Jul. 21 2023

Found: Vision for sustainable aquaculture: island communities impact assessment

Jul. 21 2023

Found: Vision for sustainable aquaculture: child rights and wellbeing screening sheet

Jul. 21 2023

Found: Vision for sustainable aquaculture: child rights and wellbeing screening sheet

Sep. 13 2023

Found: Aquaculture Production Businesses operating non-commercial installations (NCBs): forms and guidance

Sep. 13 2023

Found: Aquaculture Production Businesses operating non-commercial installations (NCBs): forms and guidance

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-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-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) .

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)