Draft Proposal for an Orkney Scallop Regulating Order
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2014 Draft Proposal for an Orkney Scallop Regulating Order Orkney Sustainable 4 Ferry Terminal Bu Kirkwall Pier, Kirkwall Orkney KW15 1HU orkneysustainablefi [1] Application to Establish a Regulating Order in terms of Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967 for Scallop Species in and around Orkney Executive Summary Scallop fishermen in Orkney understand the principles of, and operate to ensure that, the Orkney scallop fishery can be handed as a sustainable fishery for the next generation. A result of their observation and their recent industry initiated research project ‘Spatial Dynamics in the Orkney Dive Fishery’ ( Annex VII) has prompted these fishermen seek a Regulating Order to provide for the maintenance and improvement of the fisheries for King Scallop (Pecten maximus) and Queen Scallop (Pecten opercularis) (known as queenies). As the effort being directed against the Orkney Scallop fishery does not solely arise from the operation of these progressive fishermen, having examined all the possibilities to ensure a sustainable fishery have concluded that the obtaining of a Regulating Order will be the most effective action in obtaining their objective. The King Scallop fishery makes an important contribution to Orkney’s total shellfish and whitefish industry and to the isles’ economy in general. Some shellfish stocks such as Buckies (Buccinum) and Queen Scallops in Orkney waters have been over-fished in the past and as a result their stocks have collapsed which means they can no longer contribute to the local economy nor be used as part of a flexible seasonal fishing plan by fishermen. Without proper evidence it is not possible to say what the state of many stocks are. For the King Scallop fishery however there is a picture of increased effort into the fishery and every prospect of this continuing to increase. There is concern among the King Scallop sector that uncontrolled increase in exploitation will result in over fishing causing stock collapse which in turn will have negative social and economic impacts. Some species like Queen Scallop which are economically vulnerable through over-exploitation, could benefit from stock enhancement measures managed within a regulatory framework. In response to the views of the local scallop and other fishermen Orkney Sustainable Fisheries (OSF) Ltd has undertaken to apply for and administer the powers granted by the Regulating Order with the aims of maintaining and improving the Orkney King Scallop and Queen Scallop fisheries and thus contributing to the long-term sustainability of this important local industry. One of the paramount aims of the Regulating Order will be manage sustainably a currently uncontrolled fishery for the benefit of the environment and the stock utilising mutually beneficial management measures for both. [2] [3] Contents 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 7 1.1 The Regulating Order Area ...................................................................................................... 8 1.2 The Fishery .............................................................................................................................. 8 1.3 The Regulatory System ........................................................................................................... 9 1.3.1 Scallop Regulations ....................................................................................................... 10 1.3.2 How is it introduced? .................................................................................................... 11 2 The Approach to Management ..................................................................................................... 13 2.1 The Scallop Fishery ................................................................................................................ 13 2.2 The Queen Scallop Fishery .................................................................................................... 13 3 Background Information ............................................................................................................... 15 3.1 General background Orkney ................................................................................................. 15 3.2 Fishing General...................................................................................................................... 16 3.3 Other marine users ............................................................................................................... 17 3.3.1 Energy and Shipping ...................................................................................................... 18 3.3.2 Renewables Development ............................................................................................ 18 3.3.3 Leisure and Recreation ................................................................................................. 18 3.4 Other Stakeholders in the Regulating Order Area ................................................................ 18 3.5 Marine Spatial Planning ........................................................................................................ 19 3.6 Marine Environment ............................................................................................................. 20 3.6.1 Inshore aggregations of non-breeding water birds ...................................................... 20 3.6.2 Offshore aggregations of seabirds ................................................................................ 20 3.6.3 Marine Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) ................................................................ 21 3.6.4 European Protected Species ......................................................................................... 21 3.6.5 EU and Ospar Priority Marine Features (PMFs) in Scotland’s seas ............................... 21 3.6.6 Marine Protected Areas (Orkney) ................................................................................. 23 Rousay and Wyre proposed MPA ................................................................................................. 23 3.7 The Orkney Local Biodiversity Action Plan ............................................................................ 26 3.8 Fauna ..................................................................................................................................... 27 3.8.1 Seals .............................................................................................................................. 28 3.8.2 Otters ............................................................................................................................ 28 3.8.3 Turtles ........................................................................................................................... 29 3.8.4 Cetaceans Whales and Dolphins ................................................................................... 29 3.8.5 Fish ................................................................................................................................ 29 [4] 3.8.6 Crustaceans ................................................................................................................... 29 3.8.7 Molluscs ........................................................................................................................ 29 3.8.8 Birds .............................................................................................................................. 30 3.9 The Physical environment ..................................................................................................... 30 3.9.1 Agriculture ..................................................................................................................... 31 3.9.2 Orkney Marine Habitats ................................................................................................ 31 3.9.3 Climate Change ............................................................................................................. 33 3.10 Water Quality ........................................................................................................................ 34 3.10.1 Designated Shellfish Waters in Scotland ...................................................................... 34 3.10.2 Pollution threats ........................................................................................................... 35 3.11 Biology of King Scallop .......................................................................................................... 36 3.12 Biology of Queen Scallop ...................................................................................................... 37 4 The Orkney Scallop Fishery ........................................................................................................... 39 4.1 Description of the fishery ...................................................................................................... 39 4.1.1 Hand-gathering ............................................................................................................. 39 4.1.2 Dredging from a vessel .................................................................................................. 40 4.1.3 Trawling for Queen Scallops ......................................................................................... 40 4.1.4 Seasonal fishing patterns .............................................................................................