The Nature of Scotland â Autumn 2011 â Issue 13
The Nature of Scotland â Autumn 2011 â Issue 13 The Nature of Scotland â Autumn 2011 â Issue 13
NEWS Greater protection for shark, skate and ray New rules are being drafted to increase the protection of vulnerable species of shark, skate and ray in Scotland. A protection order for the species will go to the Scottish Parliament for approval, which will provide further safeguards for 26 vulnerable and endangered sharks, skates and rays, including tope, spurdog and common skate. The proposals will extend the current provisions, which prevent the landing to market of some of these species by commercial fishermen. This will be extended to cover fishing by recreational sea anglers as well. The new order will mean that only catch and release by rod and line will be permitted, which will allow recreational sea anglers to continue to tag these species. Tagging increases our scientific knowledge of shark, skate and ray in Scottish waters, while ensuring that they are returned to the sea alive. Fisheries secretary Richard Lochhead said that protecting vulnerable marine species is crucially important. “Some shark, skate and ray populations are critically endangered,” he commented, “and are already protected from commercial fishing. However, these species need additional protection and so Scotland intends to introduce a new protection order to help stock recovery.” Ian Burrett, of the Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network, praised the efforts of volunteers in the Scottish Shark Tagging Programme. “We've shown that anglers can fish for these endangered species in an environmentally friendly way and make a positive contribution to the Scottish economy,” he remarked. Shark, skate and ray species generally have slow reproductive rates, making them highly vulnerable to overexploitation. A number of vulnerable, endangered and critically endangered species therefore either have a zero total allowable catch or are banned species for commercial fishermen within the European Union. Scotland plans to introduce the protection order to include recreational sea anglers in current conservation provisions. This will prohibit all catching, inboarding and landing except for catch and release by rod and line of specific shark, skate and ray species. 20 The Nature of Scotland
Wildlife poisoning cases increase Birds of prey, wild mammals, livestock and pets were all victims of accidental or deliberate poisoning across Scotland last year. Figures unveiled by the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme show an increase in the number of cases investigated in 2010, with some involving incorrect storage and use of approved pesticides. Among the incidents highlighted in a report by the Scottish Government’s Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture were: – a piglet that escaped from its enclosure and died after eating rodent baits left by the previous occupant of the farm; – 22 abuse incidents involving birds of prey, including 13 buzzards, seven red kites and four golden eagles; – illness of a working dog following exposure to sheep dip chemicals; and – an unlabelled glass jar found on a farm containing potentially lethal cyanide. The illegal use of carbofuran (an insecticide) accounted for more than half of all 32 abuse incidents, with nine different pesticides detected in the remaining incidents. The report also revealed that 69% of all abuse cases involved the poisoning of birds of prey. Environment minister Stewart Stevenson said the report highlighted the devastating impact that actions such as these could have, and the number of birds of prey being deliberately poisoned remained a concern. “Scotland’s natural environment is one of our most valuable assets,” he added, “and it’s essential that we protect it and ensure that pesticide use is regulated appropriately.” Luke Borwick, chairman of Scottish Land and Estates, which represents 2,500 landowners, said they were working hard to reduce these kinds of incidents. “This requires a sustained approach over time and there’s evidence these joint efforts are beginning to pay off,” he added. “Early indications for the first half of 2011 show there’s been a significant decrease in illegal poisoning incidents at a time when some species are increasing rapidly.” NEWS www.snh.gov.uk 21
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NEWS<br />
Greater protection for shark, skate and ray<br />
New rules are being drafted to increase the protection <strong>of</strong> vulnerable species <strong>of</strong><br />
shark, skate and ray in <strong>Scotland</strong>.<br />
A protection order for the species will go to the Scottish Parliament for<br />
approval, which will provide further safeguards for 26 vulnerable and endangered<br />
sharks, skates and rays, including tope, spurdog and common skate.<br />
<strong>The</strong> proposals will extend the current provisions, which prevent the landing to<br />
market <strong>of</strong> some <strong>of</strong> these species by commercial fishermen. This will be extended<br />
to cover fishing by recreational sea anglers as well.<br />
<strong>The</strong> new order will mean that only catch and release by rod and line will be<br />
permitted, which will allow recreational sea anglers to continue to tag these<br />
species. Tagging increases our scientific knowledge <strong>of</strong> shark, skate and ray in<br />
Scottish waters, while ensuring that they are returned to the sea alive.<br />
Fisheries secretary Richard Lochhead said that protecting vulnerable<br />
marine species is crucially important. “Some shark, skate and ray populations<br />
are critically endangered,” he commented, “and are already protected from<br />
commercial fishing. However, these species need additional protection and so<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong> intends to introduce a new protection order to help stock recovery.”<br />
Ian Burrett, <strong>of</strong> the Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network, praised the<br />
efforts <strong>of</strong> volunteers in the Scottish Shark Tagging Programme. “We've shown<br />
that anglers can fish for these endangered species in an environmentally friendly<br />
way and make a positive contribution to the Scottish economy,” he remarked.<br />
Shark, skate and ray species generally have slow reproductive rates, making<br />
them highly vulnerable to overexploitation. A number <strong>of</strong> vulnerable, endangered<br />
and critically endangered species therefore either have a zero total allowable<br />
catch or are banned species for commercial fishermen within the European Union.<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong> plans to introduce the protection order to include recreational sea<br />
anglers in current conservation provisions. This will prohibit all catching, inboarding<br />
and landing except for catch and release by rod and line <strong>of</strong> specific<br />
shark, skate and ray species.<br />
20 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
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