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Future of Scottish aquaculture
30/10/2007
Those interested in the future of Scotland's aquaculture industry were today urged to make their views known.
A new strategy will replace the existing 'Strategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculture', which was launched in 2003 and seek to maximise benefits from the industry in a sustainable fashion.
The Scottish Government will seek stakeholders' views on the key issues for the sector to develop a detailed draft strategy which will form the basis of a full public consultation next year.
Speaking at today's Ministerial Working Group on Aquaculture Michael Russell, Minister for Environment said:
"Aquaculture is a vital industry for rural Scotland, particularly the west coast and the islands where many communities depend on its employment.
"It is critically important that the views of those involved in it are heard so that they can help shape its future.
"The Scottish Government is fully committed to supporting a successful, competitive and diverse aquaculture industry in Scotland and I believe there is scope for the industry to grow.
"However, we must ensure such growth is achieved in a sustainable manner and the industry must act as a good neighbour to others who benefit from the aquatic environment.
"The time is right to bring aquaculture policy in Scotland up to date to meet fresh challenges in the industry
"This is the first step of a process which will refresh and build on what we have in place already and deliver an industry that Scotland can be proud of."
The Strategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculture was published in March 2003. It is the main policy instrument to deliver sustainable aquaculture in Scotland and provides a set of parameters within which industry can develop sustainably, balancing socio-economic benefits against environmental impact.
The framework was developed and is managed by the Ministerial Working Group on Aquaculture (MWGA). The group includes industry and its main stakeholders and is chaired by the Minister for Environment.
Progress is monitored through 36 priority actions and achievements include; the establishment of the Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum; the industry Code of Good Practice; and The Aquaculture & Fisheries Scotland Act 2007 (asp 12).
The Framework will be 5 years old in 2008 and needs renewed to take account of current issues. The start of this process will be at MWGA on 30 October 2007. It is hoped the new Strategy will be published by the autumn of 2008.
Aquaculture makes an extremely important contribution to the Scottish rural economy particularly in parts of the west coast and the western and northern isles where many communities are sustained by the employment provided by aquaculture. Farmed salmon alone supports about 1500 direct jobs with a further 4700 downstream.
Aquaculture now produces around 140,000 tonnes annually, worth over £280 million at farm gate prices. The value of all fish exports from Scotland in 2005 was £420 million which accounts for 60 per cent of all food exports.