Minister for Environment Michael Russell has mapped out new plan to start Scotland’s aquaculture industry afresh. According to him the Strategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculture outlines five key areas for development to ensure a sustainable and profitable industry. The new plan aims to achieve healthier farmed fish, an improved system for new developments, less escapes from farms, better marketing of farmed fish, finance for new developments, flexible ways of working and a new direction for the Ministerial Working Group on Aquaculture are also being proposed.
It is said that the Framework has been developed in partnership with the sector and will now be subject to a full public consultation which will run until November 2008. In a press meet Russell told that aquaculture is an important industry for rural Scotland, in particular the west coast and islands where it is often a mainstay of the community.
He added that in 2007 Scotland produced some 140,000 tonnes of salmon worth almost £400 million, more than the value of our catching sector. He informed that Scottish farmed rainbow and brown trout industry is also worth over £10 million and it also have a successful shellfish sector worth more than £5 million. Now it is clear that Scottish aquaculture industry needs good maintenance as it is ambitious, thriving, growing, diverse and profitable.
Russell explained that the industry will support and underpin communities and must also operate within the carrying capacity of the environment. He said the renewed framework seeks to modernise the sector and build on the strong foundations already in place. David Sandison, Secretary of Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO), expressed that the new vision and hope will bring greater social, economic and sustainable benefits to farmers and the many remote, rural businesses that are reliant on a successful salmon sector.
