Question reference: S5W-34737
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
- Date lodged: 22 January 2021
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Current status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 29 January 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what impact the mechanical harvest of seaweed might have on kelp beds, and what work it has commissioned on this.
Answer
It is our aim that the harvesting of any seaweed species should be sustainable and that our marine environment is protected. Kelp beds play a key role in supporting marine biodiversity, providing vital habitats, natural hazard protection and climate regulation. That is why we legislated in the Scottish Crown Estate Act 2019 to introduce controls on the removal of certain species of wild kelp. This legislation was informed by a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of wild seaweed harvesting in 2016 Wild seaweed harvesting: strategic environmental assessment - environmental report - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) . Further, the Scottish Marine Assessment 2020, published in December 2020, includes an outline of the current seaweed harvesting and cultivation position in Scotland Wild seaweed harvesting: strategic environmental assessment - environmental report - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .
During the parliamentary scrutiny of the Scottish Crown Estate Act 2019, I announced a review to gather evidence to help ensure existing seaweed harvesting activity and future proposals are sustainable and Scotland’s marine environment is protected. A Seaweed Review Steering Group has been established to advise on all aspects of the review. Membership includes organisations from various sectors representing conservation, science, enterprise, biotechnology, fisheries and the seaweed industry association. Part of the scope of the review will be to outline the research and evidence-base requirements to identify and assess potential environmental impacts of seaweed harvesting on recovery and regrowth of harvested stocks, including consideration of the wider ecosystem benefits provided by seaweed.