What We Do - Fish and Shellfish Farming
There are two branches within Fisheries that deal with Fish and Shellfish Farming; Aquaculture Health and Welfare, and Aquaculture Policy and Development.
Aquaculture Health and Welfare
We are responsible for fish health and disease control. We are charged with co-ordinating control measures, such as movement restrictions, with advice provided by Freshwater Research Services ( FRS). The branch has also been involved in producing a code of practice for fin fish welfare and is currently looking at disposal routes for fish waste.
In addition we are involved in research into various fish diseases and have set up a working group to develop plans to prevent the introduction of Gyrodactylus Salaris into Scotland, and to produce a contingency plan to control or eradicate the parasite, should it be introduced.
The Branch is leading Scottish input into a new Fish Health Directive which should be implemented into UK legislation by August 2008.
If you would like more information on our work please contact 0131 244 6225.
Aquaculture Policy and Development
We are responsible for overseeing the sustainable development of the aquaculture industry in Scotland. Fish farming is a major industry in Scotland, largely located in the rural communities of the Highlands and Islands.
We advise Local Authorities on planning applications for marine fish farms with regards to impact on the inshore marine environment, fish health and welfare, and effect on wild migratory salmonids. We have developed Locational Guidelines for the Authorisation of Marine Fish Farms in Scottish Waters, intended to guide farmers and regulators in the choice of site, likely constrictions on development, and help formulate a sustainable development plan.
The Scottish Government introduced legislation in May 2002 which requires the mandatory notification of all escapes of farmed fish. Any suspected escape, or circumstance which gives rise to a significant risk of escape, should be reported to the Scottish Government. This legislation also allows for recovery action to be considered and the deployment of measures, such as the use of gill nets, to protect local wild stocks.
The Ministerial Working Group on Aquaculture ( MWGA) published the Strategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculture in March 2003, this document set out the MWGA's shared vision for the sustainable development of aquaculture over the next 10 years. The Framework identified 33 Action Points together with a timetable and indicators of progress as well as the bodies critical to delivering a successful outcome. Working Groups of key stakeholders were established and tasked to address specific priority action areas, including: the Location/Relocation Working Group ( LRWG) which prepared criteria to assess whether or not any finfish aquaculture site is poorly located, and make an assessment of the likely benefits and effectiveness of relocation of those farms that are sited close to rivers important for migratory fish; and the Containment Working Group which drafted improved Containment Guidance for inclusion in the Industry Code of Good Practice.
The Scottish Government has also been pro-active in supporting the economic interests of the European salmon producers by engaging with BERR and the trade unit of the European Commission in countering anti-competitive actions by third countries. See this link: http://europa.eu.int/news/index_en.htm
We established the Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum ( SARF) in 2004, with a remit to promote, encourage and support R&D in aquaculture & related areas, as well as the enhancement of public understanding of aquaculture.
The Scottish Government also jointly established the Tripartite Working Group ( TWG) in June 1999, with representatives from wild salmonid and sea trout fisheries and salmon farming interests. With the central aim of promoting good working relationships between these sectors, the TWG offers a coherent platform on which members can debate issues, resolve conflict and work towards a sustainable future. Instrumental in developing Area Management Agreements ( AMAs), the TWG has helped implement measures for the restoration and maintenance of healthy fish populations, at a local level.