Electronic monitoring and tracking is part of a package of measures being taken to protect Scotland’s inshore fleet. A new programme will monitor fishing vessels in inshore waters, will help establish local fisheries management arrangements and empower local fishers and their coastal communities, according to the Scottish Government.
New regulations will also be introduced for marking creels, reducing the use of plastic items that can become detached and create marine litter.
“Scotland’s inshore fisheries are one of our most valuable community assets. Fishers and their businesses make a significant contribution to the economic and cultural fabric of our coastal communities, which is why we are taking steps to protect this valuable resource,” said Fisheries Secretary Fergus Ewing.
Additional measures include the establishment of an Inner Sound Local Fisheries Advisory Group to better manage the waters east of Skye and Raasay, a new website to allow fishers to better interact with their local Regional Inshore Fisheries Group, and continuing work to reduce gear conflict and better manage disagreements between fishers.
Monitoring technology to support the programme will be installed by Woodsons of Aberdeen, with work expected to start in April, beginning with the scallop dredge fleet.
“Modernising our approach to vessel monitoring and tracking will give us better insight into the inshore fleet’s profile - how it operates, how it adapts and what matters most to its sustainable development,” Fergus Ewing commented.
“This is a proportionate approach founded on established technology. It will put Scotland at the forefront internationally in how we use innovation to better manage our waters.”
