Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) data for specified area: EIR release
Information request and response under the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004.
Information requested
Could I please therefore request Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) data and sightings for ICES rectangles 43E4, 43E3, 44E4, 44E3 over the entirety of 2016, 2017 and 2018, including the following parameters: Record time/date, Vessel Nationality, Lat, Long, Course, Speed and, if at all possible, vessel length, type and whether the vessel's license includes scallop or shellfish entitlements.
I understand that some of these parameters might not be available, so please just discount any that you are not able to provide from this request.
Response
I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested in EXCEL and TXT formats.
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested. Therefore we are refusing your request under the exception at regulation 10(4)(a) of the EIRs. The reasons why that exception applies are explained in the Annex to this letter.
Due to the size of the .TXT files we are unable to upload the documents referred to above.
If you wish to consider, please contact us at the address below and we will be happy to provide.
REASONS FOR NOT PROVIDING INFORMATION
The Scottish Government does not have the information
Under the terms of the exception at regulation 10(4)(a) of the EIRs (information not held), the Scottish Government is not required to provide information which it does not have. The Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested because Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) data and sightings does not include information regarding whether the vessel's license includes scallop or shellfish entitlements.
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.
Contact
Please quote the FOI reference
Central Enquiry Unit
Email: ceu@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000
The Scottish Government
St Andrews House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG
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