Draft Fisheries Assessment – East of Gannet and Montrose Fields NCMPA: Fisheries management measures within Scottish Offshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Executive Summary

The scope of this fisheries assessment is the East of Gannet and Montrose Fields NCMPA, which lies within a shallow sediment plain to the east of Scotland. The protected features of the site are offshore deep-sea muds, ocean quahog aggregations and the supporting habitats offshore subtidal sands and gravels (representing sediment types suitable for ocean quahog colonisation). The conservation objective for the NCMPA is to conserve the offshore deep sea mud, ocean quahog aggregations and the supporting offshore subtidal sands and gravels features in favourable condition (JNCC Conservation Advice for East of Gannet and Montrose Fields NCMPA and Conservation Advice Statements).

In Part A, fishing activities currently occurring within the site (data from 2015 – 2019) were screened and grouped into aggregated gear types. Throughout this draft fisheries assessment the data from 2015-2019 is referred to as the current levels of activity. The gear types considered relevant to the protected features were grouped into the aggregated gear types of demersal trawls and demersal seines. Based on the pressures associated with these fishing activities and the sensitivity of the protected features, the pressures considered capable of affecting were abrasion/disturbance of the substrate on the surface of the seabed; penetration and/or disturbance of the substrate below the surface of the seabed, including abrasion; removal of non-target species, and smothering and siltation rate changes (light). These pressures were taken through to Part B of the assessment.

In Part B, the assessment of fishing activities capable of affecting the protected features within the site determined that, at current fishing levels, demersal seines alone were compatible with the conservation objectives of the site and would not hinder the achievement of the conservation objectives of the site. However, the achievement of the conservation objectives might be hindered where demersal trawls occurred. Scottish Ministers concluded that management measures were required to restrict demersal trawls within East of Gannet and Montrose Fields NCMPA.

In Part C, the in-combination assessment considered the residual potential impacts of demersal seines alongside other relevant offshore activities happening in and near the site. Although oil and gas infrastructure and power cables were present, there was not deemed to be potential for in-combination effects. An offshore region wind lease or Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) was identified within the site. For both these areas, no infrastructure was in place, or yet proposed, subsequently there was not deemed to be the potential for in-combination effects. Therefore, Scottish Ministers concluded that the remaining fishing activities (demersal seines) in-combination with other relevant activities will not hinder the achievement of the conservation objectives for East of Gannet and Montrose Fields NCMPA.

Considering the need for management measures for mobile demersal gear, as identified in the assessment, two management options have been identified and are under consideration:

• Zoned management would reduce/limit pressures within the site. Under this option, 100% of the site would be closed to dredge and beam trawls, and all other demersal mobile gears (excluding demersal seine nets) would be prohibited from 65% of the site (in the northern section). This management option would further the achievement of the conservation objectives for offshore deep-sea muds, ocean quahog aggregations and the supporting offshore subtidal sands and gravels features within East of Gannet and Montrose Fields NCMPA. This option provides full protection to the area of supporting sands and gravels habitat in the north of the site where Ocean quahog occur in greatest numbers. Furthermore, this area is where the tall seapen (Funiculina quadrangularis) and the slender seapen (Virgularia mirabilis) are found, reducing risk to these species. For the southern area, this option offers protection to offshore deep sea muds, and the characterising seapen species, from the most damaging penetrative gear types (dredge and beam trawls). Scottish Ministers do not consider that the introduction of zonal measures would hinder the achievement of the conservation objectives for the burrowed mud featured within the NCMPA; rather it would further the achievement of said objectives.
• Full site exclusion of all mobile demersal gear (including demersal trawls and dredges) across the whole site. Scottish Ministers consider that this management option would not hinder the conservation objectives for offshore deep-sea muds, ocean quahog aggregations and the supporting offshore subtidal sands and gravels features within East of Gannet and Montrose Fields NCMPA; rather it would further the achievement of them.

The decision as to which management option is to be taken forward will be made following a statutory public consultation exercise and will be taken in the light of all relevant obligations incumbent upon the Scottish Ministers in relation to the exercise of their functions.