Scotland’s £400 million aquaculture industry is said to grow with extra safeguard as the industry adopts improved measures. The government has announced some recommendations for a sustainable Scottish aquaculture industry. Proposals from the Ministerial Group on Aquaculture include: Development of a Scottish technical standard for fish farm equipment, including moorings, cages, and nets, to minimise escapes of fish, to be consulted on in summer 2011
There were recommendations on strengthening of the industry’s approach to sea-lice and disease control, through synchronised production and treatments. An agreed statement of practice on handling planning applications for aquaculture developments. This document is to clarify the statutory role of SEPA, SNH, Marine Scotland Science and the District Salmon Fishery Boards in the planning process.
The authorities are planning to host an international aquaculture conference in Scotland next summer which will reinforce Scotland’s international standing and provide its companies with business opportunities by attracting the major players in world aquaculture. Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham said that aquaculture accounts for almost 40 percent of Scotland’s total food exports, with a farm gate price of £400 million.
He admits that there were excellent progress all groups have made in the last six months. He said that for the first time the government has introduced regular conversation between key players in the shellfish industry and its regulators to address sustainable growth. Mussel production in Scotland grew by 22 percent to almost 6,000 tonnes between 2007 and 2008. Through the European Fisheries Fund in 2009, the Scottish Government granted funds to the mussel sector which should lead to a further 1,400 tonnes production.
The Scottish Government wants to strengthen the aquaculture industry’s approach and understanding of sea-lice and disease control. He also told that the Improved Containment group is carrying out incredibly important work, developing a Scottish technical standard for freshwater and marine fish-farming equipment, to minimise escapes.
