6.9. Outline Timeline

183.           The final timeline for the implementation of this measure will be determined through ongoing consultation with SPEA. The continued monitoring of bycatch baselines and the initiation of testing bycatch reduction methods will be commenced prior to the construction of the Array (programmed for 2031). The Applicant will work with SPEA to initiate chosen reduction techniques upon the operation of the Array.

184.           A detailed and final timeline will be presented in the detailed CIMP post-consent. However, the Applicant proposes the following approximate timeline for bycatch implementation:

  • 2024 to 2026: Establish bycatch baseline and hotspots.
  • 2026 to 2029: Test bycatch reduction method and monitor effectiveness.
  • 2029 onwards: Implement successful method and monitor.

185.           As bycatch reduction is reducing the direct mortality of individual seabirds, the delivery of compensation is instant as soon as the compensation measure is implemented at the fishery.

6.10. Adaptive Management: Scottish Bycatch

186.           The Applicant has established a working relationship with researchers at the Scottish Oceans Institute (SOI) at the University of St Andrews to understand the progress that has been made towards accounting for UK bycatch and the trialling of reduction methods. Bycatch reduction will be delivered as a primary measure in Portuguese waters due to the level of evidence supporting the measure, scale of potential delivery and working relationships between NIRAS, the Applicant, SPEA and Portuguese fishermen. These relationships are less well developed in Scotland. However, if required, Scottish bycatch reduction will be pursued as adaptive management. This section highlights the key aspects for this adaptive management option, which will be expanded upon if this option is pursued.

                        Evidence

187.           Longline fishing appears to present the greatest threat with regard to bycatch to gannet in UK waters though, with an estimate of 50 to 150 gannet likely bycaught each year (Kingston et al., 2023). Static gillnets are also likely a cause of bycatch, with 117 individuals estimated in 2016 and 102 in 2017 (Northridge et al., 2020). The first report from the Bycatch Monitoring Project (BMP) by Northridge et al. (2020) reported an estimated annual bycatch included 100 to 200 razorbills.

188.           Estimates from the BMP are currently based on a relatively limited sampling period and level of bycatch. However, it has been indicated that the likelihood of these species being caught was dependent on fishing gear type, depth in the water column, net size, and the time of day. For example, razorbills undergo the most mortality in coastal static net fisheries, some mortality in midwater trawls, and only sporadic cases of bycatch in longline fisheries. Depth and mesh size also appeared to be important for razorbill bycatch (Northridge et al., 2020). In the UK, bycatch rates for gannet appear to be highest in the summer and in the most northerly parts of the UK fisheries range. Bycatch rates may also be affected by bird behaviour; the time of day lines are set; the prevailing weather conditions; and the performance of any bird deterrent devices used. Increased sunlight is understood to lead to higher bycatch rates, explaining the higher rates seen in the summer months and in lines set at dawn (Marine Directorate, 2023).

                        Fisheries Selection

189.           According to a recent hotspot analysis of bycatch in the UK (Northridge et al., 2023), the majority of gannet bycatch has been found in a UK offshore longline fishery that targets hake in United Kingdom and European Union waters from the Celtic Sea to the northern North Sea (Kingston et al., 2023). Potential areas to reduce razorbill bycatch in Scottish water is less well evidenced and would be explored further with SOI, in the event adaptive management is required to secure compensation for the Array. The following therefore is relevant to gannet only at this stage.

190.           Longline fishery data is managed extensively by the SOI who have the aim of quantifying non-commercial protected or vulnerable species bycatch in various fisheries to meet several international monitoring obligations including EU Council Regulation 812/2004. Guidance on the most impactful fishery targets and willing fishers to participate in this bycatch reduction measure will be based on consultations with the researchers at SOI who are presently overseeing the programme.

                        Bycatch Reduction Methods

191.           SOI has proposed methods for reduction technique trials and are currently planning trials for innovative bird scarers and swivel hooks (A. Kingston, 2024 pers. comm). However, bycatch reduction methods will not be finalised until further trials elucidate the effectiveness of various techniques in UK fisheries. As described above, similar measures are being relied on in Portugal, so the efficacy and feasibility of these measures are already established.  

                        Monitoring

192.           Monitoring by SOI has consisted of sea-going fisheries observers, and has been collecting data since 1996 (Northridge et al. 2023). If required, the inclusion of this work as compensation will look to support the identification of bycatch hotspots and continued baseline monitoring.

                        Implementation

193.           Defra has commissioned the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) to form a UK marine bycatch Plan of Action (PoA) under the Fisheries Act 2020 and the Joint Fisheries Statement (JFS) (Defra, 2022). The work being done on the BMP falls under the JNCC’s Bycatch Mitigation Initiative (which has superseded the PoA). If required, the implementation of any Scottish bycatch as adaptive management compensation for the Array will be prepared so as to provide additionality to any UK government action on bycatch.

                        Stakeholders

194.           The Applicant understands that the SOI has a subcontract with the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) to provide additional data from the commercial catch sampling programmes (CSPs) from England and Wales. These programmes are managed by UK national government fisheries science agencies including Cefas, Marine Scotland Science (MSS), and the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute of Northern Ireland (AFBINI). The CSPs employ an at-sea observer programme and are also managed by the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF).

195.           If required, the Applicant will work with SOI and the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) who manage the BMP within SOI at the University of St Andrews. The Applicant recognises the long-standing and ongoing correspondence between the SOI and fishers that targeted for bycatch trials. If required, the Applicant will secure this measure through supporting contributions to the programmes that has been established by SOI.

6.11. Compensation Checklist

196.           To ensure Scottish Ministers have the information they need to inform their decision on the appropriateness of the above compensation measure (in relation to bycatch reduction in Portuguese waters), the relevant guidance (see section 2) and how it is met by this document (and supporting documents) is presented with Table 6.3:.

 

Table 6.3:
Compensation Measure Checklist

Table 6.3: Compensation Measure Checklist