Sandeel fishing consultation: strategic environmental assessment - draft environmental report

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

1.1.1 The Scottish Government has commitments under the UK Marine Strategy to collaborate with the other UK administrations to assess, monitor and publish a programme of measure the UK will use to support progress towards achieving Good Environmental Status. This includes descriptors for biodiversity and commercial fish.^[8][9] The Scottish Government's key regional platform for collaboration with neighbouring countries on marine biodiversity is OSPAR (the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment in the North-East Atlantic), where we participate as part of the UK and take action developed under this forum to protect and conserve the marine ecosystems and biodiversity. Under the Joint Fishery Statement of the Fisheries Act 2020 the Scottish Government is committed to delivering sustainable management of fisheries that takes account for the protection of biodiversity and healthy functioning marine ecosystems.^[10]

1.1.2 Given the importance of sandeel to the wider ecosystem and the subsequent benefit provided by the species in aiding long-term sustainability and resilience of the marine environment, it remains an over-arching and long-held Scottish Government position not to support fishing for sandeel in Scottish waters, which is reflected in Scotland's Future Fisheries Management Strategy.^[11] This position was emphasised in June 2021 when the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands committed in Parliament to considering what management measures could be put in place to better manage the North Sea sandeel fisheries in Scottish waters.

1.1.3 There are currently several measures in place for the protection of sandeel stocks, through the network of Marine Protected Areas. A sandeel closure in sandeel management area 4 has also been in place since 2000 and the UK has not allocated sandeel quota to UK vessels since 2021.

1.1.4 The Scottish Government wishes to consult on proposals to close fishing for sandeel in Scottish waters that would meet as far as possible the following aims:

a) To seek effective protection of sandeel, as a contribution to the wider marine ecosystem.

b) To provide the opportunity for wider ecosystem benefits to a range of species, including commercial fish species, seabirds and marine mammals, that will also improve resilience to changes in the marine environment.

c) To complement, as far as possible, existing sandeel management measures.

1.2 Strategic Environmental Assessment

1.2.1 The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 ('the 2005 Act') requires that certain public plans, programmes and strategies be assessed for their potential effects on the environment.^[12] Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is the process used to fulfil this requirement and includes consultation with both the public and the Consultation Authorities.^[13] The 2005 Act also sets out the information that is required to be provided in this Environmental Report.

1.2.2 A screening and scoping exercise on the proposed extension of the existing sandeel closure to all Scottish waters was undertaken by Scottish Government , in accordance with the requirements of the 2005 Act. A combined Screening and Scoping Report was published in May 2023, setting out the proposed approach to the SEA, including the proposed scope and level of detail. Comments were invited from the Scottish Consultation Authorities.

1.2.3 The outcome of the screening exercise and the consultation responses confirmed the need for an SEA due to the likelihood for significant environmental effects to arise. The proposed scope of the assessment and methodology was broadly accepted by the Scottish Consultation Authorities (see Section 3).

1.3 Purpose and structure of this report

1.3.1 The purpose of this Environmental Report is to document the findings of the SEA on the proposed extension of the existing sandeel closure to all Scottish waters.

1.3.2 The views of the public and the Consultation Authorities on the proposed extension of the existing sandeel closure to all Scottish waters and the findings of this Environmental Report are now being sought.

1.3.3 The remainder of this Environmental Report is structured as follows:

• Section 2 provides information on existing sandeel management measures, the proposed closure, and their policy context;
• Section 3 presents the approach to the SEA and the methods used;
• Section 4 describes the relevant components of the environment that could be affected by proposals to close fishing for sandeel in all Scottish waters;
• Section 5 sets out the results of the assessment; and
• Section 6 considers the next steps in the implementation of sandeel management measures and the SEA process.

1.3.4 The Non-Technical Summary precedes Section 1.