Razor Clam Trial: EIR release

Information requested

1. "During the Razor Clam Trial from 23th August 2023 to 15th December 2023 how many Vessels have breached the terms and Conditions of the Trial?"

2. "What Action was taken against vessels found to be in breach of these Terms?"

Response

As the information you have requested is 'environmental information' for the purposes of the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (EIRs), we are required to deal with your request under those Regulations. We are applying the exemption at section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA), so that we do not also have to deal with your request under FOISA.

This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption, because there is no public interest in dealing with the same request under two different regimes. This is essentially a technical point and has no material effect on the outcome of your request.

Response to your request

The answer to your questions are:

1. 4 vessels breached the Terms and Conditions between 23 August 2023 and 15 December 2023

2. Action taken was either a verbal rebrief or an advisory letter.

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.