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

The Barra Fan and Hebrides Terrace Seamount MPA

Overview

Overall, the majority of responses to this question indicate support for Option 2 for The Barra Fan and Hebrides Terrace Seamount MPA. This is significantly influenced by responses from the Oceana and SE Link campaigns which support these measures while responses from the SWFPA campaign prefer Option 1.

It should be noted that views among organisational and non-campaign responses were more mixed.

Support for Option 2 (full site) measures

The vast majority of responses expressed strong support for Option 2, with one response summarising the removal of demersal gear “from 100% of the Barra Fan and Hebrides Terrace Seamount NCMPA as necessary to restore the site’s features to favourable condition” [Organisation].

Relatedly, those in support of Option 2 pointed out that the primary obligation of managing the Barra Fan and Hebrides Terrace Seamount NCMPA is to restore the features to favourable conservation status, and claim that demersal trawling poses a significant risk to this obligation. They therefore felt that Option 2 would deliver the greater and faster achievement of these objectives, particularly given the high level of trawling that occurs in this MPA:

“We note that Option 1 leaves the most heavily trawled Eastern part of the site, that sits outside of the existing trawling restrictions, open to trawling in future, meaning that meaningful positive change is less likely. Oceana analysis from data provided by Global Fishing Watch suggests that around 800 hours of apparent bottom trawling took place in this MPA in 2023 alone, one of the most trawled site in Scottish waters for that year” – [Organisation].

Potential ecological benefits of full site protection

Several of those in support of Option 2 argued the potential benefits of full site protection on ecology. They observed that full site measures would help to reverse the conditions of burrowed mud (therefore aiding seapen and burrowing megafauna communities), seamount communities, offshore deepsea muds, offshore subtidal sands and gravel, orange roughy and iceberg ploughmark field from unfavourable to favourable. Others highlighted burrowed mud as important nursery grounds for key prey species for seabirds such as puffins, terns, guillemots, gulls, gannets and razorbills.

Commentary on assessment of the SEA for this site

One organisational respondent mentioned the SEA document when discussing their support for Option 2, and expressed concerns that the estimated overall environmental impact appeared weaker in the regards to the full site option:

“Displacement of fishing activity is presented as something that is beyond the control of the Scottish Government. If the Government believes displacement would have such a significant effect that it would outweigh the environmental impact of closing the whole site, then the information to support this is not presented. Furthermore, it does not acknowledge that any displacement would likely be on already trawled and fished areas – significantly limiting the additional impact” - [Organisation].

Consideration of Option 1

Although the majority of responses supported full site measures (Option 2), those in support of Option 1 noted that the zonal fisheries management measures proposed were developed with the support of the stakeholders who took part in the relevant workshops and should be respected.

One respondent expressed concerns that the impacts of any closures on Irish vessels do not seem to have been properly assessed, though they also acknowledged that that zonal fisheries management measures proposed for this MPA were developed based on stakeholder consultations.

Another respondent suggested that a zonal approach lessens the risk of displacement of the larger offshore fleet into inshore waters, pointing out that the Barra Fan and Hebrides Terrace Seamount NCMPA is the only offshore MPA where vessels from the Western Isles undertake fishing activities.

Meanwhile, several respondents, particularly those from the French fishing industry, emphasised that the dependency of these fleets on the MPA is high, noting that:

"the rate of dependence on this zone in terms of value per vessel per year is between 1% and 6%. the cumulative loss of turnover for certain vessels could reach €99k." [Organisation]

Summary

The majority of responses supported Option 2 (full site protection) for The Barra Fan and Hebrides Terrace Seamount MPA, mainly driven by Oceana and SE Link campaigns. They argued it would better restore the site's features, given high levels of demersal trawling. Supporters also highlighted ecological benefits, such as improving habitats for seabird prey.

In contrast, Option 1 (zonal measures) was favoured by the SWFPA campaign, citing extensive stakeholder consultation. Some respondents raised concerns about the financial impact on Irish and French fishing fleets, with potential losses of up to €99,000 per vessel.