Scottish Government
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Wild fisheries review
21st century management.
Scotland’s wild fisheries must have a robust management system in place to ensure they are equipped to meet all the challenges and opportunities in the 21st century.
Achieving this is the main aim of the upcoming independent Wild Fisheries Review, the remit and scope of which was announced by the Environment and Climate Change Minister Paul Wheelhouse in parliament yesterday.
The review will look at how to manage, conserve and develop our wild fisheries to maximise the sustainable benefit of Scotland’s wild fish resources to the country as a whole and particularly to rural areas.
At the opening of the fishing season on the river Tay last month, First Minister Alex Salmond announced that former SNH chairman Andrew Thin will be chairing the review.
Mr Wheelhouse also announced today there will be a three person panel, chaired by Andrew, and includes Jane Hope and Michelle Francis. The panel will be supported by a Technical Advisory Group comprising of representatives from Marine Scotland Science, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency and the Institute of Fisheries Management, who will provide technical advice and support where necessary.
An IPQ detailing the process was answered in Parliament yesterday. The text can be found below.
Mr Wheelhouse said:
“We have a manifesto commitment to support and protect Scotland’s famous and valuable salmon and freshwater fisheries. This review is about looking forwards, not backwards and will be founded on what is required to ensure sustainable wild fisheries in Scotland.
“I have known Andrew for a while now and I have observed his work in SNH where he successfully led a process of significant transformation within the organisation. I was delighted when he accepted my invitation to take the role as Chair of the Wild Fisheries Review.
“I am sure everyone with an interest in salmon and freshwater fisheries and their sustainable future will want to engage with Andrew and the review process in a productive and co-operative way, and I would encourage them to do so.
“This review is an opportunity to make sure our management system is fit for purpose for the 21st century and fulfils a commitment that I gave during the passage of the Aquaculture and Fisheries Bill last year, to the effect that the next stage in delivering our manifesto commitment would be an independent review of wild fisheries. When I met with Andrew last week we spoke about the review being free to suggest what is needed to make our wild fisheries management system fit for purpose.”
Mr Thin said:
“I am delighted to be leading this very important review for the government. I will be leading the engagement and will ensure those with an interest in wild fisheries are given opportunities to contribute so that we can collectively identify how we can create a modern management system that will meet the needs of Scotland now and in the future.”
Notes to editors
To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce the remit, scope and structure of the Wild Fisheries Review?
Paul Wheelhouse
I met with Andrew Thin, Chair of the Wild Fisheries Review, last week and I have given him the following remit, scope and structure:
Wild fisheries review
Remit
- To consider from first principles the challenges and opportunities facing Scotland’s wild fisheries (salmon and freshwater), the management system and funding required to meet those challenges and deliver those opportunities.
- To consider the balance of responsibility and accountability as regards the international commitments, obligations and domestic policy objectives associated with wild fisheries and their environment.
- To set out how Scotland’s natural fish and fisheries resources should be sustainably managed, conserved and developed in the context of Scotland’s international commitments, obligations and domestic policy objectives in the best national interest and in a way that is underpinned by evidence.
- To identify and map the essential components of a modern wild fisheries management system; one responsive to the changing and multi-factoral impacts and pressures on fish and fisheries.
- To consider the information required to make and implement evidence-based management decisions.
- To consider the skill set required to deliver any new management system.
Scope
Specifically, the review and subsequent report will consider how:
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A strategic and joined up approach can be created in order to preserve, protect and develop Scotland’s fisheries in a sustainable manner in the best interest of Scotland as a whole;
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Relevant data and research should be collected and shared to inform management decisions and who should have the lead responsibility for data collection, storage and research commissioning;
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All fisheries species focus and management can be achieved optimally;
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Fisheries management should be funded in a way that is both transparent and accountable;
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To manage non-compliance with wild fisheries legislation in a proportionate and consistent manner;
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The sustainable management of salmon netting activity could be taken forward in the future;
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Some countries supporting a similar range of species to Scotland manage their wild fisheries and what lessons can Scotland learn from international perspectives;
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Evidenced based management decisions should be implemented to ensure compliance with national and international obligations and legislative accountability;
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Appropriate skill sets required for fisheries management are developed and provide opportunities for continuous professional development;
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To create a better environment and increase the opportunity for all but especially young people to stimulate their interest in fishing and fisheries management;
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Appropriate interventions and actions, including broader policy, can overcome barriers, weaknesses or omissions in fostering productive working relationships between and across sectors.
The review may further develop any objectives to enable its aims to be delivered and to advise Scottish Ministers on any aspects related to management of wild fisheries that merits their attention.
Structure
The review will be conducted independently of Scottish Government by a Panel comprising Andrew Thin (Chair), Jane Hope and Michelle Francis. It will be supported by a secretariat from the Scottish Government, and a technical advisory group drawn from Marine Scotland Science, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Institute of Fisheries Management. It is for the Chair and Panel to determine how the review is conducted, but it will be structured around delivery of the remit set out above.
Timing & Timescale
The Review will begin in March 2014, and it is envisaged that it will take six months to complete with a final report delivered to me thereafter.
I will consider any recommendations made and will consult on any subsequent proposals to implement a new management regime.
Background
Michelle Francis is qualified to MSc level in Environmental Science and has worked as an environment and sustainability professional for 20 years in both the public and private sectors.
Within businesses she has advised on environmental and sustainability management, having been Head of Environment at Network Rail for 6 years, covering the whole of the UK, and prior to that Environment Manager for Railtrack in Scotland. Michelle established herself as a consultant in Scotland in 2004 and has for 10 years been providing advice for a variety of clients across the UK. She served as a Scottish Natural Heritage Board Member for 6 years from 2005-2011 and also on the Executive Board of the Royal Zoological Society Scotland during that time.
Michelle is currently Director of Sustainability Catalyst Ltd, a small sustainability and environmental consultancy practice operating largely in the transport sector. Recent assignments include advising on sustainability issues for a large infrastructure project and leading the sustainability submission for rail franchise bids.
Jane Hope retired as the Chief Executive of Cairngorms National Park in 2013, having led it from inception in 2003. As a senior civil servant she was involved in creation of both the Cairngorms and the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Parks. Jane holds a PhD in agricultural economics and worked at the Department of Environment at Westminster before moving to Scotland after devolution.
