Vision for sustainable aquaculture: island communities impact assessment

2. Step Two – Gather your data and identify your stakeholders

2.1 What data is available about the current situation in the islands?

The number of aquaculture farms operating from each island is available through National Marine plan Interactive. Data on finfish and shellfish production and direct employment is available on a regional level (including Orkney, Shetland and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) but not at the individual island level (e.g. Skye and small Isles would fall under Highland Region). There is not yet any published data on seaweed farm production or employment levels. There is no definitive published data set on the number of aquaculture supply chain businesses that operate from each island.

2.2 Who are your key Stakeholders?

Aquaculture area communities, Industry (finfish, shellfish and seaweed), Internal SG, Regulators, Local Authorities, Enterprise Agencies, NGOs, Innovation Centres, Universities and Research Councils and other third parties.

2.3 How does any existing data differ between islands?

Shetland has the highest numbers of aquaculture sites, Orkney, Lewis/Harris, Skye and Mull are also well developed. A range of other islands have a small numbers of farms (1-3) such as Barra, Gigha, Rum, Muck, Colonsay, Arran, Eigg, Islay.