Fisheries Management Measures within Scottish Offshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) - Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report

Results of the SEA

Environmental effects

The key potential environmental effects that arise from the implementation of the proposals and that were assessed as part of this SEA are as follows:

• Potential benefits to habitats and species within the offshore MPAs;
• Potential spill-over benefits beyond site boundaries;
• Potential adverse effects resulting from the displacement of fishing and the likely intensification of activities in areas where they already occur or potentially in new unfished areas (this is based on the outcomes of the displacement test applied in the SEIA); and
• Potential adverse effects of increased fishing effort from other gear types that might not be targeted by the proposed fisheries management measures.

These potential impacts were assessed and categorised as neutral, beneficial, or adverse. The scale of impact has been categorised as major, moderate, minor, negligible, or none. Further information on these criteria is provided in Table 3.

Environmental effects of measures proposed under Option 1

As expanded upon in the site specific descriptions below, in terms of beneficial effects, the majority of the proposed management measures are assessed as having significant moderate or major environmental benefits within the offshore MPAs (

Table 8). The spill-over benefits are considered negligible or minor in scale on the basis of available evidence. It is also recognised that the increased protection brought about by the measures will provide potential future benefits to habitats and species within the sites as they will restrict new fisheries using the targeted gear type from setting up in the area.

In terms of adverse effects, the effects from displacement of fishing activities as a result of the proposed measures are assessed as generally being minor apart from the proposed measures for two sites which are assessed as moderate (Central Fladen MPA and Solan Bank Reef SAC). Where such fishing effort is most likely being displaced to areas already subject to fishing pressure, the impact of additional fishing pressure in these areas may not be considered significant as they are likely to already have a community composition which reflects this fishing pressure. Where the fishing activity is displaced a long distance and is more likely to result in new grounds opening up, there is considered to be a greater potential for significant adverse effects, such as has been assessed for Central Fladen MPA and Solan Bank Reef SAC.

The adverse effects associated with an increase in fishing effort within the site from other gear types that are not targeted by the measures are not significant and generally negligible or minor in scale, apart from at one site where the effects are assessed as moderate (Solan Bank Reef SAC). Where fishing activity is most likely to be displaced locally and there is no or only a low level of activity associated with other non-targeted gear types within or near to the site, the likely impact is considered to be negligible. Where fishing activity is likely to be displaced locally but there is a moderate to high level of activity from non-targeted gear types within or near to site, or where the fishing activity cannot be displaced locally but there is only a low level of non-targeted fishing activity, the impacts are considered minor in scale. Where fishing activity cannot be displaced locally and there is a moderate to high level of non-targeted gear type within or near to the site, the impacts are considered moderate.

Overall, the potential adverse effects from displacement or increased fishing effort from other gear types are not considered significant and are unlikely to lead to displacement of activities outwith Scottish jurisdiction and transboundary effects on EU Member States.

When taking account of the balance of beneficial and adverse environmental effects, the overall (cumulative) effects of the proposed measures are assessed as:

• None (1 site): Darwin Mounds SAC;
• Negligible neutral (3 sites): Turbot Bank MPA, Anton Dohrn Seamount SAC and Solan Bank Reef SAC;
• Minor beneficial (10 sites): Braemar Pockmarks SAC, East of Gannet and Montrose Field MPA, Northeast Faroe-Shetland Channel MPA, Norwegian Boundary Sediment Plain MPA, Scanner Pockmark SAC, Geikie Slide and Hebridean Slope MPA, Stanton Banks SAC, West of Scotland MPA, West Shetland Shelf MPA and Wyville-Thomson Ridge SAC;
• Moderate beneficial (5 sites): Central Fladen MPA, Faroe-Shetland Sponge Belt MPA, Pobie Bank Reef SAC, East Rockall Bank SAC, and Northwest Rockall Bank SAC; and
• Major beneficial (2 sites): Firth of Forth Banks Complex MPA and Barra Fan and Hebrides Terrace Seamount MPA.

The potential environmental effects that were considered to occur as a result of these proposed management measures under Option 1 are set out in further detail together with the supporting evidence base in Tables C1 to C21 in Appendix C, with site specific summaries provided below.

Braemar Pockmarks SAC: If implemented, the proposed management measures are assessed as having an overall minor beneficial effect on the environment. The proposed measures will prohibit all demersal fisheries from the entire SAC (Figure B1, Appendix B). The scale at which the pressures associated with the demersal gear types targeted by the management measures occur is low, and the prohibition of all demersal gear will protect and support the recovery of vulnerable habitat and associated species within the SAC. There is also the potential for future benefits as the measures restrict new fishers utilising the area with the targeted gear types. The negative impacts on the environment due to displacement are assessed as negligible as the amount of effort displaced is considered to be low and the areas into which effort is likely to be displaced are nearby and already fished and thus have a community composition that is already characterised by fishing pressures. The grounds to which the activity is displaced to may also be less productive and thus require more effort per unit landed. Despite this, the overall benefit of protection is likely to be greater than the negative impacts associated with displacement.

Central Fladen MPA: If implemented, the proposed management measures are assessed as having an overall moderate beneficial effect on the environment. The proposed measures will involve zonal exclusion of demersal mobile gears from three parts of the site, amounting to 40% of the MPA (Figure B2, Appendix B). The scale at which the pressures associated with the demersal gear types targeted by the management measures occur is high, and the proposed measures will protect and support the recovery of vulnerable habitat and associated species within the MPA, and also provide potential minor spill-over benefits. There is also the potential for future benefits as the measures restrict new fishers utilising the area with the targeted gear types. The negative impacts on the environment due to displacement is assessed as moderate as it is considered that the amount of effort displaced cannot be accommodated at nearby fishing grounds, involving fishing vessels travelling further to access existing grounds or new grounds being fished which will result in impacts on undisturbed areas. The grounds to which the activity is displaced to may also be less productive and thus require more effort per unit landed. Despite this, the overall benefit of protection brought about by the measures is likely to be significantly greater than the negative impacts associated with displacement.

East of Gannet and Montrose Field MPA: If implemented, the proposed management measures are assessed as having an overall moderate beneficial effect on the environment. The proposed measures will prohibit mechanised dredges and beam trawling throughout the site, as well as prohibiting demersal trawls from a zone in the west of the MPA (Figure B3, Appendix B). The scale at which the pressures associated with the dredge, beam and demersal trawl gear types targeted by the management measures occur is moderate to high, and the proposed measures will protect and support the recovery of vulnerable habitat and associated species within the MPA, and allow for potential minor spill-over benefits. There is also the potential for future benefits as the measures restrict new fishers utilising the area with the targeted gear types. The negative impacts on the environment due to displacement and the potential increased fishing effort from other gear types that are not targeted are assessed as minor as the amount of effort displaced can be accommodated by other areas within the MPA, as well as nearby fishing grounds, some of which may be within the site, and which are already fished, thus having a community composition that is already characterised by fishing pressures. The grounds to which the activity is displaced to may also be less productive and thus require more effort per unit landed. Despite this, the overall benefit of protection is likely to be marginally greater than the negative impacts associated with displacement and change in gear types.

Faroe-Shetland Sponge Belt MPA: If implemented, the proposed management measures are assessed as having an overall moderate beneficial effect on the environment. The proposed measures will involve the prohibition of demersal mobile and demersal static gears from the south-eastern zone of the of the MPA, as well as prohibiting demersal mobile gears from the north-west part of the site (Figure B4, Appendix B). The scale at which the pressures associated with demersal gear types targeted by the management measures occur is moderate to high and the proposed measures will protect and support the recovery of vulnerable habitat and species associated within the MPA and allow for potential minor spill-over benefits. There is also the potential for future benefits as the measures restrict new fishers utilising the area with the targeted gear types. The negative impacts on the environment due to displacement are assessed as minor as it is considered that the amount of effort displaced can be accommodated at nearby fishing grounds, some of which may be within the site, and which are already fished, thus having a community composition that is already characterised by fishing pressures. The grounds to which the activity is displaced to may also be less productive and thus require more effort per unit landed. Despite this, the overall benefit of protection is likely to be significantly greater than the negative impacts associated with displacement.

Firth of Forth Banks Complex MPA: If implemented, the proposed management measures are assessed as having an overall major beneficial effect on the environment. The proposed measures will involve the prohibition of beam trawls, demersal trawls and dredges from zones within the site (Figure B5, Appendix B). The scale at which the pressures associated with the demersal gear types targeted by the management measures occur is high, and the proposed measures will protect and support the recovery of vulnerable habitat and associated species within the MPA, and also allow for potential minor spill-over benefits. There is also the potential for future benefits as the measures restrict new fishers utilising the area with the targeted gear types. The negative impacts on the environment due to displacement are assessed as minor as it is considered that the amount of effort displaced can be accommodated at nearby fishing grounds, some of which may be within the site, and which are already fished, thus having a community composition that is already characterised by fishing pressures. The grounds to which the activity is displaced to may also be less productive and thus require more effort per unit landed. Despite this, the overall benefit of protection is likely to be significantly greater than the negative impacts associated with displacement.

Northeast Faroe-Shetland Channel MPA: If implemented, the proposed management measures are assessed as having an overall minor beneficial effect on the environment. The proposed measures will involve the prohibition of demersal and mobile gears from a zone deeper than 700m and prohibiting demersal mobile and demersal static gears from a zone in the south part of the MPA (Figure B6, Appendix B). The scale at which the pressures associated with the demersal gear types targeted by the management measures occur is low, and the proposed measures will protect and support the recovery of vulnerable habitat and associated species within the MPA. There is also the potential for future benefits as the measures restrict new fishers utilising the area with the targeted gear types. The negative impacts on the environment due to displacement are assessed as negligible as it is considered that the low amount of effort displaced can be accommodated at nearby fishing grounds, some of which may be within the site, and which are already fished, thus having a community composition that is already characterised by fishing pressures. The grounds to which the activity is displaced to may also be less productive and thus require more effort per unit landed. Despite this, the overall benefit of protection is likely to be significantly greater than the negative impacts associated with displacement.

Norwegian Boundary Sediment Plain MPA: If implemented, the proposed management measures are assessed as having an overall minor beneficial effect on the environment. The proposed measures will involve prohibiting dredges, beam trawls, demersal trawls (including pair trawls/seines) from the whole site and prohibiting demersal seines from a zone in the north of the site (Figure B7, Appendix B). The scale at which the pressures associated with gear types targeted by the management measures occur is moderate to high, and the proposed measures will protect and support the recovery of vulnerable habitat and associated species within the MPA. There is also the potential for future benefits as the measures restrict new fishers utilising the area with the targeted gear types. The negative impacts on the environment due to displacement are assessed as minor as it is considered that the amount of effort displaced can be accommodated at nearby fishing grounds which are already fished and thus have a community composition that is already characterised by fishing pressures. The grounds to which the activity is displaced to may also be less productive and thus require more effort per unit landed. Despite this, the overall benefit of protection is likely to be only marginally greater than the negative impacts associated with displacement.

Pobie Bank Reef SAC: If implemented, the proposed management measures are assessed as having an overall moderate beneficial effect on the environment. The proposed measures will prohibit demersal mobile gears from a zone covering most of the site (Figure B8, Appendix B). The scale at which the pressures associated with the demersal mobile gear types targeted by the management measure occurs is high, and the proposed measures will protect and support the recovery of vulnerable habitat and associated species within the SAC. There is also the potential for future benefits as the measures restrict new fishers utilising the area with the targeted gear types. The negative impacts on the environment due to displacement and potential use of other gear types that are not targeted by the measures are assessed as minor as it is considered that the amount of effort displaced can be accommodated at nearby fishing grounds, some of which may be within the site, and which are already fished, thus having a community composition that is already characterised by fishing pressures. The grounds to which the activity is displaced to may also be less productive and thus require more effort per unit landed. Despite this, the overall benefit of protection is likely to be significantly greater than the negative impacts associated with displacement and other gear types.

Scanner Pockmarks SAC: If implemented, the proposed management measures are assessed as having an overall moderate beneficial effect on the environment. The proposed measures will prohibit all demersal mobile and demersal static fisheries from the entire SAC (Figure B9, Appendix B). The scale at which the pressures associated with the demersal gear types targeted by the management measure occur is low to moderate, and the proposed measures will protect and support the recovery of vulnerable habitat and associated species within the SAC. There is also the potential for future benefits as the measures restrict new fishers utilising the area with the targeted gear types. The negative impacts on the environment due to displacement are assessed as minor adverse as it is considered that the amount of effort displaced will be low to moderate and can be accommodated at nearby fishing grounds which are already fished and thus have a community composition that is already characterised by fishing pressures. The grounds to which the activity is displaced to may also be less productive and thus require more effort per unit landed. Despite this, the overall benefit of protection is likely to be slightly greater than the negative impacts associated with displacement.

Turbot Bank MPA: If implemented, the proposed management measures are assessed as having an overall negligible neutral effect on the environment. The proposed measures will prohibit all targeted fishing for sandeel using small-mesh demersal trawl gear from the entire MPA (Figure B10, Appendix B). There is currently no targeted sandeel fishing in the UK fleet, however there is potential for impact from very low level of non-UK vessels. The scale at which the pressures associated with the sandeel fishing targeted by the management measure occur is considered to be at worst low, and the prohibition of this fishing activity from the protected site will protect and support the recovery of sandeels and associated species within the MPA. There is also the potential for future benefits as the measures restrict new fishers utilising the area for sandeel fishing. The negative impacts on the environment due to displacement are assessed as minor as it is considered that the amount of effort displaced can be accommodated at nearby fishing grounds which are already fished and thus have a community composition that is already characterised by fishing pressures. The grounds to which the activity is displaced to may also be less productive and thus require more effort per unit landed. Despite this, the overall benefit of protection is likely to be balanced by the negative impacts associated with displacement.

Anton Dohrn Seamount SAC: If implemented, the proposed management measures are assessed as having an overall negligible neutral effect on the environment. The proposed measures will prohibit all demersal mobile and demersal static fisheries from the entire MPA (Figure B11, Appendix B). The scale at which the pressures associated with the demersal gear types targeted by the management measure occur is low, and the proposed measures will protect and support the recovery of vulnerable habitat and associated species within the MPA. There is also the potential for future benefits as the measures restrict new fishers utilising the area with the targeted gear types. The negative impacts on the environment due to displacement are assessed as negligible as the amount of effort displaced will be low and it is considered that this can be accommodated at nearby fishing grounds which are already fished and thus have a community composition that is already characterised by fishing pressures. The grounds to which the activity is displaced to may also be less productive and thus require more effort per unit landed. Despite this, the overall negligible benefit of protection is likely to be balanced by the negligible adverse impacts associated with displacement.

Barra Fan and Hebrides Terrace Seamount MPA: If implemented, the proposed management measures are assessed as having an overall major beneficial effect on the environment. The proposed measures will involve the prohibition of demersal mobile and demersal static gears from a zone where the seamount feature occurs (in west of site) and the prohibition of demersal mobile gears from zones deeper than 800m of the MPA (Figure B12, Appendix B). The scale at which the pressures associated with the demersal gear types targeted by the management measures occur is low to moderate, and the proposed measures will protect and support the recovery of vulnerable habitat and associated species within the MPA and allow for potential minor spill-over benefits. There is also the potential for future benefits as the measures restrict new fishers utilising the area with the targeted gear types. The negative impacts on the environment due to displacement are assessed as negligible as the low to moderate amount of effort displaced can be accommodated at nearby fishing grounds, some of which may be within the site, and which are already fished, thus having a community composition that is already characterised by fishing pressures. The grounds to which the activity is displaced to may also be less productive and thus require more effort per unit landed. Despite this, the overall benefit of protection is likely to be significantly greater than the negligible impacts associated with displacement and other gear types.

Darwin Mounds SAC: The proposed measures will prohibit all demersal fisheries from the entire SAC (Figure B13, Appendix B). Given that there is no known current demersal fishing activity that takes place within the SAC, there will be no immediate effect on the environment. There is the potential for future benefits as the measures restrict new fishers utilising the area with the targeted gear types.

East Rockall Bank SAC: If implemented, the proposed management measures are assessed as having an overall moderate beneficial effect on the environment. The proposed measures will involve prohibiting demersal mobile gears from a zone covering most of the site, as well as the prohibition of demersal static gears from small zones within the SAC (Figure B14, Appendix B). The scale at which the pressures associated with the demersal gear types targeted by the management measures occur is moderate to high, and the proposed measures will protect and support the recovery of vulnerable habitat and associated species within the SAC, and also allow for potential minor spill-over benefits. There is also the potential for future benefits as the measures restrict new fishers utilising the area with the targeted gear types. The negative impacts on the environment due to displacement are assessed as minor as it is considered that the amount of effort displaced can be accommodated at nearby fishing grounds, some of which may be within the site, and which are already fished, thus having a community composition that is already characterised by fishing pressures. The grounds to which the activity is displaced to may also be less productive and thus require more effort per unit landed. Despite this, the overall benefit of protection is likely to be significantly greater than the negative impacts associated with displacement.

Geikie Slide and Hebridean Slope MPA: If implemented, the proposed management measures are assessed as having an overall minor beneficial effect on the environment. The proposed measures will involve prohibiting demersal mobile gears from zones within the MPA across various depths (Figure B15, Appendix B). The scale at which the pressures associated with the demersal gear types targeted by the management measures occur is moderate to high, and the proposed measures will protect and support the recovery of vulnerable habitat and associated species within the MPA, and allow for potential minor spill-over benefits. There is also the potential for future benefits as the measures restrict new fishers utilising the area with the targeted gear types. The negative impacts on the environment due to displacement and the potential change in use to other gear types that are not targeted by the measures are assessed as minor as the amount of effort displaced can be accommodated at nearby fishing grounds, some of which may be within the site, and which are already fished, thus having a community composition that is already characterised by fishing pressures. The grounds to which the activity is displaced to may also be less productive and thus require more effort per unit landed. Despite this, the overall benefit of protection is likely to be only slightly greater than the negative impacts associated with displacement and other gear types.

Northwest Rockall Bank SAC: If implemented, the proposed management measures are assessed as having an overall moderate beneficial effect on the environment. The proposed measures will prohibit demersal mobile and demersal static gears across most of the SAC (Figure B16, Appendix B). The scale at which the pressures associated with the demersal gear types targeted by the management measure occur is moderate to high, and the proposed measures will protect and support the recovery of vulnerable habitat and associated species within the SAC, and allow for potential minor spill-over benefits. There is also the potential for future benefits as the measures restrict new fishers utilising the area with the targeted gear types. The negative impacts on the environment due to displacement are assessed as minor as it is considered that the amount of effort displaced can be accommodated at nearby fishing grounds, some of which may be within the site, and which are already fished, thus having a community composition that is already characterised by fishing pressures. The grounds to which the activity is displaced to may also be less productive and thus require more effort per unit landed. Despite this, the overall benefit of protection is likely to be significantly greater than the negative impacts associated with displacement.

Solan Bank Reef SAC: If implemented, the proposed management measures are assessed as having an overall negligible neutral effect on the environment. The proposed measures will involve the prohibition of dredges and beam trawls throughout the site, demersal trawls and seines prohibited year-round from zones within the site, and the prohibition of demersal trawls and seines throughout the site during November to August within the SAC (Figure B17, Appendix B). The scale at which the pressures associated with the demersal gear types targeted by the management measures occur is high, and the proposed measures will protect and support the recovery of vulnerable habitat and associated species within the SAC, and allow for potential minor spill-over benefits. There is also the potential for future benefits as the measures restrict new fishers utilising the area with the targeted gear types. The negative impacts on the environment due to displacement and the potential change in use to other gear types that are not targeted by the measures are assessed as moderate as the amount of effort displaced will be large and cannot be accommodated at nearby fishing grounds, involving fishing vessels travelling further to access existing grounds or new grounds being fished which will result in impacts on undisturbed areas. The grounds to which the activity is displaced to may also be less productive and thus require more effort per unit landed. Despite this, the overall benefit of protection is likely to be balanced by the negative impacts associated with displacement and use of other gear types.

Stanton Banks SAC: If implemented, the proposed management measures are assessed as having an overall minor beneficial effect on the environment. The proposed measures will involve prohibiting the demersal mobile gears from zones across most of the SAC (Figure B18, Appendix B). The scale at which the pressures associated with the demersal gear types targeted by the management measures occur is low, and the proposed measures will protect and support the recovery of vulnerable habitat and associated species within the SAC. There is also the potential for future benefits as the measures restrict new fishers utilising the area with the targeted gear types. The negative impacts on the environment due to displacement and a potential change in non-targeted gear types are assessed as negligible as the low amount of effort displaced can be accommodated at nearby fishing grounds, some of which may be within the site, and which are already fished, thus having a community composition that is already characterised by fishing pressures. The grounds to which the activity is displaced to may also be less productive and thus require more effort per unit landed. Despite this, the overall benefit of protection is likely to be slightly greater than the negative impacts associated with displacement and other gear types.

West of Scotland MPA: If implemented, the proposed management measures are assessed as having an overall minor beneficial effect on the environment. The proposed measures will involve the prohibition of demersal mobile and demersal static gears throughout the MPA (Figure B19, Appendix B). The scale at which the pressures associated with the demersal gear types targeted by the management measure occur is moderate to high, and the proposed measures will protect and support the recovery of vulnerable habitat and associated species within the MPA, and allow for potential minor spill-over benefits. There is also the potential for future benefits as the measures restrict new fishers utilising the area with the targeted gear types. The overall negative impacts on the environment due to displacement and the potential increased fishing effort from other gear types are assessed as minor as the main method of fishing by demersal mobile gear is likely to be accommodated within nearby fishing grounds. Only a low level of demersal static activity is likely to be either displaced to further grounds, to use new areas that have not been fished or result in the alteration of gear type. The grounds to which the activity is displaced to may also be less productive and thus require more effort per unit landed. Despite this, the overall benefit of protection is likely to be slightly greater than the negative impacts associated with displacement and other gear types.

West of Shetland Shelf MPA: If implemented, the proposed management measures are assessed as having an overall minor beneficial effect on the environment. The proposed measures will involve prohibiting dredges and beam trawls throughout the site and prohibiting demersal trawls and seines in zones within the MPA (Figure B20, Appendix B). The scale at which the pressures associated with the dredges, trawling and demersal mobile gear types targeted by the management measures occur is moderate to high, and the proposed measures will protect and support the recovery of vulnerable habitat and associated species within the MPA, and allow for potential minor spill-over benefits. There is also the potential for future benefits as the measures restrict new fishers utilising the area with the targeted gear types. The negative impacts on the environment due to displacement and the potential use of other gear types that are not targeted by the measures are assessed as minor as the amount of effort displaced can be accommodated at nearby fishing grounds, some of which may be within the site, and which are already fished, thus having a community composition that is already characterised by fishing pressures. The grounds to which the activity is displaced to may also be less productive and thus require more effort per unit landed. Despite this, the overall benefit of protection is likely to be slightly greater than the impacts associated with displacement and use of other gear types.

Wyville-Thomson Ridge SAC: If implemented, the proposed management measures are assessed as having an overall minor beneficial effect on the environment. The proposed measures will involve prohibiting demersal mobile gears from a zone and prohibiting demersal static gears from a small area within the SAC (Figure B21, Appendix B). The scale at which the pressures associated with the demersal gear types targeted by the management measures occur is low to moderate, and the proposed measures will protect and support the recovery of vulnerable habitat and associated species within the SAC,. There is also the potential for future benefits as the measures restrict new fishers utilising the area with the targeted gear types. The negative impacts on the environment due to displacement are assessed as minor as it is considered that the amount of effort displaced can be accommodated at nearby fishing grounds, some of which may be within the site, and which are already fished, thus having a community composition that is already characterised by fishing pressures. The grounds to which the activity is displaced to may also be less productive and thus require more effort per unit landed. Despite this, the overall benefit of protection is likely to be slightly greater than the negative impacts associated with displacement.

Environmental effects of measures proposed under Option 2

The potential environmental effects that have been identified as a result of Option 2 are set out in detail in the assessment tables in Appendix C.

The reasonable alternative (Option 2) has been assessed as part of the SEA as an alternative management option whereby all gear types targeted by the management measures are restricted throughout the entire area. This applied to 15 out of the 21 offshore MPAs requiring measures. At the remaining six sites, the proposed management measures under Option 1 already apply to the entire site.

When taking into account of the balance of beneficial and adverse environmental effects, the overall (cumulative) effects of Option 2 across the suite of sites as outlined in

Table 9 are assessed as:

• None (1 site)
• Negligible neutral (3 sites)
• Minor beneficial (11 sites)
• Moderate beneficial (5 sites)
• Major beneficial (1 site).

In comparison to Option 1, only one site presents a different assessed impact, and this is the Barra Fan and Hebridean Sea Mount MPA which is assessed as having a Minor Beneficial impact, in comparison to a Major Beneficial impact under Option 1.

There is one site where Option 2 is assessed as having an overall major beneficial impact (East of Gannet and Montrose Field MPA). This is because this option will prohibit damaging fishing practices in an area of high fishing intensity which will lead to major environmental benefits in terms of the protection and potential recovery of habitats and species within the site, as well as the potential for moderate spill-over benefits. Option 2 may also lead to minor adverse effects on the environment associated with the displacement of fishing vessels and potential change in gear type. However, on balance the beneficial effects Option 2 at this site will far outweigh the negative effects under this option.

There are six sites where Option 2 is assessed as having an overall moderate beneficial impact (Faroe-Shetland Sponge Belt MPA, Firth of Forth Banks Complex MPA, Pobie Bank Reef SAC, Northwest Rockall Bank SAC, West Shetland Shelf MPA and Wyville-Thomson Ridge SAC). This is because this option will prohibit damaging fishing practices in areas where the existing intensity of fishing activity is moderate to high which will lead to moderate to major benefits in terms of the protection and potential recovery of habitats and species within the site, as well as the potential for minor to moderate spill-over benefits. Option 2 will also result in minor to moderate adverse effects associated with displacement depending on whether the fishing activity can be displaced nearby or whether the fishing vessels need to travel further to access existing fishing grounds or potentially open new grounds with associated increased adverse effects. The potential adverse effects associated with a change in gear types that are not restricted under Option 2 is negligible to minor. On balance, therefore, the beneficial effects Option 2 at these sites will be significantly greater than the negative effects under this option.

There are seven sites where Option 2 is assessed as having an overall minor beneficial impact (Central Fladen MPA, Northeast Faroe Shetland Channel MPA, Norwegian Boundary Sediment Plain MPA, Barra Fan and Hebrides Terrace Seamount MPA, East Rockall Bank SAC, Geikie Slide and Hebridean Slope MPA and Stanton Banks SAC). This is because Option 2 this option will prohibit damaging fishing practices in areas where the existing intensity of fishing activity is low to high which will lead to minor to major benefits in terms of the protection and potential recovery of habitats and species within the site, as well as the potential for negligible to moderate spill-over benefits depending on the scale of direct benefits and size of the protected site. Option 2 is also assessed to result in negligible to moderate adverse effects associated with displacement depending on the level of the fishing activity whether it can be displaced nearby or whether the fishing vessels need to travel further to access existing fishing grounds or potentially open new grounds with associated adverse effects. The potential adverse effects associated with a change in gear types that are not targeted by Option 2 is negligible to moderate depending on the existing fishing intensity of other gear types at and near to the protected site, and whether displacement effects are significant and more likely to lead to a change in gear type. On balance, therefore, the beneficial effects of Option 2 at these sites will be marginally greater than the negative effects.

Option 2 is assessed as having an overall negligible neutral impact at one protected site (Solan Bank Reef SAC). This is because this option will prohibit damaging fishing practices in areas where the existing intensity of fishing activity is high which will lead to major benefits in terms of the protection and potential recovery of habitats and species within the site, as well as the potential for minor spill-over benefits given the relatively small size of these protected sites. Option 2 is assessed as having moderate adverse effects associated with displacement as the fishing vessels need to travel further to access existing fishing grounds or potentially open new grounds with associated adverse effects. The potential adverse effects associated with a change in gear types that are not targeted by Option 2 is moderate as the displacement effects are significant and more likely to lead to a change in gear type. Overall, the beneficial effects of Option 2 at these sites are likely to be balanced by the negative effects.

At sites where there is no increased protection under Option 2 (Braemar Pockmarks SAC, Scanner Pockmark SAC, Turbot Bank MPA, Anton Dohrn Seamount SAC, Darwin Mounds SAC and West of Scotland MPA) there is no difference in the level of protection and, therefore, no change in the assessment that was undertaken of the proposed measures (Section 0). There were also seven sites where the increased protection provided by Option 2 did not alter the overall outcome of the assessment (Faroe-Shetland Sponge Belt MPA, Northeast Faroe-Shetland Channel MPA, Norwegian Boundary Sediment Plain MPA, Pobie Bank Reef MPA, Geikie Slide and Hebridean Slope MPA, Northwest Rockall Bank SAC and Stanton Banks SAC).

Mitigation and monitoring

Mitigation measures have been identified as an integral part of the development of the management proposals^[136]. The SEA process has not identified any significant adverse effects that would require mitigation and therefore no additional mitigation is proposed.

Monitoring proposals are being progressed and will be reported on in the Post-Adoption Statement. They are likely to focus on the significant environmental effects that are identified by the SEA and on implementation of mitigation measures, where appropriate. This monitoring will form part of the existing MPA monitoring that has been developed by Scottish Government, in partnership with NatureScot and JNCC^[137]. Where possible, existing data sources and indicators will be linked with relevant indicators, to minimise resourcing requirements for additional data collection.

Cumulative effects

Cumulative effects can arise from the combined effects of plans. They can also arise as a result of interaction between different components of a single plan. The assessment of cumulative environmental effects has focused on the potential cumulative effects from the displacement of fishing activities from previous plans and the combined displacement from this plan.

Taken together, the fisheries management measures are likely to result in benefits to the overarching topic of biodiversity, in terms of reducing damaging fishing pressures to sensitive habitats and species and providing the opportunity for spill-over benefits. However, there is also potential for adverse effects on biodiversity from displacement of commercial fishing activities and potential use of other gear types that are not targeted. The environmental impact associated with displacement at each site is assessed as no effect at one site, negligible at five sites, minor at the remaining sites apart from at Central Fladen MPA and Solan Bank Reef SAC where the displacement resulting from the proposed measures is assessed as having a potential moderate adverse effect. The adverse environmental impact associated with a potential change in gear type is assessed as no effect at three sites, negligible at 12 sites, minor at five sites and moderate at one site. Although, the proposed management measures under Option 1 at Central Fladen MPA and Solan Bank Reef SAC could result in potential significant adverse environmental effects as a result of the displacement of existing fishing activities and/or a change in gear type, the overall cumulative adverse effects of the proposed measures as a whole are not considered to be significant across the 21 sites.

The first round of fisheries management measures targeted inshore MPAs in 2016 and, therefore, the areas into which the restricted fishing effort are displaced are primarily within the inshore area but there could still be a potential overlap with the displacement of fishing activities from the proposed measures in offshore MPAs. The SEA for the previous inshore measures concluded displacement from only one site (Luce Bay and Sands SAC) is likely to cause significant environmental impact. The nearest of the offshore MPAs to this site is Stanton Banks SAC which is located more than 240 km to the northwest, and which has an existing low to moderate level of fishing activity that is likely to be accommodated within nearby fishing grounds. Additional cumulative impacts are, therefore, not considered likely. Overall, the cumulative effects of the offshore MPAs with the existing inshore MPA measures are considered to result in a beneficial impact on the Scottish marine environment.

There may be cumulative adverse effects on the environment from the displacement of fishing activities resulting from the proposed measures in offshore MPAs in-combination with other plans. These include the new round of fisheries management measures which are due to be assessed for remaining inshore MPAs where these are not already in place, as well as PMFs identified as most at risk from bottom-contacting mobile fishing gear outwith MPAs (Section 3.6). Other plans which could potentially interact with the proposed measures for offshore MPAs include wider marine spatial plans, including the Crown Estate Scotland’s first round of Offshore Wind Leasing in Scottish Waters (ScotWind), the Scottish Government’s Sectoral Marine Plan for INTOG, National Grid Electricity System Operator’s (ESO) Holistic Network Design (HND) under the Offshore Transmission Network Review (OTNR) and development and deployment of Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) in Scotland. All these other plans are currently under assessment and in consequence, it is not possible at this stage to ascertain whether there may be cumulative effects, resulting from the effects of displacement of commercial fishing activities associated with the proposed measures for offshore MPAs and the effects of these other plans for the marine environment. These potential cumulative effects will be assessed in the individual environmental assessments that are prepared for these other plans.

Conclusion

The offshore MPA fisheries management measures set out proposed restrictions on certain fishing gears in 21 sites. The measures are subject to SEA as there is potential for significant environmental effects to occur.

This SEA has considered the potential environmental effects resulting from the proposed management measures in offshore MPAs.

Overall, a beneficial impact for the overarching topic biodiversity is assessed at all sites under Option 1 and Option 2, apart from three sites where the proposed measures are assessed as having a negligible neutral impact (Turbot Bank MPA, Anton Dohrn Seamount SAC, and Solan Bank Reef SAC) and one site where the proposed measures are assessed as having no impact (Darwin Mounds SAC).

In sites where significant major or moderate beneficial impacts have been assessed, there is also potential for minor to moderate spill-over benefits to occur outside the sites depending on the scale of the existing fishing intensity that would be restricted and size of the protected area. Where management measures result in displacement of fishing effort, this could have negligible or minor adverse impacts on the biodiversity of the areas where the activity is displaced to. However, such displacement is likely to be to areas that are already fished and the impact of the additional fishing pressure in these areas is generally not considered to be significant as they will already have a community composition which reflects this fishing pressure. There is considered to be the potential for significant moderate adverse effects where the fishing activity is displaced a long distance and is more likely to result in new grounds opening up with associated adverse environmental effects. Adverse environmental effects associated with a potential increased fishing effort from other gear types that are not targeted by the proposed measures are not significant and generally negligible or minor in scale, depending on whether the existing targeted fishing activity can be displaced to nearby existing fishing grounds and also the scale of other gear types currently used within the protected site and surrounding area. Where fishing activity cannot be displaced locally and there is a moderate to high level of non-targeted gear type within or near to the site, the impacts are considered moderate.

The increased protection brought about by the measures will provide potential future benefits to habitats and species as they will restrict new fisheries using the targeted gear type from setting up in the protected area.