This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Fish farming must be sustainable - Minister
04/10/2001
Farming of Scotland's favourite whitefish species such
as cod, haddock and halibut must be developed in a
sustainable way, Fisheries Minister Rhona Brankin said
today.
Speaking in Edinburgh at the Seafish Marine Aquaculture
Conference, the Minister said:
"I recognise the enormous importance of fish and
shellfish farming to the Scottish rural economy. I have
seen and heard at first hand on the west coast, in
Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles just how crucial
fish farming jobs are in many remote communities.
"It is clear that species such as cod and haddock offer
great potential for future diversification. However, their
introduction and development must be done in a measured
way.
"I recently announced the Executive's intention to
develop a strategic framework for aquaculture in Scotland,
which will set out the key social, economic and
environmental principles within which the industry must
operate. To this end, I am about to embark upon a series of
consultations with all the various interested parties.
"I recognise that there are concerns surrounding fish
farming in Scotland. That is why we are already pursuing a
range of initiatives aimed at tackling these concerns, and
that is why we have launched the debate on the future of
aquaculture."