No new regulation needed on salmon mortalities.
Scottish salmon farms are operating as they should and no further
regulation is needed according to preliminary research on fish
deaths.
The Marine Directorates research report on ‘persistent elevated
mortality in salmon farming in Scotland' shows that persistent
high levels of fish deaths in marine salmon farms is not a
widespread issue. It states the industry is already taking
prompt steps to reduce mortality to the lowest possible levels
by, for example, using specially tailored seal nets, bespoke
vaccines, and breeding programmes to ensure fish are adapted to
Scottish conditions.
Rural Affairs Secretary today
updated the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee and also outlined
additional Scottish Government action over the
past year to modernise regulation, improve environmental
safeguards and support a sustainable salmon
farming industry.
These include:
- progressing welfare standards for farmed fish under
the Animal Welfare (Scotland) Act
2006 by working to introduce official guidance
- reviewing fish farm consenting pilots, with more
development proposals being added to help improve the
process – clarifying the rules to allow fish and
shellfish farms to apply for consent in waters three to 12
nautical miles from the coast
- launching Regional Marine Plans for Shetland and Orkney to
ensure future aquaculture developments are aligned with local
needs,
environmental conditions and long-term sustainability
goals
- launching a new modernised version of Scotland's aquaculture
website to make information on salmon farming easier to find and
understand
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Mairi Gougeon said:
“This past year has seen significant improvements to the
resilience, transparency and sustainability of salmon farming as
we have worked with the sector to
ensure it develops sustainably and brings lasting
benefits to our rural and island communities.
“We have made our consenting and regulatory frameworks clearer
and more robust. We have continued to invest in
innovation to support the sector to improve fish health
and welfare outcomes, address the causes of mortality, mitigate
the impacts of climate change and reduce adverse impacts on the
environment.
“Scottish salmon is a high quality, home grown nutritious
product, which is internationally renowned and commands a premium
price in the market in recognition of its quality. That's why it
is in everyone's best interests to
manage mortality in salmon farms down to the
lowest possible levels.
This preliminary research is welcome, but
we expect producers to continue prioritising
action in this area across all
sites.
“We will now look at building on
these foundations to continue
to improve fish health and welfare and
ensure the continued sustainable development of the
Scottish salmon sector.”
Background
Salmon farming: Scottish
Government report on persistent elevated mortality in salmon
farming in Scotland and finfish survival data topic sheet |
Scottish Parliament Website
Shetland Islands Regional Marine
Plan - gov.scot
Orkney Islands Regional Marine
Plan - gov.scot
