Publication - Advice and guidance

Flapper Skate protection: NatureScot advice to the Scottish Government

Published: 10 March 2021
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Economy, Environment and climate change, Marine and fisheries
ISBN: 9781800047914

This document contains NatureScot's statutory conservation advice to Scottish Ministers regarding the protection of flapper skate eggs in the Inner Sound of Skye. This advice was considered by Ministers and contributed to their decision to designate the Red Rocks and Longay Urgent MPA.

Supporting documents

Annex 4 Options to facilitate discussion of interim spatial management for flapper skate egg-laying habitat

A map shows proposed Priority Marine Feature management areas near to the flapper skate egg records. — Figure 3. We have provided two options to facilitate discussions on the development of interim spatial measures to provide protection for flapper skate egg-laying habitat in the Inner Sound Option A is an area around existing egg records using a buffer zone consistent with previous advice. Option B is a more precautionary approach, encompassing a wider area of potential egg-laying habitat (based on interpretation of existing bathymetry and survey data). Options A and B cut across the buffer zone east of Longay, following the 50 m contour and retaining a buffer zone to meet the warp length: depth ratio ^[6] based on the depth of the skate egg location. Known records of maerl and flames shell beds are highlighted to provide context for parallel discussions on protection of PMFs.

Contact

Email: marine_conservation@gov.scot

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Information

Annex 4 Options to facilitate discussion of interim spatial management for flapper skate egg-laying habitat

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