Wishart welcomes update on unexploded bomb clearance technique
Scottish Liberal Democrat and Shetland MSP, Beatrice Wishart, has welcomed a response from the Scottish Government to her written question seeking an update on unexploded ordnance (UXOs) clearance methods in Scotland’s waters. Traditional methods of clearance or ‘high order’ detonations are frequently used to blow up discarded weapons on the seabed sending out a loud noise which can be damaging to the auditory systems of marine mammals impacting on their feeding, and communication methods.
Wishart has supported efforts to move to ‘low order’ techniques which are less harmful to marine mammals while effective at neutralising UXOs. The Scottish Government’s written response indicated a move towards low order techniques becoming the default method for unexploded ordnance removal in Scottish waters, unless there are extenuating circumstances in which low order cannot be used.
500,000 unexploded weapons from the World Wars are estimated to litter the sea bed around the UK including areas designated for offshore wind farms. Before construction of offshore wind farms areas must be surveyed and any UXO removed with divers currently placing ‘high order’ counter charges for the clearance.
In May 2022 Ms Wishart hosted a debate on the subject highlighting the impact UXOs and their clearance can have on marine mammals. She spoke about the Ross Kestrel, a trawler fishing off Fair Isle in the 1970s which hauled up a torpedo in its nets which exploded and tragically killed two crew members. The vessel was escorted into Lerwick Harbour by the lifeboat.
Wishart also hosted the Stop Sea Blasts campaign in the Scottish Parliament in April 2022 and met with the then Minister for Environment and Land Reform to discuss the matter.
Ms Wishart is also an Orca Champion with Scottish Environment Link, winning the MSP Nature Champions of the Year 2022 award for her work in raising awareness of UXO disposal and the impact on marine mammals.
On the Scottish Government’s written response Ms Wishart said:
“I welcome the response from the Scottish Government that it plans to make low order techniques the normal means of UXO clearance. It is important as clearance in the seas around Scotland could increase with the expansion of offshore wind farms.
“Marine mammals have an intelligence that we are still yet to fully understand and protecting the environment in which they live is vital. Noise trauma can cause strandings as well as interfere in feeding and communication.
“The change in clearance method is a small change that can make a big difference.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Ms Wishart’s question can be found here with the text copied below:
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-07053 [see below] by Mairi McAllan on 18 March 2022, whether it will provide an update on its policy regarding unexploded ordnance disposal at sea.
Answer
The current licensing regime already encourages developers to use unexploded ordnance clearance methods which will produce the least underwater noise. The UK Government's Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs is in the process of updating the existing Joint Interim Position Statement on UXO clearance which sets out an expectation that low noise methods will be prioritised by developers. The current statement is co-signed by the Scottish Government, other UK regulators, and Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies. Following updated advice to be received from NatureScot, we will determine whether Scotland will remain a co-signatory to any updated position statement, or produce our own unilateral statement.
Protecting Scotland's marine environment is of paramount importance to the Scottish Government. We are moving towards low order techniques being the default method for unexploded ordnance removal in Scottish waters, unless there are extenuating circumstances in which low order cannot be used.
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will update its policy regarding explosive ordnance disposal in light of the reported recent trials of deflagration conducted by the Danish Navy.
Answer
Protecting Scotland’s marine environment is of paramount importance to the Scottish Government. I am aware of the recent trials conducted by the Danish Navy into the deflagration method of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) disposal, and look forward to the data analysis.
The Scottish Government has recently signed a joint interim position statement together with other regulators and statutory nature conservation bodies. This statement sets out the Scottish Government's support for the use of lower noise alternatives to UXO disposal, and the expectation that licensees applying for a marine licence and European Protected Species Licence should prioritise low noise alternatives.
The collection of high quality data, including that from the trials conducted by the Danish Navy, will enable the Scottish Government, with support from NatureScot, to make evidence based decisions and recommendations around the use of alternative technologies.