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Publication - Impact assessment

Partial Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (North West Waters) - Fisheries Management Measures within Scottish Offshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Published
19 August 2024
From
Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, +1 more … Director of Marine
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Marine and fisheries
ISBN
9781836015246

This assessment is undertaken to estimate the costs, benefits and risks of proposed management measures for sites within North Western Waters that may impact the public, private or third sector.

View supporting documents Supporting documents

Summary and recommendation

It is proposed that fisheries management measures are implemented within MPAs within the offshore Scottish marine region to support achievement of site conservation objectives.

Option Total benefit per annum: - economic, environmental, social Total cost per annum: - economic, environmental, social - policy and administrative
1
  • Measures have been developed with stakeholders over 10 years following scientific advice from JNCC. These measures would work towards achieving site conservation objectives and supporting our commitments to biodiversity and the climate crisis.
  • 8-17 FTE reduction in employment year on year
  • This option would present higher public sector costs due to the intricacies around monitoring of comparatively small zones within a site.
  • An annual loss in value of landings of 0.11% – 0.24% is estimated, based on gross value of landings of Scottish vessels in 2019.
2
  • Measures under this option follow scientific advice from JNCC and provide a greater level of environmental protection. Evidence shows there will be environmental benefit, however the scale of this in comparison to Option 1 cannot be assessed in full confidence.
  • This option would result in an estimated 16-35 FTE reduction in employment year on year and an annual loss in value of landings of 0.21% – 4.7%, based on gross value of landings of Scottish vessels in 2019.
3
  • Not applicable
  • Not applicable

Declaration and publication

I have read the partial Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment and I am satisfied that (a) it represents a fair and reasonable view of the expected costs, benefits and impact of the policy, and (b) that the benefits justify the costs. I am satisfied that business impact has been assessed with the support of businesses in Scotland.

Signed:

Gillian Martin, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy

Date: 11/07/2024

Scottish Government Contact Point:

Marine Directorate: Marine_Biodiversity@gov.scot

Contact

Email: marine_biodiversity@gov.scot

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