New law to focus on fish health

WORK began last month on new measures to improve the health of farmed fish, it was announced at the latest Aquaculture Industry Leadership Group in Inverness. The Rural Economy Secretary, Fergus Ewing, told the meeting a framework will be developed to underpin legislation and guide best practice. Key areas of work will include knowledge exchange, cooperation and openness, sea lice and innovation. Professor Colin Moffat, head of science at Marine Scotland, and Ben Hadfield, managing director of Marine

Marine Harvest Scotland managing director Ben Hadfield will co-chair the new health group Harvest Scotland, will co-chair the Strategic Framework for Fish Health Working Group, which will meet later this month, with a final draft framework expected in the spring.

Ewing said:‘This framework reflects the importance of fish health to our aquaculture industry, and puts the welfare of our marine environment and fish at the heart of production.

‘It recognises that innovation is essential to deliver the industry’s vision for aquaculture, to maintain Scotland’s reputation for quality produce and enhance our position on the global finfish production stage.‘

Hadfield said: ‘Under this vital initiative, on which the industry are committed to work collaboratively with the Scottish government, we will increase our transparency as a sector, increase the deployment of practical and environmentally friendly fish health strategies, and evidence our current and long term commitment to fish health.’