Scotland sets out new fisheries, aquaculture objectives
Establishing Scotland as an international leader in the use of technology for responsible fisheries management and improving the policy and regulatory framework for the expansion of sustainable aquaculture are among the key objectives agreed for 2023/2024 by the Scottish Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon and First Minister Humza Yousaf.
In a letter published on 5 September 2023, the Scottish leader tasks Gougeon with introducing remote electronic monitoring (REM) to key parts of the fishing fleet, including all pelagic and scallop-dredging vessels fishing in Scottish waters, as well as the publication of a future catching policy for the fisheries sector.
With regards to aquaculture, Yousaf asks her to take forward the government’s Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture, which sets out its long-term aspirations for Scotland’s finfish, shellfish and seaweed farming sectors, and the aquaculture supply chain.
As part of this, she has been asked to work with all sectors to deliver the key outcomes of the vision to support the sustainable development of aquaculture, particularly the farmed fish sector which Yousaf noted is worth more than GBP 1 billion to the Scottish economy.
Additionally, Gougeon’s agreed commitments for the year ahead include guiding the development of sectors that are significant contributors to the rural economy, providing well paid jobs in some of Scotland’s most fragile communities, which Yousaf said, “will be an essential part of our green recovery and transition to net zero”.
Gougeon is told to start the pilot of a new process to improve and streamline the administration of finfish aquaculture consenting, and to support SEPA’s development of a Sea Lice Risk Assessment Framework to manage the risk to wild salmonoids.
She will able to award up to GBP 14 million of grant funding through the Marine Fund Scotland to support projects to deliver improved social, environmental and economic outcomes in line with the government’s Blue Economy Vision.
Last but not least, Yousaf’s letter instructs Gougeon to continue pressing the UK government “to honour its commitment to maintain long-term funding for maritime/fisheries following Brexit, and to take responsibility for the full costs of Brexit for our marine sectors and provide a fair and appropriate share of funding to Scotland above and beyond the GBP 14 million p/a (to GBP 24-25 million) currently provided for the Marine Fund Scotland”.
In the First Minister’s new Programme for Government, also published on 5 September, Gougeon wrote: “Scotland’s land and seas are vital to every aspect of our nation’s wellbeing. Protecting, nurturing, and restoring these assets and ensuring they sustain our people, businesses, and communities, now and in the future, is my priority.”
On the fisheries side she explained that the future catching policy would develop new technical; and management measures, while a pilot of a new aquaculture consenting process in two local authority areas could help deliver a more streamlined regime and reduce the risk of escapes from fish farms.
Aquaculture trade body Salmon Scotland has welcomed many aspects of the new programme, including a promised “rural delivery plan”, but expressed concern about a reference to “next steps” in relation to Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs).
Salmon Scotland CEO Tavish Scott said the Scottish government has “rightly recognized” the huge economic and rural contribution of the aquaculture sector, but added it’s clear that faster progress is needed to address “the cumbersome regulatory landscape in Scotland, which is holding back growth”.
Action is urgently needed, Scott said, but he also warned that if government resurrects HPMAs, the negative reaction will be “resolute, determined and considerable”.
He said: “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.”
