Red Rocks and Longay Marine Protected Area: business and regulatory impact assessment

Proposal

The Scottish Government proposes to make the Red Rocks and Longay site an MPA on a permanent basis from 09 February 2023. Having now assessed the location against the MPA selection guidelines it has been determined that it should have two protected features – flapper skate and Quaternary of Scotland.

Alongside this, the Scottish Government proposes to implement an MCO to further the conservation objectives of the MPA by regulating particular activities, including fishing. For industries not covered by the MCO, the relevant public authority must only give consent where it can be demonstrated that the activity will not hinder the achievement of the conservation objectives.

The following activities are prohibited in the protected area:

• the deployment (by any means) or use of any passive gear,
• the deployment (by any means) or use of any demersal gear,
• the deployment (by any means) or use of a rod and line or handline,
• the carrying out of any form of dredging,
• the anchoring of a vessel,
• the fixing of moorings or anchors to the seabed,
• the depositing (by any means) of anything on the seabed,
• the removal (by any means) of anything from the seabed except the removal of king scallops and queen scallops by hand,
• the construction, alteration or improvement of any works,
• the deposit or use of any explosive substance or article either in the sea or on or under the seabed,
• the incineration of any substance or object on any vehicle, vessel, marine structure or floating container,
• the scuttling of any vessel or floating container,
• the killing, taking, destruction, molestation, touching or disturbance of flapper skate (Dipturus intermedius) or the eggs of flapper skate.

While a fishing vessel is in the protected area, the master of that vessel must ensure that any passive gear, demersal gear, rod and line or handline carried on board the vessel is properly lashed and stowed in such a way that it may not be readily used.