The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.
All Official Reports of meetings in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
All Official Reports of public meetings of committees.
Displaying 1736 contributions
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee
Meeting date: 25 September 2024
Mairi Gougeon
I think that Nuala Gormley has information on the age of all our vessels. We have two that are probably approaching their end-of-service-life age. The two vessels in that category are the marine research vessel Scotia, which is 26 years old, and the Minna, a marine protection vessel, which is 21 years old.
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee
Meeting date: 25 September 2024
Mairi Gougeon
I do not have the age of the aircraft, and I do not know whether Nuala has that information.
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee
Meeting date: 25 September 2024
Mairi Gougeon
It goes into the consolidated fund.
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee
Meeting date: 25 September 2024
Mairi Gougeon
You raise a lot of really interesting points that chime with a lot of the work that is on-going at the moment. Of course, IFCAs are a separate model with a completely different set-up, but we have been in a process of change over the past few years in relation to putting FMAC on a more structured footing than it was previously and in relation to the regional inshore fisheries groups. I have been involved in a number of different meetings with stakeholders over the past few weeks and I have heard people’s different frustrations.
We have been undertaking a review of FMAC to determine how it has been working and how different stakeholders are finding the operation of that format. We are also looking at regional inshore fisheries groups and how they have been operating. The feedback that we get as a result of that will then help us to determine a way forward.
In a previous response, I touched on the overall route map to change for inshore fisheries that we are embarking on. The interim measures were one of the steps in that regard. We also heard quite clearly from stakeholders that they want to be involved in that change. We intend to issue a call for evidence, potentially towards the end of this year, to seek views on future models and on how we can best maximise that engagement. I would be happy to keep the committee updated on that work as we progress with it.
We also have a couple of on-going inshore fisheries pilots that have been working really well. It is really important that we take the learning from those to help to inform the process that we are going through. I recognise the points that you have made, and we are keen to see that more regional approach to management.
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee
Meeting date: 25 September 2024
Mairi Gougeon
There is one on Mull at the moment, but I would have to find details of the others. I am happy to provide more information if that is helpful, because I do not have it to hand.
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee
Meeting date: 25 September 2024
Mairi Gougeon
I would have to ask officials whether they have looked at that in detail. Again, I do not have that information to hand.
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee
Meeting date: 25 September 2024
Mairi Gougeon
Absolutely. It is particularly because there is a lot going on in that space that we are very much being guided by stakeholders as to how to form and develop the process. We heard clearly that stakeholders would find it most helpful and engaging if we implemented the step of having a call for evidence before formally consulting on measures. We are working closely with them because we recognise that a lot is happening in that space at the moment and we want to take them with us.
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee
Meeting date: 25 September 2024
Mairi Gougeon
We felt that we had grounds to appeal that decision. That is ultimately why we did so. I appreciate that proceeding in such a way uses more resource, but we believed that we had grounds for appeal.
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee
Meeting date: 25 September 2024
Mairi Gougeon
I do not understand—is there a particular issue that you are talking about?
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee
Meeting date: 25 September 2024
Mairi Gougeon
I am sorry—I do not know what you mean. Do you mean the payment strategy that we publish?