Call for Covid tests for drivers in Scotland

Seafood industry leaders and the Scottish Government have called for rapid Covid-19 testing for lorry drivers in Scotland to help clear the backlog at the Channel ports. On Wednesday it was announced that French ports would be opened again to hauliers entering the UK, but it is estimated that clearing the queues of lorries that…

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Scottish Government orders weekly sea lice reporting

Mandatory reporting of sea lice numbers has moved to a weekly basis for Scottish fish farmers. An Order was laid in the Scottish Parliament introducing what the Scottish Government call a “step change” in sea lice reporting. It requires average weekly female sea lice numbers per fish to be reported one week in arrears, in…

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Ewing defends fish farming industry

Scotland’s cabinet secretary for rural economy and tourism, Fergus Ewing, robustly defended the aquaculture sector at a grilling by members of the Scottish Parliament yesterday. He also promised that regulatory reform was on the way. MSPs on the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee were reviewing progress made in the two years since the committee published…

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Controls over wild wrasse harvesting imposed

The Scottish Government has announced mandatory controls over the harvesting of wild wrasse for managing sea lice in the salmon farming industry. Fishers will have to meet certain criteria, show they have an appropriate relationship with an aquaculture business and have a proven track record to obtain a permit for harvesting wild wrasse. The measures…

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Scottish salmon production hit record level in 2019

Scottish salmon production recorded its biggest ever numbers in 2019, according to the latest figures from the Scottish Government.  The Scottish Fish Farm Production Survey for 2019 showed that the sector farmed 203,881 tonnes of salmon last year, an increase of 30.7 per cent on 2018. In 2019, production of Atlantic salmon increased by 47,856…

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Scottish aquaculture worth £885 million

AQUACULTURE is contributing hugely to the wider Scottish economy  in both revenue and jobs,  new research  shows. A Marine Scotland commissioned report  reveals that it is worth at least £885-million and supports 11,700 jobs. Although published in the last 48 hours, the study  refer to the situation in 2018, so the figures are likely to…

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New £1.25 million fund to support aquaculture announced

Aquaculture businesses affected by the collapse of international markets due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic can apply to cover the costs of maintaining unsold stock through a new £1.25 million fund. The scheme, which is being funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, will support businesses by compensating for the costs of transport, processing…

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Salmon farmers praised for market flexibility

The latest export statistics published by HMRC show that the Scottish salmon farming sector reacted swiftly to the impact of coronavirus as it began to spread through Asia and into Europe. The HMRC figures for exports in February 2020 show a drop of 2,700 tonnes compared to the same month last year.  Valued at £32…

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Financial help for Scottish trout and shellfish farmers

CERTAIN aquaculture businesses threatened by the effects of COVID-19 are being offered a financial support package by the Scottish Government. Hardship payments of up to £27,000 are being made available for around 100 businesses which make a full time living from shellfish and trout farming. Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: \’COVID-19 is having a…

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