Aquaculture Zoning, Site Selection and Area Management in Scottish Marine Finfish Production

Alexander G. Murray and Matthew Gubbins1

Abstract

Scottish aquaculture is dominated by Atlantic salmon, for which it is the world’s third largest producer.

Salmon farming has developed since the 1970s and spatial management has become increasingly important to ensure sustainability, particularly for fish health and environmental protection. Area management involves collaboration between government and industry and both parties operate area management systems.
Disease Management Areas (DMAs) are used by government to control notifiable disease, particularly ISA.
They are defined using a simple model and government policy is against new sites that would join DMAs. Farm Management Areas (FMAs) are industry defined areas in which farms collaborate on management issues, including sea lice treatments. Sea lochs (small fjords) are assessed for carrying capacity and maximum biomass consent is limited to prevent environmental impacts arising from cumulative discharges. At a larger spatial scale large areas are reserved with no aquaculture, including the North and East coasts of Scotland, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland where the most significant wild salmonid populations in Scotland are found. New farms are given development consent under Town and Country Planning by Local Authorities, taking into account views of consultees, stakeholders and in accordance with established policies in Scotland’s National Marine Plan and any local plans. Standards are enforced through official inspectors working for the Fish Health Inspectorate and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and by industry codes of practice.

 

 

1 The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of FAO or the World Bank Group.

2 www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/09/6580

Murray, A. G. & Gubbins, M. 2017. Aquaculture Zoning, Site Selection and Area Management in Scottish Marine Finfish Production. In J. Aguilar-Manjarrez, D. Soto & R. Brummett. Aquaculture zoning, site selection and area management under the ecosystem approach to aquaculture. Full document, pp. 358–373. Report ACS113536. Rome, FAO, and World Bank Group, Washington, DC. 395 pp.