Thursday, 09 September 2010

SSMO MOVES TO PROTECT SENSITIVE HABITATS AROUND SHETLAND

The Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation (SSMO) has developed and is in the process of implementing a marine spatial management plan that will voluntarily close sea areas to scallop dredge fishing that are believed to contain certain habitats defined as important in the EU Habitats Directive.  Through consultation and the use of the Shetland Marine Spatial Plan stakeholders have worked together to close approximately 25 km2spread over 19 locations around Shetland where mearl, horse mussel or eel grass beds have been classified previously.  As these habitats could be disturbed by dredge fishing activity, a minimum distance ‘buffer zone’ of 50 metres has been installed around beds, although for large beds and some shallow voes this has been extended to hundreds of metres.  

This innovative and pro-active voluntary initiative to conserve important habitats is certainly the only one of its kind within Scotland presently, and more likely within the UK and Europe.  In addition to closing areas known to contain important habitats, fishers have also agreed to avoid locations where there are unconfirmed reports of others, and from their own knowledge of Shetland waters to report beds that have not been officially defined so that they can be incorporated into the marine spatial plan in the future.  

The development, industry consultation and refinement of the plan were conducted with close support and advice from the Fisheries Science and Marine Planning, Policy and Advice Sections of NAFC Marine Centre, the latter of which administers the Shetland Marine Spatial Plan. 

At its meeting on 2 September 2010 the SSMO Board unanimously agreed to take forward this exciting initiative.  This Board includes representatives from the Shetland Fishermen’s Association and the Shetland Inshore Fishermen’s Association both of whom have supported the principles of the proposed Marine Spatial Plan.

Jennifer Mouat, Fisheries Manager with the SSMO commented that this was a policy which would not only protect important marine habitats but also demonstrate the ongoing proactive approach to fisheries management in Shetland.  “I am very pleased that the Board have made this bold decision which will add to the suite of measures which we already have in place to ensure the long term sustainability of the shellfish fishery and the marine environment.  The Shellfish sector has an annual value of over £5m to the Shetland economy and is key in terms of supporting some of the remoter areas and communities within the Shetland Islands.  It is therefore important that we continue to work with the fishermen themselves as well as other key stakeholders to ensure the fisheries continued success.”

On being asked about the importance of the development, Head of Marine Science and Technology at the NAFC Marine Centre, Dr. Martin Robinson said: “I am proud and delighted that the Centre has been able to support the SSMO and its members in taking these steps toward preserving some of the important habitats around Shetland.  It is truly an innovative step in the context of European inshore fisheries management, and will hopefully point the way forward for others to follow.  Shetland is acknowledged as being ahead of the curve both in the quality of its inshore fishing data and marine spatial planning, the former being due to the continued support of the Centre and the SSMO by Shetland Islands Council, the latter with additional assistance from the Scottish Sustainable Marine Environment Initiative (SSMEI).  This is an example where these strengths have been combined and utilised by the innovative SSMO stakeholders to instigate spatial management that has unquestionable benefits.”

Full details of the plan can be found on the SSMO web site at: www.ssmo.co.uk

Further information:
For further information, please contact: Jennifer Mouat, Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation, tel 01595 696284, email jennifer@ssmo.shetland.co.uk
Or, Dr Martin Robinson, NAFC Marine Centre, tel 01595 772000, email martin.robinson@nafc.uhi.ac.uk or visit www.nafc.ac.uk 
Or, Louise Rosie, Shaw Marketing and Design Ltd, tel 01595 692465, email louise.rosie@shaw-online.com or visit www.shaw-online.com