S6W-24429

Asked by: Rowley, Alex (Scottish Labour - Mid Scotland and Fife)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the regulatory system for finfish aquaculture is fit for purpose.

Answered by Gougeon, Mairi - Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands

The finfish farming sector operates under robust regulations covering environmental impact and fish health. The Scottish Government is committed to streamlining the aquaculture regulatory framework, whilst maintaining high standards, to ensure regulation is as efficient and effective as it can be. We are committed to a broad programme of work to support the sustainability of fish farming and improvements to its underpinning regulatory system, following the recommendations made in the independent review of the aquaculture regulatory process in Scotland , published by Professor Russel Griggs on 10 February 2022

I provided a written update to the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee on 3 May 2023 setting out the progress made to support the sustainability of fish farming, and its underpinning regulatory system, since the inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland. I subsequently updated the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee at their session on salmon farming on 10 May 2023.

I recognise that there is more to do. Following the independent review of the aquaculture regulatory process, I have worked with the Scottish Aquaculture Council to deliver a new Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture in Scotland, which sets out our ambitions for the sector to 2045. The Vision includes an overarching aim that aquaculture is underpinned by an effective and efficient regulatory framework informed by the best available science and evidence.

I have also established the Consenting Task Group, which has been working to identify, pilot and review new measures to streamline the administration of the fish farm consenting processes and progressing key recommendations of the review.

S6W-24264

Asked by: Cameron, Donald (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Highlands and Islands)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to deliver on the recommendation in A Review of the Aquaculture Regulatory Process in Scotland, which was published in February 2022, that a 10-year regulatory framework should be produced for the seaweed part of aquaculture within 12 months of the publication of its vision for aquaculture.

Answered by Gougeon, Mairi - Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands

Our Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture sets out the Scottish Government’s long-term aspirations to 2045 for the finfish, shellfish and seaweed farming sectors, and the wider aquaculture supply chain, with the aim of ensuring that aquaculture is sustainable and diverse, and economically viable.

We are committed to improving the efficiency and the coordination of the aquaculture consenting process, while maintaining high environmental standards. We have made progress since Scottish Ministers accepted in principle the findings from the independent review of aquaculture consenting, led by Professor Griggs, and we continue to do so.

As a priority, we established a Consenting Task Group that is focussing its work to identify, pilot and review new measures to streamline the administration of the fish farm consenting processes. This will be subject to an evaluation process and lessons learned may be applicable to processes within other aquaculture sectors, i.e., shellfish and seaweed cultivation.

In addition, Scottish Government has commenced development of a new National Marine Plan, applicable to all sectors and, following the Scottish Government commissioned review of seaweed cultivation, we are funding a Scottish Seaweed Industry Association business development post to consider the sector’s development needs which will help to inform consideration of policy in the longer-term.

S6W-24431

Asked by: Rowley, Alex (Scottish Labour - Mid Scotland and Fife)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many social contracts exist between finfish aquaculture companies and the communities within which they operate; what any such contracts deliver, and what the monetary value/equivalent is of each.

Answered by Gougeon, Mairi - Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands

Aquaculture producers may operate a range of community funds and finance schemes to which local communities can apply. Scottish Government does not routinely collect or hold the details of individual contracts and funds.

Crown Estate Scotland has a remit to generate lasting value for Scotland from the natural resources in its care. Rents due from aquaculture leases granted by CES were reviewed in 2022 and following that “root and branch” review they have recently increased. Further information on the review and aquaculture rents is available on Crown Estate Scotland’s website: Root and branch review of aquaculture leasing complete | Crown Estate Scotland

S6W-24428

Asked by: Rowley, Alex (Scottish Labour - Mid Scotland and Fife)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the Finfish Aquaculture Advisory Panel has achieved since its inception.

Answered by Gougeon, Mairi - Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands

The Advisory Panel has served as a forum for interested parties to share their thoughts on, and priorities for, the refinement and improvement of the regulatory framework for marine finfish farms that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) implemented in June 2019.

The associated agenda, minutes and terms of reference for the Finfish Aquaculture Advisory Panel can be accessed on SEPA’s website at: Finfish Aquaculture Advisory Panel | Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) .

Aug. 08 2023

Found: Aquaculture: Consenting Task Group minutes - February 2023

S6W-24433

Asked by: Rowley, Alex (Scottish Labour - Mid Scotland and Fife)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the finfish aquaculture framework will be reviewed.

Answered by Gougeon, Mairi - Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands

An independent review of the current regulatory framework for Scottish aquaculture by Professor Griggs was published on 10 February 2022 and is available to view on the Scottish Government’s website: Aquaculture regulatory process: review - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

S6W-24268

Asked by: Cameron, Donald (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Highlands and Islands)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether there will be a chapter on seaweed aquaculture in the National Marine Plan 2 (NMP2) to reflect the value of this activity within the Scottish marine area.

Answered by McAllan, Màiri - Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition

We are committed to the sustainable development of our seas and are working with stakeholders on our updated National Marine Plan (NMP2), a key delivery mechanism for Scotland’s Blue Economy Vision. NMP2 will provide the guiding planning framework to support our future licencing and consenting decisions.

We will work with stakeholders from across the marine sectors on the development of NMP2 planning policies to support management of our marine space, and reflecting our latest policy developments, including our recently published Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture which sets out our long-term ambitions for the sustainable development of the finfish, shellfish and seaweed sectors.

Jul. 21 2023

Found: Vision for sustainable aquaculture: island communities impact assessment

S6W-24430

Asked by: Rowley, Alex (Scottish Labour - Mid Scotland and Fife)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it has done to address the reported institutional and personal mistrust between the finfish industry, regulators, parts of government and stakeholders.

Answered by Gougeon, Mairi - Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands

I do not recognise this characterisation of the relationship among the parties with an interest in aquaculture and it is an unhelpful misrepresentation of the many ways in which key partners, including government, interact. However, there are always ways in which governments should consider generally how to improve, augment and embed constructive relationships. Accordingly, in June 2022 I established and chair the Scottish Aquaculture Council. The Council has met on four occasions to date and brings together senior representation from the aquaculture sector, wider government, regulators and other key organisations with a remit to collaborate and advise Scottish Ministers in helping deliver the Government’s aspirations for the sector.

This forum is enabling constructive discussions around key developments. Advice provided by the Council has already helped inform the development of the content and approach of our Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture. The Consenting Task Group is enabling finfish sector, regulators and other stakeholders to work together, resulting in a pilot proposal for a new pre-application fish farm consenting process.