Scotland’s Regional Inshore Fisheries Network has launched a national online survey to gather views on the impact of the Interim Measures introduced by the
Scottish Government in 2024.
The survey only takes under 10 minutes to complete and can be found HERE
Scotland’s Regional Inshore Fisheries Network has launched a national online survey to gather views on the impact of the Interim Measures introduced by the Scottish Government. These measures were introduced in May 2024 and are designed to protect stocks of crab and lobster. The measures contain:
• A ban on retaining onboard, the landing, offering for sale or consigning of berried lobsters or brown crab.
• Restrictions on the operation in 0-6nm of (super crabbers) vessels greater than 12m in length that have caught over 200 tonnes of brown crab and
or lobster during any 12 month period from 2020 onwards).
The results of the survey will feed into a Government review of the measures.
The RIFG network has launched this survey in order that the views of skippers are included as part of this process. Speaking on behalf of the Network, Mark Griffin, Chair of the South West Regional Inshore Fisheries Group said,
“It is clearly too early to directly assess the impact of these measures on stocks. There are however other impacts on such as landings, commercial returns and effort which we can catalogue. These impacts require consideration when assessing the measures.”
The survey is anonymous and designed to be completed online using a phone or a tablet. It should take less than 10 minutes to complete. The RIFG network will continue to meet directly with any fishers who wish to put their point across. This survey, however, ensures that every one of the 1 500 or so creel boat businesses can make their voice heard.
Alastair Hamilton Chair of the North West Regional Inshore Fisheries Group said,
“The experiences of skippers regarding the impacts of these measures are a key consideration. I encourage every skipper to get involved and complete a survey.“
The survey is available online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8SP6YB7 and will close at midnight on 31st January. A summary of outcomes is expected to be available from mid-February and will be used to the sector’s view expressed to the Marine Directorate.
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TweetThe Regional Inshore Fisheries Groups (RIFGs) aim to improve the management of inshore fisheries in the 0-12 nautical mile zone of Scottish waters, and to give commercial inshore fishermen a strong voice in wider marine management developments.
