Written Question · S3W-36173 · Session 3
What recent discussions have taken place with representatives of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency and other interested parties anen…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with representatives of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency and other interested parties anent the effective surveillance of UK and non-UK-registered fishing vessels in Scottish fishing grounds with a reduced number of fisheries protection vessels.
The answer
The Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA) was wound up on 31 March 2009. The functions and resources of SFPA were incorporated into Marine Scotland which was launched on 1 April 2009.
In the last decade the increasing use of real time satellite surveillance has meant that Marine Scotland is able to use this information, along with conventional aerial surveillance, to determine where fishing vessels are. Although this information is of immense value it is still essential to have Marine Protection Vessels to maintain a credible deterrent to illegal incursions and provide an essential reaction capability to any issues detected using satellite or aircraft information. However, they are no longer the primary means of providing surveillance capability within the waters around Scotland. The changes in the sources, importance and use of the surveillance data led Marine Scotland to consider the fleet requirements for the future which would provide the most cost effective solutions.
It was determined that aerial and satellite surveillance, along with risk based tasking and the adoption of new technology such as remote electronic monitoring using closed circuit television cameras and the use of electronic statutory returns (e-logbooks) will enable similar or improved levels of outputs from three Marine Protection Vessels (MPVs) to that previously provided by four.
In the last decade the increasing use of real time satellite surveillance has meant that Marine Scotland is able to use this information, along with conventional aerial surveillance, to determine where fishing vessels are. Although this information is of immense value it is still essential to have Marine Protection Vessels to maintain a credible deterrent to illegal incursions and provide an essential reaction capability to any issues detected using satellite or aircraft information. However, they are no longer the primary means of providing surveillance capability within the waters around Scotland. The changes in the sources, importance and use of the surveillance data led Marine Scotland to consider the fleet requirements for the future which would provide the most cost effective solutions.
It was determined that aerial and satellite surveillance, along with risk based tasking and the adoption of new technology such as remote electronic monitoring using closed circuit television cameras and the use of electronic statutory returns (e-logbooks) will enable similar or improved levels of outputs from three Marine Protection Vessels (MPVs) to that previously provided by four.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S3W-36173 by reference.