Position Statements

SCOTTISH SALMON PRODUCERS' ORGANISATION STATEMENT ON CONTAINMENT OF FISH

Effective containment of fish is a fundamental part of good fish farming. The industry is making huge efforts to improve containment standards of fish, which, after all, represents the industry’s most valuable asset.

Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation (SSPO) member companies continue to demonstrate their continuing development in an ongoing multi million pound investment programme in new equipment, nets and management regimes for their companies. In addition, companies have also introduced site-specific environmental management systems to identify, correct, and manage, potential areas of concern. All companies have committed to an enhanced level of staff training.

All have signed up to the industry’s independently audited Code of Good Practice for Scottish Finfish Aquaculture, which is designed to embrace new developments and new science and is a credible, robust and modern reflection of good aquaculture practice. Strict guidelines on pen construction, health and safety, mooring systems, pen net design, inspections of nets and net attachments, fish transfers and handling and anti-predator nets are included in the Code of Good Practice. The Code was developed in consultation with stakeholders including the Scottish Executive; Scottish Environment Protection Agency; Scottish Environment Link; the Association for Salmon Fisheries Boards; Rivers and Fisheries Trusts of Scotland; Scottish Anglers National Association; Sea Trout Group; local authorities and the public.

Additional protocols are contained in the Code of Practice “Salmon Farming and Predatory Wildlife” developed in 1990, by the (then) Scottish Salmon Growers’ Association, Nature Conservancy Council, Sea Mammal Research Unit, World Wildlife Fund, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the Marine Conservation Society and the Vincent Wildlife Trust. It outlines specific measures to deter seals from approaching the pens, such as nets that are sufficiently weighted in order to tension side panels, and use of acoustic seal scaring devices.

SSPO and its members are also working on containment issues at local, national and international level; through participation in the Tripartite initiative with wild fish interests and the Scottish Executive and as a member of the International Salmon Farmers’ Association through which the SSPO contributes to the work of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO) with Governments and industry in other EU countries, Canada, Norway, USA and the Faroes.

SSPO reports breaches of containment on this website. Click here for further information.

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For further information, contact Julie Edgar or Ken Hughes on 01738 587000 or email jedgar@scottishsalmon.co.uk or khughes@scottishsalmon.co.uk.