SWFPA

The Scottish White Fish
Prmlucc'eis Association Llri

 

Fraserburgh Business Centre
South Harbour Road
Fraserburgh

AB43 9TN

Tel:0 346 585367 0 346 585368 Fax:0l346 378327
E-mail: I lianne@swfpa.com
Fergus Ewing 22rld November 2018
Cabinet Secretary
Rural Economy
3. 25
The Scottish Parliament.
Edinburgh
EH99 15P

Fergus. 
Dear Cabinet Secretary,

The Scottish White Fish Producers Association represents over 240 vessels with
thirty of those dredging for Scallops. Our association very much prides itself on the influence
and leadership it has provided in recovering fish stocks and in the protection of vulnerable
marine ecosystems such as those in place at Rockall Bank and through the network of
inshore MPAs.

In 2017 we responded to reports of rogue fishing within Loch Carron by invoking a
voluntary closure for members around a number of other, similar features. We are
committed to maintaining the integrity of the Scallop sector, a commitment that leaves no
place for illegal fishing as was reported by Open Seas very recently within Loch Gairloch.

SWFPA was instrumental in calling for electronic monitoring on board scallop vessels
above 15 metres. We are now calling on the Scottish Government to introduce such
measures on board every vessel dredging for scallops, irrespective of size. It is important
that we put an end to unwelcome transgressions, which seem to be occurring in the
absence of scrutiny and secure monitoring of inshore vessels.

We recognise the commitment the Scottish Government has made to broaden the
requirement for vessel monitoring and understand that planning is now underway for the
introduction of appropriate monitoring technology for the inshore fleet from 2020. We very
much support this commitment but would ask that you consider a fast?track process for
vessels operating with scallop dredges. it is now time to insist that every vessel dredging for
scallops is subject to vessel monitoring, irrespective of size.

We ask you to consider as a priority the introduction of a licence condition which
makes it illegal to dredge for scallops without a secure onboard vessel monitoring system.



Look forward to hearing from you.

Yours Sincerely

 

Michael Park OBE
CEO
SWFPA