Clyde Cod closure 2024: report

3. Compliance

The Marine Directorate has utilised a variety of resources both to monitor the distribution and nature of fishing activity in the Clyde, as well as to ensure compliance with the closure.

This activity is carried out on a risk-assessed and assurance basis, and has included shore-based patrols, analysis of vessel monitoring system (VMS) position reports by the UK Fisheries Monitoring Centre (UKFMC), inshore rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) patrols, as well as use of MPV Minna.

3.1 Fishing activity

During March and April 2024 in the Clyde region fishing activity has remained similar to the previous year with 33 vessels active, compared to 35 during the same period in 2023. Within ICES rectangle 39 E4 (which contains the closure) activity reduced from 25 to 23 across the same period.

Distribution of activity has also been similar to the same period in 2023, but with a reduction in activity to the west of Arran and an increase to the north of Arran and into the lower reaches of Loch Fyne.

3.2 Inspections and infringements

The Marine Directorate has maintained a similar presence in the Clyde for the 2024 closure as in 2023, albeit making greater use of our RHIB-borne patrol capabilities in 2024.

MPV Minna was on patrol in the Clyde area (both within and out with the closed area) for approximately 38 days during the closure, with 43 boardings (approximately 26% of the vessels sighted by marine assets) carried out. This is an increase in activity from the 19 boardings that took place during the 2023 closure (11% of the vessels sighted by marine assets).

In 2024 43 boardings were carried out and 27 cod detected amongst the catches. This is a reduction from 2023 when 19 boardings were carried out for 113 cod detected amongst their catches.

In 2024 Marine Directorate assets detected 8 infringements. 3 of these were direct breaches of the closure, relating to scallop dive and creel fishing vessels. Other breaches included non-transmission of Automatic Identification System (AIS) data, technical infringements relating to mobile fishing gear, incorrect carriage of paperwork aboard the vessels, and failure to facilitate inspection by a British Sea Fishery Officer (BSFO).

This represents an increase in infringements over the 2023 closure when there were only 6 detections during marine boardings with only one of these being a direct breach of the closed area.

On shore 88 coastal port inspections were carried out with no cod detected. There were 47 vessels inspected ashore with 7 cod detected, measuring between 40 and 55 cm. Size of fish are routinely measured during inspections to ensure compliance with minimum landing size regulations.

3.3 Intelligence reporting

Stakeholders may make reports relating to fishing activity via an online form^[9], by contacting the UKFMC or via their local Marine Directorate Coastal Office. These reports are treated confidentially and graded according to a set of nationally established criteria. Resources are then allocated in response to intelligence received on a risk-assessed basis.

Out of the 592 intelligence reports submitted in the period of the closure, 8 related the Clyde Cod Closure for 2024 (approximately 1.35 %). 3 of these were for vessels within the closed area operating at speed indicative of fishing. 2 related to creel vessels, 1 of which was alleged to have deployed baited gear into the closed area. The other confirmed all creels had been retrieved by a vessel which had been unable to remove all gear prior to the closure coming into effect. 2 reports related to vessel hand-diving for scallops within the closed area. The final report was for a bulk carrier ship anchoring within the Arran closed box.

3.4 Weather

Weather conditions remained consistent with the season and comparable to 2023 throughout the 2024 closure.