What steps it will take to monitor the effect and effectiveness of the exclusion 'ones covering Luce and Wigtown bays to be introduced unde…

A length limit on vessels fishing with creels came into force on 5 July in Luce Bay and Wigtown Bay. The purpose of the restriction was to support thoselocal fishing communities who are dependent on the stocks in the area. The Galloway Static Gear Fishermen’s Association provided information on landings, effort and fishing activity to assist the decision-making process, and we intend to continue working with local fishermen to monitor whether the restrictionenables them to continue to make a sustainable return from the fishery. We alsointend to continue working with nomadic fishermen to identify any displacementof effort elsewhere in Scottish waters arising from the new restriction.