Why is this National Indicator important?
Healthy fish stocks are vital for the wellbeing of Scotland's seas and Scotland's fishing sector. Some of our key stocks have been at historically low levels in recent years. So if we are to ensure that these stocks are healthy and sustainable for future generations, we need to continue tackling this problem. We do this by ensuring that when we decide on quotas we stay within the boundaries of scientific advice on the size of the stock ("full reproductive capacity") and the rate at which it should be fished ("harvested sustainably"). The sustainability of fish stocks reflects the sustainability of the wider marine environment. By fishing our key commercial stocks more sustainably, we will, in time, maximise sustainable returns from fishing.
What will influence this National Indicator?
Our ability to meet this indicator will depend on decisions taken in the meantime to fish our key stocks at sustainable levels and on the extent to which these decisions are complied with. On the former the Scottish Government will work primarily with European and other international partners; the latter will depend crucially on a continuing dialogue with the fishing sector on the important role of high levels of compliance in ensuring the sustainability of stocks.
Another factor will be the continued availability of high quality scientific advice, in particular from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES). This body's scientists provide Member States, the European Commission and other important decision-making forums with independent advice on how best to manage their fish stocks and on the quota levels they should set. Other sources of scientific advice include the European Commission's Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee on Fisheries.
Environmental factors such as climate change may also be influential particularly if they have an impact on the numbers of fish recruited into the different fisheries.
What is the Government's role?
The indicator commits the Scottish Government to strive for European agreement on aligning fishing levels on key Scottish commercial stocks with the best scientific information available. The Scottish Government is represented in the European negotiations which develop long-term management plans and which decide the catch limits for the majority of these stocks. The Scottish Government also uses independent scientific advice, most often from ICES, to determine its priorities when negotiating catch limits for a number of fish stocks with other European countries. In addition, the Government monitors advice and data from sources including the renowned Fisheries Research Services (FRS), a government agency based in Aberdeen, to ensure that sound conservation measures are implemented across the Scottish fleet. The Government also seeks to achieve high levels of compliance with the quotas set, partly through the work of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency and partly through intensive dialogues with the sector.
How are we performing?
The proportion of Scotland's key commercial fish stocks where the quota (Total Allowable Catch (TAC)) set in European negotiations was in line with scientific guidance has risen considerably since 2004 and is currently at 76%, an increase compared with 60% in 2006.
Source: Scottish Government Marine Directorate
Note (1): Stocks where was no available advice for that year, or if the advice was unclear, have been counted as if the TAC was not consistent with the advice.
Note (2): For each year the proportion of fish stocks was weighted according to the landings value data for that year. Landings data for 2008 was estimated by 2007 landings data.
Note (3): Each point on the graph refers to the proportion of fish stocks where the TAC was set within scientific advice over the three year period centred on that year.
Methodology
Changes in the indicator from one year to the next can occur due to changes in the availability of scientific advice; whether the TAC for each stock is set within the scientific guidance; or also can arise because of changes in the weightings due to use of landings data for a different year. Position is improving if there are increases in the stocks where the TAC is within the scientific guidance; worsening if stocks where the TAC is within the guidance decrease. Changes within 3.0 percentage points arising only from changes in the weighting suggest the position is maintaining.
For information on general methodological approach, please click here.
Further Information
2007 Spending Review Technical Note
Statistics Topic Page
Who are our partners?
International Council for the Exploration of the Seas
European Commission
Fisheries Research Services
DEFRA
Related Strategic Objectives
Wealthier and Fairer
Greener