FOI/202100155758 · FOI/EIR · unclear
Data relating to lost fishing gear: EIR release
Information requested
What data does the UKFMC collect regarding losses of fishing gear? How many reports of lost fishing gear does the UKFMC receive per year? Is there a data set of these reports where we can draw statistics such as type of gear, locations, type of vessel and perhaps even causes of loss? How far does the data go back and is there enough for us to make a comparison over time? How can we access the data you have, no matter how large or small?
Response
Attached is a copy of the data set of information that you requested. The data is sourced from fishing vessel electronic logbooks and other sources. Individual vessel names have not been included for reasons of data protection.
As you will know, in accordance with Article 48 of the EU regulation 1224/2009 (the "Control Regulation") it is the responsibility of the vessel master to attempt to retrieve lost fishing gear as soon as possible, and also to inform the competent authority if he is unable to retrieve the gear. You will see that from 2018 to 2019 the method of recording location changed.
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.