The decision to reallocate ministerial responsibility for determining consents was taken on 18 December 2025 by the First Minister. The allocation of ministerial portfolios and responsibilities is a matter for the First Minister and does not follow set criteria.

While SEPA typically produces weekly water scarcity reports from May to September, it extends the weekly reporting period as conditions require. In 2025 weekly reporting started in April and continued into October due to conditions.

Weekly reports are designed for the period of highest hydrological risk, when frequent updates offer the greatest value to both abstractors and public bodies. Extending weekly reporting across the full year, rather than responding to when conditions require it, does not represent the best use of resources at this time.

The cost of harbour dues CalMac Ferries paid in 2024-25 paid to CMAL was £16,589,235, other harbour authorities was £11,702,717, and Local Authorities was £12,822,773

Details relating to each harbour is detailed in the following table:

I have asked Alison Byrne OBE, Chief Executive of NRS, to respond. NRS is responsible for the Scottish Register of Tartans website.

NRS is currently researching the needs of users of the website. Research outputs, internal business requirements and available budget will inform what steps NRS takes next.

Final yearly vessel lease payments payable by CalMac to CMAL for vessels currently under construction have not yet been determined. Lease costs will be calculated once construction is complete and the vessels are delivered. This will be based on the value of the voted loans issued by the Scottish Government to CMAL to fund the construction of each vessel under fixed-price contracts. The annual lease payments will reflect the repayment of these loans, together with associated financing costs, over the agreed lease period.

The information which you have requested is as follows:

The Scottish Government Offshore Wind Hub in Aberdeen/the North East comprises a multi-disciplinary team including expertise in consenting, planning and offshore wind development. The aim is for the hub to provide a single Scottish Government front-door for developers who are bringing forward applications for offshore wind development as well as associated onshore infrastructure and supply chain opportunities.

Work is progressing on hub activities related to engagement with offshore wind farm developers and wider stakeholders on consenting and planning, including providing guidance and seeking feedback on our processes.

The Scottish Government has long committed to increasing the proportion of Scotland's key fish stocks landed into Scotland to strengthen economic benefits for coastal communities and safeguard processing capacity. As a result of processor calls (following the publication of pelagic TAC advice for 2026) for support in light of exceptional quota cuts for mackerel and herring in 2026, the Scottish Government engaged in a process to evaluate if action was in the public interest.

Marine Directorate held targeted discussions with processors, individual catching businesses, port authorities and representative bodies and carried out analysis of landings and socio-economic evidence to understand impacts and options. A series of statutory impact assessments were produced, including a Business Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA), which can be found here:

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781806436347 - BRIA

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781806436330 - Island Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA)

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781806436323 - Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA)

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781806436316 - Consultation Outcome Document

The (BRIA) sets out that Scottish Government intervention is being introduced to increase the proportion of mackerel and herring landed into Scotland during 2026. Without action, landings into Scotland will decrease significantly (a drop of around 60% for mackerel compared to 2024 landings is estimated), undermining local economies, reducing employment, increasing market volatility, and weakening investment in processing and port infrastructure.

The significant cuts in quota will have an impact across the supply chain, including the 21 vessel pelagic trawl fleet. Changes to economic link conditions will have no direct impact on the smaller (handline) pelagic vessels, with vessels under 10 metres in length exempt from these provisions.

This intervention is designed to be proportionate, targeted, and consistent with the Scottish Government’s Better Regulation principles. The policy will be kept under review and engagement maintained with pelagic industry sectors.

Following international negotiations the UK, with relevant Coastal states, agreed on 16 December to significant 2026 quota reductions for key pelagic species (a 48% reduction in the North East Atlantic mackerel Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and a 22% reduction for herring).

Parliament was informed on 18 December of emergency measures for 2026, via a revision of economic link fishing licence conditions. This was the earliest opportunity to do so prior to the festive recess.

The same day, a letter was sent to the Convener of the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee.

Related statutory impact assessments are available:

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781806436347 - Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA)

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781806436330 - Island Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA)

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781806436323 - Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA)

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781806436316 - Consultation Outcome Document

The unprecedented scale of the ICES-recommended pelagic TAC reductions for 2026, means there will be impacts across the pelagic supply chain.

Both processing and catching sector views and evidence have been analysed and wider market conditions have also been considered.

In considering cumulative impacts of TAC cuts and increased landing targets, Marine Directorate held focused discussions with processors, individual catching businesses, port authorities and representative bodies and carried out analysis of landings and socio-economic evidence to fully understand impacts and options. A series of statutory impact assessments, including a Business Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA) were produced. All related impact assessments are available online:

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781806436347 - BRIA

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781806436330 - Island Communities Assessment (ICIA)

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781806436323 - Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA)

https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781806436316 - Consultation Outcome Document