Divers say they have filmed evidence of suspected illegal scallop dredging in a protected area near Oban.

They said footage showed a "suspicious" boat at night in the Firth of Lorn Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

Although the film did not show dredge gear in use, divers say they subsequently visited the sea bed and found damage in keeping with dredging.

The evidence has been presented to concerned groups in the town and is being investigated by Marine Scotland.

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Green MSP Mark Ruskell says two recent incidents of illegal dredging have caused severe environmental damage.

We know it is a tiny minority of the fishing sector that undertakes such activity, but it makes the public question our commitment to the seas he says.

Mr Ruskell calls for better monitoring and he insists full fleet coverage would likely have prevented such illegal activity.

Tory MSP Peter Chapman asks about monitoring EU vessels and the Green MSP argues that this could be possible through the Common Fisheries Policy - except we are leaving it.

Image source, Scottish parliament

Ms Grant says it is not just catching but processing which needs to increase and this should take place rural communities, if possible.

Ms Grant insistst processing must be seen as an attractive career prospect.

The workforce must be put in place to capitalise on increased catches, she says.

Image source, Morrisons

We agree with the discard ban, says Ms Grant, but she expresses concerns about choke species.

The Labour MSP says there must be usage of everything that is landed.

She says her party will back the Lib Dem amendment, but not the Green or Tory amendment.

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant says tough decisions have to be made on quotas, but they do help ensure abundant supply for future generations.

The pantomime that is Brexit must not distract us from the big issues surrounding the fisheries negotiations this year, she says.

She suggests licenses allowing access to fisheries should be distributed by local authorities or communities, and leased out to the fishing industry.

This would prevent licenses being traded away, Ms Grant states.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Image source, PA

As a member of the European Union, the UK's fisheries are primarily governed by the EU under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).

The UK is bound by EU law, which dictates certain technical aspects of fishing (e.g. gear restrictions, minimum landing sizes, etc), as well as rules relating to fishing opportunities (e.g. quotas and effort controls) and access to fishing grounds.

A reformed Common Fisheries Policy took effect from 1 January 2014 following on from several years of negotiation.

The key reforms to the CFP included: a phased in ban on discarding fish; a legally binding commitment to fishing at sustainable levels; and increasingly decentralised decision making, taking place at regional rather than pan-European level.

• SPICe Briefing: Will fisheries be discarded in the Brexit negotiations?, external
• House of Commons Briefing: Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, 2014-2020, external

Image source, bbc

French and British fishermen have clashed in the English Channel in an escalating battle over scallops.

About 40 French boats tried to stop five larger British boats from fishing 12 nautical miles (22km) off the Normandy coast, in the Bay of Seine.

Fishing boats collided and stones were thrown, but no-one was injured.

UK boats are entitled to fish in the scallop-rich area, but their presence has angered the French, who accuse the British of depleting shellfish stocks.

Read more here.

Mr Chapman says the landing obligation means millions of pounds of fish could go uncaught.

He seeks clarity on what action will be taken to avoid early closure of fisheries.

Asked about French fishing boats entering the English Channel by Green MSP Mark Ruskell, Mr Chapman says the French reaction to our boats was illegal.

He insists Brexit and leaving the Common Fisheries Policy could bring a "sea of opportunity" for the fishing sector.

The Tory MSP insists his party is the only one fighting for this and adds he is "disgusted" that the SNP and Labour are suggesting the UK government is selling out the industry.

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Peter Chapman says the industry got good news when Scottish Secretary David Mundell visited the Peterhead fishing market to announce a further £37.2m for fishing.

Mr Chapman says things are not looking so rosy next year with quota cuts coming.

He highlights the cut of 20% to Scotland's most valuable catch, mackerel.

The Tory MSP says the quota cuts are unhelpful at the very least and could be disastrous at the worst.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Mr Ewing says this year sees the end to inappropriately high levels of Faroese access to Scottish waters.

He says he will resists cuts to quotas where there is not good scientific reason to do so.

Brexit may make these talks more difficult, but it could also give us a lever as the European Commission will want to strike a deal the UK is happy to stick to, the rural affairs secretary says.

The UK government must understand the need to prioritise practical solutions in these talks, he concludes.

Mr Ewing says the negotiations are where compromise must be found and they are underway with some strong outcomes.

The rural economy secretary says the Scottish government was instrumental in the agreement on mackerel.

However the coastal states have failed to reach agreement comletely and there will likely be fishing beyond agreed levels in 2019.

The minister explains fulll detail of the verbal deal are not yet availlable and the agreement will be fully scrutinised.

He says the EU Faroe talks are underway in Brussels and will conclude tomorrow.

Rural Affairs Secretary Fergus Ewing criticises the lack of clarity around Brexit and suggests the UK government views Scotland's interested as expendable.

He tells the chamber he will approach this year's quota negotiations as business-as-usual.

Significant cuts to quotas lead to serious choke risks, he warns, and he says it is important to find collective solutions to these risks.

This is my top priority as we head into negotiations this year, the cabinet secretary adds.

Choke species is 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.

Choke scenarios may occur in mixed fisheries where a fishing vessel has insufficient quota for, and cannot completely avoid, unwanted catches that must be landed under the Landing Obligation from January 2019.

Rural Affairs Secretary Fergus Ewing is leading this debate on fisheries.

His motion (below) highlights the forthcoming annual fisheries negotiations in Brussels and the implementation of the final stage of the discard ban in 2019 which may "tie the fleet up".

Image source, Scottish parliament

Labour MSP Pauline McNeill asks Mr Russell to outline any forthcoming meetings with the UK government and whether Scotland's Place in Europe needs a revision.

Mr Russell says the arguments are constantly being developed.

"Given the mess that is now existing at Westminster, and the way in which the Prime Minister and the Tory party have led it, the point I'm making now is that I suspect a People's Vote is the clearest and best way to move forward."

Tory MSP Adam Tomkins says the judgement says Article 50 can only be revoked if expressed through the member state's democratic process.

Does the minister accept there has been no democratic call for this in the UK, he asks.

Mr Russell says there is "a way out of this enormous mess", either by a resolution of parliament or a People's Vote.

Image source, bbc

Green MSP Andy Wightman thanks his fellow petitioners and the legal team.

Mr Wightman asks if the cabinet secretary recalls a government that has gone to such lengths and expense to prevent the people knowing their rights.

Mr Russell says it is difficult to find a parallel and it is "uniquely undemocratic".

The Brexit secretary pays tribute to the petitioners again and stresses the need to look forward.

Image source, AFP

Theresa May is meeting European leaders and EU officials on Tuesday for talks aimed at rescuing her Brexit deal.

She is holding talks with Dutch PM Mark Rutte and Germany's Angela Merkel after postponing a Commons vote on the deal.

The UK PM has said she needs "further assurances" about the Northern Ireland border plan to get backing from MPs.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said the EU would not "renegotiate" the deal but there was room for "further clarifications".

Read more here.

Brexit Secretary Mike Russell says the ruling provides clarity at an essential moment and he praises the MSPs, MPs and MEPs behind the case.

He reiterates the Scottish government's position is that remaining in the EU would be best.

Mr Crawford says politicians at Westminster should use this ruling to end the "Brexit madness".

He asks about a way forward that may command a majority in the House of Commons.

Mr Russell says the people of Scotland have already been clear by voting to remain in the EU.

"The current prime minister needs to get out of the way," he insists, and he calls for an "expression of popular will" via a so-called People's Vote.