Vision for sustainable aquaculture: island communities impact assessment

3. Step Three Consultation

3.1 Is there information already gathered through previous engagements?

Information was not previously collected for the purposes of the Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture, however contributions to other Scottish Government consultation exercises and the resulting outcomes, such as National Planning Framework 4, were considered whilst producing the Vision. Meetings were also held with internal Scottish Government departments to discuss the intersect of the Vision with rural housing, population, transport, ferries and Islands Plans policies, for example.

3.2 How will you carry out your consultation and in what timescales? Public meetings/Local Authorities/key Stakeholders?

Throughout development of the Vision, meetings have been held with key stakeholders as described in 2.2. Meetings were offered on a 1:1 basis. The Scottish Aquaculture Council met to discuss the developing Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture, providing advice to Cabinet Secretaries on its contents. A final round of written feedback was requested from Scottish Aquaculture Council members and other key stakeholders in advance of publication.

3.3 What questions will you ask when considering how to address island realities?

When dealing with stakeholders that are based or work with Island communities we have asked what they would like to see included in the Vision. We have also sought input on barriers to further development of aquaculture in Island locations and what the perception of the industry is in Island communities.

3.4 Separate consultation events for Island communities/Local Authorities?

Consultation has taken place through a series of 1:1 meetings and discussion at the Scottish Aquaculture Council. Producers organisations were asked to provide views on behalf of their members operating across Scotland. Many companies which provided individual contributions operate across Scotland’s mainland and in the Highlands and Islands.