A Fresh Start: The renewed Strategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculture

KEY THEMES

Scottish Government's Strategic Objectives

DESIRED OUTCOMES

WEALTHIER & FAIRER

SMARTER

HEALTHIER

SAFER & STRONGER

GREENER

Healthier fish and shellfish (H)

Protecting valuable assets by high standards of husbandry and biosecurity to benefit all sectors

Continual development of control strategies and making best use of available medicines as well as research and development into emerging diseases

Producing healthy high quality, safe farmed fish and shellfish backed by a modern effective food safety regime

Controlling disease to help secure a sustainable, long-term future

Good strategies to help minimise discharge of medicine residues to the environment and the appropriate disposal of mortalities to limit disease spread

A secure long-term future for the industry by protecting the asset through adoption of disease and parasite-control strategies which also contribute to minimising impacts on the environment

Improved systems for licensing aquaculture developments (L)

Develop plans to make optimal use of the space available to grow fish and shellfish through open and transparent processes

Develop and retain skilled, knowledgeable and trained decision-makers and workforce

Sites located to ensure optimum production of high quality, safe farmed fish and shellfish

Certainty and clarity going forward, underpinning downstream activities and benefits to local communities

The right sites in the right places permitted through a streamlined and proportionate regulatory framework to ensure reduced impacts on other species and users of the marine and freshwater environment

Development of the right sites in the right places through transparent, streamlined and proportionate regulation and processes to minimise adverse impacts on other users of the marine and freshwater environment

Improved Containment (C)

Retaining stock within farm premises to increase profitability whilst preventing conflict with others' interests

Adopting best practice and technologies through continuous improvement to prevent fish farm escapes

Secure facilities producing high quality healthy fish

Reducing stock loss to improve the reputation and credibility of the industry to help secure its long-term future at the same time protecting wild fisheries and tourism

Potential detrimental effects on wild fish stocks reduced

Containment improved by adopting best-practice to reduce stock loss, improve profitability and secure the future and credibility of the industry whilst minimising adverse environmental impacts and preventing conflict with other interests

Better marketing and improved image (M)

Maximising profitability by promoting a positive image of the industry, making best use of the Scottish quality brand to secure markets home and abroad and retain and attract the best people and innovators

Ensure favourable conditions for both commodity and niche market production, better integration with transport and processing infrastructure and improved staff training and development

Promoting the health and nutritional benefits of farmed fish and shellfish

Strong industry with a strong brand through well-established markets and developing new markets for higher value and niche products

Enhancing the industry's reputation for respecting the environment through adoption of best practice and greener technologies and reducing the impact on wild fisheries by increasing use of alternative feed sources

Maximised profitability for commodity and niche market producers by promotion of a positive image of the industry and making best use of the Scottish quality brand to secure markets at home and abroad and provide sustainable employment opportunities

Improved access to Finance (F)

Develop a climate to improve investor confidence, supporting and underpinning the long-term future and competitiveness of the sector

Facilitate best use of technology and resources to make aquaculture attractive to investors

Producing high quality, safe, and nutritious farmed fish and shellfish

Securing finance to support the long-term stability and development of the industry

Invest in best practice and technologies to minimise impacts on the environment

An investment climate which supports and underpins the long-term future and competitiveness of the sector with investment in best practice and new technologies