On 23rd May, the 10 Year Farmed Fish Health Framework was announced by the Scottish Government. This was described as “far-reaching measures to support sustainable growth across the Scottish fish farming sector” and a “framework to support Scotland’s top food export sector”.
The 10 Year Farmed Fish Health Framework has been developed by the aquaculture sector and Scottish Government and its agencies. It includes measures to improve fish health, protect the marine environment, and ensure Scotland’s number one food export grows sustainably.
The strategic plan outlines several key areas of activity, including managing sea lice, ensuring better information flow and transparency, and tackling issues around climate change.
Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said:
“Aquaculture is the world’s fastest growing food producing sector and one of Scotland’s great food success stories. We want that success to continue into the future so getting the balance right between future economic growth and protecting the marine environment is vital.
“Sustainability is at the heart of this framework, which has been developed by all the key partners. It will seek to address current and future health challenges, focus on investment in innovation and ensure appropriate regulation. And while it has long term ambitions, short term action is key. I am clear that I expect all the groups to be up and running in three months and making rapid progress this year.
“The framework sets out a clear and transparent programme of activity which will ensure people at home and around the world can continue to enjoy and benefit from Scotland’s nutritious and sustainable farmed fish.”
Managing Director of Marine Harvest Scotland and co-chair of the Framework Working Group, Ben Hadfield, said:
“Scotland’s Farmed Salmon and Trout sector has become an important contributor the rural and national economy, producing high quality, healthy protein from Scotland’s freshwater and marine environments.
“Aquaculture’s contribution to the global food production challenge is increasingly significant and has great potential as our Oceans cover 70% of the planet, but yield only 2% of our global food requirement.
“The Farmed Fish Health Framework sets out collaborative activity to ensure that growth is achieved in the most sustainable way. Ensuring good health status of our Salmon and Trout stocks will maximise economic contribution, whilst minimising the environmental footprint of our farming operations.”
The Scottish Government is currently in the process of establishing a Working Group to look at how we move forward the dialogue on the interaction between wild and farmed salmon. Details on the group and the date of the first meeting will be announced soon.
Read more and download the full framework from the Scottish Government website.
Tags: Fisheries, Marine, Policy, Research, Salmon Farm