Environmental Standards Scotland have concluded an investigation into how impacts of wrasse fishing in protected areas are assessed, and will now look at the broader Appropriate Assessment regime in Scotland to ensure legal compliance and improve practice.
In May 2024, we brought a case to Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) to highlight that Marine Directorate had allowed commercial wrasse fishing within protected areas without first carrying out an Appropriate Assessment (AA).
Wrasse are keystone species of protected rocky reef habitats, meaning that they are integral to a healthy ecosystem. Their removal from these reefs can cause a cascade of negative impacts. However, a rise in their use as ‘cleaner fish’ to control sea lice in finfish farming is placing pressure on these invaluable species.
ESS investigated the case, and found that the Marine Directorate had not fulfilled its legal duties to carry out AAs, as is required under the 1994 Habitats Regulations. This resulted in Marine Directorate carrying out AAs this year, and prohibiting wrasse fishing where necessary.
During this investigation, ESS found some procedural and evidential aspects of the AA process which raised broader concerns over the robustness of the overall regime. Now they are using this opportunity to further investigate how AAs are being applied more broadly across Scotland, with the aim of promoting consistency, improving practice, and ensuring that the regime complies with legal obligations.
