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The Scottish Government does not have records relating to breaches of the Marine Scotland Act earlier than 2017.

There were 21 Marine Licensing offences detected under the 2010 Act, these were by year, 2017 X1, 2018 X5, 2019 X1, 2020 X2, 2021 X2, 2022 X5, 2024 X5.

Additionally, there were 50 breaches of Nature Conservation Orders which are enabled by the 2010 Act. These were by year, 2017 X3, 2018 X4, 2019 X7, 2020 X5, 2021 X11, 2022 X9, 2023 X5, 2024 X6, 2025 none as yet.

Prosecutions are considered as those cases reported the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service, they do not include penalties issued under the Fixed Penalty Notice provisions.

There were nine prosecutions with seven convictions, these were by year, 2019 X2, 2020 X0, 2021 X3 including one which resulted in a not guilty verdict, 2022 X1, 2023 X2, and in 2024 there was one case dropped by the Procurator Fiscal.

There were fifteen Marine Licensing offences detected under the 2010 Act, these were by year, 2019 X1, 2020 X2, 2021 X2, 2022 X5, 2024 X5. Marine licensing offences are not fishery offences.

Additionally, there were forty-three breaches of Nature Conservation Orders which are enabled by the 2010 Act. These were by year, 2019 7, 2020 5, 2021 11, 2022 9, 2023 5, 2024 6, 2025 none as yet. These were all committed by UK vessels.

The were nine prosecutions under the 2010 Act reported to the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service of which seven resulted in a conviction. These were by year, 2019 X2, 2020 X0, 2021 X2 plus 1 not guilty, 2022 X1, 2023 X2, 2024 X 1 case dropped by PF.

Additionally, there were five Fixed Penalty Notices and one warning letter issued under Marine Conservation Orders enabled under the 2010 Act. These were by year 2019 3 x FPN, 2020 1 x FPN, 2023 1 x FPN, 2024 1 x Warning Letter.

All vessels were UK vessels because the Marine Scotland Act and associated orders apply to Territorial and Inshore waters where generally only UK vessels are permitted to fish.

Scotland’s hills are inherently dangerous with treacherous with changeable conditions, and too many lives are lost unnecessarily each year.

Mountaineering Scotland and Scottish Mountain Rescue’s #ThinkWINTER campaign provides useful information, updates, and tips, shared across social media platforms and websites, as well as a series of winter skills talks.

The Scottish Government are committed to supporting safety in the mountains and are currently working with sportscotland, the Mountain Safety Group and partners, to provide safe opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and reap the physical and mental health benefits of being active in nature.

The Promise Scotland provides secretariat support for The Oversight Board. This involves governance, administration and communications support, and managing the expenses for members. Fee claims and expenses are processed by The Promise Scotland.

I met with members of The Oversight Board for The Promise on Tuesday 4th February 2025. I also attended the Parliamentary reception on 27th February, organised by The Oversight Board and attended by their members, to celebrate publication of the Third Report by The Oversight Board.

The opening of a Scottish Government office in Warsaw is currently under review given ongoing budget pressures.

The opening of a Scottish Government office in Warsaw is currently under review given ongoing budget pressures.

Any preparations in relation to the proposals for the opening of a Scottish Government office in Warsaw have been undertaken by officials with the Directorate for Culture and External Affairs as part of normal business.