Sea lice – Salmon Interactions Working Group
Building trust
Farming and wild fish groups in ‘productive’ talks over salmon fund
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EPRESENTATIVES from the Scottish salmon farming sector and fisheries trusts have been holding talks aimed at establishing a fund to help halt wild stock decline. The ongoing bilateral discussions, between the Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation (SSPO) and Fisheries Management Scotland (FMS), have focused on salmon conservation, according to the minutes of the Salmon Interactions Working Group. The group was set up in 2018 by rural economy minister Fergus Ewing to find a common approach between aquaculture and wild salmon leaders, particularly in relation to sea lice management. However, the negotiations over a salmon fund are taking place outside the group, according to industry sources. The fish farming industry is believed to be talking about investing money and time in helping to improve the habitat of rivers and estuaries. Minutes from the September 2019 meeting of the interactions group reported that the bilateral discussions between the SSPO and FMS had been ‘positive and productive’. ‘It was agreed that neither FMS nor SSPO wished to be having the same discussions on interactions in five years’ time and that both parties were committed to making tangible progress with meaningful outcomes,’ the minutes recorded. In an earlier meeting of the interactions group, the possibility was mooted of raising money by fining farmers for escapes. ‘There was general consensus that imposing penalties on those responsible should be taken forward.’ The monies raised from penalties would be put back into wild salmon and trout conservation projects, but there was an acknowledgment that this might be challenging from a legal and judicial process perspective. The interactions group includes members from individual salmon farming companies, as well as the SSPO, along with representatives from government agencies such as Marine Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, and Scottish Natural Heritage. Salmon fishery boards and Fishery Management Scotland represent wild salmon interests on the group. The British Trout Association also takes part.
The chairman, John Goodlad, was positive that the two sectors could agree within the next few months on recommendations that would then be sent to ministers for consideration. ‘The impact of fish farming on wild populations is clearly a difficult and controversial issue with strong views held on all sides,’ he told Fish Farmer. He said the group, which has met six or seven times, is ‘determined to make progress’ and all members had put a lot of hard work into the process. ‘We’re in the final stages now…and I’m optimistic we will get there, but we’re not there yet. ‘I’d particularly like to pay tribute to the professional approach of both FMS and the SSPO; they really are both approaching this in a constructive and professional way, conscious that it is an important issue.’
“Everyone’s hope is that these recommendations will stand the test of time
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10/02/2020 15:00:58