Wild Fisheries Reform: a response to the report of the Wild Fisheries Review

Chapter 11 - Assessing impact

91. Scottish Ministers recognise that the recommendations arising from the WFR effectively mean a fundamental re-design of the existing system for fishery management and therefore it is important in developing the policy that the impacts are identified correctly.

92. This consultation primarily seeks views on the broad policy options for a new management system. There will be a further consultation on a draft Wild Fisheries Bill and wild fisheries strategy before the end of the parliamentary session (spring 2016). The policy can be expected to have impacts on the environment, on businesses involved in salmon fishing and on individuals who fish or provide services to those who do. As we move from the current system towards the future management system a transition plan will be developed to ensure effective transition planning and continuity of delivery of fisheries management.

Strategic Environmental Assessment

93. In accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005, the broad policy options set out in this consultation have been reviewed against the statutory criteria set out in the Act, to ascertain whether they would be likely to have significant effects on the environment. These policy options focus solely on the institutional and procedural matters that would underpin a new wild fisheries management system. Based on the evaluation against the statutory criteria, the Scottish Government has concluded that they are likely to have no environmental effects. As a result, our view is that SEA is not required at this stage. A pre-screening report to this effect has been submitted to the SEA Gateway and sent to the Consultation Authorities ( SNH, SEPA and Historic Environment Scotland).

94. However, the policy options provide the over-arching framework for the draft Wild Fisheries Bill and national wild fisheries strategy. Environmental effects, should they arise, will be more meaningfully and proportionately assessed as part of the consultation on the draft bill and supporting strategies.

Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment

95. The Scottish Government has contracted an independent company to update work undertaken in 2004 on the economic and social value of all of Scotland's wild fisheries. This will provide up to date information on the value of Scotland's wild fish resources and help inform the development of policy in the future.

96. All legislation requires a Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment ( BRIA) to be undertaken in order to demonstrate that impacts have been fully explored and decisions made which are informed by the information gathered. The impact is likely to be different on different parts of the sector, and on particular types of business as well as individuals. We intend to consult on a BRIA alongside the consultation on draft legislation and strategy before the end of the Parliamentary session.

97. At this stage we want to invite information on the potential impact of the fisheries reform process for the future BRIA and SEA (if necessary).