Seòmar agus comataidhean

Rachael Hamilton has a supplementary question.

On that line of questioning, one cod can produce between a million and 2 million eggs, and you need only two of those eggs to survive to adulthood in order to sustain the population. Is the impact of noise or the potential impact of a hand diver or creels in any way significant with regard to sustainability? We heard that the fish still generally spawn—the issue is the mortality after the eggs have hatched. Is disturbance of any significance at all to spawning?

Cabinet secretary, you told us that the measure might increase stocks. Rachael Hamilton was referring to the fishermen that are currently in the Clyde. Are you talking about an increased stock of scallops or prawns? You said that there would be a benefit from an increase in stock. How will that benefit Clyde fishermen?

In what way? What fishing opportunities? I am confused.

You said that the closure would bring more opportunities. What additional opportunities will there be for creel fishermen or scallop fishermen after the closure?

This agenda item is specifically about the cod box regulations. Given that we are short on time—we are actually behind time—it might be helpful if you wrote to the committee on Ariane Burgess’s question.

I call Jim Fairlie.

We move on to formal consideration of the motion to annul. I ask Rachael Hamilton to speak to and move motion S6M-03543.

So there is no evidence. I call Beatrice Wishart.

Do you have any idea how many cod fishermen are in the Clyde?