Farmed and wild salmon interests sign agreement for Loch Roag

Salmon farmers in Lewis have successfully reached agreement with wild fish interests around Loch Roag and will sign an Area Management Agreement, witnessed by Rhona Brankin, Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development, at a special ceremony to mark the occasion today.

Two fish farming companies, Marine Harvest Scotland Ltd and Fjord Seafood Scotland Ltd are involved in the process, which aims to promote better working relationships at local level between salmon farmers and fishery boards and trusts throughout the west coast and Western Isles.

Sid Patten, Chief Executive of Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation, congratulated all involved with this Agreement, the latest in a series of Area Management Agreements. He said: “This is another excellent example of the salmon farming industry working together and sharing information with other parties to resolve difficult issues so that everyone benefits. Building more harmonious relationships with others who share the marine environment and demonstrating our commitment to high standards of fish health and welfare clearly encourages understanding and mutual support and in turn, can only be good for the long-term future of both Scotland’s wild fish interests and the salmon farming industry.”

The Loch Roag agreement is the fifteenth to be signed as a result of the Tripartite Working Group, which is funded by the Scottish Executive.

Notes for editors

1. The Area Management Agreement will be signed at Grimersta Lodge at 12 noon.

2. The purpose of the Tripartite Working Group (TWG) is to address problems common to salmon farming and wild salmon fisheries and to seek solutions for ensuring the maintenance of a healthy stock of wild fish whilst at the same time promoting a sustainable aquaculture industry.

3. Area Management Agreements are being developed between local industry and wild fisheries interests throughout the west coast and Western Isles. These cover a range of objectives, including where possible:

· single year-class stocking

· co-ordinated sea lice treatments,

· synchronised fallowing of farm sites

· possibility of using wrasse as a biological control for sea lice in the future

· vaccination of smolts against furunculosis

· preparation of containment and contingency plans to minimise escapes

· adherence to industry Codes of Practice

· regular monitoring and information exchange between AMA partners

· preparation of catchment management plans

· adherence to disease control mechanisms in wild fisheries

4. To date fifteen agreements have been implemented:

· Linnhe/Lorn/Etive/Sound of Mull/Sunart

· Loch Nevis

· Loch Fyne

· West Mull

· Loch Torridon

· Lochs Carron/Kishorn

· West Loch Tarbert

· East Lewis/Harris

· Loch Laxford

· Loch Eriboll

· Loch Ewe

· Kyles of Bute

· Lochs Duich/Alsh

· Lower Lorne

· East and West Loch Roag

ENDS

For further information or to arrange an interview with Sid Patten, Chief Executive of SSPO, please call Ken Hughes on 01738 587000 / 6 or e-mail khughes@scottishsalmon.co.uk

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