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Given that regional inshore fisheries groups are not formally constituted or legally accountable, and that they do not provide an opportunity for public or environmental representation, how will the Government ensure transparency and accountability of any fisheries management plans that the groups develop?

I have a couple of supplementaries about the fisheries objectives. The “national benefit objective” is that

“fishing activities of UK fishing boats bring social or economic benefits to the United Kingdom or any part of the United Kingdom.”

What measures will the Scottish Government take to achieve that objective?

Thank you.

You might be getting some feedback—I can hear a bit of an echo.

I want to comment on the type of fishing that is being restricted. I understand that, when the Government announced its public consultation on the proposals, it confirmed that hand diving for scallops will no longer be prohibited but that creeling will still be prohibited, along with dredging and trawling. Could we seek some clarification from the minister about why those different types of fishing—creeling, dredging and trawling—are being treated in the same way despite the fact that the Scottish Government categorises dredging as severe, whereas creeling is considered low impact?

The Government previously said that it wants to take a precautionary approach, but, because it chose the smaller of two possible boundary areas, I am confused about whether the approach is precautionary. It seems that, within the new, smaller boundary, everything will be prohibited and that, outside the boundary, everything will be allowed. There are different types of fishing, with different impact levels, so I would be grateful if we could seek some clarity from the minister about why those activities have been categorised in the same way.

Thank you.

Good morning, cabinet secretary. I apologise for the fact that I cannot be there in person. I have a couple of questions on the scientific evidence. I will try to keep my questions short, and I would be grateful for succinct answers.

The Scottish Government’s consultation on the spawning closure cites a study that was undertaken by the Scottish Oceans Institute and the Clyde Fishermen’s Association. Are you aware of that study?

Have Dr Needle and the cabinet secretary seen a final version of the report on that study?

When do you expect a correction on the website to be made?

Do you know how the study was funded?

There are seven papers. Was a mixture of all of them used?