Enforcement Against Fish Farms
The new rules for operation of fish farms came into effect in mid September 2013. SANA asked that enforcement action against badly performing fish farms be made public. The Scottish Government has started making inspection results public from an earlier date. Individual, named, farm inspection reports by the Fish Health Inspectorate can be viewed on-line. For the most recently published cases (July to September 2013) see here. All but two of these cases concluded that the rules had been met. Two are "open" cases. These concern containment issues.
The inspection process under which the FHI operates with respect to the 2007 Act is based upon the provisions (with respect to sea lice and containment) within the industry Code of Good Practice. The elements of the code which are relevant to these sections are considered when inspecting sites and assessing the measures in place for the prevention, control and reduction of parasites, the containment of fish and prevention of escapes from the fish farm, and the recovery of escaped fish. Where it is considered that satisfactory measures are not in place, then enforcement action can be taken through the serving of an enforcement notice.
Under the 2013 Act and with respect to the provisions concerning Aquaculture, legal requirements have been introduced relating to farm management agreements (FMA) and farm management statements (FMS). Fish farmers are required to be part of an FMA or to prepare and maintain an FMS, and ensure that the farm is operated in accordance with the agreement or statement. Farm management areas relating to farm management agreements and statements are defined within the Industry Code of Good Practice. Inspections can be conducted to check FMA or FMS are in place. Enforcement action through the serving of an enforcement notice can be taken where the measures are not considered satisfactory or where they are not being implemented appropriately.
The inspection process under which the FHI operates with respect to the 2007 Act is based upon the provisions (with respect to sea lice and containment) within the industry Code of Good Practice. The elements of the code which are relevant to these sections are considered when inspecting sites and assessing the measures in place for the prevention, control and reduction of parasites, the containment of fish and prevention of escapes from the fish farm, and the recovery of escaped fish. Where it is considered that satisfactory measures are not in place, then enforcement action can be taken through the serving of an enforcement notice.
Under the 2013 Act and with respect to the provisions concerning Aquaculture, legal requirements have been introduced relating to farm management agreements (FMA) and farm management statements (FMS). Fish farmers are required to be part of an FMA or to prepare and maintain an FMS, and ensure that the farm is operated in accordance with the agreement or statement. Farm management areas relating to farm management agreements and statements are defined within the Industry Code of Good Practice. Inspections can be conducted to check FMA or FMS are in place. Enforcement action through the serving of an enforcement notice can be taken where the measures are not considered satisfactory or where they are not being implemented appropriately.
Latest Updates from the Migratory Fish Committee
The following documents have recently been submitted by the MFC.
This submission has been forwarded to Marine Scotland in respect of the Aquaculture and Fisheries Bill.
This submission has been forwarded to the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environmental Committee of the Scottish Parliament in respect of the Aquaculture and Fisheries Bill.
This submission has been forwarded to the National Access Forum in respect of Intensive and Commercial Access to Angling Waters.
This submission has been forwarded to Marine Scotland in respect of the Aquaculture and Fisheries Bill.
This submission has been forwarded to the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environmental Committee of the Scottish Parliament in respect of the Aquaculture and Fisheries Bill.
This submission has been forwarded to the National Access Forum in respect of Intensive and Commercial Access to Angling Waters.
Analysis of Salmon and Sea Trout Catches - Updated October 2013
A paper produced under the auspices of the SANA Migratory Fish Committee (MFC) which has an analysis of salmon and sea trout catches to determine the true impact of netting on fish populations is here. Please send any feedback to the webmaster who will direct these to the MFC.
MFC Submission on Access to Angling Waters
SANA's Migratory Fish Committee has submitted this paper to Scottish Natural Heritage on the issue of Intensive and COmmercial Access to Angling Waters
SANA Submission to the Land Reform Review Group
The President, Donald Forbes, and the Chair of the Migratory Fish Committee, Craig Campbell, have approved SANA's submission to the Land Reform Review Group. The submission can be found here. More information on the Land Reform Review Group can be found here.
SANA Policy on Access to Rivers by Canoeists and Rafters
The SANA policy document on access to rivers by canoeists and rafters is here.
Consultation on the Proposed NE of England Net Limitation Orders (2)
SANA has submitted this supplementary document to the Scottish Government regarding the proposed NE of England Net Limitation orders
Consultation on the Proposed North East of England Net Limitation Orders
SANA's MFC has submitted an agreed position on the proposed North East of England net limitation order to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The SANA submission is available here.
Victory for Tummel Anglers
News of a court victory for Tummel anglers here.
ASFB - RAFTS Newsletter
The latest Association of Salmon Fishery Boards/Rivers and Fisheries Trusts newsletter is available here.
Migratory Fish
The Migratory Fish Committee deals with a wide range of issues affecting wild salmon and sea trout stocks in Scotland, the UK and, indeed, internationally through its connection with the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation, whose headquarters are in Edinburgh.
It is campaigning against certain activities of Scotland's West Coast marine salmon farming industry in the belief that these are endangering wild migratory stocks and the environment.
It is involved in conservation moves, including the encouragement of voluntary catch-and-release, in efforts to stem the decline in currently dwindling stocks of wild salmon in all the North Atlantic countries. It is also dealing with problems of pollution, water abstraction, small-scale hydro-power projects, predation by an increasing population of seals and fish-eating birds, the continuation of drift-netting for salmon in England, Northern Ireland and Ireland, industrial fishing in the North Sea and the improvement of river habitat to boost salmon and sea trout spawning prospects.
The Migratory Fish Committee for 2013
R Craig Campbell - Chair
Dr Andy Walker - V Chair
Dr John Pirie - Secretary
Bill Balfour
French Wight
W Duncan
J Fairgrieve
J Stephen
It is campaigning against certain activities of Scotland's West Coast marine salmon farming industry in the belief that these are endangering wild migratory stocks and the environment.
It is involved in conservation moves, including the encouragement of voluntary catch-and-release, in efforts to stem the decline in currently dwindling stocks of wild salmon in all the North Atlantic countries. It is also dealing with problems of pollution, water abstraction, small-scale hydro-power projects, predation by an increasing population of seals and fish-eating birds, the continuation of drift-netting for salmon in England, Northern Ireland and Ireland, industrial fishing in the North Sea and the improvement of river habitat to boost salmon and sea trout spawning prospects.
The Migratory Fish Committee for 2013
R Craig Campbell - Chair
Dr Andy Walker - V Chair
Dr John Pirie - Secretary
Bill Balfour
French Wight
W Duncan
J Fairgrieve
J Stephen
