This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Salmon deal signed in Western Isles
16/08/2006
An agreement to help the salmon farming and angling sectors develop sustainably in one of Scotland's most remote areas was signed today.
The Loch Roag Area Management Agreement encourages partnership working between freshwater and wild fish interests in order to secure environmental benefits and deliver more sustainable fisheries on Lewis in the Western Isles.
Witnessing the signing of the agreement, Deputy Rural Development Minister Rhona Brankin said:
"Scotland's salmon industries have played a vital role in sustaining our rural economy. The signing of the Loch Roag Agreement will help the salmon farming and wild fish sectors to continue to do so for generations to come.
"This is the culmination of many years of work and discussion between fish farmers and wild fish interests and I congratulate everyone who has been involved in making this possible.
"I attach great importance to the Tripartite Working Group which provides the forum, funding and framework for developing Area Management Agreements. I'm delighted to be able to continue supporting the process with £320,000 per year over the next two years for the tripartite working group.
"Progress has also been made elsewhere, with 14 other Area Management Agreements already in place on the Western Isles and West Coast. I hope this latest signing will encourage others to follow suit."
The purpose of the Tripartite Working Group (TWG) is to address problems common to salmon farming and wild salmon fisheries and to seek solutions for ensuring the maintenance of a healthy stock of wild fish whilst at the same time promoting a sustainable aquaculture industry.
TWG was established in 1999 against a background of declining wild salmon stocks and in recognition of the importance of wild fisheries and the aquaculture industry to rural economies.
The members of TWG are: the Executive, The Fisheries Research Services, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Association of Salmon Fishery Boards, Association of West Coast Fisheries Trusts, Scottish Anglers National Association, Atlantic Salmon Trust and Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation.
TWG is funded by £320,000 for the Executive and managed by the Crown Estate.
Issues faced are how to share common waters in a way which ensures maintenance of healthy wild fish stocks and a sustainable aquaculture industry and how to build trust and consensus.
Area Management Agreements are being developed between local industry and wild fisheries interests throughout the west coast and Western Isles. These cover a range of objectives, including where possible:
- single year-class stocking
- co-ordinated sea lice treatments
- synchronised fallowing of farm sites
- possibility of using wrasse as a biological control for sea lice in the future
- vaccination of smolts against furunculosis
- preparation of containment and contingency plans to minimise escapes
- adherence to industry Codes of Practice
- regular monitoring and information exchange between AMA partners
- preparation of catchment management plans
- adherence to disease control mechanisms in wild fisheries
To date 15 agreements have been implemented:
- Linnhe/Lorn/Etive/Sound of Mull/Sunart
- Loch Nevis
- Loch Fyne
- West Mull
- Loch Torridon
- Lochs Carron/Kishorn
- West Loch Tarbert
- East Lewis/Harris
- Loch Laxford
- Loch Eriboll
- Loch Ewe
- Kyles of Bute
- Lochs Duich/Alsh
- Lower Lorne
- East and West Loch Roag
Local Area Management Groups (AMGs) are formed to negotiate, agree and deliver the AMAs. In addition to the above established AMA areas, AMGs also exist for Uists/Barra; Loch Roag; Loch Ailort; Lower Lorn and Sound of Jura. Preliminary work has also started to establish AMGs in Arran and Skye.
The Loch Roag Area management Agreement is between Marine harvest Scotland Ltd, Fjord Seafood Scotland Ltd, Hebridean Seafood Company, Carloway Seafoods Ltd, Western Isles Fisheries Trust, Western isles Salmon Fisheries Board and Western isles Aquaculture Association.