Salmon CE warning over marine legislation

The next few years will be a defining period for Scottish aquaculture according to Sid Patten, Chief Executive of Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation.

“There is confusion over the plethora of proposed marine legislation and its possible impacts on some of our fragile rural communities,” he said whilst speaking at the Scottish Coastal Forum conference yesterday.

“Work is underway in all three Parliamentary bodies that influence our marine environment: the Scottish Parliament, Westminster and the European Parliament.  Protecting and preserving the marine environment is high on everybody’s agenda, but all of these initiatives must be cohesive. 

“People on the ground are concerned as to what these initiatives may mean in practice.  And we must consider people alongside the environment, as it is vital that employment within some of Scotland’s fragile coastal communities is maintained and supported. 

“Our coastal communities generate approximately 90% of UK aquaculture production, contributing in excess of £300 million to Scottish rural economies each year.  It is clearly an important industry and it has a rightful place in any debate over the future legislative framework for the sustainable use of our marine environments.

“Making decisions in the best interests of our marine environment is already a complicated business, with many legislative instruments and Scottish and UK departments governing activities in our waters.  It’s imperative that devolution and European integration do not mean that governance becomes even more difficult to navigate. It must genuinely rationalise and simplify current legislation,” he concluded.

Notes:
1. Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation is a newly expanded trade organisation for the Scottish salmon farming industry, representing the industry in political, regulatory and technical issues.   

2. Sid Patten addressed the ‘Scotland’s Coastal Future – Seizing the Opportunity’ conference in Perth, organised by Scottish Coastal Forum on Tuesday 18th April 2006.

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For further information contact Ken Hughes, Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation, 01738 587000 or 07974 173739

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