Area Management Agreement signing heralds greater co-operation between wild and farmed fish interests on Skye

Increased co-operation and collaboration between wild fish interests and farmed fish interests of the salmon industry on the Isle of Skye is now assured, following the signing today of a milestone Area Management Agreement (AMA). It encompasses the whole of Skye including its 14 salmon rivers and its coastal waters including its Southern isles.

The aims of the Skye AMA are the promotion and implementation of measures for the maintenance of healthy stocks of both wild and farmed fish in the area and the restoration of wild salmon and sea trout stocks.

Brian Floyd, Production Manager for Pan Fish Scotland, explained: “We are proud to have been closely involved in this AMA initiative from the start. We are deeply conscious of the benefits of co-operation with wild fish interests, since we share the same environment and we all profit from ensuring that we do everything in our power to maintain and improve it.  The rural communities in which we farm benefit greatly from the income generated by angling tourism, as well as from the income which fish-farming brings.”

Peter Kinloch, Chairman of the Skye District Salmon Fishery Board, commented: “We are delighted that we've reached an accord on the terms of an Area Management Agreement for Skye. This is a real milestone in promoting the best in terms of health, welfare and good management of all the salmon in Skye waters, whether they be wild or in fish-farm cages. We all have the same interest at heart, which is healthy fish, and close co-operation between the wild fish and aquaculture sectors can only be an advantage in making improvements.”

Rebecca Dean, the Tripartitie Working Group Regional Development Officer for Skye commented: “I am very pleased that all the parties of the salmon industry on Skye have come together and successfully agreed the terms for this AMA. Establishing the AMA is a vital step towards consensus and agreement to ensure a sustainable future for both wild and farmed fish on Skye.”

Notes for editors

1. The Skye AMA covers all 14 of its Salmon Rivers, its entire marine coastline including those of the smaller islands of Scalpay, Raasay, Rona, Soay, Canna, Rum, Eigg and Muck.

2. Signatories to the Skye AMA are the fish farming companies Marine Harvest, Pan Fish and Scot Trout with wild fish interests represented by the Skye District Salmon Fishery Board and the West Highland Fisheries Company Ltd.

3. The purpose of the Tripartite Working Group 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 and farmed fish, seeking solutions to minimise escapes of farmed salmon whilst at the same time promoting a sustainable aquaculture industry.

4. The Scottish Government is the principle sponsors of the TWG to the tune of £320,000 a year until then end of financial year 2007. The Crown Estate and Highlands and Islands Enterprise each contribute £20,000 a year to support TWG development work on Skye.

5. The members of the Tripartite Working Group are: The Scottish Government, The Fisheries Research Services, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Association of Salmon Fishery Boards, Rivers and Fisheries Trusts Scotland, Scottish Anglers National Association, Atlantic Salmon Trust and Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation.

6. The Group was established in 1999 against a background of declining wild salmon stocks and in recognition of the importance of wild fisheries and the aquaculture industry to rural economies. A Report and Concordat was published in July 2000.

7. To date sixteen 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 (signed 23 March 2006)
Loch Roag (signed 16 August 2006)
Skye (signed 9 October 2007)

8.  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: single year class management and synchronised production/fallowing cycles; Synchronised lice treatments; zero ovigerous salmon lice, particularly during the critical wild smolt migration period (Feb - June); 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; possibility of augmenting with biological control using wrasse cleaner fish.

Issued on behalf of the Tripartite Working Group by Julie Edgar Communications. For further information contact Julie Edgar 0789 987 5151 or julie@jecommunications.co.uk.

To view the remarks of Sid Patten, Chief Executive of Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation (SSPO), published in today's Scotsman newspaper, see 'Commitment to co-operate key to sustainable future.'

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