Coastal Communities Network
Scotland

Aquaculture

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The CCN Aquaculture action group is comprised of members who are active on issues related to salmon farming and other forms of aquaculture. Together, they hold a wealth of knowledge on the community perspective and local concerns around the environmental impacts of the finfish farming industry in Scotland.

The CCN Aquaculture action group participated in the 2018 ECCLR and RECC inquiries and have presented large amounts of evidence to support the case for a temporary halt to the expansion of the industry, until it can be shown to be environmentally sustainable. Further to this, the group supports the Petition to the Scottish Government to use Closed Containment for Salmon Farms in Scotland (PE01715).

CCN is a member of SEPA’s Finfish Aquaculture Advisory Panel. Representatives from CCN have also attended Mark Ruskell’s MSP (Green Party) Aquaculture Campaigners Roundtable Meeting, which was held in the Scottish Parliament. Some CCN members are also part of the Salmon Aquaculture Reform Network Scotland (SARNS), and other members are leading a complaint to the European Commission on the use of Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs).

Over the years, members of CCN have been meeting with aquaculture officials from Marine Scotland, SEPA, Crown Estate Scotland, Local Planning Authority representatives and MSPs. A variety of briefings, consultation responses, letters and press releases have been produced, some of which can be found below.

Salmon Farming in Scotland

The salmon farming industry has been big news over the last year, with reviews carried out by the Scottish Government’s Environment, Climate Change and Land reform (ECCLR) and Rural Economy and Connectivity (REC) Committees, as well as SEPA opening their Finfish Aquaculture Sector Plan to consultation. The CCN Aquaculture action group have responded to these opportunities by raising the community perspective and local concerns over the current impacts of the industry.

Scotland’s Wild Wrasse Fishery

Demand for ‘cleanerfish’ for use by the salmon farming industry is growing and much of this is satisfied by wild caught wrasse. Increased demand, alongside lack of data and weak governance measures, have led to substantive concerns regarding the Scottish wrasse fishery. CCN is a member of a multi-disciplinary wrasse working group, looking at potential action to reform this industry in Scotland and to protect populations of these valuable and charasmatic fish.