Doubts cast on Executive plan for fish farming

MEASURES to promote and improve the fish farming industry in Scotland were dismissed yesterday as "too little too late".

The Executive’s Strategic Framework for Aquaculture was intended to address the industry’s impact on the environment and take into account issues such as economic development.

But Robin Harper, the only Green MSP, said the document made it clear the Executive was "not prepared to make an urgent investment to protect our wild salmon".

Fish farming is one of Scotland’s largest industries and supports about 6,500 jobs.

But as it has grown over the past 20 years, so, too, have concerns about pollution from farms, sea-lice infestation jeopardising wild stocks and escaped fish polluting the gene pool.

There have also been calls for a moratorium on fish farming amid worries it has reached its carrying capacity.

The strategy, drawn up by a ministerial working group of industry representatives, environmental bodies, academics and regulators, was launched at a conference in Dunblane by the deputy environment minister, Allan Wilson.

He unveiled 33 action points and signalled the Executive’s desire to bring forward "tailor-made" legislation on aquaculture during the next parliamentary session.

He revealed a new commitment to develop policy on the possible relocation of fish farms, together with pledges to review environmental impact assessments and develop minimum standards. But critics said it did not go far enough.

Mr Harper protested at a working group being set up, rather than urgent action being taken.

He said: "I have repeatedly called for assistance to enable the most poorly situated salmon farms to be moved immediately. The environment committee also called for urgent relocation of farms following their investigation."

Simon Pepper, the director of WWF Scotland, said the strategy contained "a lot of fine words" but that it had to deliver results before convincing anyone it was really going to make a difference.