Draft Fisheries Assessment – Wyville-Thomson Ridge SAC: Fisheries management measures within Scottish Offshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Executive Summary

The scope of this fisheries assessment is the Wyville Thomson Ridge Special Area of Conservation (SAC), located in the Atlantic Ocean to the north-eastern part of the Rockall Trough, within the Scottish offshore region (12-200 nautical miles, nm). The site is designated for Annex I Reef; stony and bedrock. The conservation objectives for the site are for the feature to be in ‘Favourable Condition’.

In Part A, fishing activities 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 Annex I Reef features were demersal trawls. Based on the pressures associated with these fishing activities and the sensitivity of the reef feature, the potential for likely significant effects was identified for the pressures of abrasion/disturbance of the substrate on the seabed, penetration and/or disturbance of the substrate below the surface of the seabed (including abrasion), smothering and siltation rate changes, removal of target species, and removal of non-target species. These pressures exerted by demersal trawl were taken forward through to Part B of the assessment.

In Part B the assessment of fishing activity with the potential for likely significant effects within the site determined that, at current fishing levels, an adverse effect on site integrity could not be ruled out where demersal trawl activity occur. Scottish Ministers concluded that management measures are required to restrict demersal trawl fishing within Wyville Thomson Ridge SAC.

In Part C, the in-combination assessment considered the residual potential impacts of any remaining fishing activities alongside other relevant offshore region activities happening in and near the site. As no other fishing activities were identified, there was no potential for likely significant effects from other relevant offshore region activities. Therefore, Scottish Ministers concluded that demersal trawl, in-combination with other known activities, are compatible with the conservation objectives of the site and will not result in an adverse effect on site integrity of Wyville Thomson Ridge SAC.

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

• Zoned management would reduce/limit pressures within the site, such as through a partial close to mobile demersal gear and static demersal gear. This approach would reduce, but not entirely eliminate, the risk of degradation to the reef feature as a result of direct impact from fishing activities. Under this option, 99.9% of the reef feature would be captured under these measures. Scottish Ministers consider this management option would be sufficient to prevent an adverse effect on site integrity from fishing activity at current levels.
• Full site exclusion of all demersal mobile and static gear activity would avoid and adverse effect on site integrity from fishing activities using these gear types. Scottish Ministers consider this management option would avoid an adverse effect on site integrity from fishing activity at current levels.

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.