding pelagic), and the recent emergency Marine Protected Area (MPA) designation in the Inner Sound and related Marine Conservation Order, which includes prohibition on creeling and diving in order to protect the critically endangered flapper skate nursery area.
This is also in line with the commitments set out in the Bute House Agreement between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Greens and our shared aim to restore marine habitats in Scotland’s inshore waters.
I hope that this information is helpful.
Yours Sincerely,
Mairi Gougeon