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

Darwin Mounds SAC

Overview

Overall, the vast majority of responses to this question indicate support for proposed full fisheries management for Darwin Mounds SAC. There is widespread support across all campaigns and types of response.

However, it should be noted that a third (33%) of non-campaign responses and three in ten (29%) organisational respondents who responded to this question noted their opposition.

There is broad support for the overall approach, especially in light of the unique and fragile marine features present at this site.

General Support and Acknowledgment

Many organisations that responded expressed general agreement with the measures proposed for Darwin Mounds SAC. Many of these groups highlighted that the proposed measures were developed with significant input from a wide range of stakeholders through relevant workshops, reinforcing the importance of respecting this collaborative process. The support for the measures is particularly based on the belief that they will effectively safeguard the sensitive marine features at the site.

Protection of Vulnerable Marine Features

Several respondents expressed support for the full site closure to demersal mobile and static gears as the most effective way to protect vulnerable features of the site such as the Lophelia pertusa reefs and the xenophyophore aggregations. These species, found in the Darwin Mounds, are unique and have been identified as critical to preserving biodiversity and resilience in the face of environmental changes. One respondent underscores the importance of the site, stating:

“The Darwin Mounds are also to home to dense aggregations of xenophyophores, the largest single-celled organisms in the world... and would also benefit from whole-site protection. Reefs such as these are likely to be key climate refugia, affording some protection to the habitats and genetic diversity.” [Organisation]

Given the uniqueness of these features, there is a consensus among respondents that the full site approach is necessary to ensure long term conservation. The proximity of these reefs to sedimentary "tails" and the significant depth range of the Mounds (710m to 1129m) further emphasises the need for comprehensive protection, as the site is not entirely covered by the current 800m depth limit for deep-sea fishing.

The Need for Additional Protection

The existing 2016 demersal trawl ban covering depths <800m is seen as insufficient for providing complete protection to the Darwin Mounds by some respondents, particularly in the areas between 710m and 800m.

Therefore, extending the closure to include these areas is viewed as a necessary step in fulfilling the conservation objectives of the site.

Conflicting Information and Clarity on Management Intentions

While there is strong support for the proposed management measures, several respondents have raised concerns about conflicting information within the consultation documents, which has caused some confusion regarding the scope of the closure.

This conflicting information has led to concerns regarding the application of the closure, particularly the inclusion of demersal static gears. Some respondents argue that the current legislation adequately restricts bottom trawl fishing, and there is insufficient evidence to justify a closure to static gear. They advocate for further assessment to ensure that the measures are based on robust scientific evidence and correctly tailored to the specific risks posed by different gear types.

Urgency of Implementing Measures

Despite these concerns, there is overwhelming support for the immediate implementation of the proposed measures. Respondents stress that whole-site protection from bottom towed fishing is the most effective way to achieve the site’s conservation objectives, reversing the current unfavourable condition of the reefs. As one organisation stated:

“Blue Marine fully supports the management option proposed for this site. Whole site protection from Bottom towed fishing is the most effective way of achieving the conservation objectives of the site reversing the condition of the reef features from unfavourable to favourable.” [Organisation]

Summary

In summary, the majority of respondents strongly support the proposed full site fisheries management measures for Darwin Mounds SAC, particularly the closure to all demersal fishing activities. This approach is seen as crucial for safeguarding the unique marine features of the site and promoting their recovery to a favourable condition. However, concerns about conflicting information and the lack of a thorough assessment of demersal static gear have been raised. Some respondents feel that these issues need clarification to ensure that the management measures are both scientifically sound and practically enforceable. Despite these concerns, there is broad support on the need for urgent and comprehensive protection for the site.