To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Association for Marine Science regarding its research into reducing the deaths of cetaceans from fishing line entanglements. (S6O-03595)

The Scottish Government is aware of the research into entanglement in creel lines of sensitive marine species and we are currently considering the findings of the research. We welcome the support from fishers to trial solutions to reduce such entanglement events, and we welcome the role of SAMS in the work. We are fully committed to tackling the issue and will, through the future catching policy, be working with stakeholders to deliver action to reduce—and, where possible, eliminate—bycatch and entanglement of sensitive marine species, as part of a wider effort to ensure the sustainability of our fisheries.

Creeling is a low-impact form of fishing. However, rope that is used to connect the creels is causing an ever-greater number of cetaceans, including porpoises, humpback whales and minke whales, as well as basking sharks, to drown after being entangled. A trial of sinking ground line, which is only slightly heavier than standard rope, with creel boats that are operated around the north-west Highlands, has proved to be a simple and effective method of reducing the risk of entanglement in static gear. Therefore, will the Scottish Government explore facilitating wider roll-out of sinking ground line across the static-gear fleet to ensure that Scotland retains its position as a European leader in marine mammal conservation?

First, I thank Kenneth Gibson for mentioning the research, because we are always interested when it comes to such research reports and their findings and will be giving it our full consideration.

I have just mentioned our future catching policy. As part of our discussions on it, we will arrange a stakeholder workshop on sensitive species bycatch, this summer. We will use that meeting as an opportunity to discuss the findings of the report with the industry.

Our vision for fisheries in Scotland has sustainable management at its heart, and we support good practice by the fishing industry. We are really pleased to see the level of support from fishers to trial solutions that will reduce marine animal entanglements as part of the project.

Kenneth Gibson is right to highlight the work on trialling solutions to prevent cetacean deaths. Entanglement also poses risks to seabirds such as gannets and is a danger to shipping. Damage from ghost fishing gear to the propeller of the NorthLink freight vessel MV Helliar recently took her out of the lifeline service for weeks. What efforts are being made by the Scottish Government to prevent ghost fishing gear and thereby reduce entanglements, which are a danger to sea life, fishing and shipping?

Beatrice Wishart has made some really important points. In relation to seabirds, we have the seabird conservation strategy: work is on-going in that regard. In relation to discarded fishing gear, we are currently supporting the development of a European standard for recyclability and circularity for fishing and aquaculture gear. The standard will provide guidance and encourage designers, makers and users to adopt best practice and available technologies in order to ensure that fishing gear stays in use for as long as possible. That includes its retrieval in the event that gear is lost.

We are part of a number of important initiatives to help to tackle the problem, including the Global Ghost Gear Initiative and KIMO International’s Fishing for Litter initiative, to promote behaviour change. I hope that we are, by supporting such projects and by undertaking advances in other areas, as I have set out, taking a rounded approach to trying to get to grips with the problems.