Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-31989

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 7 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to progress Article 17 of the common fisheries policy.

In line with Article 17 of the Common Fisheries Policy, the Scottish Government is committed to managing our fisheries to ensure sustainability, promote inclusive economic growth and protect biological diversity and marine ecosystems.

Article 17 states that Member states shall use “transparent and objective criteria including those of an environmental, social and economic nature ” when allocating fishing opportunities. It goes on to set out the criteria Member States may include: “the impact of fishing on the environment, the history of compliance, the contribution to the local economy and historic catch levels.”

In Scotland, fishing opportunities for vessels targeting stocks allocated via Total Allowable Catch are largely allocated based on historical catch levels (through the number of Fixed Quota Allocation units for each species associated with fishing licences). Information on who holds Scottish FQAs can be found in the .

There are occasions where we do allocate quota differently, particularly to allow additional opportunities for small scale fishermen such as the Scottish under 10 handline mackerel fishery. In this instance, Marine Scotland centrally manages quota opportunities available to all Scottish under 10 metre vessels. This opportunity is particularly important for vessels based on our east coast and Northern Isles, during the summer and autumn months.

Quota is not the only type of fishing right. Many important stocks targeted by small scale fishers are non-quota stocks, such as: scallops, crabs and lobsters. We have in recent years strengthened management arrangements for these key fisheries. For example, suspending the right of certain vessels over 10 metres in length to fish for king scallops by mechanical dredge and introducing new restrictions on dredge use in Scottish waters.

Question reference: S5W-31990

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 7 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the UK Fisheries Bill as currently drafted will provide sufficient powers to Scottish ministers to allow the redistribution of fishing opportunities to those who deliver best social, economic and environmental benefit.

I am confident that the powers granted through the UK Fisheries Bill, in combination with the Scottish Government's existing powers in this area, will allow it to consider the distribution of fishing opportunities.

As part of the development of our Future Fisheries Management Strategy we remain committed to the current system of Fixed Quota Allocations for existing quota opportunities. In relation to new and additional quota opportunities, as part of our future strategy we will work with stakeholders to consider options for allocating additional quota opportunities differently, including providing support for community quota, new entrants and incentivising best practice.

Question reference: S5O-04662

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 September 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Fraser of Allander Institute report, The Impact of Covid-19 on the Arran economy, including its comments on how this has affected tourism.

Question reference: S5O-04645

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 September 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has concerns that it could face a budget shortfall this financial year as a direct result of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Question reference: S5W-31539

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 10 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government where it proposes to locate its national network of tech scalers, in light of the commitment in its Programme for Government to multi-year, multi-million pound investment, as suggested in the Logan Review.

Question reference: S5O-04512

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 August 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 August 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding using revenues raised from online retailers to support economic growth in Scotland.

Question reference: S5W-31029

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 31 July 2020
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 19 August 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with possible freeport locations in relation to how Scottish Ministers can support the establishment of prospective freeports and identify potential employment and investment opportunities.

We are aware of the UK Government’s proposals for Freeports to be established at 10 locations across the UK. I have engaged with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on this matter, setting out our concerns that any Freeport in Scotland should not cause adverse economic impacts, such as displacement, or dilute workers’ rights or environmental standards. A dialogue will be maintained with UK Government Ministers and officials to establish what benefit, if any, can be accrued for Scotland in terms of accelerated inclusive growth and the creation of new high quality jobs.

A range of stakeholders and locations in Scotland have responded to the recent UK consultation. Officials have discussed the UK Government proposals with a number of these, including colleagues in Ayrshire. However, from the high level vision presented in the UK consultation document, it is clear that much still needs to be worked through regarding the value that Freeports would bring to trade and to local economies, and where a potential Freeport might be located in Scotland.

Question reference: S5W-31028

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 31 July 2020
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 18 August 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the UK Government’s consultation on its aim of creating up to 10 freeports across Britain and Northern Ireland, which closed on 13 July 2020, what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the establishment of freeports.

We are aware of the UK Government’s proposals for Freeports to be established at 10 locations across the UK. I have engaged with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on this matter, setting out our concerns that any Freeport in Scotland should not cause adverse economic impacts, such as displacement, or dilute workers’ rights or environmental standards. A dialogue will be maintained with UK Government Ministers and officials to establish what benefit, if any, can be accrued for Scotland in terms of accelerated inclusive growth and the creation of new high quality jobs.

A range of stakeholders and locations in Scotland have responded to the recent UK consultation. Officials have discussed the UK Government proposals with a number of these, including colleagues in Ayrshire. However, from the high level vision presented in the UK consultation document, it is clear that much still needs to be worked through regarding the value that Freeports would bring to trade and to local economies, and where a potential Freeport might be located in Scotland.

Question reference: S5W-31030

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 31 July 2020
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 18 August 2020

To ask the Scottish Government which locations it considers would be appropriate for the establishment of freeports.

We are aware of the UK Government’s proposals for Freeports to be established at 10 locations across the UK. I have engaged with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on this matter, setting out our concerns that any Freeport in Scotland should not cause adverse economic impacts, such as displacement, or dilute workers’ rights or environmental standards. A dialogue will be maintained with UK Government Ministers and officials to establish what benefit, if any, can be accrued for Scotland in terms of accelerated inclusive growth and the creation of new high quality jobs.

A range of stakeholders and locations in Scotland have responded to the recent UK consultation. Officials have discussed the UK Government proposals with a number of these, including colleagues in Ayrshire. However, from the high level vision presented in the UK consultation document, it is clear that much still needs to be worked through regarding the value that Freeports would bring to trade and to local economies, and where a potential Freeport might be located in Scotland.

Question reference: S5W-30287

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 29 June 2020
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 14 July 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has conducted an assessment of biogenic habitats, and, if so, what the outcome was.

The Marine Strategy assessment published in October 2019 includes an indicator for sublittoral rock and biogenic habitats. The assessment found that Good Environmental Status has not yet been achieved in either the Greater North Sea or the Celtic Seas. The report can be found at .

Scotland’s Marine Atlas which was published in 2011 provides baseline information. The new version which is due to be published later this year will provide an assessment against the baseline for biogenic habitats.

Furthermore, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) undertook an assessment of 11 Priority Marine features which included biogenic habitats and provided advice to Marine Scotland. This advice was published as part of the scoping consultation on Priority Marine Features held from 05 July to 31 August 2018 and can be found at .

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Chamber and committees