Geographical source of lumpsucker and wrasse imports: EIR release

Information requested

You referred to a previous request and response – EIR 202400420186 concerning information relating to wrasse and lumpsuckers imported to into the UK for use on salmon farms. Your request asked for information on the geographical source of these imports (by location rather than country, if available).

We clarified, on 15 August 2024, that with respect to geographical information we would be able to provide details of the country and the fish farm site names where imports have originated from. With respect to wild caught fish, we confirmed that we do not hold any information on the location of capture with respect to those animals. In relation to introductions from Northern Ireland, we informed you that a facility is registered as an APB (Aquaculture Production Business) which holds wild caught animals temporarily prior to being moved off site and that we would hold some details regarding that facility where such movements related to Scotland.

On 17 August 2024, you confirmed that you would like to receive the data referred to concerning the origin of farmed lumpsucker fish and wrasse imports to Scotland. You asked for quantities in relation to each source and confirmed that you would also like to receive the information held about the Norther Ireland facility which was referred to.

In addition to the request for information you also posed a number of questions concerning the data previously provided. These are reproduced below under the section on ‘additional questions’ and have been handled out with the EIR process. It is important to realise that the answers to these questions are not subject to the same review and appeals process which applies to the response to the EIR request.

Response

Please find attached a spreadsheet detailing the information held in relation to your request.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested. Therefore, we are refusing that part of your request under the exception at regulation 10(4)(a) of the EIRs. The reason why that exception applies is explained below.

Under the terms of the exception at regulation 10(4)(a) of the EIRs (information not held), the Scottish Government is not required to provide information which it does not have. The Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested because geographical source information, beyond the information provided, is not required to be provided as part of the import and introduction process, with respect to wild caught fish.

This exception is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exception. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exception. While we recognise that there may be some public interest in information about the geographical location of wild caught fish species, with respect to imports and introductions, clearly, we cannot provide information which we do not hold.

Additional questions posed and information provided out with the EIRs

Your request also included some questions concerning the previous data provided through the response to EIR 202400420186. The questions and responses to them are provided below. Please note that part of the response is being handled out with the EIRs.

Q1 - With regard to the spreadsheet supplied with your letter 15 July, can you confirm that the number of MVG Lumpsuckers is correct for 2017, as it looks out of kilter with other levels?

We have corrected some small errors in the original data which was provided to you and I can confirm that the data provided through this response is correct for 2017 and the other years within the time period.

Q2 - What are the reasons for no data present for lumpsuckers (2013) and wrasse (2013-17)?

There were no imports of either species during those time periods.

Q3 - Do these figures all relate to imports of farmed fish or are wild caught fish included? If the latter, can these be quantified, please, against each year?

The figures relate to both farmed and wild fish and it is not easy to differentiate between them in all circumstances. As a general rule, lumpfish are of farmed origin and wrasse are both farmed and wild. The consignments from Northern Ireland involving the source site APBNI 25 and the source business Bold Venture represent wild caught wrasse, but this is not exclusive in that wild caught wrasse may be associated with other imports within the data but it is not possible to determine this from the information held.

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 202400426378 - Information released - Annex

File type

Excel document

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26.7 kB