Marine Protected Area network: 2024 report to the Scottish Parliament
A report to the Scottish Parliament on progress being made in implementing Scotland's Marine Protected Area (MPA) network.
Annex 2: Other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs)
There is one OECM recognised to be part of the Scottish MPA network because the area contributes to the protection of biodiversity, although it has not specifically been established for this purpose.
In the 2018 report, five OECMs[14] were reported. This is now reduced to one for the following reasons:
- Two blue ling fisheries closures were considered OECMs in the 2018 report to Parliament. However, the new West of Scotland MPA affords direct protection to blue ling and overlaps with both blue ling fisheries closures, therefore the two fisheries closures are no longer considered OECMs.
- The North-West Rockall fisheries closure is no longer considered as an OECM as it directly overlaps with the North-West Rockall Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
- The Sandeel (Prohibition of fishing) (Scotland) Order 2024 came into force on 26 March 2024. The Order covers all Scottish waters and the exclusive economic zone adjacent to Scotland that extends to 200 nautical miles and applies to all vessels fishing in these waters. As a result of this Scotland- wide closure, the East Coast of Scotland Sandeel closure is no longer recognised as an OECM.
Site name |
Size(km2) |
---|---|
West Rockall Mound |
1,932 |
Contact
Email: marine_biodiversity@gov.scot
There is a problem
Thanks for your feedback