Visits by Marine Scotland to fish farms owned by Bakkafrost Scotland Ltd: EIR release

Information requested

You submitted two information requests (EIR 202400398118 and EIR 202400398194) relating to inspections and visits undertaken by Marine Scotland and the Fish Health Inspectorate, at fish farm sites owned by Bakkafrost Scotland Limited. Because of the similarity and cross over between the requests we have handled these together, replying to both through this single response. The detail of both of the requests which were submitted is contained within the Annex to this letter.

Response

Some of the information you have requested is publicly available by accessing the Scottish Government website through the links given below.

Response to EIR 202400398118

Information relating to the inspection activity of the Marine Directorate’s Fish Health Inspectorate is publicly available - Publication of Fish Health Inspectorate information - gov.scot (www.gov.scot). This includes case information and reports associated with inspections conducted as part of the aquatic animal health surveillance programme, as well as inspections related to escapes and containment, and sea lice.

We have provided a spreadsheet summary of the cases conducted at Bakkafrost fish farm sites to facilitate locating relevant reports within the published case information. It is suggested that you use the unique case numbers as a reference to guide you to the appropriate information.

In terms of the mode of inspections, these are almost exclusively undertaken by in person visits, but may also involve pre and post email communications and on-line discussions and meetings as part of that process. The one exception to this are cases marked as PSI (Passive Surveillance Inspection), where the information has been obtained without an in person visit.

Response to EIR 202400398194

Further inspections undertaken by the Marine Directorate (previously Marine Scotland) include site inspections to monitor for the presence of acoustic deterrent devices (ADDs). Information relating to this is publicly available - Marine and fisheries compliance: site inspections monitoring acoustic deterrent devices - gov.scot (www.gov.scot).

In addition to the published information a number of inspection reports are also provided as part of our response. These have been subject to the redaction of personal information.

An exception under regulation 11(2) of the EIRs (personal information) applies to some of the information requested because it is personal data of a third party and disclosing it would contravene the data protection principles in Article 5(1) of the General Data Protection Regulation and in section 34(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018. This exception is not subject to the 'public interest test', so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exception.

In addition, further visits undertaken by officials within the Marine Directorate have been made to the Stronachullin fish farm site as specified below. Due to the nature of these visits, there are no further details which relate to ‘investigations’ or reports concerning the visits made.

1) On 25 January 2022, an official attended the site supporting a visit of the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission’s (SAWC) working group which was considering welfare aspects of ADD use. The purpose of the official’s attendance was to support SAWC’s awareness and understanding of fin fish
farming practices.

2) On 16 January 2023, an induction visit for senior officials with aquaculture related responsibilities and interests was undertaken. The visit consisted of a meeting with senior representatives from Bakkafrost as well as Salmon Scotland and involved a tour of the site and feed barge.

3) On 15 November 2023, officials undertook a visit for the purposes of learning and development, as well as stakeholder engagement.

Publicly available information and regulation 6(1)(b)

Where information is publicly available and easily accessible to you in another form or format, as in the case with FHI and ADD inspections detailed above, then under regulation 6(1)(b) of the EIRs, we do not have to give you this information. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

Annex – Full details of the information requested

EIR 202400398118

1. The total number of inspections carried out by the Fish Health Inspectorate (“FHI”) at fish farms owned by Bakkafrost Scotland Limited (“Bakkafrost”)1 from March 2020 to date.
2. In relation to each inspection, the mode of the inspection at each farm (whether it was conducted in person, by phone, on paper only, or by other means).
3. Copies of any reports made by FHI relating to Bakkafrost from March 2020 to date.

EIR 202400398194

1. A list of all visits made by Marine Scotland to fish farms owned by Bakkafrost Scotland Limited (“Bakkafrost”)1 from March 2020 to date.
2. Details of all investigations carried out by Marine Scotland in relation to fish farms owned by Bakkafrost from March 2020 to date.
3. Copies of all reports made by Marine Scotland related to Bakkafrost from March 2020 to date.

1 Please note that this company was known as The Scottish Salmon Company until 6 June 2022 - BAKKAFROST SCOTLAND LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK (company-information.service.gov.uk).

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

EIR 202400398194 - Information released - Attachment 1

File type

20 page PDF

File size

6.2 MB

EIR 202400398194 - Information released - Attachment 2

File type

Excel document

File size

22.5 kB