The Scottish Government today announced a new strategy to support Scotland's fish farming sector.
The "Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture" proposes a set of actions to increase the productivity of Scotland's aquaculture industry and help reduce its impact on the environment.
The actions include measures to safeguard the natural environment, support innovation across the sector, ensure local communities receive lasting benefits from aquaculture, and promote new infrastructure and supply chain developments.
Launching the initiative, Scotland's Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon highlighted Scotland's fish farming sector as a significant contributor to the Scottish economy.
"Farmed salmon continues to be hugely popular in both domestic and foreign markets whilst Scottish businesses are at the very forefront of global innovation within the industry," she said.
"We want the industry to continue to flourish whilst placing a renewed emphasis on environmental protection and community benefits. This is the defining principle of the Vision for Aquaculture and the measures that it contains are designed to achieve this."
"This work is part of our wider efforts to improve and enhance Scotland's blue economy. It will require us to work collectively with producers, supply chain businesses and other stakeholders to respond and adapt to the nature and climate crises – ensuring the continued success of Scottish aquaculture," Gougeon concluded.
According to a Scottish Government statement announcing the new "vision", the measures will be implemented by government "in cooperation with businesses and other stakeholders".
It will also "seek to harness the potential Scotland has as a coastal nation to develop its Blue Economy and create more sustainable economic and social benefit from fish, seafood and seaweed farming in the future".
Salmon Scotland, the trade body for the Scottish salmon aquaculture industry, said it welcomed the move. Chief Executive Tavish Scott said the vision "puts salmon farming at the heart of the country's economic growth plans, helping Scotland's journey to net zero and supporting healthy diets.
"The blue economy has the potential to both increase food security at home and feed the growing global population. Scotland is uniquely placed to lead the way in the drive for the sustainable use of the oceans and seas, while conserving our shared environment for future generations," he said.
Other Scottish fish farming industry representatives also welcomed the initiative. Andrew Cannon, Managing Director of Kames Fish Farming, the UK's sole producer of steelhead trout, said it was "encouraging" to see "open dialogue between the sector and government", adding he hoped it would "enable progression to a more sustainable future for aquaculture."
"We can only really tackle these sustainability challenges, such as climate change and environmental impact, by working collectively and collaboratively, and through better education and discourse with the research institutes and public bodies," Cannon continued.
"We hope this vision document triggers action, further than just words, within the industry," he said.