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

EU Alignment

The UK’s new relationship with the European Union is governed by two treaties; the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement and the TCA. Ministers have a policy commitment to maintain alignment with the EU where possible and in Scotland’s interest, while contributing towards protecting and advancing high standards. Alignment policy applies to EU and domestic policy initiatives and can be achieved through policy commitments, or primary and secondary legislation.

This policy of implementing fisheries management measures within MPAs in the Scottish offshore region is not expected to impact the TCA agreement.

Marine Directorate officials will provide notifications to the Specialised Committee on Fisheries via the required notification process on the implementation of fisheries management measures within MPAs in the Scottish offshore region.

This policy of implementing fisheries management measures within MPAs in the Scottish offshore region aligns with the EU’s ecosystem based approach^[25] and is not expected to impact access to EU markets for people, goods and services.