Salmon Scotland urges focus on aquaculture growth
Salmon Scotland is urging Scottish First Minister John Swinney to prioritise economic growth and job creation in the upcoming Programme for Government.
The organisation is calling for streamlined regulations to boost the aquaculture sector, which plays a crucial role in Scotland’s blue economy.
Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, emphasised the importance of the salmon industry, describing it as “a bright spot for Scotland’s economy.”
“Despite challenges from Brexit, COVID-19 and inflation, Scottish salmon continues to make giant leaps in international markets,” he said.
“Now more than ever, we need the Scottish government to act decisively to drive job creation and economic growth, which will, in turn, support public services.”
Vital role
Mr Scott further highlighted the need for governmental support to build on significant progress in global seafood sales, noting that the sector is on track for record-breaking exports.
Last year’s Programme for Government acknowledged the vital role of aquaculture, including salmon farming, in the economy.
However, Salmon Scotland warns that slow regulatory reforms and under-resourced planning departments are stalling growth.
An independent review by Professor Russel Griggs has recommended changes to improve the regulatory environment, but these have yet to be fully implemented after more than two years.
Salmon Scotland, representing nearly 50 companies and supporting 12,500 jobs, is advocating for quicker approvals of seafood projects.
The organisation argues that streamlined regulations will not only boost the aquaculture sector but also create more high-quality local jobs, particularly in rural and coastal communities.
It also wants to see more funding to support housing in these areas, ensuring sustainable community growth alongside industry expansion.
