Scottish Government to trial aquaculture reforms
A streamlined consenting process for fish farming will be trialled in two local authority areas over the next 12 months, Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf has promised.
The pledge comes in the Programme for Government, which sets out the devolved Scottish Government’s aims and objectives for the coming year.
The Scottish Government has already accepted the recommendations of the Griggs Report on the reform of aquaculture regulation, including the need for a robust but streamlined consenting process for new or expanded fish farms, that reduces the duplication of effort of the part of the different regulators.
Mairi Gougeon, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands recently published a Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture setting out principles for the development of the sector.
The Programme also includes a commitment to reduce the risk of escapes from fish farms, with a new Technical Standard for Scottish Finfish Aquaculture.
On the marine front, the First Minister also said that he would be pressing the UK Government to stump up more cash to recompense Scotland’s seafood sector for the costs of Brexit, above and beyond the £14 million annually (to 2024‑25) currently provided for the Marine Fund Scotland.
New legislation for fisheries would also see Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) on board all pelagic and scallop dredge vessels fishing in Scottish waters. The Scottish Government will also consider responses to its consultation on tracking and monitoring tools for inshore fishing vessels.
The Scottish Government will also publish a “Science and Innovation Strategy” for Scotland’s marine and freshwater environments that sets out “…how science and innovation will contribute to the delivery of the Blue Economy ambition and commitments as well as emerging opportunities and challenges.”
On the controversial proposals for highly protected marine areas (HPMAs), plans for which were scaled back this summer after the initial consultation exercise, the Programme commits to: “Enhance the protection of our marine environment, including through progressing implementation of a suite of management measures in Marine Protected Areas, and supporting community-led marine protection.”
The Scottish Government also intends to develop a Blue Carbon Action Plan to improve the management, protection and enhancement of Scotland’s critical blue carbon environments.
More generally, a “rural delivery plan” will include land reform, support for farmers to help to build skills and reduce the carbon footprint of rural industries.
Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, speaking at Aqua Nor, August 2023
Cautious welcome from Salmon Scotland
Trade body Salmon Scotland welcomed many aspects of the Programme for Government, including the promised “rural delivery plan”, but expressed concern about a reference to “next steps” in relation to highly protected marine areas (HPMAs).
Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, said: “The Scottish Government has rightly recognised the huge economic and rural contribution of the aquaculture sector.
“We look forward to working with ministers to support the growth of a sustainable blue economy to help feed the world, delivering higher export sales, and creating jobs in rural Scotland.
“It’s clear, however, that faster progress is needed to address the cumbersome regulatory landscape in Scotland, which is holding back growth – 18 months on from the Griggs independent review, action is urgently needed.
“And if the Scottish Government resurrects HPMAs, the negative reaction will be resolute, determined, and considerable.
“We want to work in tandem with government to unlock the economic potential of Scotland and its rural communities, and salmon farming is key to delivering this.”
Tavish Scott, Chief Executive Officer, Salmon Scotland
