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A number of witnesses today have talked about what has not worked, but I am keen to know about the areas where there has been success and research that might help us to do the spatial planning that you have been talking about. That, again, might be a question for Phil Taylor.

—invited anyone to represent Government science.

I hope that we will hear some more about that next week.

I want to ask Bally Philp about the involvement of stakeholders in the process of moving away. After all, there was a reduction of some 28 per cent in the areas subject to closure. How were stakeholders consulted in that process?

—when we have not as a committee—

Professor Heath, it would be interesting to get your take on some of things that previous witnesses have said. There seems to be some scepticism about the effectiveness of previous measures on cod in the Clyde, and questions have been raised about what could be done in the future. It would be interesting to hear your views on the effectiveness of the measures that we have had in the past and whether anything can be done in the future to protect cod spawning and a cod fishery in the Clyde.

I will pick up, again, on something that other witnesses have raised. You may be about to tell me that there is not much science on this either—I do not know—but I would be interested to know your view on the impact that spurdog might be having on cod. There has been a debate involving other parts of the west coast about a spurdog fishery being viable in the future. Can you offer any observations on spurdog?

You are not going to thank me for making this point, convener, but we have just heard a call for us to hear more about the official science and scientific data. It is difficult for us to discuss and argue the issues at this meeting—

No—let me finish, convener.

I am interested to hear, perhaps from Mr Macdonald first, about the science around the decision. As I have conveyed previously, I am slightly disappointed that we do not have Government scientists here today. I would be interested to know the witnesses’ views about the science in this area, in particular regarding the decision to move away from the initial proposals from the Government and how they have been kept informed.

As I understand it, the closure came into effect on 14 February. Can you explain the extent to which fishermen are still able to fish? Are there any compliance issues in that respect?