Scottish Marine and Freshwater Science Volume 5 Number 4: Prioritisation of monitoring and research for diadromous fish in the context of Marine/Offshore Renewables

3. Progress since the Stakeholder Meetings

Further to the two stakeholder workshops reported here, a management Steering Group was established (hereafter referred to as the Steering Group). This Steering Group includes representatives of Marine Scotland Science, Policy and Licensing, the wild fisheries sector and wave, wind and tidal renewable energy sectors. The overall aims of the Steering Group are to oversee the NRMSD, strengthen communications and promote shared understanding of research and monitoring requirements among stakeholders.

The specific remit of the Steering Group is to:

• Ensure that all of the relevant issues and perspectives from the stakeholders have been identified.
• Provide a summary of the priority areas of research and monitoring requirements, recommendations and proposals on behalf of the stakeholders.
• Provide advice in relation to wider stakeholder engagement and consultation activities for taking the NRMSD forward.
• To investigate and facilitate the provision of adequate resources to deliver the agreed NRMSD work packages and resulting outcomes.
• To explore the integration of the proposed research with other relevant sectors.

The areas of research prioritised by the stakeholder meetings have been incorporated alongside existing MSS research into work packages that constitute the start of the NRMSD. The new work packages are now being assessed and scoped to identify project feasibility and costs, with existing funding highlighted where relevant. As both sets of stakeholders reported that the meeting platform for engagement was appropriate, a follow up meeting to report progress and receive feedback will be convened at completion of the NRMSD prior to final sign off by the Steering Group.