Ever evolving along with industry
THE Scottish Technical Standard (STS) was always going to be a working document, evolving along with the industry, said W&J Knox’s Finlay Oman, who sits on the Containment Working Group.
‘There are bits that probably need redrafted to consider new equipment and materials,’ he said. ‘Things have moved on since the original idea that you had to use knotless nylon. It was a strongly held belief that knotted netting would scale fish, which in reality is true, but careful handling by experienced people can turn this on its head.
‘There are a few grey areas in the standard that have been identified by the working group that need reconsideration and the main net suppliers in the UK, Knox, Morenot and Boris, will be discussing these points in an attempt to arrive at a consensus of opinion that will be accepted by the rest of the group.’
How the STS will be updated is still unclear, but Oman is confident that any innovations will be able to be included.
‘The industry is looking to have some of the early thinking reappraised as it no longer suits the evolution of the industry and we need to try and get things right. The committee is open to change so long as it is all agreed with all the net manufacturers, and isn’t one sided.’
Implementing the standard might prove to be difficult, though, in terms of all the staffing that would be required to police it and ‘whether the guys going round are qualified to make judgements or not’.
Oman said that in his experience farmers for many years now have been taking the standard into account when they are looking to buy new equipment. This has resulted in many of the older nets, pens and moorings being replaced with up-to-date hardware.
‘I think things have moved on remarkably in the last three or four years – in terms of the industry investing in more substantial equipment. Whereas a few years ago each company had internal standards and ideas on specifications, there Is now something more measurable in place.
‘As companies have begun testing the water in more exposed sites, specifications have increased in an attempt to meet the new demands [when the standard is introduced] and I think that it will just continue evolving as we all learn from our experiences.’
W&J Knox, based in Kilbirnie, Ayrshire, supplies Sapphire Seal Pro, single layer anti-predator netting, which has proved very successful in keeping seals away from salmon stocks. Made by Garware Technical Fibres of India in conjunction with Knox, the high density polyethylene netting has a more rigid surface than ordinary nets, as well as single-sided knots to deter seals without harming the fish.
‘Most of the major companies now have Seal Pro anti-predator netting and are planning to increase their use of it,’ said Oman.
‘Companies we haven’t done much with are asking us to quote for quite large volumes…whether they end up ordering it, they are certainly currently considering it.’