Fisheries management measures within Scottish Offshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): consultation analysis

Braemar Pockmarks SAC

Overview

Overall, most responses to this question indicate support for proposed full fisheries management for the proposed measures at Braemar Pockmarks SAC.

Support for Full Protection

There is significant support for the proposed management option, with many respondents emphasising the need for a whole-site approach to protect the site’s ecological features. A major concern expressed was the site's small size (5km²), which was seen to make a zoned management approach unfeasible for ensuring the integrity of the protected features.

This was viewed as particularly critical as there is evidence that parts of the site have already been damaged by demersal mobile gear. As one respondent noted:

“There is evidence that some examples of the designated feature for this site have already been damaged or destroyed by demersal mobile gear, therefore it may be necessary to ensure that further features in the surrounding area are protected to ensure adequate representation and to allow “restoration of the biological communities at the Braemar pockmarks site [which] may be possible where the submarine structures have not been destroyed”. [Organisation]

Several contributors highlighted the importance of full protection from bottom-towed fishing. This was framed as essential for the restoration of the site’s biological communities.

Concerns Regarding Static Gears and Fishing Gear Impact

While support for the closure to demersal mobile gears was almost unanimous, some respondents raised concerns about the lack of differentiation between different types of demersal static gears in the consultation.

This issue stems from the need to better understand how various configurations of static gears impact the site’s features.

This distinction is seen as important, as static gears may have different environmental impacts depending on their configuration. Some stakeholders requested that a more detailed analysis be carried out to assess the potential effects of these gears on the SAC's protected features.

Support for Remote Monitoring and Enforcement

Given the level of fishing activity in the area, some respondents also raised concerns about the feasibility of enforcing the management measures effectively.

To address this concern, a respondent proposed that Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) be used to enhance enforcement and compliance with the closure measures. They argued that use of REM would ensure that all fishing activity is monitored and that any violations of the management measures can be promptly addressed.

Urgency for Implementation

Several respondents emphasised the importance of acting quickly to achieve the site’s conservation objectives.

This urgency reflects the broad consensus that delaying action could further compromise the site’s ecological health.

Summary

The responses to the proposed fisheries management measures for the Braemar Pockmarks SAC demonstrate strong support for a full site closure to demersal fishing. Respondents acknowledged the importance of a whole-site approach, particularly given the small size of the site and the evidence of prior damage caused by demersal mobile gears. There is also a recognition that static gears may pose risks but require further assessment to fully understand their impact on the protected features.

While there is widespread agreement on the need for prompt action, some concerns regarding the differentiation of fishing gear and the feasibility of enforcement were raised.