Commercial

Fisheries

Technical Report

Poseidon Aquatic Resource Management Ltd.

March 2018 Commercial Fisheries Appendix 10.1 Technical Report

Table of Contents

1 Introduction ...... 7 1.1 Context ...... 7 1.2 Commercial Fisheries Study Area ...... 7 1.3 Data Sources ...... 7 2 Eastern Scottish Ports ...... 10 2.1 Overview ...... 10 2.2 Fife ...... 10 2.3 East Lothian and Scottish Borders...... 14 2.4 Aberdeenshire and Angus ...... 18 3 Key Fleets and Fisheries...... 23 3.1 Overview of Regional Landings ...... 23 3.2 Key Species ...... 24 3.3 Key Gears ...... 34 4 Fisheries Activity Assessment ...... 41 4.1 Wind Farm Area ...... 41 4.2 Offshore Export Cable Corridor ...... 47 5 Summary ...... 53 References ...... 54

Table of Illustrations Illustration 2.1 Length profile shown as a bar chart (left) and pie chart (right), for 290 vessels listed with administrative ports of: Pittenweem, Eyemouth and Aberdeenshire...... 10 Illustration 2.2 Pittenweem harbour (left) and length profile of vessels registered under the administrative port of Pittenweem (including 3 additional vessels from Oban and Fraserburgh). (Data source: Defra, 2017)...... 11 Illustration 2.3 Length profile of vessels registered under Pittenweem administrative port, indicating home port. (Data source: Defra, 2017)...... 12 Illustration 2.4 Vessel capacity (left) and age profiles (right) of vessels registered under the administrative port of Pittenweem (including 3 additional vessels from Oban and Fraserburgh). (Data source: Defra, 2017)...... 12 Illustration 2.5 First sales value (top) and live weight, tonnes (bottom) of landings by UK vessels into Fife ports from 2014 to 2016 indicating species (including landings into the following ports: Pittenweem, St Andrews, Anstrusther, Crail, Methil & Leven, St Monance, ...... 13

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Illustration 2.6 First sales value (top) and live weight, tonnes (bottom) of landings by UK vessels into Fife ports in 2016 indicating species. Please note difference in scale for Pittenweem, due to the higher level of landings in comparison to other ports. (Data source: MMO, 2017) ...... 14 Illustration 2.7 Ports of Eyemouth (top left), Port Seton (Traynor, 2010) (top right), North Berwick (bottom left) and Dunbar (bottom right)...... 15 Illustration 2.8 Length profile of vessels registered under the administrative port of Eyemouth. (Data source: Defra, 2017)...... 16 Illustration 2.9 Length profile of vessels registered under Eyemouth administrative port, indicating home port. (Data source: Defra, 2017)...... 16 Illustration 2.10 Vessel capacity (left) and age profiles (right) of vessels registered under the administrative port of Eyemouth. (Data source: Defra, 2017)...... 17 Illustration 2.11 First sales value (top) and live weight, tonnes (bottom) of landings by UK vessels into East Lothian and Scottish Borders ports from 2014 to 2016 indicating species (including landings into the following ports: Eyemouth, Dunbar, Burnmouth, Port Seton, St Abbs, Cove (Leith), Newhaven, North Berwick and Granton). (Data source: MMO, 2017)...... 17 Illustration 2.12 First sales value (top) and live weight, tonnes (bottom) of landings by UK vessels into East Lothian and Scottish Borders ports in 2016 indicating species. (Data source: MMO, 2017)...... 18 Illustration 2.13 Arbroath harbour (left) and length profile of vessels registered under the administrative port of Aberdeenshire. (Data source: Defra, 2017; photo source: List, 2016)...... 19 Illustration 2.14 Length profile of vessels registered under Aberdeen administrative port, indicating home port. (Data source: Defra, 2017)...... 19 Illustration 2.15 Vessel capacity (left) and age profiles (right) of vessels registered under the administrative port of Aberdeen. (Data source: Defra, 2017)...... 20 Illustration 2.16 First sales value (top) and live weight, tonnes (bottom) of landings by UK vessels into Aberdeenshire and Angus ports from 2014 to 2016 indicating species (including landings into the following ports: Arbroath, Aberdeen, Stonehaven, Montrose and Johnhaven. (Data source: MMO, 2017)...... 21 Illustration 2.17 First sales value (top) and live weight, tonnes (bottom) of landings by UK vessels into Aberdeenshire and Angus ports in 2016 indicating species. (Data source: MMO, 2017)...... 22 Illustration 3.1 Average annual value of species landed by UK vessels from the regional commercial fisheries study area indicating gear type (based on five-years’ data from 2011 to 2015) (Data source: MMO, 2017) ...... 23 Illustration 3.2 Average annual value of species landed by UK vessels from the regional commercial fisheries study area indicating vessel length category (based on five-years’ data from 2011 to 2015) (Data source: MMO, 2017) ...... 24 Illustration 3.3 Harvest rate and stock abundance of nephrops in the Firth of Forth Functional Unit (ICES, 2017) ...... 25 Illustration 3.4 Distribution of Scottish nephrops landings in the North Sea in 2015, based on landings weight (tonnes) (Barreto et al, 2017) ...... 25 Illustration 3.5 Seasonality of UK landings of nephrops from the regional study area. (Data source: MMO, 2017) ...... 26 Illustration 3.6 Distribution of Scottish lobster landings in the North Sea in 2015, based on landings weight (Barreto et al, 2017) ...... 27

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Illustration 3.7 Seasonality of UK landings of lobster from the regional study area. (Data source: MMO, 2017) ...... 27 Illustration 3.8 Distribution of Scottish brown crab landings in the North Sea in 2015, based on landings weight (Barreto et al, 2017) ...... 29 Illustration 3.9 Seasonality of UK landings of brown crab from the regional study area. (Data source: MMO, 2017) ...... 29 Illustration 3.10 Seasonality of UK landings of velvet crab from the regional study area. (Data source: MMO, 2017) ...... 30 Illustration 3.11 Seasonality of UK landings of king scallop from the regional study area. (Data source: MMO, 2017) ...... 31 Illustration 3.12 Seasonality of UK landings of razor shell from the regional study area. (Data source: MMO, 2017) ...... 31 Illustration 3.13 Seasonality of UK landings of squid from the regional study area. (Data source: MMO, 2017) ...... 32 Illustration 3.14 Seasonality of UK landings of mackerel from the regional study area. (Data source: MMO, 2017) ...... 33 Illustration 3.15 Seasonality of UK landings of haddock from the regional study area. (Data source: MMO, 2017) ...... 34 Illustration 3.16 Proportion of species by value landed by UK demersal trawlers from the commercial fisheries regional study area (left) and local study area (right), based on a five-year average from 2011 to 2015 (Data source: MMO, 2017) ...... 34 Illustration 3.17 Annual average value of species landed by UK vessels by demersal trawl from the regional study area and local study area, based on a five-year average from 2011 to 2015 (Data source: MMO, 2017) ...... 35 Illustration 3.18 Typical demersal otter trawl gear (Galbraith & Rice, 2004) ...... 35 Illustration 3.19 Typical ground rope and otter board designs found in demersal trawls (Galbraith & Rice, 2004) ...... 36 Illustration 3.20 Typical demersal otter twin trawl gear and configuration (Galbraith & Rice, 2004) ...... 36 Illustration 3.21 Proportion of species by value landed by UK potters from the commercial fisheries regional study area (left) and local study area (right), based on a five-year average from 2011 to 2015 (Data source: MMO, 2017) ...... 37 Illustration 3.22 Annual average value of species landed by UK potters from the regional study area and local study area, based on a five-year average from 2011 to 2015 (Data source: MMO, 2017) ...... 37 Illustration 3.23 String of set creels (left) and a typical D-shaped creel (right) (Galbraith & Rice, 2004) ...... 38 Illustration 3.24 Creels stored at the ports of Pittenweem (left) and Dunbar (right) (Photo source: Poseidon, 2017) ...... 38 Illustration 3.25 Proportion of species by value landed by UK dredgers from the commercial fisheries regional study area (left) and local study area (right), based on a five-year average from 2011 to 2015 (Data source: MMO, 2017) ...... 39 Illustration 3.26 Annual average value of species landed by UK dredgers from the regional study area and local study area, based on a five-year average from 2011 to 2015 (Data source: MMO, 2017) ...... 39 Illustration 3.27 Spring-loaded scallop dredge design (top) and dredges on a vessel beam (bottom) (Galbraith & Rice, 2004) ...... 40

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Illustration 4.1 Proportion of average annual value landed from ICES rectangle 41E7 by vessel nationality (left) and vessel length category (right) based on five-year average from 2011 to 2015 (Data source: MMO, 2017)...... 41 Illustration 4.2 Annual landings by UK registered vessels from ICES rectangles 41E7 by species and first sales value (top) and weight, tonnes (bottom) from 2011 to 2015, (Data source: MMO, 2017) ...... 42 Illustration 4.3 Average annual value of species landed by UK vessels from ICES rectangle 41E7 indicating gear type (left) and vessel length category (right) (based on five-years’ data from 2011 to 2015) (Data source: MMO, 2017) ...... 43 Illustration 4.4 Value of species landed by UK vessels from ICES rectangle 41E7 indicating gear type (left) and vessel length category (right) in 2016 (Data source: MMO, 2017) ...... 44 Illustration 4.5 Long term trends of landed weight (tonnes) by UK vessels from ICES rectangle 41E7 for nephrops, lobster, brown crab and scallop from 2003 to 2015, including linear regression trend line. (Data source: EU DCF, 2017)...... 45 Illustration 4.6 Effort, hours fished, by demersal trawl and potting vessels in ICES rectangle 41E7 from 2011 to 2015, indicating length of vessel (Data source: EU DCF, 2017)...... 45 Illustration 4.7 Proportion of average annual value landed from ICES rectangles 41E7 and 40E7 by vessel nationality (left) and vessel length category (right) based on five-year average from 2011 to 2015 (Data source: MMO, 2017)...... 48 Illustration 4.8 Annual landings by UK registered vessels from ICES rectangles 41E7 and 40E7 by species and first sales value (top) and weight, tonnes (bottom) from 2011 to 2015, (Data source: MMO, 2017).... 49 Illustration 4.9 Average annual value of species landed by UK vessels from ICES rectangles 41E7 and 40E7 indicating gear type (left) and vessel length category (right) (based on five-years’ data from 2011 to 2015) (Data source: MMO, 2017) ...... 50 Illustration 4.10 Value of species landed by UK vessels from ICES rectangle 41E7 and 40E7 indicating gear type (left) and vessel length category (right) in 2016 (Data source: MMO, 2017) ...... 51 Illustration 4.11 Long term trends of landed weight (tonnes) by UK vessels from ICES rectangle 41E7 for nephrops, lobster, brown crab and scallop from 2003 to 2015. (Data source: EU DCF, 2017)...... 51 Illustration 4.12 Effort, hours fished, by demersal trawl and potting vessels in ICES rectangles 40E7 and 41E7 from 2011 to 2015, indicating length of vessel (Data source: EU DCF, 2017)...... 52

Table of Figures (shown at end of report) Figure 10.1 Commercial fisheries study areas Figure 10.2 Key fishing ports within the regional study area Figure 10.3 Landings value by species (based on five-years’ data from 2011 to 2015) (Data source: MMO, 2017) Figure 10.4 Representative Nephrops grounds based on industry consultations in 2010 & 2017 Figure 10.5: Representative lobster and crab grounds targeted by creel, based on industry consultation Figure 10.6 VMS data for demersal trawl in 2015, showing value of catch (£) and effort (hours). (Data source: MMO, 2017) Figure 10.7 VMS data for dredging in 2015, showing value of catch (£) and effort (hours). (Data source: MMO, 2017) Figure 10.8 VMS data for pelagic gear in 2015 showing value of catch (£) and effort (hours) (Data source: MMO, 2017)

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Figure 10.9 VMS data for all mobile gear showing value of catch (£) for 2011 - 2015 (Data source: MMO, 2017) Figure 10.10 VMS data for all mobile gear showing effort (hours fishing) for 2012 - 2015, showing effort. (Data source: MMO, 2017) Figure 10.11 Fisheries surveillance data indicating location of actively fishing vessels, distinguished by gear type. (Data source: MMO, 2017) Table of Tables Table 1.1: Data sources utilised to inform the commercial fisheries EIA...... 8 Table 2.1: Typical operational ranges of vessels based on vessel lengths. (Source: Consultation with Fife fishermen’s associations)...... 12

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1 Introduction

1.1 Context 1. The purpose of this Commercial Fisheries Technical Report is to provide a detailed review of the commercial fisheries fleets that operate within and adjacent to Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) Offshore Wind Farm (the Project), including the Offshore Export Cable Corridor. 2. An overview of the baseline presented in this Commercial Fisheries Technical Report, together with the impact assessment and cumulative impact assessment are provided within Chapter 10: Commercial Fisheries. Details of the commercial fisheries study area, legislation and guidance, consultation undertaken to date, data sources, methodology for data collection and analysis of Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) data are also included within Chapter 10: Commercial Fisheries. 1.2 Commercial Fisheries Study Area 3. The Project is within the northwest portion of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Division 4b (Central North Sea) and lies inside the 12 nautical miles (NM) limit of Scottish Territorial Waters, within the UK Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). For the purpose of recording fisheries landings, ICES Division 4b is divided into statistical rectangles, which are consistent across all Member States operating in the North Sea. 4. From a commercial fisheries perspective, the study areas are defined by the ICES statistical rectangles that the Development Area overlaps (Figure 10.1). The commercial fisheries study areas are defined as follows:  The local study area: ICES rectangles 40E7 and 41E7; and  The regional study area: ICES rectangles 40E6, 40E7, 40E8, 41E6, 41E7, 41E8, 42E7, and 42E8. 1.3 Data Sources 5. A number of data sources have informed the commercial fisheries Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). In particular, five forms of data sources have been key in the assessment:  Landing statistics for fisheries operating within the regional commercial fisheries study area (2011 to 2015). Data for UK landings primarily sourced from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and European Union (EU) Data Collection Framework (DCF);  Surveillance data for all vessel lengths and nationalities (2011 to 2015);  VMS data for vessels ≥ 15 metres (m) for 2011 to 2015 for UK vessels; and  Consultation with UK fisheries. 6. In addition, surveys carried out across the Development Area (in particular see, Chapter 7: Fish and Shellfish Ecology and Chapter 11: Shipping and Navigation for details), include:  Geophysical surveys; and  Automatic Identification System (AIS) marine traffic surveys. 7. Many sources of literature have also been reviewed in the preparation of the commercial fisheries assessment. A full list of references is provided in the References section of this technical report and cited within the text where appropriate. A summary of the data sources is provided in Table 1.1.

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8. A full description of the data sources and associated limitations used within the commercial fisheries EIA, together with details of the consultation undertaken, is provided within Chapter 10: Commercial Fisheries. Table 1.1: Data sources utilised to inform the commercial fisheries EIA.

Nationality Data Timeframe Source

UK Landing statistics data for UK registered vessels with data query 2011 to 2015 Marine attributes for: landing year; landing month; vessel length Management category; country code; ICES rectangle; vessel/gear type; Organisation species; live weight (tonnes); and value. Note: 2011 to 2015 represents the most up-to-date five-year dataset available at the time data was ground-truthed during commercial fisheries industry consultation.

UK Landing statistics data for UK registered vessels by ICES 2016 rectangle with data query attributes for: landing year; landing month; vessel length category; country code; ICES rectangle; vessel/gear type; species; live weight (tonnes); and value. Note: 2016 data became available in November 2017, and therefore has not been validated / ground-truthed during industry consultation. It is presented within the report to ensure appropriate consideration of the most recent dataset available.

UK Landing statistics data for UK registered vessels with data query 2013 to 2016 attributes for: landing year; landing month; vessel length category; country code; vessel/gear type; port of landing; species; live weight (tonnes); and value. Note: 2012 data was not available in this format and 2013 to 2016 represents the most up-to-date dataset available at the time of industry consultation and at the time of writing.

UK Vessel Monitoring System data for UK registered vessels with 2011 to 2015 attributes for time fishing and value of catch at a resolution of 200th of an ICES rectangle amalgamated for all mobile vessels and all static vessels. 2011 to 2015 represents the most up to date data available at the time of industry consultation and at the time of writing.

UK Surveillance data with data query attributes for: sighting date; 2011 to 2015 ICES rectangle; ICES subsquare; latitude; longitude; vessel/gear type; activity; nationality; course; speed; and number of sightings. 2011 to 2015 represents the most up to date data available at the time of industry consultation and at the time of writing.

Europe Landings statistics for UK registered vessels for: landing year; 2003 to 2015 European quarter; ICES rectangle; vessel length; gear type; species and Union Data landed weight (tonnes). Collection Framework

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9. A number of consultation meetings were held with local fishermen’s associations, organisations and federations along the eastern Scottish coast from Aberdeen to Eyemouth. Full details of these consultation meetings are provided within Chapter 10: Commercial Fisheries.

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2 Eastern Scottish Ports

2.1 Overview 10. The key fishing ports that harbour vessels that operate within the regional study area are shown in Figure 10.2 and cover the Fife, East Lothian & Scottish Borders and Aberdeenshire & Angus council areas. 11. To characterise the vessels operating from eastern Scottish ports across the commercial fisheries regional study area, the Defra Vessel Lists for over 10 m and 10 m and under were analysed. In total, 290 vessels are registered to the administrative ports of Pittenweem, Eyemouth and Aberdeenshire, which cover approximately 32 home ports. For clarity, these port categories can be defined as follows:  An administrative port is responsible for issuing fishing vessel licences and collating catch information. The administration port of a vessel is typically the responsible office that is of closest proximity to a vessel’s operational base.  A home port is the port that a vessel typically operates from including landing catch, docking and undertaking maintenance. It should be noted that vessels are not obliged to operate from the same home port and can land to any port. 12. Of these 290 vessels, the majority (82%) are under 10 m in length. The highest proportion of vessels fall into the 5 to < 8 m category (47%), as shown in Illustration 2.1, with a further 25% in the 8 to < 10 m category. Only 4% are 15 m and over in length. Illustration 2.1 Length profile shown as a bar chart (left) and pie chart (right), for 290 vessels listed with administrative ports of: Pittenweem, Eyemouth and Aberdeenshire.

160

140 4% 5% 10% 120 9% <5m 100 vessels

5 to <8m of 80 8 to <10m 47% 60 10 to <12m Number 40 25% 25% 12 to <15m

20 47% >15m 10% 9% 5% 4% 0 <5m 5 to <8m 8 to <10m 10 to 12 to >15m <12m <15m Length of vessels 2.2 Fife 13. Vessels that are registered to the administrative port of Pittenweem are located across eleven home ports in Scotland, Wales and England: Scotland  Pittenweem  St Andrews  Anstruther  St Monance (often spelt St  Burntisland Monans)  Crail  Fraserburgh  Methil and Leven  Oban

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 Wales  England  Holyhead  Folkestone  Rhyl  Padstow 14. Two vessels from the administrative port of Oban and one vessel from the administrative port of Fraserburgh are understood to regularly land into Pittenweem and are therefore included within this analysis. The 4 vessels with home ports in England and Wales have not been included within this analysis. Illustration 2.2 and Illustration 2.3 present the length profile for the 106 vessels registered to the Pittenweem administrative port. Illustration 2.2 Pittenweem harbour (left) and length profile of vessels registered under the administrative port of Pittenweem (including 3 additional vessels from Oban and Fraserburgh). (Data source: Defra, 2017).

Pi enweem administra ve port: 106 vessels 60

50 vessels

40 of

30 51% Number 20

23% 10 8% 7% 7% 6% 0 <5m 5 to <8m 8 to <10m 10 to 12 to >15m <12m <15m Length of vessels

15. The majority (82%) of vessels with administrative port of Pittenweem are under 10 m in length, with 51% falling into the 5 to < 8 m category (Illustration 2.2), 14% are between 10 to < 15 m and only 6% are 15 m and over in length. This corroborates that under 10 m vessels undertake the majority of fishing effort within this area. 16. The vessel capacity units (VCUs) and age profile for vessels are shown in Illustration 2.4. VCUs, which are specified within a vessels’ licence, are calculated based on the vessel's size and engine power, providing a comparable measurement of capacity across different vessels. As would be expected from the length distribution, the majority of vessels have a VCU < 100, implying a more localised operation range. The age profile shows some recent investment in new vessels, with 4% under 5 years of age, and an additional 4% between 5 to 9 years of age. Nevertheless, 42% are over 30 years old, signifying a proportion of the fleet is relatively aging, although, it should be noted that often the Defra Vessel Lists include vessels that may not be active, but retain their licence for potential future opportunities.

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Illustration 2.3 Length profile of vessels registered under Pittenweem administrative port, indicating home port. (Data source: Defra, 2017).

60 >15m

12 to <15m 50 10 to <12m

8 to <10m

40 5 to <8m

vessels <5m 30 of

Number 20

10

0

N R S IL N N E D H E D L M E E A C N G N A W Y E W H W A V B N R O E O H E O T E R E A LA T H T R W N U R C L O S U S Y S N K R D N I B E L D E T N D O T R K O A T N S A N M N E L P T U N T A R S O H I T A S L T U A F P R I S B FR O H P ET M Illustration 2.4 Vessel capacity (left) and age profiles (right) of vessels registered under the administrative port of Pittenweem (including 3 additional vessels from Oban and Fraserburgh). (Data source: Defra, 2017).

40 35

35 30 30

25 25 20 vessels vessels

20 of of

32% 15 30% 15 24% 24% 10 20% 10 19% Number 15% Number 5 8% 5 8% 1% 4% 4% 8% 4% 0 0 <15 15 to <25 25 to <50 50 to <100 100 to <200 >200 <5 5 to 9 10 to 19 20 to 29 30 to 39 40 to 49 >50 Unknown

Vessel Capacity Units Age of vessels

17. Further insight into the operational ranges of fishing vessels was gained during consultation with Fife fishermen’s associations, with representative operational ranges for vessels based on their overall length provided in Table 2.1. Table 2.1: Typical operational ranges of vessels based on vessel lengths. (Source: Consultation with Fife fishermen’s associations).

Length of vessels Typical operational range, nautical miles (NM)

Under 8 m Up to 5-6 NM

8 to < 10 m 12-20 NM

10 to < 12 m 12-25 NM

12 to < 15 m 80-90 NM

15 m and over 100 NM and beyond

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18. Consultation has indicated that the Development Area is likely to be outwith the current normal operating range for vessels porting at St Andrews and ports north of St Andrews. 19. The value and weight of landings into Fife ports from 2014 to 2016 is presented in Illustration 2.5. Five and ten year data sets are presented in Sections 3 and 4, by ICES rectangle and species. The data available by port of landing covers a three-year period and does not allow analysis by ICES rectangle; therefore, Illustration 2.6 shows landings from all areas, not specifically the regional or local study areas. Illustration 2.5 First sales value (top) and live weight, tonnes (bottom) of landings by UK vessels into Fife ports from 2014 to 2016 indicating species (including landings into the following ports: Pittenweem, St Andrews, Anstrusther, Crail, Methil & Leven, St Monance,

£3,000,000h 2014 £2,500,000 £2.3 million 2015

£2,000,000 2016 value

Average £1,500,000 £1.4 million sale

First £1,000,000

£500,000 £198 k £154 k £0 Nephrops Lobsters Crabs Other Whelks Scallops Mackerel Squid Other Shellfis h 700.00 2014 600.00

2015 500.00 2016 tonnes 400.00

300.00 weight,

Live 200.00

100.00

0.00 Nephrops Crabs Lobsters Whelks Other Mackerel Scallops Squid Other Shellfis

20. Nephrops and lobster form the most economically important species, with average annual values of £2.3 million and £1.4 million landed into Fife ports. Landings of nephrops are entirely into Pittenweem (Illustration 2.6), while lobster is landed into Pittenweem, St Andrews, Anstrusther, Crail, Methil & Leven, St Monance, West Wemyss and Burntisland. 21. Brown crab forms the next most important shellfish species, with annual average value of approximately £200,000. Consultation indicated mixed feeling towards the size of crab landings, with some believing figures should be higher and others indicating that brown crab are predominately caught further offshore. 22. Other notable landings include a whelk fishery landed into Methil and Leven, and mackerel landings into Anstruther. Low levels of scallop are landed into Pittenweem.

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Illustration 2.6 First sales value (top) and live weight, tonnes (bottom) of landings by UK vessels into Fife ports in 2016 indicating species. Please note difference in scale for Pittenweem, due to the higher level of landings in comparison to other ports. (Data source: MMO, 2017)

£3,000,000 £400,000 Nephrops Lobsters £350,000 £2,500,000 Crabs Other Shellfish £300,000 Whelks Scallops £2,000,000 £250,000 Mackerel Squid Other £1,500,000 £200,000 £150,000 £1,000,000 £100,000

£500,000 £50,000

£0 £0 Pi enweem St Andrews Anstruther Crail Methil & St Monance West Burn sland Kirkcaldy Elie Leven Wemyss

700 40 Nephrops Lobsters 35 600 Crabs Other Shellfish

30 500 Whelks Scallops 25 Mackerel Squid tonnes 400 Other 20 300 weight, 15

Live 200 10

100 5

0 0 Pi enweem Methil & Anstruther St Andrews Burn sland Crail St Monance West Kirkcaldy Elie Leven Wemyss

2.3 East Lothian and Scottish Borders 23. Vessels that are registered to the administrative port of Eyemouth are located across ten home ports in Scotland, across Edinburgh, East Lothian and Scottish Borders, and in England as follows: Scotland:  North Berwick  Burnmouth  Eyemouth   Port Seton Cove (Leith)  Granton England:  Dunbar  Holy Island  St Abbs  Bridlington 24. The 2 vessels with home ports in England have not been included within this analysis. Illustration 2.7 depicts some of the ports visited during consultation in this area.

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Illustration 2.7 Ports of Eyemouth (top left), Port Seton (Traynor, 2010) (top right), North Berwick (bottom left) and Dunbar (bottom right).

25. In total, 99 vessels are listed on Defra Vessel Lists as having Eyemouth as their administrative port. The majority (78%) of vessels registered at the administrative port of Eyemouth are under 10 m in length, with 44% falling into the 5 to < 8 m category (Illustration 2.8), 14% between 10 to < 15 m and only 7% are 15 m and over in length. This corroborates that under 10 m vessels undertake the majority of fishing effort within this area.

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Illustration 2.8 Length profile of vessels registered under the administrative port of Eyemouth. (Data source: Defra, 2017).

Eyemouth administra ve port: 99 vessels 50 45 40 35 vessels

30 of 25 44% 20 15 28% Number 10 5 6% 11% 3% 7% 0 <5m 5 to <8m 8 to <10m 10 to <12m 12 to <15m >15m Length of vessels

26. Within the administrative port of Eyemouth, the highest number of vessels home port at Eyemouth (52 vessels). As stated previously, some of these vessels may use a different home port, which has not been updated on the Defra Vessel List and/or some may be inactive. Notably the number of vessels recorded with Dunbar as their home port appears lower than expected based on a consultation meeting with over 17 vessel owners porting at Dunbar. It is likely that many of the vessels listed under ‘port unknown’ use Dunbar as their home port. Nevertheless, Illustration 2.9 provides an overview of the operating ports in the region and highlights that vessel from all of the ports are predominately under 10 m in length. Illustration 2.9 Length profile of vessels registered under Eyemouth administrative port, indicating home port. (Data source: Defra, 2017).

60 >15m

12 to <15m 50 10 to <12m

8 to <10m

40 5 to <8m

vessels <5m 30 of

Number 20

10

0

H N N N R S K N H ) D T O O A B IC O T H N U W T T B B T U IT A O O E N N A W G O LE L N S A U T R N ( IS M K T R D S E LI M E Y YE N R G B N V L E U O H ID R O O T P T R U C H R R B B O O P N

27. The VCUs and age profile for vessels registered at Eyemouth are shown in Illustration 2.10. As would be expected from the length distribution, the majority of vessels have a VCU < 100, implying a more localised operation range. The age profile shows some recent investment in new vessels, with 5% under 5 years of age, and an additional 6% between 5 to 9 years of age. Nevertheless, 47% are over 30 years old; signifying a proportion of the fleet is relatively aging, again given the caveat that some vessels within the Defra Vessel List may be inactive.

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Illustration 2.10 Vessel capacity (left) and age profiles (right) of vessels registered under the administrative port of Eyemouth. (Data source: Defra, 2017).

35 30

30 25

25 20 20 vessels vessels

15 of of

15 30% 24%

24% 10 19% 10 18% 16%

Number 16% Number 5 12% 10% 5 6% 5% 5% 6% 7% 0 0 <15 15 to <25 25 to <50 50 to <100 100 to <200 >200 <5 5 to <10 10 to <20 20 to <30 30 to <40 40 to <50 >50 Unknown

Age of vessels Vessel Capacity Units 28. The value and weight of landings into ports in East Lothian and Scottish Borders regions from 2014 to 2016 is presented in Illustration 2.11. Five and ten year data sets are presented in Sections 3 and 4, by ICES rectangle and species. The data available by port of landing covers a three-year period and does not allow analysis by ICES rectangle; therefore, Illustration 2.12 shows landings from all areas, not specifically the regional or local study areas. Illustration 2.11 First sales value (top) and live weight, tonnes (bottom) of landings by UK vessels into East Lothian and Scottish Borders ports from 2014 to 2016 indicating species (including landings into the following ports: Eyemouth, Dunbar, Burnmouth, Port Seton, St Abbs, Cove (Leith), Newhaven, North Berwick and Granton). (Data source: MMO, 2017).

£5,000,000 £4,500,000 2014

£4,000,000 £3.9 million 2015 £3,500,000 2016 £3,000,000 value

£2,500,000 Average sale £2.2 million £2,000,000

First £1,500,000 £1,000,000 £500,000 £517 k £222 k £0 Nephrops Lobsters Crabs Scallops Mackerel Whelks Haddock Squid Other

1800 1600 2014

1400 2015

1200 2016 tonnes

1000 800 weight,

600 Live 400 200 0 Nephrops Lobsters Crabs Scallops Mackerel Whelks Haddock Squid Other

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Illustration 2.12 First sales value (top) and live weight, tonnes (bottom) of landings by UK vessels into East Lothian and Scottish Borders ports in 2016 indicating species. (Data source: MMO, 2017).

£2,500,000 Nephrops Lobsters Crabs £2,000,000 Scallops Whelks Mackerel

£1,500,000 Squid Other

£1,000,000

£500,000

£0 Eyemouth Dunbar Burnmouth Port Seton St Abbs Cove (Leith) Newhaven North Berwick Granton

700 Nephrops Lobsters Crabs 600

500 Scallops Whelks Mackerel tonnes 400 Squid Other

300 weight,

Live 200

100

0 Eyemouth Dunbar Burnmouth Port Seton St Abbs Cove (Leith) Newhaven North Berwick Granton

29. Nephrops and lobster form the most economically important species, with average annual values of £3.9 million and £2.2 million, respectively, landed into East Lothian and Scottish borders ports. Landings of nephrops are made into Eyemouth, Dunbar and Port Seton (Illustration 2.12), while lobster is landed into Eyemouth, Dunbar, Burnmouth, St Abbs, Cove, Newhaven and North Berwick. 30. Brown crab forms the next most important shellfish species, with annual average value of approximately £517,000. Consultation indicated mixed feeling towards the size of crab landings, with some believing figures should be higher and others indicating that brown crab are predominately caught further offshore. 31. Other notable landings include scallops landed into Eyemouth and whelk landed into Newhaven and Granton. Low levels of squid are landed into Eyemouth. 2.4 Aberdeenshire and Angus 32. Vessels that are registered to the administrative port of Aberdeen are located across nine home ports in Scotland, England and Wales as follows: Scotland: England:  Hartlepool  Aberdeen  Wales  Arbroath  Milford Haven  Gourdon  Johnshaven  Kirkcudbright  Montrose  Stonehaven

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33. The 2 vessels with home ports in England and Wales have not been included within this analysis. Illustration 2.13 depicts the port of Arbroath, which is located in the Angus region and has Aberdeen as its administrative port. Illustration 2.13 Arbroath harbour (left) and length profile of vessels registered under the administrative port of Aberdeenshire. (Data source: Defra, 2017; photo source: List, 2016).

Aberdeenshire administra ve port: 85 vessels 40

35

30 vessels 25 of

20 45%

Number 15

10 24% 19% 5 8% 5% 0% 0 <5m 5 to <8m 8 to <10m 10 to 12 to >15m <12m <15m Length of vessels 34. In total, 85 vessels are listed on Defra Vessel Lists as having Aberdeen as their administrative port. The majority (88%) of vessels with administrative port of Aberdeen are under 10 m in length, with 45% falling into the 5 to < 8 m category (Illustration 2.13), 13% between 10 to < 15 m and no vessels are 15 m and over in length. This corroborates that under 10 m vessels undertake the majority of fishing effort within this area. 35. Within the administrative port of Aberdeen, the highest number of vessels home port at Aberdeen (37 vessels). As stated previously, some of these vessels may use a different home port, which has not been updated on the Defra Vessel List and/or some may be inactive. Nevertheless Illustration 2.14 provides an overview of the operating ports in the region and highlights that vessel from all of the ports are predominately under 10 m in length. Illustration 2.14 Length profile of vessels registered under Aberdeen administrative port, indicating home port. (Data source: Defra, 2017).

40 12 to <15m 35 10 to <12m

30 8 to <10m

25 5 to <8m <5m vessels 20 of

15 Number

10

5

0

T E H T L EN R N S T EN EN H O EN E O O O A V V G V D P D R A A I O A R R T O R P E N U N R H H B LE H B O B S E D T D W O R N N U R R A O G M A H O C A N O T K FO K J S R H L N I I U K M

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36. The VCUs and age profile for vessels are shown in Illustration 2.15. As would be expected from the length distribution, the majority of vessels have a VCU < 100, implying a more localised operation range. The age profile shows a similar picture as Fife, East Lothian and Scottish Borders, with some recent investment in new vessels: 9% under 5 years of age, and an additional 11% between 5 to 9 years of age. Nevertheless, 31% are over 30 years old; signifying a proportion of the fleet is relatively aging, again given the caveat that some vessels within the Defra Vessel List may be inactive. Illustration 2.15 Vessel capacity (left) and age profiles (right) of vessels registered under the administrative port of Aberdeen. (Data source: Defra, 2017).

25 30

20 25

20 15 vessels vessels

15 of of

10 25% 25% 29% 10 18% 16% 15% 18% Number 5 Number 15% 5 9% 11% 12% 1% 1% 5% 0 0 <15 15 to <25 25 to <50 50 to <100 100 to <200 >200 <5 5 to 9 10 to 19 20 to 29 30 to 39 40 to 49 >50 Unknown

Age of vessels Vessel Capacity Units 37. The value and weight of landings into ports in the Aberdeenshire and Angus regions from 2014 to 2016 is presented in Illustration 2.16. Five and ten year data sets are presented in Sections 3 and 4, by ICES rectangle and species. The data available by port of landing covers a three-year period and does not allow analysis by ICES rectangle; therefore, Illustration 2.17 shows landings from all areas, not specifically the regional or local study areas.

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Illustration 2.16 First sales value (top) and live weight, tonnes (bottom) of landings by UK vessels into Aberdeenshire and Angus ports from 2014 to 2016 indicating species (including landings into the following ports: Arbroath, Aberdeen, Stonehaven, Montrose and Johnhaven. (Data source: MMO, 2017).

£2,500,000 2014

£2,000,000 2015

£1.7 million 2016 £1,500,000 value Average sale £1,000,000

First £809 k

£500,000 £469 k

£154 k £125 k £0 Lobsters Scallops Crabs Squid Nephrops Mackerel Turbot Cod Other

450 400 2014

350 2015

300 2016 tonnes

250 200 weight,

150 Live 100 50 0 Scallops Crabs Lobsters Squid Nephrops Mackerel Herring Cod Other

38. Lobster and scallop form the most economically important species, with average annual values of £1.7 million and £809,000, respectively, landed into Aberdeenshire and Angus ports. Landings of lobster are made into Arbroath, Aberdeen, Montrose, Stonehaven and Johnshaven (Illustration 2.17). Landings of scallop are predominately into Aberdeen and Arbroath. 39. Brown crab forms the next most important shellfish species, with annual average value of approximately £469,000. Other notable landings include squid (£154,000) landed into Aberdeen and nephrops (£125,000) landed into Montrose and Arbroath.

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Illustration 2.17 First sales value (top) and live weight, tonnes (bottom) of landings by UK vessels into Aberdeenshire and Angus ports in 2016 indicating species. (Data source: MMO, 2017).

£1,600,000 Lobsters Scallops £1,400,000 Crabs Nephrops £1,200,000 Turbot Squid £1,000,000 Other £800,000

£600,000

£400,000

£200,000

£0 Arbroath Aberdeen Montrose Stonehaven Johnshaven

300 Crabs Scallops 250 Lobsters Nephrops

200 Mackerel Squid tonnes Other 150 weight,

100 Live

50

0 Arbroath Aberdeen Stonehaven Montrose Johnshaven

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3 Key Fleets and Fisheries

3.1 Overview of Regional Landings 40. There are three descriptive units used for defining fisheries (Marchal, 2008):  Fishery – a group of vessel voyages which target the same species or use the same gear;  Fleet – a physical group of vessels sharing similar characteristics (e.g. nationality); and  Métier – a homogenous subdivision, either of a fishery by vessel type or a fleet by voyage type. 41. Vessel and gear types within the key fleets and fisheries that operate across the regional commercial fisheries study area are described within this section. The key fleets and fisheries operating in the regional study area are presented in Illustration 3.1, which provides landing statistics by species and gear type. 42. The regional study area encompasses eight ICES rectangles as shown in Figure 10.1 (40E6, 40E7, 40E8, 41E6, 41E7, 41E8, 42E7, 42E8). The most economically important species to be landed from the regional study area are nephrops, landed by demersal trawl with an average annual value of £6.4 million, and lobster, landed by creels with an average annual value of £6.2 million. Scallop, landed by scallop dredgers, have an annual average value of £2.1 million from the regional study area. Other landings from the regional study area of note include brown crab (with an average annual value of just over £1 million), velvet crab (£430,000), squid (£384,000), mackerel (£174,000), haddock (£142,000), razor clam (£126,000) and soft-shell clams Mya Arenaria (£82,000). Illustration 3.1 Average annual value of species landed by UK vessels from the regional commercial fisheries study area indicating gear type (based on five-years’ data from 2011 to 2015) (Data source: MMO, 2017)

Nephrops

Lobster

Scallops

Brown crab

Velvet crab

Squid

Mackerel

Haddock

Other Pots and traps Demersal trawl/seine Razor Clam Dredge Clams (M.Arenaria) Gears using hooks

Whelks Other

£0 £1,000,000 £2,000,000 £3,000,000 £4,000,000 £5,000,000 £6,000,000 £7,000,000

43. Landings of nephrops, scallops and squid are dominated by vessels that are over 10 m in length, while the majority of lobster, brown crab, velvet crab and mackerel are taken by vessels that are 10 m and

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under in length (Illustration 3.2). Landings are depicted graphically in Figure 10.3 by species, to show proportional split of landings by ICES rectangle. Illustration 3.2 Average annual value of species landed by UK vessels from the regional commercial fisheries study area indicating vessel length category (based on five-years’ data from 2011 to 2015) (Data source: MMO, 2017)

Nephrops

Lobsters

Scallops

Brown crab

Velvet crab

Squid

Mackerel

Haddock

Other

Razor Clam

Clams (M.Arenaria) 10m&Under

Whelks Over10m

£0 £1,000,000 £2,000,000 £3,000,000 £4,000,000 £5,000,000 £6,000,000 £7,000,000 3.2 Key Species

3.2.1 Shellfish

3.2.1.1 Nephrops Scientific name: Nephrops norvegicus1 Fishing gear: Demersal trawl, single and twin rigged 44. Nephrops (known as langoustine, prawn and Norway lobster, hereon referred to as nephrops) are principally managed by a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and quota system, and undergo annual stock assessments by the ICES. Nephrops distribution is limited to muddy habitats, where they can burrow, and therefore stock assessments are based on nine separate Functional Units (FUs) within the North Sea. The regional study area lies within the Firth of Forth FU. The nephrops fisheries in the Firth of Forth are solely bottom trawl fisheries, i.e. there are no creel targeted nephrops fisheries in this area. 45. The UK holds 87% of the quota for the North Sea and Norwegian Sea; there are no restrictions in terms of which North Sea FUs this quota can be taken from. The ICES stock assessment for the Firth of Forth FU (Illustration 3.3) shows that the nephrops stock abundance has been above the maximum sustainable yield reference point (MSY Btrigger) since 1998; this means the stock is considered by ICES to be in a good status in terms of its abundance. The harvest rate for the Firth of Forth FU has historically been at levels exceeding sustainable rates i.e. fishing effort has been at a level that does

1 Unless otherwise stated, all species images are taken from the Scandinavian Fishing Year Book

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not support maximum sustainable yield (FMSY). However, since 2016 the harvest rate has decreased and is now below FMSY, and therefore considered by ICES to be exploited sustainably. Illustration 3.3 Harvest rate and stock abundance of nephrops in the Firth of Forth Functional Unit (ICES, 2017)

46. The Marine Scotland Science (MSS) 2017 stock assessment reports the advice provided by ICES and does not undertake separate assessments. 47. The distribution of Scottish nephrops landings by weight is shown for the North Sea in Illustration 3.4. In terms of aerial coverage, this indicates that the highest proportion of landings is taken from the Firth of Forth, highlighting the importance of this area to the Scottish nephrops trawl fleet. Based on Illustration 3.4, ICES rectangle 41E7 is the most important nephrops fishing ground for Scottish vessels targeting the North Sea. Illustration 3.4 Distribution of Scottish nephrops landings in the North Sea in 2015, based on landings weight (tonnes) (Barreto et al, 2017)

48. ICES advice recommends a higher level of landings from the Fladen Ground in comparison to other FUs of Scottish interest, as follows:

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 Farn Deeps 1,020 tonnes  Fladen Ground 12,656 tonnes  Firth of Forth 2,190 tonnes  Moray Firth 1,018 tonnes 49. However, the Faden ground is likely to be out of operational range for many of the inshore vessels targeting nephrops in 41E7. 50. Landings of nephrops in the commercial fisheries regional study area occur throughout the year, peaking in summer months (June to August) (Illustration 3.5). Illustration 3.5 Seasonality of UK landings of nephrops from the regional study area. (Data source: MMO, 2017)

800 Nephrops 700

600

500 tonnes

400 weight, 300 Live 200

100

0 J F M A M J J A S O N D 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Average

3.2.1.2 European Lobster Scientific name: Homarus gammarus Fishing gear: creels 51. European lobster (hereon referred to as lobster) is a long-lived, large decapod crustacean. Female lobsters produce between 10,000 and 15,000 eggs each breeding cycle. Once fertilized, eggs develop internally for up to a year and are then carried under the tail for 9 to 11 months until they hatch. At this stage females are known as ‘berried’ and their feeding and growth rates are much reduced causing lower levels of catchability during this time. 52. Juveniles or adult lobsters do not undertake any significant migrations and juveniles in the first 3 to 4 years of life may be particularly sedentary. From hatching, it takes approximately four to twelve years for a lobster to recruit to the fishery. Lobster typically inhabits rocky reef and rough ground, sheltering in crevices between rocks and boulders. The availability of suitable habitat is considered to influence the carrying capacity and size structure of lobster populations (Seitz et al., 2014; Welby, 2015). 53. Lobster is caught by creels by Scottish vessels that hold a license with a shellfish entitlement. There are no TAC regulations or national quotas in place for lobster, although there are effort restrictions for vessels > 15 m in length, related to EU measures restricting kW days. Lobster is therefore, primarily managed by the technical measure of a Minimum Landing Size (MLS) of 87 mm (Council Regulation 850/98). Lobster are also subject to a maximum landing size of 155 millimetres (mm) carapace length for males and 145 mm carapace length for females (Marine Scotland, 2017). 54. The Marine Scotland Science (MSS) stock assessment indicates that lobster on the southeast and east coast regions of Scotland (which encompass the regional study area) are fished at rates exceeding

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levels that would support maximum sustainable yield (FMSY). The MSS stock assessment is based on a Length Cohort Analysis (LCA), which uses landings and length frequency data collected as part of a market-sampling programme. The MSS management advice states that a higher yield and biomass per recruit could be achieved in the long term if the level of fishing mortality is reduced (Barreto et al, 2017). 55. The distribution of Scottish lobster landings are shown in Illustration 3.6 indicating the national importance of the southeast and east coast regions for lobster landings. 56. Lobster is one of the highest value per kg, commercially exploited shellfish species found in UK waters. Lobster is landed from the commercial fisheries regional study area throughout the year. Landings from the east coast lobster fishery begin to increase from April, and peak from July to September and falling to lower levels from January to March (Illustration 3.7). Illustration 3.6 Distribution of Scottish lobster landings in the North Sea in 2015, based on landings weight (Barreto et al, 2017)

Illustration 3.7 Seasonality of UK landings of lobster from the regional study area. (Data source: MMO, 2017)

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200 Lobster 180 160 140 120 tonnes

100

weight, 80

Live 60 40 20 0 J F M A M J J A S O N D 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Average

3.2.1.3 Brown Crab Scientific name: Cancer pagurus Fishing gear: creels 57. Brown crab is a long-lived, large decapod crustacean. Brown crabs are very productive animals and each female can hatch between 1 and 4 million eggs. Post larvae are known to settle inshore and juvenile crabs are more common in shallow waters. Adult female crabs undertake extensive migrations, which may be associated with their reproductive cycle. Brown crab is found across a wide range of habitat types, ranging from rocky reefs to soft mud and sand. From hatching, it takes approximately four years for a brown crab to recruit to the fishery. 58. Brown crab is caught by creels, and to fish commercially Scottish vessels are required to hold a license with a shellfish entitlement (without a shellfish entitlement only 25 crab may be landed per day per vessel). Brown crab have no TAC regulations or national quotas in place, although there are effort restrictions for vessels > 15 m in length, related to EU measures restricting kW days. Brown crab is therefore, primarily managed by a MLS, which was recently (2017) increased from 140 mm to 150 mm carapace width (Marine Scotland, 2017). 59. The MSS 2017 stock assessment indicates that brown crab is fished at rates exceeding levels that would support maximum sustainable yield (FMSY) for both males and females. The MSS stock assessment is based on a LCA method, which uses landings and length frequency data collected as part of a market-sampling programme. 60. The MSS stock assessment, together with industry consultation, corroborates that while brown crab were historically targeted in inshore waters, they are now more commonly caught further offshore. MSS cite technological advances in vessels allowing the offshore areas to be exploited, specifically to the west and north of Scotland. While industry consultation points to natural and biological fluctuations resulting in brown crab migrations not extending to inshore areas. 61. The distribution of Scottish brown crab landings are shown in (Illustration 3.8) indicating the higher proportion of landings in the north coast of Scotland, including Orkney and Shetland Islands. 62. Landings data for the regional commercial fisheries study area shows brown crab to be landed in highest quantities from May to July, with a drop in August (Illustration 3.9).

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Illustration 3.8 Distribution of Scottish brown crab landings in the North Sea in 2015, based on landings weight (Barreto et al, 2017)

Illustration 3.9 Seasonality of UK landings of brown crab from the regional study area. (Data source: MMO, 2017)

200 Brown crab 180 160 140 120 tonnes

100

weight, 80

Live 60 40 20 0 J F M A M J J A S O N D 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Average

3.2.1.4 Velvet Crab Scientific name: Liocarcinus puber Fishing gear: creels 63. The velvet crab is a decapod crab species found in northwest Europe, it is more common on the west coast of Scotland, but does occur from the Firth of Forth and south to the northeast of England. It is a fast moving and aggressive species, most commonly found on rocky substrates down to depths of about 25m. Velvet crabs feed on both animal and algal material.

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64. Growth is highly seasonal and moulting generally occurs from June to August for males and females. Velvet crabs typically live for four to six years and recruit to the fishery at around age three (65 mm CW). In contrast to brown crabs, velvet crabs are not thought to undertake extensive migrations and rarely move further than a few hundred metres 65. Velvet crab are caught in smaller quantities than brown crab and are not known to be a specifically target species for the east coast Scottish creeling fleets. Landings peak during July and November (Illustration 3.10). Illustration 3.10 Seasonality of UK landings of velvet crab from the regional study area. (Data source: MMO, 2017)

50 Velvet crab 45 40 35 30 tonnes

25

weight, 20

Live 15 10 5 0 J F M A M J J A S O N D 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Average

3.2.1.5 King Scallop Scientific name: Pecten maximus Fishing gear: scallop dredge 66. King scallop (hereon referred to as scallop) are most common in water depths of 20 to 70 m, in areas of clean firm sand and fine gravel exposed to water currents, which provide good feeding conditions. The life cycle can be divided into the free swimming larval phase and the largely sedentary juvenile and adult phase. Recruitment is usually unpredictable as it depends not only on successful spawning and larval production but also on retention of larvae or transport of larvae into areas suitable for settlement. Settlement in a particular area may be unpredictable leading to an unstable age structure. As a consequence of this, scallop beds frequently show a regional separation of year classes and spatial variability in age structure. 67. Scallop are targeted by dredgers and there are no TACs or quotas in place with this species, therefore this species is primarily managed by a MLS of 100 mm for king scallop (and 40 mm for queen scallop) (Council Regulation 850/98). Average age of maturity for scallop is 2-3 years, and average maximum age is 11-20 years. Scallop are targeted throughout the year, with specific monthly peaks varying annually e.g. in 2014 peak landings are noted in April, and in 2015 peaks occurred in September and October (Illustration 3.11).

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Illustration 3.11 Seasonality of UK landings of king scallop from the regional study area. (Data source: MMO, 2017)

500 450 Scallop 400 350 300 tonnes

250

weight, 200

Live 150 100 50 0 J F M A M J J A S O N D 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Average

3.2.1.6 Razor Shell Scientific name: Ensis ensis Fishing gear: hydraulic dredge 68. Razor shell is a common shellfish found all around the inshore area of the UK. Favourable habitats include the lee of reefs, rock and islands where high densities beds occur, with more dispersed abundance in surrounding areas. 69. Razor shell burrow into clean or silty sand on the seabed in the neritic zone and the low intertidal zone. When covered with water this bivalve remains close to the surface but when disturbed or when the substrate is exposed it descends to half a metre below the surface. Razor shell beds do occur at extreme low water of spring tides but the species is much more common in depths of about 10m. 70. The razor shell fishery in the commercial fisheries regional study area is very small, with no specific seasonal trends (Illustration 3.12). Sporadic high landings were noted in December 2013 and April 2014. Illustration 3.12 Seasonality of UK landings of razor shell from the regional study area. (Data source: MMO, 2017)

30 Razor shell 25

20 tonnes

15 weight,

10 Live

5

0 J F M A M J J A S O N D 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Average

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3.2.2 Cephalopods

3.2.2.1 Squid Scientific name: Loligo vulgaris Fishing gear: demersal trawl 71. Squid can be found on all British and Irish coasts. They grow up to 54 centimetres (cm) in length and have a small shield-like part of the body projecting slightly over the head. The internal shell is horny and pen-like. The colour varies and is often pink to white with purple brown mottling dorsally (Wilson, 2008). 72. Squid have no preference for a particular bottom type; the only requirement seems to be the presence of substrata for the attachment of egg strings during the spawning period. Spawning occurs all year but mainly in winter. Average age of maturity for squid is 1 year, and average maximum age is 2 years. 73. Landings of squid are highly seasonal, with the large majority occurring from July to October, peaking in August (Illustration 3.13). Illustration 3.13 Seasonality of UK landings of squid from the regional study area. (Data source: MMO, 2017)

80 Squid 70

60

50 tonnes

40 weight, 30 Live 20

10

0 J F M A M J J A S O N D 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Average

3.2.3 Finfish

3.2.3.1 Mackerel Scientific name: Scomber scombrus Fishing gear: hook and line and pelagic trawl 74. Mackerel is a shoaling fish that spends much of its time in mid water, i.e. it is a pelagic species, but during the winter, it tends to form extensive shoal aggregations, typically along the edge of the continental shelf (c. 200 m). 75. Mackerel spawn in the summer where sperm and eggs are realised into the water and eggs hatch after 2-6 days. Juvenile mackerel live inshore until they are sexually mature, and then move offshore to join the major schools. Mackerel are highly migratory so the stock areas are large. In the North East Atlantic, a single stock (with three separate spawning components) extends from southern Portugal to northern Norway.

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76. Around the east and southeast coast of Scotland, mackerel are taken in small quantities by potting vessels that deploy hook and lines, while simultaneously carrying out their normal potting activities. Mackerel fishing is highly seasonal, with inshore vessels landing mackerel from April to August, peaking in July (Illustration 3.14). This season for inshore mackerel is expected, given the very pronounced offshore seasons that occur from October to November and January to February when mackerel shoal and migrate. Illustration 3.14 Seasonality of UK landings of mackerel from the regional study area. (Data source: MMO, 2017)

120 Mackerel 100

80 tonnes

60 weight,

40 Live

20

0 J F M A M J J A S O N D 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Average

3.2.3.2 Haddock Scientific name: Melanogrammus aeglefinus Fishing gear: demersal trawl 77. Haddock are bottom-feeding fish and occur mainly in waters from 40 – 200 m deep. Haddock mature at around 2 – 3 years of age, and can spawn anywhere in the area between the eastern Scottish coast and the Norwegian Deeps. After one or two years, when haddock have reached about 10 cm they leave the pelagic habitat and become demersal. 78. Whitefish are not generally targeted by the east and southeast Scottish fleets characterised within this report, partly due to quota allocations, but more pertinently because whitefish are not distributed across the fishing grounds targeted (as informed by consultation with the industry). Haddock is noted to be landed in small quantities, mostly in the summer months (Illustration 3.15), and is likely to be bycatch from the nephrops demersal trawl fishery.

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Illustration 3.15 Seasonality of UK landings of haddock from the regional study area. (Data source: MMO, 2017)

140 Haddock 120

100 tonnes

80

60 weight,

Live 40

20

0 J F M A M J J A S O N D 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Average

3.3 Key Gears

3.3.1 Demersal Otter Trawl 79. Demersal otter trawls target a wide range of mixed demersal species depending on the gear configuration and nets used. Based on EU gear classifications two distinct sets of otter trawl nets are used to target different sets of species: TR1 for whitefish and TR2 for nephrops. Illustration 3.16 indicates that the large majority of demersal trawl landings are of nephrops in both the regional and local study areas (90% and 97% by value respectively), therefore the category of gear used in TR2 with net mesh sizes of 80 - 100 mm. Illustration 3.16 Proportion of species by value landed by UK demersal trawlers from the commercial fisheries regional study area (left) and local study area (right), based on a five-year average from 2011 to 2015 (Data source: MMO, 2017)

2% 1% 2% 2% 1%

5%

Nephrops Squid Nephrops Haddock Squid Mackerel Other Other

90% 97%

80. An average annual value of £6.1 million nephrops is landed from the regional study area by UK vessels using demersal trawl, compared to £4.9 million nephrops from the local study area (based on five-year average 2011 to 2015) (Illustration 3.17). This indicates that regionally, 81% of nephrops are landed from the local study area (i.e. 41E7 and 40E7), demonstrating the importance of these local grounds to the nephrops fishery.

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Illustration 3.17 Annual average value of species landed by UK vessels by demersal trawl from the regional study area and local study area, based on a five-year average from 2011 to 2015 (Data source: MMO, 2017)

Nephrops Nephrops

Squid Squid

Haddock Haddock

Mackerel Mackerel

Other Regional study area Other Local study area

£0 £2,000,000 £4,000,000 £6,000,000 £8,000,000 £0 £1,500,000 £3,000,000 £4,500,000 £6,000,000

3.3.1.1 Demersal Otter Trawl Gear Configuration 81. The demersal or bottom otter trawl (single, twin and pair) is a towed fishing gear designed and rigged to have bottom contact during fishing. A demersal trawl is a cone-shaped net consisting of a body, closed by a cod end knot, and with lateral wings extending forward from the opening (Illustration 3.18). Illustration 3.18 Typical demersal otter trawl gear (Galbraith & Rice, 2004)

82. The two towing warps lead from the vessel to the otter boards, which act as paravanes to maintain the horizontal net opening. These boards typically weigh between 0.5 – 2 tonnes and make contact with the seabed during active fishing. The boards are joined to the wing-end by the bridles, which herd and scoop the catch into the path of the net. The net opening is framed by a floating headline and ground gear designed according to the bottom condition to maximise the capture the target species, whilst protecting the gear from damage. Typical designs of footropes and otter boards are shown in Illustration 3.19.

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Illustration 3.19 Typical ground rope and otter board designs found in demersal trawls (Galbraith & Rice, 2004)

83. Consultation indicates that nephrops in the regional study area are targeted using either single or twin demersal trawl gear configurations. Demersal twin trawling is used specifically for target species located immediately on the seabed, such as nephrops. By towing two nets side by side the effective swept area, and hence catch, is increased. As with the single demersal otter trawl above, otter boards provide the horizontal spreading forces and floats and ground ropes the vertical forces. The obvious difference in rigging for twin trawl is the central wire (b, in Illustration 3.20), which runs from the vessel to a clump (c), a heavy weight which can consist of short lengths of chain cable shackled together or a custom made device designed to roll rather than be dragged along the bottom (as shown in the inset). Illustration 3.20 Typical demersal otter twin trawl gear and configuration (Galbraith & Rice, 2004)

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3.3.2 Creeling 84. Illustration 3.21 indicates that the large majority of landings by UK potting vessels are of lobsters in both the regional and local study areas (77% and 79% by value respectively). An average annual value of £6.1 million lobsters is landed from the regional study area by UK vessels using creels, compared to £3.2 million from the local study area (based on five-year average 2011 to 2015) (Illustration 3.22). This indicates that regionally, 53% of lobster is landed from the local study area (i.e. 41E7 and 40E7), demonstrating the importance of these local grounds to the lobster fishery. 85. Brown crab form 13% of landings by creel for the regional study area (with a value of £1 million annually), compared to a slightly smaller proportion for the local study area of 9% (£366,000 annually). Small amounts of velvet crab and nephrops are also taken by the potting fleet. It is understood from industry consultation that there is not a targeted creel fishery for nephrops, so landings are assumed to be bycatch from the lobster targeted fishery. Consultation also emphasised that velvet crab are not specifically targeted due to their lower abundance compared to elsewhere around the UK. Illustration 3.21 Proportion of species by value landed by UK potters from the commercial fisheries regional study area (left) and local study area (right), based on a five-year average from 2011 to 2015 (Data source: MMO, 2017) 1% 1% Regional 1% 1% Local 3% 5% 5% study area 5% study area

Lobsters 9% Lobsters 13% Brown crab Brown crab Velvet crab Velvet crab Nephrops Nephrops Whelks Mackerel 77% Other 79% Other

Illustration 3.22 Annual average value of species landed by UK potters from the regional study area and local study area, based on a five-year average from 2011 to 2015 (Data source: MMO, 2017)

Lobsters Lobsters

Brown crab Brown crab

Velvet crab Velvet crab

Nephrops Nephrops

Other Other

Whelks Regional study area Mackerel Local study area

£0 £2,000,000 £4,000,000 £6,000,000 £8,000,000 £0 £1,000,000 £2,000,000 £3,000,000 £4,000,000

3.3.2.1 Creeling Gear Configuration 86. Fleets of baited creels are placed on the seabed (Illustration 3.23). Fishermen targeting inshore areas typically haul creels every 24 - 48hrs (weather permitting) to harvest any catch and replace bait. Gear will often be re-set in the same place for several days. The target crustaceans crawl into the creels

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voluntarily, but the creel is designed in such manner that the entrance serves as a non-return device. Most creels are typically D-shaped (Illustration 3.23) but some box shape creels are still used, as seen in Illustration 3.24 which shows creels stored at local fishing ports of Pittenweem and Dunbar. Illustration 3.23 String of set creels (left) and a typical D-shaped creel (right) (Galbraith & Rice, 2004)

Illustration 3.24 Creels stored at the ports of Pittenweem (left) and Dunbar (right) (Photo source: Poseidon, 2017)

3.3.3 Dredging 87. Illustration 3.25 indicates that the large majority of landings by UK dredging vessels are of scallops in both the regional and local study areas (95% and 72% by value respectively). An average annual value of £2.1 million scallops is landed from the regional study area by UK dredge vessels, compared to £239,000 from the local study area (based on five-year average 2011 to 2015) (Illustration 3.26). This indicates that regionally, 11% of scallop is landed from the local study area (i.e. 41E7 and 40E7), demonstrating that adjacent ICES rectangles are more important for this fishery. 88. Small proportions of other bivalve species make up the landings by UK dredge vessels in the regional study area. However, these other bivalve species form more significant proportions of the landed value from the local study area. Soft-shell clam (Mya Arenaria) form 17% of landings by dredge fleet for the local study area (with a value of £56,000 annually), and 6% of landings are of surf clams (£20,000 annually). These clam species will be targeted by different gear than the scallop dredge gear and are likely to be taken by hydraulic dredge.

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Illustration 3.25 Proportion of species by value landed by UK dredgers from the commercial fisheries regional study area (left) and local study area (right), based on a five-year average from 2011 to 2015 (Data source: MMO, 2017)

1% 1% 2% 1% Regional 3% 2% Local study area 6% study area

Scallops Scallops

Clams 17% Clams (M.Arenaria) (M.Arenaria) Surf Clams Surf Clams

Razor Clam Razor Clam

Other 72% Other

95%

Illustration 3.26 Annual average value of species landed by UK dredgers from the regional study area and local study area, based on a five-year average from 2011 to 2015 (Data source: MMO, 2017)

Scallops Scallops

Clams Clams (M.Arenaria) (M.Arenaria)

Surf Clams Surf Clams

Razor Clam Razor Clam

Other Regional study area Other Local study area

£0 £1,000,000 £2,000,000 £0 £50,000 £100,000 £150,000 £200,000 £250,000

3.3.3.1 Scallop Dredge Gear 89. A typical scallop dredge has a toothed, spring-loaded gear configuration (Illustration 3.27), consisting of a triangular frame leading to a mouth opening normally 0.83 m wide, a tooth bar with a distance of 65 mm between teeth and teeth of approximately 8 - 10 cm in length, and a bag of steel rings (75 mm internal diameter) and netting back (75 mm stretched mesh). The tooth bar rakes through the sediment lifting out scallops and the spring-loaded tooth bar swings back, allowing the dredge to clear obstacles on the seabed. The compression in the springs changes and is set up in order to work in stony grounds and to reduce incidence of stones in the dredge. The dredges are held in series on two beams, which are fished on each side of the vessel.

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Illustration 3.27 Spring-loaded scallop dredge design (top) and dredges on a vessel beam (bottom) (Galbraith & Rice, 2004)

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4 Fisheries Activity Assessment

4.1 Wind Farm Area

4.1.1 Landing Trends 90. The Wind Farm Area is located within ICES rectangle 41E7. In terms of spatial overlap, the Wind Farm Area is 105 km2 and covers 4% of ICES rectangle 41E7. It cannot be assumed that the landings from the Wind Farm Area are 4% of the total value landed from 41E7, as this does not take account of specific fishing grounds that may be present within the Wind Farm Area, or elsewhere in 41E7. Nevertheless, it provides useful context for the detailed landings described below. 91. An average annual value of £7.5 million is landed from ICES rectangle 41E7, with 97% of landings (£9.3 million) taken by Scottish registered vessels (Illustration 4.1) (note that, unless otherwise stated, all average annual figures are based on a five-year average from 2011 to 2015). 92. The majority of landings from 41E7 are taken by vessels that are 10 m and under in length (53%), with the remaining 47% landed by vessels > 10 m. Given the fleet structure as outlined in Section 3 a significant proportion of landings by the over 10 m fleet is likely to be by vessels that are < 15 m in length. 93. Scottish registered vessels land an average annual value of £189,000 from 41E7. The majority of landings by Scottish registered vessels are of nephrops (52%); followed by lobster (34%), brown crab (3%), scallop (3%) and velvet crab (2%). 94. English registered vessels land an average annual value of £189,000 from 41E7. The large majority of landings by English registered vessels are of nephrops (87%), followed by lobster (7%), squid (2%) and scallop (2%). Illustration 4.1 Proportion of average annual value landed from ICES rectangle 41E7 by vessel nationality (left) and vessel length category (right) based on five-year average from 2011 to 2015 (Data source: MMO, 2017).

3% 0% 0% Average annual value: Average annual value: £7.5 million £7.5 million

47% 10m&Under UK - Scotland Over10m UK - England 53%

UK - Northern Ireland

UK - Wales 97%

95. Five-year annual trends for landings from 41E7 are presented in Illustration 4.2 by first sales value and weight, tonnes. The most important commercial species to be landed from 41E7 is nephrops, with annual value ranges from £2.6 to £4.9 million, with an average annual value of £4 million. A drop in nephrops landings is noted from 2012 to 2013, but significant growth is seen into 2014, while the 2015 value is closer to the annual average, at £4.1 million.

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96. Lobster landings have also fluctuated, growing from 2012 to 2014, with a small drop in 2015; annual value ranges from £2.1 to £2.9 million, with an average annual value of £2.5 million. 97. Brown crab and velvet crab are likely to form bycatch from the lobster targeted fishery with an average annual value of £211,000 and £156,000 respectively. Brown crab landings equate to an average of 182 tonnes (compared to lobster: 245 tonnes) but they are nine times lower in value than lobster, which is reflected in the first sales values. Brown crab landings have remained fairly consistent across the five-year period, while a continuous decline is noted in velvet crab landings, both in terms of weight and value. 98. Scallop landings increase from 2011 to 2012 and have remained relatively consistent since then, with an average annual weight of 108 tonnes, worth £209,000. 99. Other notable shellfish species are razor shell (£97,000 annually) and soft-shelled clam (M. arenaria) (£82,000 annually), which are both landed by hydraulic dredge. 100. Small quantities of squid are taken by demersal trawl (£85,000 annually), and mackerel by potting vessels that deploy hook and lines (£54,000 annually). Illustration 4.2 Annual landings by UK registered vessels from ICES rectangles 41E7 by species and first sales value (top) and weight, tonnes (bottom) from 2011 to 2015, (Data source: MMO, 2017)

£6,000,000 41E7: First sales value, £ 2011 2012 £5,000,000 2013 2014 £4,017,238 2015 £4,000,000 Average

£3,000,000 £2,553,022

£2,000,000

£1,000,000

£211,392 £208,599 £154,973 £96,734 £84,876 £81,719 £54,189 £23,326 £10,193 £36,149 £0 Nephrops Lobsters Brown crab Scallops Velvet crab Razor Clam Squid M.Arenaria Mackerel Surf Clams Whelks Other

2,000 41E7: Landed weight, tonnes 2011

1,800 2012 2013 1,600 1,430 2014 1,400 2015

Average 1,200 tonnes

1,000 weight,

800 Landed 600

400 245 182 200 108 74 47 47 36 20 14 9 22 0

Nephrops Lobsters Brown crab Scallops Velvet crab M.Arenaria Mackerel Razor Clam Squid Surf Clams Whelks Other 101. Landing statistics by method of capture and vessel length category are shown in Illustration 4.3 based on annual averages across a five-year period from 2011 to 2015; the key points from these graphs are as follows:

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 Nephrops are landed by demersal trawl, primarily by over 10 m vessels (76% by value), but also under 10 m vessels (24%). There is no direct targeting of nephrops using creels.  Lobster, brown crab and velvet crab are landed by creels, almost entirely by vessels 10 m and under in length (95% by value).  Scallop are landed by scallop dredging vessels that are over 10 m in length.  Squid are landed by demersal trawl vessels that are over 10 m in length.  Mackerel are landed by ‘other’ gear, which in this case is hook and line, by vessels that are 10 m and under and over 10 m in length. Illustration 4.3 Average annual value of species landed by UK vessels from ICES rectangle 41E7 indicating gear type (left) and vessel length category (right) (based on five-years’ data from 2011 to 2015) (Data source: MMO, 2017)

£4,500,000 £5,000,000

Other Over10m £4,000,000 £4,500,000 Dredge 10m&Under Pots and traps £4,000,000 £3,500,000 Demersal trawl/seine £3,500,000 £3,000,000

£3,000,000 £2,500,000 £2,500,000 £2,000,000 £2,000,000

£1,500,000 £1,500,000

£1,000,000 £1,000,000

£500,000 £500,000

£0 £0 l s s s r l s rs r b s b id e k p r b p b e m id e p e e a p a u r c o e ra o ra h a u r ro t th cr lo cr q e o r st c ll c t l q e h s al t S k d h b a t O C S ck p b O n c e ac d p o n c e r a e Lo w S v a e L w S lv zo N o le M H N ro e a M r e B V R B V

102. Illustration 4.4 presents data for 2016, allowing comparison with the 2011 to 2015 annual averages. It should be noted that 2016 data has not been ground-truthed or verified through industry consultation, and is presented to ensure the most up-to-date data is considered within the baseline assessment. Key points from these graphs are as follows:  Similar gear and fleet configurations are seen in 2016 data, meaning no new specific fisheries have emerged.  The value of nephrops landed from 41E7 in 2016 totalled £4.4 million, which is above the five-year annual average seen during 2011 to 2015, but below the peak in 2014.  Lobster landings from 41E7 were higher in 2016 (at £2.8 million) compared to the annual average, but consistent with peaks seen in 2011 and 2014.  Scallop landings were also higher in 2016 (at £400,000) compared to the annual average of £208,000 from 2011 to 2015.  All other species have landings values consistent with the annual averages seen for 2011 to 2015. 103. It is therefore considered that 2016 data does not change the baseline assessment presented for 2011 to 2015 for fisheries operating in 41E7.

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Illustration 4.4 Value of species landed by UK vessels from ICES rectangle 41E7 indicating gear type (left) and vessel length category (right) in 2016 (Data source: MMO, 2017)

£5,000,000 £5,000,000 Other Over10m £4,500,000 Dredge £4,500,000 10m&Under Pots and traps £4,000,000 £4,000,000 Demersal trawl/seine £3,500,000 £3,500,000

£3,000,000 £3,000,000

£2,500,000 £2,500,000

£2,000,000 £2,000,000

£1,500,000 £1,500,000

£1,000,000 £1,000,000

£500,000 £500,000

£0 £0 l s s s s s l r s rs s b s b s e r p r p ab k ab m e e p e p a lk a m m r e o e o r l r m la r h o t lo r e cr a la e th r st ll c e c la ke t r s l c h l C k h b a n h t C C c O h b ca n t C r c O p o c W e r a p o S w W ve o a e L S w lv zo e L o l z M N ro e a M N r e a B V R B V R

4.1.1.1 Long Term Trends 104. It is well understood that commercial fisheries fluctuate and change over time due to a number of factors including distribution and abundance of species, and management restrictions such as quota or kW days. Consultation also highlighted the desire for a longer time series of landings data to be analysed. 105. The EU Data Collection Framework (DCF) database allows data to be analysed by nationality of vessel, ICES rectangle, species and weight. The EU DCF database was analysed to explore long-term trends for four species: nephrops, lobster, brown crab and scallop. Landings data for UK vessels landing from 41E7 from 2003 to 2015, representing a 13-year time series, is presented for these species in Illustration 4.5. 106. During this time series, nephrops landings were at the lowest in 2003 and 2013, while peaks are seen in 2009 and 2014. The most recent data available (2015) shows landings to be around the long-term average. The linear regression trend line shows an overall increase in landing over time. 107. Lobster landings were at the lowest from 2004 to 2006, and had a pronounced spike in 2007. This is likely to be due to better data recording as a result of the introduction of the Registration of Buyers and Sellers (RBS) legislation, which requires reporting of all landings by all vessels (i.e. including the under 10 m fleet). Peaks in landings are seen from 2009 to 2011 and in 2014. Again, current landings are around the long-term average and the linear regression shows an overall increase in landings (although this is likely to be somewhat distorted by the RBS data). A similar growth in brown crab landings is noted across this period. 108. Scallop landings have been at consistent levels for 9 of the 13 years analysed (at around 100 tonnes annually). A large spike is seen in 2007, when approximately 560 tonnes were landed from 41E7, followed by landings ranging from 215 to 280 tonnes in the three years following this peak. This is characteristic of scallop fisheries where nomadic vessels can target a wide range of grounds on a rolling 7-10 year basis.

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Illustration 4.5 Long term trends of landed weight (tonnes) by UK vessels from ICES rectangle 41E7 for nephrops, lobster, brown crab and scallop from 2003 to 2015, including linear regression trend line. (Data source: EU DCF, 2017).

2,000 Nephrops 350 1,800 Lobster 300

1,600 1,400 250 tonnes tonnes

1,200 200 1,000 weight, weight,

800 150 Live Live 600 100 400 50 200 0 0 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

250 Brown crab 600 Scallop 500

200

400 tonnes tonnes

150 300 weight, weight,

100 Live Live 200

50 100

0 0 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 4.1.2 Fishing Effort 109. The fishing effort (hours fished) within ICES rectangle 41E7 for demersal trawl and potting vessels is presented in Illustration 4.6 from 2011 to 2015 indicating the vessel length category. The EU DCF database reports on vessel lengths in three categories: under 10 m, 10 to 15 m and over 15 m (this is in contrast to the MMO landings data, which reports in two categories). 110. No non-UK registered vessels are recorded to fish within 41E7, with all effort attributed to UK registered vessels. 111. Fishing effort for both demersal trawl and potting has remained fairly consistent from 2011 to 2013. A significant increase in effort occurs in 2014 for both gear types, which is maintained in 2015. For demersal trawl and potting, this effort increase is specifically pronounced for the under 10 m fleet. Illustration 4.6 Effort, hours fished, by demersal trawl and potting vessels in ICES rectangle 41E7 from 2011 to 2015, indicating length of vessel (Data source: EU DCF, 2017).

140,000 400,000 Demersal trawl Po ng 120,000 350,000

300,000 100,000 250,000 fis fis 80,000

d e h d e h 200,000

hours hours

60,000

t, t, 150,000 40,000 Effo Effo 100,000

20,000 50,000

0 0

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 r 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 r Under 10m 10 to 15m Over 15m Under 10m 10 to 15m Over 15m 4.1.3 Fishing Grounds 112. Industry consultation undertaken in 2017 has been extremely helpful in mapping the representative fishing grounds that are targeted by the nephrops demersal trawl vessels and lobster and crab potting vessels. Activity maps included in the Original ES were presented during 2017 consultation, allowing

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an opportunity for additional specific and general fishing grounds to be annotated onto the maps during meetings. 113. Nephrops grounds (Figure 10.4) are targeted by demersal trawl across the local and regional study areas, typically from 0.5 NM from shore, out to 20 NM from shore. Fishing grounds are noted to occur across the Wind Farm Area. Consultation indicates that effort and landings of nephrops from within the Wind Farm Area are at lower levels compared to the Offshore Export Cable Corridor. 114. Potting grounds (Figure 10.5) are targeted throughout the commercial fisheries regional study area. Industry consultation undertaken in 2010 identified specific grounds targeted by approximately 10 vessels, informed through individual interviews. The 2017 consultation built upon this basis to show a wider area that includes both specific grounds, and areas that will be exploratory fished. A large area of St Andrews Bay, north of the Wind Farm Area, is designated as a no trawl zone, and is only targeted by potters. 115. Industry consultation with fishermen’s associations across the east and southeast coast of Scotland consistently communicated that no gear conflict is experienced during commercial operations. There are some voluntary codes of practice, e.g. related to how potting gear is set and marked, but ultimately the approach is one of common sense whereby potters avoid key trawling grounds and trawlers avoid areas where potting gear is set. Furthermore, the key target species inhabit very different seabed habitats with nephrops linked to fine muddy benthos and lobster found in rocky, hard substrate and crevices. 116. Overall, industry consultation corroborated the maps of representative fishing grounds presented in Figure 10.4 and Figure 10.5. 117. Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) data from the MMO was analysed and is presented in Figure 10.6 to Figure 10.10, for mobile and passive gears for a five-year period, from 2011 to 2015. 118. VMS data is collated and presented graphically for vessels ≥ 15 m and therefore does not reflect the landings or effort by vessels < 15 m in length. Therefore, figures mapping VMS data may appear to show inshore areas as having lower (or no) fishing activity compared within offshore areas, this is not the case because VMS data do not include vessels typically operating in inshore area (i.e. typically vessels < 15 m in length). As seen in Sections 2 and 3 of this report, the large majority of locally based vessels, operating across 41E7, are < 15 m in length and therefore not represented in the VMS mapping. 119. Nevertheless, the VMS data does provide a useful knowledge on the fishing grounds targeted by ≥ 15 m vessels. In analysing VMS data, the MMO aggregate the number of position plots by general gear type (mobile or static) in a grid of sub-rectangles with highest resolution at 0.05 degrees (i.e. at a resolution of 200th of an ICES rectangle). This has been integrated with landings values, thereby providing both effort (hours fished) and value (£) of each sub-rectangle for mobile and static gears. The MMO 2015 VMS data provides further categorisation of gears, displaying information specifically for demersal trawl, dredging and pelagic gear. 120. VMS data for potting gear in 2015 and passive gears from 2011 to 2014 show no activity for ≥ 15 m vessels and are therefore not presented within this report. 121. The 2015 VMS data (Figure 10.6) shows demersal trawl effort along the west third of the Wind Farm Area. However, VMS indicates that this effort is not transposed into as significant value as areas inshore from the Wind Farm Area. This is corroborated by industry consultation, which cited the areas inshore from the Wind Farm Area as more important nephrops grounds. 122. The VMS for dredging activity (Figure 10.7) includes both scallop dredge and hydraulic (for razor shell and soft-shell clam). Some effort is recorded in a small area in the centre of the Wind Farm Area, likely to be linked to scallop dredging. The majority of effort is located in a hot spot of scallop dredge activity to the northeast of the Wind Farm Area, in ICES rectangle 42E8.

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123. There is no VMS data recording effort by pelagic gear (Figure 10.8) or passive gear (including creels) within the Wind Farm Area. 124. The VMS data for 2011 to 2014 showing value (Figure 10.9) and effort (Figure 10.10) for mobile gear shows a similar picture, with limited activity within the Wind Farm Area, compared to more pronounced effort and landings from inshore areas and grounds northeast of the Wind Farm Area. 125. Figure 10.11 presents aerial surveillance data for 2011 to 2015, indicating the location of actively fishing vessels by gear type. These data provide a snapshot of activity and are not reflective of where all fishing occurs. Figure 10.11 shows the location of fishing activity noted during the particular times that aerial surveys have been undertaken by fishery officers, and therefore care is required when interpreting this information. Aerial surveillance indicates activity by trawlers within 6 NM and across the area that overlaps the Offshore Export Cable Corridor. Scallop dredge activity is noted to predominately occur north east of the Wind Farm Area. Specific potting grounds are difficult to interpret from the figure, likely to be due to coverage and frequency of patrols across the region. 4.2 Offshore Export Cable Corridor 4.2.1 Landing Trends 126. The Offshore Export Cable Corridor is routed through ICES rectangle 40E7 and 41E7. In terms of spatial overlap, the Offshore Export Cable Corridor is 43 km in length and 300 m wide, equating to an area of approximately 12.9 km2, which overlaps with approximately 0.39% of ICES rectangles 40E7 and 41E72. It cannot be assumed that the landings from the Offshore Export Cable Corridor are 4% of the total value landed from 41E7, as this does not take account of specific fishing grounds that may be present within the wind farm boundary, or elsewhere in 41E7. Nevertheless, it provides useful context for the detailed landings described below. 127. An average annual value of £9.7 million is landed from 41E7 and 40E7, with 96% of landings (£9.3 million) taken by Scottish registered vessels (Illustration 4.7). The majority of landings are taken by vessels that are 10 m and under in length (54%), with the remaining 46% landed by vessels > 10 m. It should be noted that, given the fleet structure as outlined in Section 3, a significant proportion of landings by the over 10 m fleet is likely to be by vessels that are < 15 m in length. The majority of landings by Scottish registered vessels from 41E7 and 40E7 are of nephrops (64%); followed by lobster (45%), brown crab (5%), scallop (3%) and velvet crab (3%). 128. English registered vessels land an average annual value of £400,000 from 41E7 and 40E7. The majority of landings by English registered vessels are of nephrops (93%), followed by lobster (3%), squid (1%) and scallop (1%).

2 In terms of aerial overlap for ICES rectangles individually, the Offshore Export Cable Corridor overlaps with 1.43% of 40E7 and 0.27% of 41E7.

Document Reference Number: UK02-0504-0741-MRP-OFFSHORE_EIAR-RPT-A2 Page 47 Commercial Fisheries Appendix 10.1 Technical Report

Illustration 4.7 Proportion of average annual value landed from ICES rectangles 41E7 and 40E7 by vessel nationality (left) and vessel length category (right) based on five-year average from 2011 to 2015 (Data source: MMO, 2017).

0% 0% Average annual value: Average annual value: 4% £9.7 million £9.7 million

46% UK - Scotland 10m&Under Over10m UK - England 54%

UK - Northern Ireland

UK - Wales 96%

129. Five-year annual trends for landings from 40E7 and 41E7 are presented in Illustration 4.8 by first sales value and weight, tonnes. The most important commercial species to be landed from 40E7 and 41E7 is nephrops, with annual value ranges from £3.6 to £6.3 million, with an average annual value of £5.1 million. The trends for nephrops landings across the five-year period match those described for the Offshore Export Cable Corridor. 130. Lobster are the next most commercially important species with a range in annual value from £2.9 to £3.6 million, with an average annual value of £3.3 million. 131. Brown crab and velvet crab have an average annual value of £375,000 and £189,000 respectively. Scallop landings are worth on average £240,000. 132. Other notable shellfish species are scallop (£240,000 annually), razor shell (£100,000) and soft-shelled clam (Mya arenaria) (£82,000 annually). 133. Small quantities of squid are taken by demersal trawl (£93,000 annually), and mackerel by potting vessels that deploy hook and lines (£105,000 annually).

Page 48 Document Reference Number: UK02-0504-0741-MRP-OFFSHORE_EIAR-RPT-A2 Commercial Fisheries Appendix 10.1 Technical Report

Illustration 4.8 Annual landings by UK registered vessels from ICES rectangles 41E7 and 40E7 by species and first sales value (top) and weight, tonnes (bottom) from 2011 to 2015, (Data source: MMO, 2017)

£7,000,000 41E7 & 40E7: First sales value, £ 2011 2012 £6,000,000 2013 £5,128,569 2014

£5,000,000 2015 Average £4,000,000 £3,294,545

£3,000,000

£2,000,000

£1,000,000 £375,027 £239,685 £189,415 £104,912 £100,202 £93,346 £81,719 £23,326 £17,678 £11,291 £39,361 £0 Nephrops Lobsters Brown crab Scallops Velvet crab Mackerel Razor Clam Squid M.Arenaria Surf Clams Haddock Whelks Other

2,500 41E7 & 40E7: Landed weight, tonnes 2011 2012 2013 2,000 1,787 2014 2015

Average 1,500 tonnes

weight,

1,000 Landed

500 319 313

127 97 95 47 37 23 16 14 10 22 0

Nephrops Lobsters Brown crab Scallops Mackerel Velvet crab M.Arenaria Razor Clam Squid Haddock Surf Clams Whelks Other 134. Landing statistics by method of capture and vessel length category are shown in Illustration 4.9, which reflect the findings reported for 41E7 in Illustration 4.3.

Document Reference Number: UK02-0504-0741-MRP-OFFSHORE_EIAR-RPT-A2 Page 49 Commercial Fisheries Appendix 10.1 Technical Report

Illustration 4.9 Average annual value of species landed by UK vessels from ICES rectangles 41E7 and 40E7 indicating gear type (left) and vessel length category (right) (based on five-years’ data from 2011 to 2015) (Data source: MMO, 2017)

£6,000,000 £6,000,000 Other Over10m Dredge 10m&Under Pots and traps

£4,500,000 Demersal trawl/seine £4,500,000

£3,000,000 £3,000,000

£1,500,000 £1,500,000

£0 £0 s s s l l p r b p b er e m id s rs b s b r e id o e ra o ra r a u p e a p a e r am u r st c ll c th e l q ro t cr lo cr th e l q h a t O ck C S h s l k C S p b n c e a r b n ca et O c r e Lo w S v o ep o w S v a o N o le M az L o l M z r e R N r e a B V B V R

135. Illustration 4.10 presents data for 2016, allowing comparison with the 2011 to 2015 annual averages. It should be noted that 2016 data has not been ground-truthed or verified through industry consultation, and is presented to ensure the most up-to-date data is considered within the baseline assessment. Key points from these graphs are as follows:  Similar gear and fleet configurations are seen in 2016 data, meaning no new specific fisheries have emerged.  The value of nephrops landed from 40E7 and 41E7 in 2016 totalled £5.5 million, which is slightly above the five-year annual average seen during 2011 to 2015, but below the peak in 2014.  Lobster landings from 40E7 and 41E7 were slightly higher in 2016 (at £3.6 million) compared to the annual average, but consistent with peaks seen in 2011 and 2014.  Scallop landings were also higher in 2016 (at £441,000) compared to the annual average of £240,000 from 2011 to 2015.  All other species have landings values consistent with the annual averages seen for 2011 to 2015. 136. It is therefore considered that 2016 data does not change the baseline assessment presented for 2011 to 2015 for fisheries operating in 40E7 and 41E7.

Page 50 Document Reference Number: UK02-0504-0741-MRP-OFFSHORE_EIAR-RPT-A2 Commercial Fisheries Appendix 10.1 Technical Report

Illustration 4.10 Value of species landed by UK vessels from ICES rectangle 41E7 and 40E7 indicating gear type (left) and vessel length category (right) in 2016 (Data source: MMO, 2017)

£6,000,000 £6,000,000 Other Over10m

Dredge 10m&Under

£5,000,000 Pots and traps £5,000,000

Demersal trawl/seine

£4,000,000 £4,000,000

£3,000,000 £3,000,000

£2,000,000 £2,000,000

£1,000,000 £1,000,000

£0 £0 l s s s s l s r s rs s b s b e s r p r p ab k ab e m e p e p a lk a r m m e o e o r l r r m la h o t lo r e cr e a la th r st ll c e c ke la t r s l c h k l C h b a n h t c C C O h b ca n t c C r O p o c W e a r p o S w W ve a o e L S w lv zo e L o l M z N ro e M a N r e a B V R B V R

4.2.1.1 Long Term Trends 137. Long-term trends in landing statistics for UK vessels landing from 40E7 and 41E7 from 2003 to 2015, representing a 13-year time series, are presented for nephrops, lobster, brown crab and scallop in Illustration 4.11. The pattern in these landings follows the trends described for Illustration 4.5. The only exception is a more pronounced growth represented in the linear regressions for lobster and brown crab, although again this may be skewed due to the introduction of the RBS legislation. Illustration 4.11 Long term trends of landed weight (tonnes) by UK vessels from ICES rectangle 41E7 for nephrops, lobster, brown crab and scallop from 2003 to 2015. (Data source: EU DCF, 2017).

2,500 Nephrops 400 Lobster 350

2,000 300 tonnes tonnes

250 1,500 200 weight, weight,

1,000 150 Live Live 100 500 50

0 0 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

700 400 Brown crab Scallop 350 600

300 500 tonnes tonnes

250 400 200 weight, weight,

300 150 Live Live 200 100

50 100

0 0 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 4.2.2 Fishing Effort 138. The fishing effort (hours fished) within ICES rectangles 40E7 and 41E7 for demersal trawl and potting vessels is presented in Illustration 4.12 from 2011 to 2015 indicating the vessel length category. No non-UK registered vessels are recorded to fish within either 40E7 or 41E7, with all effort attributed to UK registered vessels.

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139. The pattern in fishing effort mirrors that reported for 41E7 in isolation (Illustration 4.6), with a significant increase in effort in 2014 for both gears. Illustration 4.12 Effort, hours fished, by demersal trawl and potting vessels in ICES rectangles 40E7 and 41E7 from 2011 to 2015, indicating length of vessel (Data source: EU DCF, 2017).

180,000 500,000 Demersal trawl Po ng 160,000 450,000 140,000 400,000 350,000 120,000

fis fis 300,000 100,000

d e h d e h 250,000 80,000 hours hours 200,000 t, 60,000 t, 150,000 Effo Effo 40,000 100,000 20,000 50,000 0 0

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 r 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 r Under 10m 10 to 15m Over 15m Under 10m 10 to 15m Over 15m 4.2.3 Fishing Grounds 140. Maps generated through industry consultation show nephrops demersal trawl grounds (Figure 10.4) and lobster and crab potting grounds (Figure 10.5) to occur across the entirety of the Offshore Export Cable Corridor. Consultation pointed to more focused demersal trawl grounds, running parallel to the coast and across the Offshore Export Cable Corridor. Potting around the area that overlaps the Offshore Export Cable Corridor is generally more exploratory. This is consistent with the message of no gear conflict, as the two different fishing methods for different target species would be expected to have limited overlap. 141. The 2015 VMS data (Figure 10.6) shows considerable effort and value by the demersal trawl ≥ 15 m vessels across the Offshore Export Cable Corridor. A specific hot spot of activity is noted from half way along the Offshore Export Cable Corridor running towards the Wind Farm Area. This is corroborated by industry consultation, which cited the areas inshore from the Wind Farm Area as forming important nephrops grounds. 142. The VMS for dredging activity (Figure 10.7) shows some activity in the inshore areas of the Offshore Export Cable Corridor, from the landfall out to approximately 4 NM. More pronounced effort is noted in areas northwest, east and southeast from the Offshore Export Cable Corridor. 143. The VMS for pelagic gear (Figure 10.8) shows some effort across the central portion of the Offshore Export Cable Corridor. This is most likely linked to landings of squid, taken by demersal trawl gear that is rigged to fish the mid-water column when targeting squid. The pelagic VMS data is unlikely to be linked to landings of mackerel, which are taken by hook and line gear that is predominately operated by potting vessels < 15 m in length. 144. There is no VMS data recording effort by passive gear (including creels) across the Offshore Export Cable Corridor, implying no vessels ≥ 15 m target these grounds for lobster and crab. 145. The VMS data for 2011 to 2014 showing value (Figure 10.9) and effort (Figure 10.10) for mobile gear shows a similar picture, with consistent effort across the Offshore Export Cable Corridor. Effort and value fall slightly in 2013, which I supported by landing statistics, but have increased through 2014 and 2015.

Page 52 Document Reference Number: UK02-0504-0741-MRP-OFFSHORE_EIAR-RPT-A2 Commercial Fisheries Appendix 10.1 Technical Report

5 Summary

146. This technical report has presented baseline activity data for UK registered commercial fishing vessels. Based on landing statistics and effort data for the regional study area it is understood that vessels registered to non-UK countries do not operate within the Development Area. 147. The key fleet metiers operating across the Development Area and/or the regional study area include (in no particular order):  UK potters targeting lobster, with bycatch of brown crab and velvet crab, (vessels typically 10 m and under in length), operating across the Development Area;  UK demersal otter trawlers targeting nephrops and squid, as a separate seasonal fishery, (vessels range from under 10 m to over 15 m in length), operating most prominently across the Offshore Export Cable Corridor;  UK demersal otter trawlers targeting squid, as a seasonal fishery, (vessels range from under 10 m to over 15 m in length), operating across a wider area that may encompass the Development Area;  UK scallop dredgers targeting scallop, (vessels range from under 10 m to over 15 m in length) operating northeast of the Wind Farm Area and across a wider area that may encompass the Wind Farm Area;  UK hydraulic dredgers targeting razor shell and soft-shelled clam (vessels range from under 10 m to over 15 m in length) operating across a wider area that may encompass the Development Area; and  UK potting vessels deploying hook and lines to target mackerel (vessels typically 10 m and under in length) operating across a wider area that may encompass the Development Area.

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References

 Barreto, E., Bailey, N., Mclay, A., Mesquita, C., and Dobby, H. (2017). Marine Scotland Science Fish and Shellfish Stocks, 2017 Edition.  Council Regulation (EC) (1998). No 850/98 of 30 March 1998 for the conservation of fishery resources through technical measures for the protection of juveniles of marine organisms  Defra, (2017). Vessel lists for UK vessels 10 m and under in length.  Defra, (2017). Vessel lists for UK vessels Over 10 m in length.  EU Data Collection Framework (EU DCF). (2017). Data by quarter-rectangle: Tables and maps of effort and landings by ICES statistical rectangles for 2003 to 2015. Available at: https://stecf.jrc.ec.europa.eu/dd/effort  Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) (2005). Fisheries Technical Paper 472. Impacts of trawling and scallop dredging on benthic habitats and communities. (By Svein Løkkeborg).  Galbraith, R.D., Rice, A. and Strange, E.S. (2004). An Introduction to Commercial Fishing Gear and Methods Used in Scotland. (FRS Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen. ISSN: 0309 9105 Fisheries research services (Scottish Fisheries information pamphlet, n25)).  ICES, (2017). ICES Advice on fishing opportunities, catch, and effort Greater North Sea Ecoregion Published 30 June 2017 nep.fu.8 Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) in Division 4.b, Functional Unit 8 (central North Sea, Firth of Forth)  List, (2016). Arbroath Harbour Re-development. https://www.list.co.uk/event/704314- arbroath-harbour-re-development-talk/  Marchal, P. (2008). A comparative analysis of métiers and catch profiles for some French demersal and pelagic fleets. (ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: pp. 674–686).  Marine Management Organisation (MMO) (2017). IFISH database with landing statistics data for UK registered vessels for 2011 to 2015 with attributes for: landing year; landing month; vessel length category; country code; ICES rectangle; vessel/gear type; species; live weight (tonnes); and value ; and landing year; landing month; vessel length category; country code; vessel/gear type; port of landing; species; live weight (tonnes); and value.  Marine Management Organisation (MMO) (2017). Surveillance data for 2011-2015 with data query attributes for: sighting date; ICES rectangle; ICES subsquare; latitude; longitude; vessel/gear type; activity; nationality; course; speed; and number of sightings.  Marine Management Organisation (MMO) (2017). Vessel Monitoring System data for UK registered vessels ≥ 15 m in length, for 2011 to 2014, indicating hours fished and value of catch for mobile and static vessels to a resolution of 200th of an ICES rectangle.  Marine Management Organisation (MMO) (2017). Vessel Monitoring System data for UK registered vessels ≥ 15 m in length, for 2015, indicating hours fished and value of catch for vessels using demersal trawl, pelagic gear, dredge, potting, nets and lines to a resolution of 200th of an ICES rectangle.  Marine Scotland, (2017), Consultation on Landing Controls for the Scottish Crab and Lobster Fisheries - Outcome Report  Poseidon Aquatic Resource Management Consultants (2017). Photo gallery. http://www.consult-poseidon.com/photo-gallery.asp  Sabatini, M. and Hill, J. (2008). Nephrops norvegicus. (Norway lobster. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom). Available from: http://www.marlin.ac.uk/generalbiology.php?speciesID=3892  Scandinavian Fishing Year Book, (2017). http://scandposters.com

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 Seitz, R.D., Wennhage, H., Bergstrom, U., Lipcius, R.N., Ysebaert, T. (2014). Ecological value of coastal habitats for commercially and ecologically important species. (ICES Journal of Marine Science. 71: 648-665).  Traynor, K. 2010. Boats at Port Seton Harbour. http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1935533  Welby, P. R. (2015) Eastern IFCA Research Report 2015 Crab and Lobster Stock Assessment  Wilson, E. (2008). Loligo vulgaris. Common squid. (Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom.) Available from: http://www.marlin.ac.uk/specieshabitats.php?speciesID=3718

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Copyright © Mainstream Renewable Power Limited, 2017. Map produced by Mainstream Renewable Power. Not to be copied, reproduced, or otherwise distributed without £2,166,667 £2,624,732 expressly written permission.

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Copyright © Mainstream Renewable Power Limited, 2017.

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Copyright © Mainstream Renewable Power Limited, 2017. Map produced by Mainstream Renewable Power. Not to be copied, reproduced, or otherwise distributed without expressly written permission.

0 0 0 0 0 0

0 39E5 39E6 39E7 39E8 39E9 0 5 5 1 1

6 450000 475000 500000 525000 550000 575000 600000 625000 6 43E9 43E9 43E6 43E7 43E8 43E6 43E7 43E8 Project Neart n a Gaoithe

Map Title Figure 10.6: VMS data for demersal trawl in 2015 showin g value of catch (£ ) an d effort (hours) Drawing Number

UK02-0803-126-GOB-EIA_CF_10_6-DRG-A

42E9 42E9 Legend 42E6 42E7 42E8 42E6 42E7 42E8 Wind Farm Area Offshore Export Cable Corridor ICES Rectangle Fishing Limit (12NM) Fishing Limit (6NM) Total Value of ≥ 15m UK Vessel Lan din gs 2015 (all gears) (£ Sterling) > £0 - £10,000 > £10,000 - £20,000 41E9 41E9 > £20,000 - £40,000 41E6 41E7 41E8 41E6 41E7 41E8 > £40,000 - £80,000 > £80,000 - £160,000 Total Fishin g Effort of ≥ 15m UK Vessel Lan din gs 2015 (all gears) (kilowatt/hours) > 0 - 2,500 (kilowatt/hours) > 2,500 - 5,000 > 5,000 - 10,000 > 10,000 - 20,000 40E9 40E9 > 20,000 - 40,000

40E6 40E7 40E8 40E6 40E7 40E8 > 40,000 - 80,000 > 80,000 - 160,000 > 160,000 - 320,000

Map Details

39E9 Scale: 1:1,000,000

Reference: WGS 1984 UTM Zone 30N

Date: 06 March 2018

39E6 39E7 39E8 39E6 39E7 39E8

0 10 20 30 km ¯

Credits

Copyright © Mainstream Renewable Power Limited, 2017. Map produced by Mainstream Renewable Power. Not to be copied, reproduced, or otherwise distributed without expressly written permission.

38E6 38E7 38E8 38E6 38E7 38E8 43E9 43E9 43E6 43E7 43E8 43E6 43E7 43E8 Project Neart n a Gaoithe

Map Title Figure 10.7: VMS data for dredgin g in 2015 showin g value of catch (£ ) an d effort (hours) Drawing Number

UK02-0803-175-GOB-TR_CF_10_7-DRG-A

42E9 42E9 Legend 42E6 42E7 42E8 42E6 42E7 42E8 Wind Farm Area Offshore Export Cable Corridor ICES Rectangle Fishing Limit (12NM) Fishing Limit (6NM) Total Value of ≥ 15m UK Vessel Lan din gs 2015 (all gears) (£ Sterling) > £0 - £10,000 > £10,000 - £20,000 41E9 41E9 > £20,000 - £40,000 41E6 41E7 41E8 41E6 41E7 41E8 > £40,000 - £80,000 > £80,000 - £160,000 Total Fishin g Effort of ≥ 15m UK Vessel Lan din gs 2015 (all gears) (kilowatt/hours) > 0 - 2,500 (kilowatt/hours) > 2,500 - 5,000 > 5,000 - 10,000 > 10,000 - 20,000

40E9 > 20,000 - 40,000 40E9 > 40,000 - 80,000 40E6 40E7 40E8 40E6 40E7 40E8 > 80,000 - 160,000 > 160,000 - 320,000

Map Details

39E9 Scale: 1:1,000,000

Reference: WGS 1984 UTM Zone 30N

Date: 06 March 2018 39E6 39E7 39E8 39E6 39E7 39E8 ¯ 0 10 20 30 km

Credits

Copyright © Mainstream Renewable Power Limited, 2017. Map produced by Mainstream Renewable Power. Not to be copied, reproduced, or otherwise distributed without expressly written permission.

38E6 38E7 38E8 38E6 38E7 38E8 43E9 43E9 43E6 43E7 43E8 43E6 43E7 43E8 Project Neart n a Gaoithe

Map Title Figure 10.8: VMS data for pelagic gear in 2015 show in g value of catch (£ ) an d effort (hours) Drawing Number

UK02-0803-176-GOB-TR_CF_10_8-DRG-A

42E9 42E9 Legend 42E6 42E7 42E8 42E6 42E7 42E8 Wind Farm Area Offshore Export Cable Corridor ICES Rectangle Fishing Limit (12NM) Fishing Limit (6NM) Total Value of ≥ 15m UK Vessel Lan din gs 2015 (all gears) (£ Sterling) > £0 - £10,000 41E9 41E9 41E6 41E7 41E8 41E6 41E7 41E8 > £10,000 - £20,000 > £20,000 - £40,000 > £40,000 - £80,000 Total Fishin g Effort of ≥ 15m UK Vessel Lan din gs 2015 (all gears) (kilowatt/hours) > 0 - 2,500 (kilowatt/hours) > 2,500 - 5,000 > 5,000 - 10,000 40E9 40E9 > 10,000 - 20,000 40E6 40E7 40E8 40E6 40E7 40E8 > 20,000 - 40,000 > 40,000 - 80,000 > 80,000 - 160,000

Map Details

39E9

Scale: 1:1,000,000

Reference: WGS 1984 UTM Zone 30N

Date: 06 March 2018 39E6 39E7 39E8 39E6 39E7 39E8 ¯ 0 10 20 30 km

Credits

Copyright © Mainstream Renewable Power Limited, 2017. Map produced by Mainstream Renewable Power. Not to be copied, reproduced, or otherwise distributed without expressly written permission.

38E6 38E7 38E8 38E6 38E7 38E8 2015 2014

42E6 42E7 42E8 42E6 42E7 42E8 Project Neart na Gaoithe

Map Title Figure 10.9: VMS data for all m obile gear show ing value of catch (£ ) for 2011-2015

Drawing Number

UK02-0803-177-GOB-TR_CF_10_9-DRG-A

41E6 41E7 41E8 41E6 41E7 41E8 Legend Wind Farm Area Offshore Export Cable Corridor ICES Rectangle Fishing Limit (12NM) Fishing Limit (6NM) Total Value of ≥ 15m UK Vessel Landings 2015 (all gears)

40E6 40E7 40E8 40E6 40E7 40E8 (£ Sterling) > £0 - £10,000 > £10,000 - £20,000 > £20,000 - £40,000 > £40,000 - £80,000 > £80,000 - £160,000 2013 2012 > £160,000 - £320,000 > £320,000 - £640,000 42E8 42E8 42E6 42E7 42E6 42E7 > £640,000 - £1.28 million > £1.28 - £2.56 million > £2.56 million

Map Details 41E6 41E7 41E8 41E6 41E7 41E8

Scale: 1:1,000,000

Reference: WGS 1984 UTM Zone 30N

Date: 06 March 2018 ¯ 0 10 20 30 km

Credits

40E6 40E7 40E8 40E6 40E7 40E8 Copyright © Mainstream Renewable Power Limited, 2017. Map produced by Mainstream Renewable Power. Not to be copied, reproduced, or otherwise distributed without expressly written permission.

2015 2014

42E6 42E7 42E8 42E6 42E7 42E8 Project Neart na Gaoithe

Map Title Fig ure 10.10: VMS data for all mobile g ear s howing effort (hours fis hing ) for 2012- 2015 (Data s ource: MMO, 2017). Drawing Number

UK02-0803-178-GOB-TR_CF_10_10-DRG-A

41E6 41E7 41E8 41E6 41E7 41E8 Legend

Wind Farm Area Offshore Export Cable Corridor ICES Rectangle Fishing Limit (12NM) Fishing Limit (6NM) Total Fis hing Effort of ≥ 15m UK Ves s el Landing s 2015 (all g ears ) 40E6 40E7 40E8 40E6 40E7 40E8 (kilowatt/hours) > 0 - 2,500 (kilowatt/hours) > 2,500 - 5,000 > 5,000 - 10,000 > 10,000 - 20,000 2013 2012 > 20,000 - 40,000 > 40,000 - 80,000 > 80,000 - 160,000 42E6 42E7 42E8 42E6 42E7 42E8 > 160,000 - 320,000

Map Details 41E6 41E7 41E8 41E6 41E7 41E8

Scale: 1:1,000,000

Reference: WGS 1984 UTM Zone 30N

Date: 06 March 2018 ¯ 0 10 20 30 km

Credits

40E6 40E7 40E8 40E6 40E7 40E8 Copyright © Mainstream Renewable Power Limited, 2017. Map produced by Mainstream Renewable Power. Not to be copied, reproduced, or otherwise distributed without expressly written permission.

450000 475000 500000 525000 550000 575000 600000 625000

43E5 43E6 43E7 43E8 43E9 (! (! (! (! (! (! (! (! (!(! (! Project

0 (! 0 0 (! (!(! (! 0 0 (!(!(! (!(! 0 0 (!(!(! ! (! 0 Neart na Gaoithe 0 ( (! 0 3 (!(! (! 3 6 (!(!(! (! (! 6 (!(! (! (! Map Title (! ! ((!(! (!(! Figure 10.11 :Fisheries surveillance data indicating 42E9 location of actively fishing vessels, distinguished 42E5 (! (! (! 42E8 42E6 42E7 (! (! by gear type (Data source: MMO, 2017). (!(! (!(! (! (! ! (!(!( Drawing Number (! (! (! (! UK02-0803-180-GOB-TR_CF_10_11-DRG-A (! (! 0 (! (! 0 0 ! 0 0 (! (! (! 0 5 (! 5 Legend

7 ! 7 (!( (! (! (!

2 ( 2 (!(!(!(! (! Wind Farm Area 6 (! (! 6 (! (!(! (! (!(! Offshore Export Cable Corridor (!(!(! (! (! !(!(! (! (!( (! Local Study Area (! (! (! (! (! (! Regional Study Area (! (! (! ICES Rectangle (! Fishing Limit (12NM) 0 0

0 0 Fishing Limit (6NM) 0 0

0 (! 0 5 5 Actively Fishing Vessels 2 2

6 (!(! 6 (! Demersal Stern Trawler (! Potter/Whelker (! (! Rod and Line (!(! 41E9 (! 41E5 (! 41E8 Scallop Dredger (French/Newhaven) 41E6 41E7 (!(! (! Stern Trawler (Pelagic/Demersal) (! 0 0 (! Trawler (All) 0 (! 0 0 (! 0 5 5 (! Unknown 2 (! ! (! 2

2 ( 2 (! (! 6 (! (! (! (! (! 6 (!(! (!(!(! (! (! (! (! (!(! (! (! (! (! ! (! (! (! (! (! (! ( (! (! (! (! (!(!(! (! (! (! (! (! (! (!(! (! (! (! (! (!(! (! (! (! (! (! (! (! (! (!(! (! 0 (! (!(! 0 0 0

0 (! ! (! (! 0

0 ( 0 0 0

2 (! (! 2 6 (! 6 (! (! Map Details

(! (!(! (! (! (! Scale: 1:600,000 (! 40E9 Reference: WGS 1984 UTM Zone 30N 40E5 Date: 22 December 2017 0 (!(!(!(! (! 40E8 0

0 40E6 40E7 0 0 0

5 (! 5 ! (! (! 7 ( (! (! 7 1 (! (! 1 6 (! (! 6 (! ! (! (! ! (! ((! ¯ ( (! (! 0 10 20 30 km (!(! (! ! (! (!(!(!(! ! (! (!(! Credits (! ( (! (!(! (! (!(!(! (!(! Copyright © Mainstream Renewable Power Limited, 2017. (! (! (! (! Map produced by Mainstream Renewable Power. (!(!(!(! (! (! (! (! (! (! (! (! (! Not to be copied, reproduced, or otherwise distributed without (!(!(! expressly written permission. (!(!

0 (! (! (! 0 0 (! (! (! (! 0 0 (! 0

0 39E5 39E6 39E7 39E8 39E9 0 5 5 1 1

6 450000 475000 500000 525000 550000 575000 600000 625000 6