Future mapped out for Scottish aquaculture

He used a visit to a fish farm on Skye to launch a public consultation on the
Scottish Government’s Strategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculture (SFSA).

The initiative is focused on five key areas aimed at ensuring a
sustainable and profitable industry – healthier farmed fish, an improved system
for new developments, less escapes from farms, better marketing and
finance.

Flexible ways of working
Also being proposed are more
flexible ways of working and a new direction for the Ministerial Working Group
on Aquaculture, chaired by Russell.

The SFSA, first published in 2003,
has been developed in partnership with the aquaculture sector and is intended to
provide a framework for an economic mainstay of many rural
communities.

Salmon
Russell said: “Last year we produced some
140,000 tonnes of salmon worth almost £400 million (€502 million), more than the
value of our catching sector.

“Our farmed rainbow and brown trout
industry is also worth over £10 million (€12.6 million) and we also have a
successful shellfish sector, worth more than £5 million (€6.3
million).”

He added: “It is clear, that we need to maintain a Scottish
aquaculture industry that is ambitious, thriving, growing, diverse and
profitable.

“However, growth must be sustainable; economically, socially
and environmentally.”

Related website:
•  Strategic Framework for Scottish
Aquaculture (SFSA)

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