Draft Fisheries Assessment – Geikie Slide and Hebridean Slope NCMPA: Fisheries management measures within Scottish Offshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Executive Summary

The scope of this fisheries assessment is Geikie Slide and the Hebridean Slope NCMPA. The protected features of the site are burrowed mud (including sea-pens), offshore deep-sea muds and offshore sands and gravels. The conservation objectives for the NCMPA are that the protected features so far as already in favourable condition, remain in such condition and so far, as not already in favourable condition, be brought into such condition and remain in such condition.

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 demersal trawls and anchored nets/lines (specifically longlines). Based on the pressures associated with these fishing activities and the sensitivity of the protected features, the pressures considered capable of impacting 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; removal of target species; changes in suspended solids (water clarity) and smothering and siltation rate changes (light). All six of these pressures were taken through to Part B of the assessment.

In Part B, the assessment of fishing activities capable of impacting the protected features within the site determined that, at current fishing levels, longlines alone would not hinder the achievement of the conservation objectives for Geikie Slide and the Hebridean Slope MPA. However, the achievement of the conservation objectives might be hindered where demersal trawling fishing activities occurred. Scottish Ministers concluded that management measures were required to restrict demersal trawling within Geikie Slide and the Hebridean Slope MPA.

In Part C, the in-combination assessment considered the residual potential impacts of pelagic fishing alongside other relevant offshore region activities happening in and near the site. Ministry of Defence practice areas overlapped with the site, however these were not thought to interact with the seabed, so there was not deemed to be potential for in-combination effects. Therefore, Scottish Ministers concluded that the remaining fishing activities (pelagic fishing) in-combination with other relevant activities would not hinder the achievement of the conservation objectives for West Shetland Shelf MPA for Geikie Slide and the Hebridean Slope MPA at current levels of activity.

Considering the need for management measures for demersal trawls, as identified in the assessment, two management options have been identified and are under consideration by the Scottish Ministers:

• Zoned management would reduce/limit pressures within the site, such as through a partial prohibition to demersal trawls. Scottish Ministers do not consider that the introduction of zonal measures would hinder the achievement of the conservation objectives for offshore sands and gravels, burrowed mud and offshore deep-sea muds in Geikie Slide and the Hebridean Slope MPA, rather it would further the achievement of said objectives.
• Full site exclusion of demersal trawling would be excluded from the whole site. Scottish Ministers consider that this management option would not hinder the conservation objectives for Geikie Slide and the Hebridean Slope MPA, 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,