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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 12th March 2021
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Scotland introduces new measures to protect flapper skate
The new MPA within the inner Sound of Skye will protect the largest flapper skate egg nursery ever identified in Scotland.

Large egg nursery declared Marine Protected Area.

The Scottish government has designated an urgent Marine Protected Area (MPA) within the Inner Sound of Skye in order to further protect the critically endangered flapper skate.

The new MPA will protect the largest flapper skate egg nursery area ever identified in Scotland. A number of marine activities such as fishing, diving and construction will be prohibited within the site for an initial period of 12 months and will come into force on 17 March 2021.

If, after this period, permanent protection is found to be necessary, the Scottish government will then carry out a full stakeholder engagement process, public consultation and impact assessments.

Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment Ben Macpherson said: “The flapper skate, which was once abundant in our seas, is now only found in the northern area of the North Sea and off Scotland’s north-west coast.

“The designation of this new Marine Protected Area will allow further information to be gathered to inform permanent proposals and will safeguard an area of vital importance to this critically endangered species. This will support conservation efforts to help it recover back to a healthy status in Scottish waters.”

This is the second urgent MPA to be created using powers within the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010, the first being the Loch Carron urgent MPA created to protect flame shell beds in 2017 and then made permanent in 2019.

Scotland’s MPA network covers more than 37 per cent of its sea area. This exceeds the proposed new global target of 30 per cent coverage by 2030.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."