Flapper Skate protection: NatureScot advice to the Scottish Government

NatureScot advice - summary

We consider the flapper skate egg-laying habitat in the Inner Sound is of national importance based on current information. The pressures flapper skate egg-laying habitat are most sensitive to are surface abrasion and siltation, and removal of eggs. Demersal mobile/active gear is associated with the surface abrasion and siltation pressures and is considered to pose the greatest potential threat, noting there is a current seasonal restriction in place that is relevant to this location between October to March inclusive. Other potential damaging activities that may occur in the future (e.g. aquaculture development, other infrastructure) are subject to licensing procedures, with the exception of diver collection of eggs, and anchoring.

Our advice is that spatial protection of this location is required on a permanent basis to support the conservation of flapper skate in Scotland. The current uncertainties in our understanding of the extent of this habitat mean that some form of interim measure should be put in place to provide protection whilst further survey work and assessment are carried out. We have provided options to support development of an interim measure: one defined on the basis of a buffer around known records of egg-laying habitat; and one that is more precautionary and defined on the basis of potential egg-laying habitat adjacent to known records. Our preference is for development of measures (whether interim or long-term) for this habitat to be closely aligned with ongoing work on the protection of other sensitive habitats in the Inner Sound.

Our estimated timescales for completing further survey and assessment work are as follows: assuming acoustic survey work can start in spring 2021 followed by drop-down camera work and diving during the summer months, data collation and analysis could be completed over winter 2021/22. We anticipate being able to complete assessment work and provide final advice to support consideration of permanent protection of the egg-laying habitat in the Inner Sound by the end of June 2022. We would welcome further discussion about joint resourcing of the proposed survey work to cover additional external costs, for example, boat hire.