Written Question · S3W-37783 · Session 3
What it is doing to encourage and support fish farms to use less intensive systems, well-designed, adequately tensioned nets and lower stoc…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to encourage and support fish farms to use less intensive systems, well-designed, adequately tensioned nets and lower stocking densities of fish in order to promote good practice that eliminates the need to shoot seals.
The answer
The Scottish Government continues to encourage industry best practice on predator control through the implementation of A Fresh Start “ the Renewed Strategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculture and its associated Working Groups. One of these, the Improved Containment Working Group, has seen the finfish industry sign up to the development of a statutory engineering standard for Scottish fish-farms. The contractor for that work has just been appointed, with the standard to be developed over the next year.
The Containment Group is also rolling out a programme of skills development and improved training of operators and site staff to reduce fish farm escapes, including through predation. This includes awareness raising seminars, best practice workshops, on-site training and development of nationally recognised containment and predator control qualifications. The group has also identified specific actions to share Scottish and international best practice on predator control and training of site staff in appropriate use of Acoustic Deterrent Devices.
Most modern fish farms now have an independently audited Environmental Management System, accredited to ISO 14001. Many include a predator control plan specific to its location, taking account of likely predators, tidal conditions and stringent animal welfare requirements.
As regards lower stocking densities on fish farms, that is an explicit objective of the RSPCA''s Freedom Food Standard which aims at a stocking density of 15kg per cubic metre. All of the Scottish Salmon Producers'' Organisation (SSPO) member companies are now involved in this initiative, either working towards or having already achieved accreditation.
The Scottish Government also works closely with the industry on a range of initiatives to encourage best practice on predator control.
The industry will shortly publish an updated Code of Good Practice for Scottish Aquaculture. This will incorporate an updated predator control code of practice outlining specific measures to deter seals from approaching pens, such as nets that are sufficiently weighted to tension side panels, and use of acoustic seal scaring devices.
The SSPO is sponsoring the development of new acoustic seal scarers with the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) and is actively involved with other independent seals experts and wildlife interests in the Scottish Government''s Scottish Seals Forum.
Finally, a Salmon, Aquaculture and Seals Working Group has recently been established with the aim of establishing non-lethal methods of seal deterrence. The group is chaired by Dr Simon Northridge of SMRU and its membership includes representatives from Marine Harvest, Sainsbury''s, the Seal Protection Action Group, International Animal Rescue, RSPCA and SMRU.
The Containment Group is also rolling out a programme of skills development and improved training of operators and site staff to reduce fish farm escapes, including through predation. This includes awareness raising seminars, best practice workshops, on-site training and development of nationally recognised containment and predator control qualifications. The group has also identified specific actions to share Scottish and international best practice on predator control and training of site staff in appropriate use of Acoustic Deterrent Devices.
Most modern fish farms now have an independently audited Environmental Management System, accredited to ISO 14001. Many include a predator control plan specific to its location, taking account of likely predators, tidal conditions and stringent animal welfare requirements.
As regards lower stocking densities on fish farms, that is an explicit objective of the RSPCA''s Freedom Food Standard which aims at a stocking density of 15kg per cubic metre. All of the Scottish Salmon Producers'' Organisation (SSPO) member companies are now involved in this initiative, either working towards or having already achieved accreditation.
The Scottish Government also works closely with the industry on a range of initiatives to encourage best practice on predator control.
The industry will shortly publish an updated Code of Good Practice for Scottish Aquaculture. This will incorporate an updated predator control code of practice outlining specific measures to deter seals from approaching pens, such as nets that are sufficiently weighted to tension side panels, and use of acoustic seal scaring devices.
The SSPO is sponsoring the development of new acoustic seal scarers with the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) and is actively involved with other independent seals experts and wildlife interests in the Scottish Government''s Scottish Seals Forum.
Finally, a Salmon, Aquaculture and Seals Working Group has recently been established with the aim of establishing non-lethal methods of seal deterrence. The group is chaired by Dr Simon Northridge of SMRU and its membership includes representatives from Marine Harvest, Sainsbury''s, the Seal Protection Action Group, International Animal Rescue, RSPCA and SMRU.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S3W-37783 by reference.