Image source, Thinkstock

The ban on discards in the fishing industry is being undermined because it is not being effectively policed, WWF Scotland warned in January.

The number of Scottish boats carrying cameras - which monitor the fish being caught - has halved since the scheme was introduced.

New species were added to the ban at the start of January.

They include North Sea cod and whiting, which can no longer be thrown back into the sea.

Fishermen have traditionally discarded unwanted fish because they carry a lower financial value but, if landed, would count against their quotas.

Read more here

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant says: "Fish respect no borders".

She says: "The EU is currently the world's largest fishery market.

"If Scotland is to trade effectively with this market, it's vital our industry at least meets EU standards."

Image source, bbc

A term used to describe a low volume quota species which, if reached, would lead to vessels having to tie up even if they still had quota for other species.

Image source, bbc

Mr Scott says there is a need for the fishing industry to be on its guard.

The Lib Dem MSP says Michael Gove has basically said that fishing will be part of the negotiations.

He says the SFF must hold the feet of the UK government to the fire.

Lib Dems MSP Tavish Scott asks the minister to note two concerns:

• Ensuring there is enough fishing capacity.
• Conclude the ferry freight fares review

Mr Scott attacks the UK government, saying: "The UK has not even discussed a deal, and no assessment on the impact on fishing.

"This is a dereliction of duty by the UK government.

"The only people they are protecting are the DUP, because they are keeping them in government."

Image source, bbc

Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott says: "One wonders if we will pine for the language of the CFP."

Mr Scott says mentions the Hague preference, which of course is a mechanism designed to adjust national fish quota allocations to take account of the needs of certain fisheries-dependent areas in northern parts of the UK and in the Republic of Ireland.

Extra points to those of you who knew that!

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson asks if Mr Chapman is telling us that Scotland can only retrieve the fishing ground up to 200 miles with permission?

Mr Chapman says: "We will control the fish out to 200 miles."

He says zonal attachment is the fairest indicator.

The Tory MSP says: "We will be able to set the rules and regulations that govern our fleet."

Image source, Scottish parliament

Conservative MSP Peter Chapman says: "There is a real fear that landing obligations will lead to a restriction on fishing.

"The government must be prepared to act beyond the rules of article 50."

Mr Chapman says: "Membership of the CFP has been nothing short of disastrous."

He calls for a nine month bridging arrangement.

He says: "Industry does not want and we do not need a two-year fishing transition."

Image source, bbc

Scottish Conservative MSP Peter Chapman says the fishing industry has been extremely positive since the Brexit vote.

Mr Chapman says the mood in the industry is buoyant.

However he says the fish processing sector has seen a decrease in capacity, with jobs being lost to Humberside.

The Tory MSP says large increases in business rates have made the sector non-competitive.

Marine ecologist Dr Natalia Serpetti looked at how rising temperatures would affect 41 groups of species, from top predators such as whales and seals to many fish species and animals such as crabs and snails living on the sea floor.

The research is part of the Marine Ecosystem Research Programme, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The Scottish government said it recognised that climate change was "a major threat" to Scotland's marine ecosystems and was following scientific advice to support a sustainable fishing industry.

Read more here

Image source, Getty Images

Fergus Ewing says: "EU negotiators have continued to trade away quotas.

"We are totally opposed to giving away stocks to Norway that we are short of ourselves."

He says his officials will continue to pursue reducing the Faroe Islands fishing quotes in Scottish waters.

Image source, Press Eye

Scottish fishing leaders have said they are "encouraged" by talks with the UK and Scottish governments about Brexit.

The Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF) met the UK environment secretary and fishing minister in London.

Talks with the Scottish government's Brexit minister Michael Russell were also held at Holyrood.

The SFF campaigned for a Leave vote in June's referendum, and argue Brexit could present an opportunity.

The organisation said control over British waters would bring huge potential benefits to Scottish fishing.

• Douglas Fraser Blog: Sea of opportunity or discarded overboard?

Image source, bbc

Mr Ewing says 2018 will see the last year of phased implementation of the landing obligation for whitefish stocks.

The minister says he will make his points forceably at the Brussels negotiations, which he says will be pivotal in helping Scotland's fishing fleet to reduce the potential impacts of choke species.

He says this year's talks are already underway.

The minister says he hopes to secure agreement today on a full five part strategy.

Image source, Sams UHI

Cod, herring and haddock could migrate away from Scotland's west coast waters because of warming sea temperatures, according to researchers in October.

Scientists at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (Sams) predict the cold water species will vanish from the west coast by the year 2100.

The researchers suggest the fish are already nearing "edge of their temperature tolerance range".

However, they add that global warming will see other species replace them.

The Scottish government said it was following scientific advice on how to support Scotland's fishing industry.

Read more here

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing says: "We must focus on the current needs and build on that success."

He says there are: "Dark Brexit clouds on the horizon."

With that, he welcomes the Liberal Democrats amendment acknowledging the uncertainty.

Talking about the number of stocks off the west coast, he says: "We need to press forward with effective measure to tackle discards., external"

Image source, PA

In November the Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF) welcomed European Commission catching proposals for the coming year.

The figures are based on annual scientific data.

They cover what officials in Brussels believe are sustainable quota levels for each species in waters covered by the European Common Fisheries Policy.

The SFF said it was awaiting further details on some of the stocks. The figures will form the basis of the EU's annual quota talks in December.

Read more here.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

MSPs will now debate sea fisheries and end year negotiations.

Here is the government motion.

Image source, bbc

Lib Dems MSP Liam McArthur queries how the government will improve maintenance and reliability of the electric vehicle charging network.

The minister agrees infrastructure is important in order to meet the 2032 target.

He adds that behavioural change and reducing the upfront cost of electric vehicles was equally important.

He welcomes the interest-free loans for such vehicles available from the Energy Savings Trust.

Image source, Science Photo Library

In May Edinburgh bid to have Scotland's first Low Emission Zone to tackle air pollution.

Councillors agreed to approach the Scottish government, which has said it will fund one pilot by 2018.

Lorries, vans and buses which did not meet emission standards could be fined for driving within the designated area.

Glasgow had already declared an interest in the idea, and in October was announced as the first.

Read more here