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A survey has been launched by the Scottish Government, to understand the impact of the barrier to trade in exporting Live Bivalve Molluscs (LBM’s) (including Scallops) to the European Union and/or Northern Ireland.

Live Bivalve Molluscs, such as scallops, cockles, mussels and oysters, which have been harvested from either unclassified, or non-class A waters which cannot be verified by certifying officers, as fit for human consumption at the point of export, cannot be exported to the EU or NI, as there is a permanent barrier to trade, and cannot be provided with an EHC*.

The survey, which runs until 16 April, goes through a series of questions to identify if your business could be affected by this barrier to trade. While we expect the impact to be small for the Scottish seafood industry there is a need to understand the scale of this issue.

The survey results will be used to provide Marine Scotland with a greater understanding of the scale this barrier to trade will have on Scottish businesses and inform any further considerations of appropriate mitigation.

For further information or if you are having difficulties accessing the survey please email: Louise.Pell-walpole@gov.scot and provide your company name and email address.

* This does not affect the export of part grown live bivalve molluscs to the EU for further ongrowing on aquaculture sites. The Fish Health Inspectorate will continue to issue certificates for this trade.

Background

Live Bivalve Molluscs – Survey

The post New Live Bivalve Molluscs and Scallop impact survey launches appeared first on Marine Scotland.

Scotland will use its share of additional fishing opportunities to deliver quota to active fishers, expand opportunities for the inshore fleet and help reduce business costs.

Following the outcome of a recent consultation which sought views on different ways of allocating quota for 2021, the Scottish Government has confirmed it will distribute additional quota in two different ways.

Additional quota will be allocated:

• on the basis of historical activity of vessels – to reflect past catches
• to non-sector vessels, who are mainly smaller inshore vessels that typically target shellfish – these inshore vessels have not had the same opportunity to develop a track record of activity

Future arrangements for the distribution of additional quota will be the subject of further consultation later this year. It is anticipated that Scottish quota will be allocated in April.

Fisheries Secretary Fergus Ewing said:

“While the additional fishing opportunities arising from Brexit are significantly lower than what the UK Government promised the industry, we are determined that any opportunity we do have is targeted at the active fishing industry.

“Combined with the continuing difficulties UK vessels face in accessing European markets, alongside ongoing market disruption due to the Coronavirus, the overall effect of leaving the European Union has been profoundly negative for our coastal communities.

“This allocation will provide opportunities for inshore vessels to diversify, and therefore help to spread benefit in families and businesses in our coastal communities.”

Background

The outcome of the consultation is available to view. 

The additional quota is as a result of the UK leaving the EU, and receiving quota over and above the share it received as an EU member state under the Common Fisheries Policy.

The post Additional quota opportunities for Scottish fleet appeared first on Marine Scotland.

Mandatory sea lice reporting for aquaculture production businesses will come into force on 29 March 2021.

The provisions of The Fish Farming Businesses (Reporting) (Scotland) Order 2020 will introduce a step change in sea lice reporting.

While previous arrangements required reporting only where specific levels were met or exceeded (i.e. a weekly average of two adult female sea lice per fish), sea lice numbers will now need to be reported weekly, one week in arrears, to Scottish Ministers irrespective of the count. Where no count is conducted the reason must be given.

The additional information reported will help the Fish Health Inspectorate monitor and enforce policy on sea lice management and help support the health and welfare of farmed fish. Reported data will be published to promote transparency.

The order has been developed through the Farmed Fish Health Framework and following a review of sea lice policy in Scotland.

The post Sea lice reporting to be mandatory appeared first on Marine Scotland.

Marine Scotland Image Bank posted a photo:

Photo by Jack Lucas, Marine Scotland

:copyright: Crown Copyright

Marine Scotland Image Bank posted a photo:

Photo by Jack Lucas, Marine Scotland

:copyright: Crown Copyright

Marine Scotland Image Bank posted a photo:

Colony of harbour seals on the Eileans, Millport Bay

Photo by Jack Lucas, Marine Scotland

:copyright: Crown Copyright

Marine Scotland Image Bank posted a photo:

Photo by Jack Lucas, Marine Scotland

:copyright: Crown Copyright

Marine Scotland Image Bank posted a photo:

Photo by Jack Lucas, Marine Scotland

:copyright: Crown Copyright

Marine Scotland Image Bank posted a photo:

Photo by Jack Lucas, Marine Scotland

:copyright: Crown Copyright

Marine Scotland Image Bank posted a photo:

Photo by Jack Lucas, Marine Scotland

:copyright: Crown Copyright

Marine Scotland Image Bank posted a photo:

Photo by Jack Lucas, Marine Scotland

:copyright: Crown Copyright

Marine Scotland Image Bank posted a photo:

Photo by Jack Lucas, Marine Scotland

:copyright: Crown Copyright

Marine Scotland Image Bank posted a photo:

Photo by Jack Lucas, Marine Scotland

:copyright: Crown Copyrightv

Marine Scotland Image Bank posted a photo:

Photo by Jack Lucas, Marine Scotland

:copyright: Crown Copyright

Marine Scotland Image Bank posted a photo:

Photo by Jack Lucas, Marine Scotland

:copyright: Crown Copyright

Marine Scotland Image Bank posted a photo:

Photo by Jack Lucas, Marine Scotland

:copyright: Crown Copyright

Marine Scotland Image Bank posted a photo:

Photo by Jack Lucas, Marine Scotland

:copyright: Crown Copyright

Marine Scotland Image Bank posted a photo:

Photo by Jack Lucas, Marine Scotland

:copyright: Crown Copyright

Investments and jobs in seafood sectors, the marine environment and coastal communities will be supported through a new marine fund.

Marine Fund Scotland (MFS) replaces the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), following the UK’s exit from the EU. The EMFF supported the sustainable growth of the marine economy in coastal communities, in sectors such as fishing, aquaculture and seafood processing.

The EMFF has committed over £96 million to coastal communities across Scotland since it opened in 2016. It is now closed for new applications, but will continue paying grants until 2023.

The MFS has a one year budget of £14 million, meaning all projects must be completed by 31st March 2022.

Announcing the fund, Fisheries Secretary Fergus Ewing said:

“MFS will replace the outgoing EMFF and support growth in our Blue Economy, provide vital investment in the Scottish marine industries and seafood sectors and protect jobs and livelihoods in our coastal communities at a time when many are facing acute hardship due to Brexit and the pandemic.

“In setting up this fund we’ve been consistently clear that the funding provided by the UK Government must match the scale of Scotland’s marine responsibilities and the value of our marine industries. However, what has been provided so far for Marine Fund Scotland has been wholly inadequate and far more is needed. We’re also prevented from making long term strategic investments as the UK Government will only provide funding on a one year basis whereas the EMFF provided multi-year allocations.

“Based on the EMFF budget for 2021-2027, and on our sea area alone, an equitable and evidence-based funding share would be £62 million per annum. We have not received that despite the UK Government promising to match EU funding . Rest assured, we will continue to press the UK Government to make good on those pledges as this reduced funding will inevitably limit what we are able to achieve for our fishers and coastal communities.

“Additionally, the UK Government must also deliver on its promise to provide £100 million to support fishing industry innovation and modernisation, with an equitable share for the Scottish catching and processing sectors.

“Anything less would effectively mean that Scottish businesses and coastal communities being short-changed; adding insult to the injury of new trade barriers arising from the Brexit deal.”

Background

Government Inspired Question on the funding.

Expressions of interest have now launched for Marine Fund Scotland with applications and further details expected to go live in April.

The post New Marine Fund Scotland launches appeared first on Marine Scotland.

A new science publication has found no evidence of Coronavirus (COVID-19) impacting salmon welfare in Scotland.

The study, which has been published in the Veterinary and Animal Science journal, examined whether sea lice numbers and mortality rates in salmon farms had changed over the three-year period from 2018-2020.

The paper found that monthly sea lice counts and mortality in 2020 were comparable with monthly values in 2018-19 indicating that welfare standards were maintained in 2020, in spite of COVID-19. The report did not look at the economic or social impacts of COVID-19 on aquaculture.

The paper was written by Alexander Murray, Stephen Ives, Ron Smith and Meadhbh Moriarty from Marine Scotland Science.

Dr Murray said:

“It has been widely predicted that the impact of COVID-19 on human health and activity would result in indirect impacts on animal health and welfare, however this study shows no gross evidence of this being the case with salmon welfare in Scotland.

“This is an area we want to explore in more detail and we will be doing further analysis as we receive more data.”

Background

The paper ‘A preliminary assessment of indirect impacts on aquaculture species health and welfare in Scotland during COVID-19 lockdown’ is available to view.

The post Aquaculture health and welfare during Coronavirus appeared first on Marine Scotland.