Farming ‘status quo not an option’ say MSPs
New Scottish salmon probe to hear from fish farmers
A HOLYROOD inquiry has concluded that Scotland’s marine ecosystem faces ‘irrecoverable damage’ from salmon farming if environmental concerns are not addressed.
The Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform committee (ECCLR), which took evidence last month from environmental campaigners, scientists from the Scottish Association for Marine Science and the Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation (SSPO), said fish mortality was at ‘unacceptable levels’.
Its report concluded that there has been little progress in tackling environmental problems since 2002.
The SSPO insisted it was committed to long-term sustainability, saying:‘The industry takes this inquiry very seriously and has provided written and oral evidence to the committee to highlight our commitment to long-term sustainability through high standards of fish health, husbandry and environmentally responsible production.
‘With investment of over £50 million in new innovations and around £10 million per year spent on research, it is clear that the Scottish salmon farming industry is proud of its achievement to become the UK’s top food export.
‘We are determined to address any challenges to the sector maintaining that position.’
With the industry planning to expand over the next decade, the committee said Scotland is at ‘a critical point in considering how salmon farming develops in a sustainable way in relation to the environment’.
The environment committee – which did not take evidence from any salmon farmers - came to 12 conclusions, including: an ‘ecosystem based approach’ is needed for growth which identifies where new farms can be located without impacting on the environment; and the sector is not being regulated sufficiently or effectively.
It said ‘the status quo is not an option’ and called for a ‘precautionary’ approach to expansion of the industry based on outstanding environmental concerns being resolved.
The report on the environmental impact of salmon farming is being sent to the Scottish parliament’s Rural Economy and Connectivity committee which is conducting a wider inquiry into the sector.
It began taking evidence on March 7, with witnesses including Professor James Bron and Professor Herve Migaud of Stirling’s Institute of Aquaculture, and Professor Paul Tett, reader in Coastal Ecosystems, from the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS).
MARINE Harvest is to appear before the Rural Economy and Connectivity (REC) committee’s investigation into salmon farming. The company’s managing director in Scotland, Ben Hadfield, is expected to defend fish farmers’ interests, alongside the managing directors of two other salmon businesses, believed to be Grieg Seafood and the Scottish Salmon Company.
The committee, which will be taking evidence from the industry, academics, regulators and conservation organisations over three months, was due to launch its inquiry at the Scottish parliament on March 7, as Fish Farmer was going to press. A deadline of April 27 has been given for written submissions.
First to give evidence was Professor James Bron and Professor Herve Migaud of the University of Stirling’s Institute of Aquaculture, Professor Paul Tett, reader in Coastal Ecosystems, from the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), and economist Steve Westbrook
A week later, the committee, convened by Conservative MSP Edward Mountain, was due to hear from Scottish Environment LINK, Salmon Trout Conservation (the angling lobbyist which prompted the inquiry), Fisheries Management Scotland, and the Lochaber District Salmon Fishery Board.
Regulatory bodies are to appear on April 18, and on April 25 it will be the turn of Scotland Food and Drink, and High- lands and Islands Enterprise.
Marine Harvest and the other salmon companies will give evidence on May 2, followed a week later by Fergus Ewing, Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity.
The REC committee’s investigation will be more wide ranging than that of the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform (ECCLR) committee, which published its conclusions of the industry’s environmental performance at the beginning of this month.
The environment committee heard from environmental groups, the Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation, regulators and the Scottish Association for Marine Science.
Its findings will feed into the REC inquiry, whose remit is to consider the current state of the salmon industry in Scotland, identify opportunities for its future development and explore how the various fish health and environmental challenges it currently faces can be addressed.
The clerk of the ECCLR committee told Fish Farmer that no vote had been taken over its final report, which suggests there was agreement among the 11 MSPs.
One of them, Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron, represents many fish farmers in his constituency.
Speaking for himself and not the committee, he later told Fish Farmer Representing the Highlands and Islands, I’m acutely aware of the vital role fish farming plays in the local economy and how it is a major employer in some of our most remote and fragile areas, from Lochaber to Lewis and Campbeltown to Lerwick.’
He said that from being a local in Fort William and from his own personal experience, he knew of the work that companies such as Marine Harvest did with the community, not just as an employer but more widely’ and that its contribution to the local economy was huge.
The industry has my full support. I am sure it will take on board the concerns of the committee so that it adheres to the highest standards of environmental protection, and so that any expansion of salmon production is done in a sensitive and sustainable manner, in order that both fish farming and our natural environment can thrive together.
I don’t think it’s impossible for the industry to thrive while also operating to high environmental standards.’
Cameron is to represent the ECCLR committee on the REC committee. A delegation from the REC committee is planning to visit a salmon farm on Scotland’s west coast this month so MSPs can see first hand the way the industry operates.
REC convenor Edward Mountain, also an MSP for the Highlands and Islands, has encouraged individuals and organisations to share their views.
The inquiry is an opportunity for people to voice their views and opinions on the current state of the salmon industry, opportunities for its future development, and its environmental impact.
In the coming months we will gather evidence from producers, processors and others directly involved in the salmon industry environmental organisations and Scotland’s food and drink sector.
It’s crucial that we access the valuable knowledge, experience and expertise of everyone in Scotland with an interest in the future of the salmon industry to help shape our work in this area.’
The committee will produce a report detailing its findings once it has concluded its anticipated evidence. The ECCLR committee’s report will feed into the broader Rural Economy review.
“I’m acutely aware of the vital role fish farming plays in the economy” local