Seòmar agus comataidhean

The Scottish Government has forsome time recognised the concerns about declining sea trout catches on the westcoast. Through our agency, Fisheries Research Services, the Shieldaig Sea TroutProject was set up in 1998 to address these issues. The project operates in partnershipwith the Loch Torridon Area Management Group, part of the Scottish Government’sTripartite Working Group, to identify the causes of the decline in sea trout numberson the west coast. The causes are likely to be complex and multi-factorial. Theproject is currently developing and testing restoration techniques. Improvementsin marine survival have continued, and results from the Shieldaig Sea Trout Projectfor 2006-07 saw increased numbers of mature fish returning to spawn.

The Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries(Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 2003 came into force on 1 April 2005. Threepersons were proceeded against in Scottish courts for offences under this act in2005-06, the latest year for which data are available.

Inverness Sheriff Court has been progressively modernised over the years andcontinues to be fit for purpose. Following Court Unification the Scottish CourtService will acquire part of the North Tower adjacent to Inverness Sheriff Court and will programme refurbishmentwork to ensure our courts continue to be fit for purpose.

I refer the member to the answerto question S3W-8552 on 25 January 2008. All answers towritten parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the searchfacility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answerto question S3W-8552 on 25 January 2008. All answers towritten parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the searchfacility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

During the last three years onecase due to be held in Inverness Sheriff Court has been held elsewhere. This wasa Fatal Accident Inquiry on 9 January 2008, which was held in Dingwall Sheriff Courtas a result of a heating system fault in the North Tower at Inverness Sheriff Court.No additional costs were incurred for the use of other premises as the case wasmoved to Dingwall Sheriff Court. There was no business planned in Dingwall SheriffCourt that day and therefore no cases were delayed as a result.

I refer the member to answerto question S3W-8552 on 25 January 2008. All answers towritten parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the searchfacility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

The Scottish Government has undertakena consultation on a draft framework for freshwater fisheries developed in associationwith stakeholders. It proposes a national policy that seeks to protect biodiversityand our environment as well as enhancing the economic benefit for our rural economythat results from angling. The consultation period closed on 4 January 2008 andthe responses are being analysed. Thereafter the Freshwater Fisheries Steering Groupwhose members represent the main interests within the sector will prepare a finalversion that government can consider.

The Scottish ministers may onlymake a protection order upon application to them, and each application must be consideredon its merits. Currently, no applications are under consideration.

There are currently no plansto revoke any protection order. However, the operation of protection orders is underconstant review, and any protection order may be revoked or varied where appropriate.