Scotland’s aquaculture industry is a major success story by being the largest producer of farmed salmon in the European Union, and the third largest in the world. It is told that the fish farming sector has equal importance to the Scottish economy as Sea Fisheries with a farm-gate value of around £350 million, and employs nearly 6,000 people in production and processing in Scotland.
According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation developing sustainable aquaculture policy is the only way to meet surging demand for seafood. The new strategy named Fresh Start Framework that follows a wide-ranging consultation process and sets out plans for a refocused Ministerial Group on Aquaculture. It also includes specific measures to:
• Improve planning and development of fish farms
• Better marketing of farmed fish
• Tougher defences against disease
• Measures to ensure fewer escapes
It is informed that this new strategy will also see the Scottish aquaculture industry further develop its learning culture, for example by encouraging bids from the industry to the European Fisheries Fund for the training and education needs of its workforce. Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham, who officially launched the framework in Parliament today, said that Scottish aquaculture is a major success story for Scotland and an important asset to our economy. Our new framework aims to write the next chapter and enhance Scotland’s reputation for being at the forefront of sustainable fisheries.
It is opined that aquaculture is one of the lifelines of Scottish rural economy. Primary salmon production generated local wages of over £36 million last year primarily in the Highlands, Shetland, Argyll & Bute, Western Isles and Orkney. This new strategy is said to give new dimension to the future of aquaculture in the country.
