Publication - Impact assessment

Sandeel fishing consultation: draft partial business and regulatory impact assessment

Published: 21 July 2023
From: Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, +1 more … Director of Marine
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries
ISBN: 9781835211274

The draft partial business and regulatory impact assessment for the consultation on proposals to close fishing for sandeel in all Scottish waters.

Supporting documents

Summary and Recommendation

Option 1 is the preferred option as it is expected to be able to deliver the environmental objectives of the Scottish Government with regards to sandeel.

Summary costs and benefits table
Option	Total benefit per annum: - economic, environmental, social	Total cost per annum: - economic, environmental, social - policy and administrative
0 Do nothing	No benefit as quota is already unallocated to Scottish sector	Sandeel stock will continue to be depleted
1 Complete closure of all Scottish waters to sandeel fishing (preferred option)	Potential for improvement to sandeel stocks with ensuing potential benefits to seabirds, whitefish species and marine mammals. Removes potential for displacement of activity to other Scottish waters.	Direct cost to EU fishing industry of fishing restriction (primarily Danish or other EU vessels) Indirect cost to processing sector with lower landings of sandeels Direct cost to Scottish Government Compliance of an additional regulation to monitor (minimal)
2 Extension of the existing closure to all of sandeel management area 4 only	Potential but uncertain improvement of sandeel stock with ensuing potential benefits to marine mammals and seabirds	Direct cost to fishing industry of fishing restriction, lower than option 1. Indirect cost to processing sector with lower landings of sandeels, lower than option 1. Direct cost to Scottish Government Compliance of an additional regulation to monitor (minimal), lower than option 1.
3 Seasonal closure of the sandeel fishery	Uncertain improvement of sandeel stock with uncertainty regarding ensuing benefits to marine mammals and seabirds	Direct cost to fishing industry of fishing restriction, lower than option 1. Indirect cost to processing sector with lower landings of sandeels, lower than option 1. Direct cost to Scottish Government Compliance of an additional regulation to monitor (minimal), lower than option 1.
4 Voluntary closure of the sandeel fishery	Potential but uncertain improvement of sandeel stock with ensuing potential benefits to marine mammals and seabirds	Management costs of maintaining voluntary closure agreement Direct cost to fishing industry of fishing restriction, uncertain level Indirect cost to processing sector with lower landings of sandeels, uncertain level

Contact

Email: sandeelconsultation@gov.scot

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Information

Summary and Recommendation

Contact

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