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Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S6W-20615

Asked by: Karen Adam, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 11 August 2023
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Gillian Martin on 14 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making towards delivering sustainable fisheries management as part of its Fisheries Management Strategy.

The Scottish Government’s Fisheries Management Strategy sets out a clear approach for managing sea fisheries in partnership with our stakeholders in a way that balances environmental, social and economic interests.

The Scottish fishing industry is incredibly important to Scotland and we must recognise and nurture the socio-economic benefits derived from it, such as supporting employment and the economy in rural areas, and providing a source of healthy, high-protein food.

Whilst we are already delivering good outcomes, we know we need to deliver better. Our growing knowledge of the nature and climate crises has put into stark relief that ecosystems are degrading. In order ensure that our historic fishing industry thrives for generations to come we must safeguard and improve the marine ecosystems on which our fishing industry is built. It is a symbiotic relationship, and there must be space for fisheries to continue to operate – in a sustainable way.

We must embrace change to enhance our fisheries management and continue to develop solutions to difficult challenges. Through the development of a suite of measures, our Future Catching Policy, Remote Electronic Monitoring Policy and Inshore Vessel Tracking and Monitoring policy, we are taking steps to ensure we are at the forefront of establishing enhanced sustainable fisheries management measures.

The Scottish Government is pleased to announce the publication of the outcomes of last year’s consultations on the Future Catching Policy and Remote Electronic Monitoring. The Future Catching Policy will take positive action to increase the sustainability of fishing activity in Scottish waters, supporting fishers to avoid catching fish and other sensitive marine species which they do not want to land, or catch in the first place – reducing waste and increasing biodiversity outcomes.

Remote Electronic Monitoring will deliver increased accountability and confidence in our sea fishing activities, ensuring that we have the right data and knowledge available on which to base management decisions.

The Scottish Government has also published a consultation on the use of inshore vessel tracking and monitoring, with proposals for how we can improve fisheries data by requiring electronic tracking and monitoring technology on under 12 metre commercial fishing vessels. These proposals build on successful trials of vessel tracking, such as the Outer Hebrides Pilot, and will improve our understanding of where inshore vessels are fishing, delivering spatial data that will help us to manage fisheries sustainably for the future, deliver enhanced marine environmental protection, improve control and enforcement tools and, inform marine planning. We have a strong record of engaging with our stakeholders and I would encourage all of them to respond to this consultation.

The consultation documents can be found here: https://consult.gov.scot/marine-scotland/improving-inshore-fisheries-data/ - Consultation on extending vessel tracking and monitoring technology on under 12 metre commercial fishing vessels

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781805256595 - Analysis of Consultation: Marine Resources – Ensuring Long Term Sustainability: Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM)

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781805256588 - SG Response to Consultation: Marine Resources – Ensuring Long Term Sustainability: Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM)

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781805257165 - Future Catching Policy Consultation Analysis Report

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781805259916 - Future Catching Policy: Scottish Government response to consultation analysis report

Question reference: S6O-02425

Asked by: Karen Adam, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 June 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the publication of the latest paper in the Building a New Scotland series, for what reasons it considers that an independent Scotland would need a written constitution.

Question reference: S6F-02205

Asked by: Karen Adam, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 05 June 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 June 2023

To ask the First Minister, in light of it being Carers Week, what the Scottish Government is doing to support carers across Scotland.

Question reference: S6O-02353

Asked by: Karen Adam, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 May 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Pride Month, what it is doing to tackle any discrimination against LGBT+ people.

Question reference: S6W-17816

Asked by: Karen Adam, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 May 2023
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 5 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what key findings and recommendations were identified from the recent study into the impact of the 2016-22 Rural Affairs Food and Environment Research Programme.

Question reference: S6F-02068

Asked by: Karen Adam, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 02 May 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 May 2023

To ask the First Minister, in light of this being Deaf Awareness Week, what work the Scottish Government is undertaking to ensure that deaf people have their communication needs met.

Question reference: S6O-02158

Asked by: Karen Adam, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 April 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken, in addition to its public consultation, to engage with the fishing industry and the coastal communities that could be affected by Highly Protected Marine Areas.

Question reference: S6O-02085

Asked by: Karen Adam, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 March 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding funding for carbon capture projects in Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-15331

Asked by: Karen Adam, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 23 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 9 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its response to the UK Government's use of an order under section 35 of the Scotland Act 1998 to prevent the Scottish Parliament’s Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill from proceeding to Royal Assent.

The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill was passed by an overwhelming majority of the Scottish Parliament, with support from members of all parties. The UK Government's use of section 35 of the Scotland Act 1998 to prevent the Bill proceeding to Royal Assent represents an unprecedented challenge to the Scottish Parliament's ability to legislate on devolved matters.

The Scottish Government has provided detailed responses to questions from the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee in a letter of 5 February, is now considering the reasons given by the UK Government for its use of the section 35 power, and will update Parliament on next steps in due course.

We note the Committee has expressed disappointment that the Secretary of State for Scotland made little attempt to answer directly any of the questions it raised.

Question reference: S6F-01851

Asked by: Karen Adam, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 27 February 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 March 2023

To ask First Minister whether she will provide an update on the Scottish Government's response to ongoing food shortages currently affecting Scotland.