INCREASE IN ALLEGED ILLEGAL FISHING IN SCOTLAND

Increase in alleged illegal fishing in Scotland Figures reveal there has been an increase in alleged illegal fishing in Scotland. Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, asked Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon how many reports of alleged illegal fishing were made to Marine Scotland in each year since 2009.

Her answer was:

“Prior to 2017, reports of alleged illegal fishing held by the Scottish Government were routinely disposed of in line with data protection legislation where – following investigation – no offence was found to have been committed, such reports were otherwise found to be unsubstantiated, or where there were no other legitimate operational grounds for retention.

“No information on reports of alleged illegal fishing are therefore held for the period from 1 January 2009 to 25 February 2017 inclusive.

“Recognising increased public and parliamentary interest in such information, however, and in compliance with Part 3 of the Data Protection Act 2018 the Scottish Government began the retention of some information relating to reports of alleged illegal fishing on a strictly limited basis.

“In line with that, the following table shows the number of reports of alleged illegal fishing made to the Scottish Government between 26 February 2017 and 6 June 2023.”

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