Management Proposals of Inshore Fisheries Groups: Strategic Environmental Assessment Post Adoption Statement

5. Monitoring

5.1 Section 19 of the Act requires the Responsible Authority to monitor significant environmental effects of the implementation of the plan, programme or strategy. The purpose being to monitor the significant positive and negative environmental effects identified in the Environmental Report. The Act also requires that monitoring should be able to identify unforeseen effects.

5.2 Marine Scotland shall put in place a yearly audit of management proposals implemented by each IFG and establish how they have met the High Level Objectives identified for IFG proposals in the Strategic Framework for Inshore Fisheries. Marine Scotland will notify IFGs if the management proposals are considered deficient in attaining any of these High Level Objectives. The audit process will consider national stock assessment status reports and any advice from MS Science. The audit will also take account of any statutory advice received from: SNH regarding nature conservation or marine natural environment considerations; Historic Scotland regarding impacts on marine historic features; and SEPA for environmental implications and, specifically, Water Framework Directive considerations.