Scallop fishing - remote electronic monitoring: guidance

2. Preparing for REM

The introduction of REM requires active REM system, that meet the technical specifications in Annex B, to be installed and operated on all scallop boats fishing for any species of scallop from the Pectinidae family in the Scottish zone and on all such Scottish boats wherever they operate.

There are a number of actions that masters, owners and charterers (if any) of scallop boats will need to undertake to ensure their boat is compliant for the introduction of the mandatory REM requirements.

2.1 What to do if your boat has a REM system installed onboard before 17 June 2024

If your boat has a REM system installed onboard before 17 June 2024, you must ensure it meets the technical specifications (set out in Annex B). Scottish and non-Scottish boats must ensure the REM system is functional for the duration of a scallop dredge trip in Scottish waters. Scottish boats must also operate their REM systems wherever they operate. You may not undertake any scallop dredge operations in Scottish waters from 17 June 2024 unless these requirements are met.

Should you wish to check that the REM system meets the legislative requirements, or to identify any issues that will need to be rectified, please contact the Scottish Government’s Fully Documented Fisheries Unit (FDF Unit, FDF@gov.scot). In order to carry out remote checks on the REM configuration, the FDF Unit will need you to provide some key details about your scallop boat and your REM system.

2.2 What to do if your boat has a REM system installed onboard after 16 June 2024

If your boat has an onboard REM system installed after the legislation comes into force, there are a number of actions that scallop boat masters, owners and charterers (if any) will need to take to ensure that scallop dredge operations that happen from 17 June 2024 are compliant with the legislation. In summary, the following actions are required:

• Sourcing and purchasing a compliant REM system – it is important that all aspects of the boat’s REM system meet the technical specifications for REM systems for scallop boats, which are published here: [Technical Specifications] [and are also set out in Annex B of this document];
• Installing the REM system – as above, the REM system should be installed in such a way that it complies with all technical specifications.
• Submitting mandatory information to the FDF Unit about the REM system that you have had installed onboard your boat (please see the ‘REM Validation Survey Forms’ at Annex A which sets out what mandatory information is required).
• Facilitating a remote inspection of the onboard REM system by the FDF Unit.
• Undergoing a system test trip when authorised in writing by the FDF Unit.

2.3 Purchasing and installing your REM system

It is the responsibility of the master, owner and charterer (if any) of a scallop boat to source, purchase and arrange for the installation of an REM system that meets the technical specifications.

There is no approved supplier scheme in place under the REM legislation. Masters, owners and charterers (if any) are able to choose their own REM supplier and engineer to install the system, providing that the REM technical specifications are met. There are established and developing companies with relevant expertise and experience of supplying REM systems for a range of fishing boats.

Before purchasing your REM system you must be satisfied that it meets all of the requirements set out in the technical specifications.

2.4 What should I do once my REM system is installed?

When a REM system has been installed a validation form should be requested from either your local Scottish fishery office or the FDF unit. The form can be sent to you electronically or, if preferred, a paper version is available. Example copies of the REM Validation Survey Forms for both Scottish and non-Scottish scallop boats can be found at Annex A.

Additional checks are required to ensure REM equipment is compliant and so we recommend returning the required documentation well in advance of your planned scallop dredge activity.

We strongly recommend early engagement with the FDF Unit.

Validation Forms and enquiries should be emailed to FDF@gov.scot.

Please note that any changes to the information you supply must be notified to the FDF Unit in writing via email to FDF@gov.scot, no later than 7 working days after the change occurs. This requirement to update the submitted information continues to apply on an ongoing basis.

Once your form has been submitted you must liaise with the FDF Unit to begin the inspection process so that they can confirm that, at that time, the REM system is fully functioning. This will include a remote inspection of the REM equipment you have installed and a system test trip at sea. The system test trip can be part of a commercial fishing trip. Early engagement with the FDF unit will help to avoid bottlenecks and ensure that, where possible, test trips can be scheduled at a mutually convenient time.

Following the system test trip, the FDF unit (on behalf of Scottish Ministers) will issue the owner, via email, a copy of the validation form which details whether the REM system meets the requirements (at the time of testing). If the REM equipment does not meet the requirements, the form will note remedial actions. Remedial actions must be taken and the REM system must be functioning to the satisfaction of the FDF Unit, before being able to dredge for scallops.

If the above actions are not completed and the applicable requirements are not met, the master, owner and charterer (if any) of that boat would commit an offence if fishing for scallop species in Scottish waters (or for Scottish boats, in any waters) takes place. It is the responsibility of the master, owner and charterer (if any) to correct any deficiencies in the REM system that are identified as a result of the remote inspection or system test trip. Examples of possible deficiencies might include positioning of cameras or needing additional cameras to capture everything which the technical specifications require the cameras to capture.

We recommend you complete this process in good time as you will not be permitted to dredge for scallops in Scottish waters (or for Scottish boats, in any waters) until these steps are complete.

This section also applies if at any point you replace your REM system. Again, engaging with the FDF unit early will help to minimise any operational delays.

2.5 What happens if I replace my REM system?

If you replace of your REM system, you must follow the steps outlined in the section above, and arrange for a system test trip to be carried out. You may not dredge for scallops in Scottish waters (or for Scottish boats, in any waters) until the steps outlined are complete.

2.6 Technical specifications

The current (as of June 2024) technical specifications that the REM system must meet are set out at Annex B.

The Scottish Government reserves the right to amend the technical specifications periodically. We do not anticipate that changes to the technical specifications will be made on a regular basis. However, where a change is considered necessary, it will be subject to appropriate consultation with relevant scallop boats and will have a sufficient implementation period prior to the changes taking effect.

2.7 System Diagnostic Checks

It is important that regular checks are undertaken to ensure that the REM system installed onboard a scallop boat continues to be compliant.

The master, owner and charterer (if any) must ensure that the REM system installed on board the scallop boat is fully functional for the duration of the fishing trip.

To assist with this, we recommend that a system diagnostic check is carried out prior to:

• a relevant scallop boat leaving port;
• a relevant scallop boat entering Scottish waters (this applies to non-Scottish boats only);
• a relevant scallop boat commencing each fishing operation.