Aggregated Quota Gifts statistics: EIR release

Information requested

"How much gifted back quota was received by Scotland due to vessels failing to comply with the Economic Link to this country?"

Response

Aggregated Quota Gifts (in tonnes) made by vessels to the Marine Directorate in 2023, in relation to fishing activity in 2022 which did not comply with the Economic Link licence condition, are in the following table.

Aggregated Quota Gifts (Tonnes)
NS Cod	29
NS Haddock	34.9
NS Lemon sole & witch	8
NS Ling	8.8
NS Nephrops	34.8
NS Skate & rays	16
NS Whiting	5.3
Grand Total	136.8

Please note that the assessment of compliance for fishing activity in 2022 was undertaken in relation to the previous iteration of the licence condition – the ‘new’ licence condition was effective from 1 January 2023.

The Islands Communities Impact Assessment, which was published at the same time as the consultation outcome, referenced all Quota Gifts received by the Marine Directorate for the period 2015-19. This can be found here, Amending the economic link licence condition: Islands Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA) (consult.gov.scot)

Any Quota Gifts in relation to fishing activity in 2023, whereby a vessel was non-compliant with the ‘new’ Economic Link licence condition, will not be assessed, and ultimately made, until early 2024.

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