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Review of the Regulations Governing Aquaculture in Scotland

Document format: pdf

Publisher: Scottish Environment Protection Agency

Creation date: June 29, 2001

SEPA welcomes the opportunity to comment on the proposed review of the regulations governing fish farming activities. As one of the principal regulatory authorities overseeing this industry, SEPA has a particular interest in achieving an efficient, effective and relevant legislative framework which allows the level of SEPAs intervention in the industrys activities to be related to the risk of environmental damage. SEPA notes that the review applies to all aquacultural activities although the consultation document focuses mainly on problems associated with the fin-fish farming industry, particularly in marine waters. Many of the proposals relate to the provisions of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 (the 74 Act) and the difficulties of applying this piece of legislation to cage rearing techniques, whether carried out in marine or fresh waters. SEPA is supportive of the proposed changes to address these problems but would confirm that the existing provisions of the 74 Act have been applied successfully to land-based aquaculture activities where effluent discharges are made through pipes or channels and SEPA would not wish to lose these as they remain relevant and applicable to this sector of the industry. Although SEPA is aware that under certain circumstances shellfish culture can result in the accumulation of enriched sediment and shell debris below structures, the activity essentially involves the provision of a substrate for shellfish to settle and grow naturally and does not involve feeding with an artificial diet or the use of chemical therapeutants. SEPA has not sought applications for discharge consents under the present regulatory regime provided by the Control of Pollution Act 1974 (the 74 Act), but would point out that changes to the legislation resulting from this review may have implications for this sector of the aquaculture industry.

Key Words: Scotland • UK • Policy and Regulation • Policy Review