Marine Scotland: Red Rocks and Longay stakeholder meeting summary - Scottish Creel Fisherman’s Federation (SCFF) - scallop diving representative - 26 November 2021

Attendees and apologies

Attendees

• Scottish Creel Fishermen’s Federation (SCFF)
• NatureScot
• Marine Scotland

 

Items and actions

Agenda

• welcome and Introductions
• background on Red Rocks and Longay MPA
• update on latest flapper skate surveys
• proposed extended boundary
• next steps and consultation
• discussion – question/comments on presentation and document provided

Marine Scotland gave a presentation covering agenda items one to five.

General points

The general meeting points discussed were:

• no issue raised with proposed extended area but would prefer boundary moved to west of Red Rocks 
  • Marine Scotland advised to submit comments on the existing boundary during the public consultation
• did not feel the interim measures for scallop diving were proportionate to the risk to the eggs 
  • Marine Scotland advised that evidence regarding potential risks from diving should be submitted during the public consultation for the permanent site
• divers are less likely to report findings such as these in future due to the implementation of measures which are in their opinion not proportionate
• Marine Scotland noted it would useful to be provided with an indication of the fishing activity by scallop divers within the whole MPA to inform the socio-economic assessment for the permanent site

Action point

• Marine Scotland will contact SCFF to arrange an additional meeting to discuss socio-economic data for scallop diving