Marine aquaculture
A variety of fish species are grown in farms around the Scottish
coast - salmon, trout, cod, halibut, and others - as well as
farming of shellfish such as mussels, oysters and
scallops. In addition, there are developing commercial
interests in growing novel groups such as sea urchins and
seaweeds.
Finfish aquaculture
In Scotland marine aquaculture is dominated by the production of
salmon. Salmon farming, in common with the production of all
marine fish species, takes place almost entirely in floating net
cages. They are fed with specially formulated pelletized
diets, of which a small proportion along with faeces from the fish,
are released from the cages and into the water column, to be
deposited on the seabed. These discharges of waste feed and
faeces, along with residues of medicines used to treat the fish
when they suffer from diseases or parasite infestations, may pose a
risk to the environment.
Regulation of fish farms
In common with any industry which makes discharges to the
aquatic environment, operators wishing to establish a fish farm in
the sea around Scotland must apply for and be granted a licence
under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland)
Regulations 2005 (CAR). These regulations provide SEPA
with powers to ensure that activities which may pose a risk to the
water environment are controlled. SEPA makes sure this is the
case by setting limits on the amount of fish that can be held in
the cages and thus the amount of food used. SEPA also protects
the environment by limiting the amount of certain medicines that
can be administered and discharged. In setting these limits,
SEPA aims to ensure that the fish farm is operating within the
capacity of the environment or in some sense is in harmony with the
sea in the location in which it is sited.
Pre-consultation
The process of determining what the appropriate size of the farm
is for a given location is quite complex. Prior to submitting an
application, operators are recommended to discuss their proposals
with SEPA. This pre-application consultation can avoid
potentially costly difficulties and disappointment should SEPA
determine that the proposals are inappropriate for the site
concerned. SEPA offers the opportunity for pre-consultation
without prejudicing the formal application process. Further
details with respect to the required scientific supporting
information can be found in the pre-application
process document.
Licence applications and modelling
The process of applying for a CAR licence involves a number of
steps and includes an advertising and consultation
process. Details of the steps taken in the determination of a
CAR licence for a fish farm are described in detail in the fish
farm manual. For non-fish farm discharges, please refer
to the guidance pages within the water regulation section.
Applicants must also submit information on the physical,
chemical and biological condition of the seabed. They must also
measure the currents in the area and conduct computer modelling
simulations showing how waste will be dispersed from the
site. Use the menu on the left to find out more.
Licence determination and site monitoring
Following submission and advertising of the application, SEPA
will consider the proposals and either grant or refuse a
licence. Where a licence is granted and a farm is developed,
SEPA will undertake monitoring and inspections of the farm and the
operator will also be required to commission regular studies of the
impact of the farm on the seabed. SEPA recovers part of the
cost of this monitoring regime through the levying of charges - see
the CAR charging scheme for
details. Fish farmers also make data returns to SEPA detailing
the scale of the discharges from each of their farm
premises. This data forms a large part of the publically
available Scottish Pollutant Release
Inventory (SPRI).
Contact us
- General enquiries regarding fish farm applications,
inspections and the regulatory regime should be directed
to the relevant local SEPA Office.
- For enquiries regarding marine biology and chemistry
and monitoring survey techniques contact Marine Science at
the Dingwall Office or via e-mail at FFMarineScience@sepa.org.uk
- For enquiries regarding modelling contact the
OceanMet section at the Dingwall Office or via e-mail at FFModelling@sepa.org.uk
- For queries regarding data returns contact
Marine Science at the Dingwall office or via e-mail at FFBiomass@sepa.org.uk