Question reference: S5O-03991
- Asked by: Maurice Corry, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 8 January 2020
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Current status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 15 January 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that planned developments in fish farming consider any risks they may pose to the marine environment, such as natural fish migration routes.
Answer
Planning consent for new fish farms is a matter for local authorities, which consider developments on their merits, and can impose conditions to manage environmental risk. Advice on the assessment is provided by statutory consultees including Scottish Government and its relevant agencies.
A regulatory group is currently developing a practical framework for assessing sea lice loadings and management requirements. This will use the best available science which will include consideration of the natural migratory routes of wild fish. The framework will enhance the advice available to inform on new fish farm developments.