Salmon farmer sourcing wrasse ‘responsibly’
SALMON farmer Loch Duart has been working with fisheries and conservation authorities in England since 2016 to source wild wrasse sustainably for use on its Scottish farms.
The company said its cleaner fish strategy had helped it achieve its lowest historical lice counts on all sites by the end of 2017, even during ‘peak lice’ periods of warmer water.
The independent producer plans having the first medicinal free year in 2018 for the control of sea lice and will be developing wrasse husbandry skills to achieve this.
The company has reduced its annual requirement for wild caught ballan wrasse, but continues to work closely with south coast regulators, and has been praised for its conservative approach to sourcing the species.
The availability of wrasse from the south of England was highlighted by local fishermen. Their sizes are more varied, suggesting an even distribution of populations and generations of fish, good habitat and warmer water temperatures.
Loch Duart representatives met IFCA (Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority) officials in December 2017, when it was agreed that the farmer would lead regulation and close monitoring of the fishery.
Lewis Bennett, Loch Duart cleaner fish coordinator, said: ‘When fishermen started catching wild wrasse for Loch Duart in 2016 the fishery was basically open to anyone.
‘The risk of the fishery being over exploited was high even in these wrasse rich locations. Loch Duart found that the key regulatory and advisory bodies developed innovative management measures which were nothing short of outstanding.
‘Loch Duart and the rest of the industry is making the transition from wild caught wrasse to farmed wrasse.’
There is currently no regulation in Scotland on wrasse fishing, and Loch Duart is working with Marine Scotland to set standards and fishery guidance.
The company has focused on specific size ranges and fishing periods backed by ongoing scientific data collection and research.
Loch Duart has a short holding policy prior to transport to reduce stress, and is also developing a transport system with the RSPCA.