Aquaculture
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Salmon farming - welfare at the time of killing: guidance
This guidance applies to Scotland only and is issued by the Scottish Ministers under section 38 of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. It relates to the welfare of farmed fish at the time of slaughter or killing.
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Scotland's shellfish water protected area (SWPA) designations - review: consultation
We are consulting on the proposed designations and de-designations of Shellfish Water Protected Area’s (SWPAs), as part of work to meet a statutory obligation. The purpose is to identify areas where it may be appropriate to designate a new SWPA or de-designate an existing SWPA
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Shellfish WatProtected area designations - amending proposals: partial business and regulatory impact assessment
This partial business and regulatory impact assessment (BRIA) aims to identify the benefits and impact of the proposed designations and de-designations on affected groups in Scotland.
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Inshore waters - regulated commercial use of traps/pots to catch wrasse: fisheries assessment
A fisheries assessment of how the Scottish inshore wild wrasse fishery interacts with the Marine Protected Areas network.
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National Electrofishing Programme for Scotland (NEPS) 2023: status of juvenile Atlantic salmon and brown trout populations
The National Electrofishing Programme for Scotland (NEPS) is a statistical survey of freshwater fish populations and the pressures affecting them in Scotland, particularly water quality and genetic introgression. This report presents the latest analysis including data from 2023.
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Wild salmon strategy implementation plan: annual progress report 2024
The second annual progress report under the Scottish wild salmon strategy implementation plan covering progress in 2024.
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Scottish Shellfish Farm Production Survey 2024
Statistics on the employment, production and value of shellfish from the Scottish shellfish farming sector.
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Scottish Shellfish Farm Production Survey 2024
An Official Statistics publication
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Marine Planning Zones extension proposals: final island communities impact assessment screening
Final island communities impact assessment screening completed in relation to proposals to extend marine planning zones out to 12 nautical miles.
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Marine Planning Zones extension proposals: consultation analysis
Consultation analysis report on proposals to extend marine planning zones out to 12 nautical miles.
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National Islands Plan: annual report 2024
The Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 requires that a report is presented to Parliament each year setting out the progress made towards delivery of the National Islands Plan. This report sets out progress made during the 2024 reporting year.
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Independent Commission for the Land-based Learning Review report - SG response: implementation plan
Planning setting out the process and activities involved in delivering the Scottish Government’s response to the Land-based Learning Review’s recommendations.
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Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003 implementation - assessing Scotland's water environment: policy statement
This policy statement and the associated Standards and Status Directions are intended to provide stakeholders with a better understanding of our approach to the protection of the water environment through the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003 (WEWS) .
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National Marine Plan 2 - planning position statement: consultation
This Planning Position Statement (PPS) is the culmination of our work to date on the development of Scotland’s National Marine Plan 2 (NMP2) and consolidates stakeholder feedback, setting out the latest development of high-level objectives and policy ideas for NMP2. Take part in the consultation: https://consult.gov.scot/marine-scotland/national-marine-plan-2-planning-position-statement/
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Scottish Fish Farm Production Survey 2023
This report is based on the returns of an annual survey questionnaire sent to all active authorised fish farming businesses in Scotland during 2023. Statistics on employment, production and value are presented.
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Scottish Fish Farm Production Survey 2023
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland
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Supporting food and drink businesses
New funding to promote regional products.
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National Islands Plan: Implementation Route Map 2024
Details how we will deliver our priorities over the lifetime of the National Islands Plan. It identifies the methods to monitor progress towards fulfilling the many commitments in the Plan and sets out timescales for delivery of our work.
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Climate change - Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-2029: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment
Child rights and wellbeing impact assessment undertaken for the Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024 to 2029.
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Climate change - Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-2029: children's version
Children's version of the Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024 to 2029. This version can be used to support learning and sets out the actions the Scottish Government and partners will take to respond to the impacts of climate change from 2024 to 2029.
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Climate change - Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-2029: island communities impact assessment
Island communities impact assessment undertaken for the Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-29.
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Climate change: Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-2029
Sets out the actions that the Scottish Government and partners will take to respond to the impacts of climate change. This Adaptation Plan sets out actions from 2024 to 2029.
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Extending marine planning zones: consultation
Consultation paper on proposals to extend marine planning zones out to 12 nautical miles
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Marine planning zones - proposals to extend to 12 nautical miles: impact assessments
Impact assessments and impact assessment screenings completed in relation to proposals to extend marine planning zones out to 12 nautical miles.
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Marine planning zones - proposal to extend out to 12 nautical miles: strategic environment assessment screening determination
Outcome of the strategic environmental assessment (SEA) undertaken to assess the likely significant environmental effects of proposals to extend marine planning zones out to 12 nautical miles.
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National Marine Plan 2 (NMP2) Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Scoping Report: Consultation Analysis
Analysis of responses to the consultation on the proposed scope and level of detail for the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of National Marine Plan 2 (NMP2).
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Scottish Shellfish Farm Production Survey 2023
An Official Statistics Publication
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Emamectin benzoate (EMBZ) - environmental quality standard implementation timescales: consultation analysis
Analysis report of our consultation seeking views on the implementation timescales for the new Environmental Quality Standard (EQS) related to emamectin benzoate (EmBz) which ran from April 2023 until July 2023.
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Aithris Bhliadhnail air Plana Nàiseanta nan Eilean 2023
Gaelic version of the National Islands Plan annual report 2023
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National Islands Plan: annual report 2023
The Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 requires that a report is presented to Parliament each year setting out the progress made towards delivery of the National Islands Plan. This report sets out progress made during the 2023 reporting year.
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Facilitating marine nature restoration through legislation: consultation
We are consulting on legislative proposals which would enable Scottish Ministers to introduce a registration process for marine nature restoration projects, and apply Marine Conservation Orders to habitats and species undergoing restoration and standalone European marine sites.
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Rural and island community support
Spring Budget needs to invest in environment and food production.
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The Environment Strategy for Scotland: Delivering the Environment Strategy Outcome on Scotland's Economy - Evidence Base & Policy Levers
This report presents evidence and initial recommendations on how the Scottish Government could use the available policy levers to support the transformations in Scotland’s economy needed to help tackle the climate and nature emergencies.
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Am Plana Nàiseanta airson Dùthaich a tha Math a Thaobh Biadh: Sgrìobhainn Chochomhairleachaidh
This consultation covers the content of the national Good Food Nation Plan. It seeks views on the Outcomes; ways of measuring progress; and how different groups envision life in a Good Food Nation. It also seeks views on specified functions. This is a Gaelic translation of the consultation.
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Geàrr-iomradh air a' Phlana Nàiseanta airson Dùthaich a tha Math a Thaobh Biadh
The national Good Food Nation Plan sets out six over-arching Outcomes; the range of targets and indicators that will be used to gauge progress towards achieving them; and details of food-related policies and initiatives from across the Scottish Government. This is a Gaelic summary of the Plan.
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National Good Food Nation Plan: consultation - easy read
Easy read version of our consultation on the national Good Food Nation Plan, which sets out the Government's goals for food and how we will achieve them.
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National Good Food Nation Plan
The national Good Food Nation Plan sets out six over-arching Outcomes for a Good Food Nation; the range of targets and indicators that will be used to gauge progress towards achieving them; and details of a wide range of food-related policies and initiatives from across the Scottish Government.
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National Good Food Nation Plan: consultation
We are consulting on the first national Good Food Nation Plan. We are seeking views on the national Good Food Nation Outcomes, ways of measuring progress and how different groups envision life in a Good Food Nation. It also seeks views on specified functions.
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Ro-innleachd airson Saidheans Mara is Ùrghnàthachadh
’S e seo an Ro-innleachd ùr airson Saidheans Mara is Ùr-ghnàthachadh aig Riaghaltas na h-Alba. Tha i a’ cur amasan an cèill airson saidheans mara agus ùr-ghnàthachadh ann an Alba agus a’ stèidheachadh sia builean gus barrachd bhuannachdan fhaighinn bho ar n-obair saidheans, fianais agus dàta.
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Marine science and innovation strategy
Establishes the vision for marine science and innovation in Scotland and six outcomes to strengthen the impact of marine science, evidence and data.
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Scotland's Marine Economic Statistics 2021
Statistics on the economic contributions of Scotland’s marine sectors in 2021. Includes a time series of Gross Value Added (GVA), turnover and employment for marine sectors. The supporting documents include: additional tables in an excel file and a pdf version of the publication
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Scottish Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) consultation: Scottish Government response
Our response to the public consultation on the proposal to designate 10% of Scottish seas as Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) by 2026.
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Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs): consultation analysis - final report
Analysis report on the responses to the consultation on Scottish Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) which ran from 12 December 2022 to 17 April 2023.
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How much do people in Scotland value characteristics of marine and coastal areas
This report summarises the results of a choice experiment survey that was designed to capture the preferences of Scottish people towards the management of marine and coastal areas in Scotland.
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Scottish Fish Farm Production Survey 2022
This report is based on the returns of an annual survey questionnaire sent to all active authorised fish farming businesses in Scotland during 2022. Statistics on employment, production and value are presented.
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Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture
New strategy to support Scotland’s fish farming sector.
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Vision for sustainable aquaculture: island communities impact assessment
Island communities impact assessment for the vision for sustainable aquaculture.
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Vision for sustainable aquaculture
The Vision for sustainable aquaculture describes the Scottish Government’s long-term aspirations to 2045 for the finfish, shellfish and seaweed farming sectors, and the wider aquaculture supply chain.
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Vision for sustainable aquaculture: child rights and wellbeing screening sheet
Child rights and wellbeing screening sheet for the Vision for sustainable aquaculture
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National Islands Plan: implementation route map 2023
Details how we will deliver on the commitments in the National Islands Plan, over the coming year.
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Scottish Shellfish Farm Production Survey 2022
This report is based on the returns of an annual survey questionnaire sent to all active authorised shellfish farming businesses in Scotland. Statistics on employment, production and value of shellfish from Scottish shellfish farms are presented.
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Developing essential fish habitat maps: report
The project helped define areas of the sea essential to fish for spawning, breeding, feeding, or growth to maturity. Twenty-nine species and multiple life-stages were reviewed covering marine fish and shellfish of commercial and ecological importance, relevant to offshore wind development areas.
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Emamectin benzoate (EmBz) - environmental quality standard (EQS) - implementation: consultation
Sets out our directions to the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) on the application of a new environmental quality standard (EQS) for Emamectin benzoate (EmBz). We are seeking views on the timescale SEPA should implement to apply the new EQS reducing the discharge limits for these farms.
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Equality, opportunity, community: New leadership - A fresh start
This publication sets out the First Minister’s vision for Scotland and the outcomes he and his government aim to achieve by 2026.
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National Islands Plan Annual Report 2022
The Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 requires that a report is presented to Parliament each year setting out the progress made towards delivery of the National Islands Plan. This report sets out progress made during the 2022 reporting year.
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Scotland's Blue Economy: current status review
Describes our starting position in the transition to adopting a Blue Economy approach to marine sectors, communities, and the environment. It provides us with the foundation to consider how we can track our progress and determine if significant and lasting change is occurring.
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Salmon Parasite Interactions in Linnhe, Lorn and Shuna (SPILLS): final project report
The Salmon Parasite in Linnhe, Lorn and Shuna (SPILLS) project focused on testing and improving sea lice dispersal monitoring and modelling techniques. The SPILLS Project developed and compared different models designed to predict distribution of sea lice in Scottish sea lochs.
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National Electrofishing Programme for Scotland (NEPS) 2021: analysis
The National Electrofishing Programme for Scotland (NEPS) is a statistical survey design that ensures collection of unbiased data on the density and status of salmon and the pressures that affect them, including water quality and genetic introgression. This report presents the latest analysis.
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Science of salmon stocking: report
The Science of Stocking report "scientific considerations in stocking policy development for river managers Scottish marine and freshwater science Vol 14 No 3" brings together the science behind the various considerations needed to be taken prior to and following stocking, with a view to aiding design of salmon management strategies that balance risks and benefits within a broad policy framework.
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Commission for the land-based learning review: report to Scottish Ministers
The report produced by the Commission, a short term advisory group established to provide independent, evidence-based advice and submitted to Scottish Ministers on how to attract more people into land-based and aquaculture sectors by improving learning pathways.
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Highly Protected Marine Areas: policy framework
Sets out our proposed definition and aims of Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) and what this could mean for different activities taking place in Scottish waters. Also describes how we will account for socio-economic factors alongside ecological considerations and proposed new legal powers.
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Scottish Fish Farm Production Survey 2021
A statistical news release
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Supporting the seafood sector and supply chain
Strategy for Seafood published.
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First meeting of the Scottish Aquaculture Council
Collaboration to build a sustainable future for aquaculture.
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Scottish Shellfish Farm Production Survey 2021
Statistics on the employment, production and value of shellfish from Scottish Shellfish Farms.
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Next steps to improve regulation of aquaculture
Changes to licensing and Ministerial task group set up.
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Aquaculture - use and efficacy of Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs): report
A report into Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs) in the aquaculture sector to provide a better understanding of how they are being used, their efficacy and any potential for impact on sensitive non-target species. Records described the extent of ADD use in Scotland from 2014 to 2020.
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Support for fishing businesses and coastal communities
Next round of funding announced.
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First stage of aquaculture review complete
Process aims to deliver world-leading legislation
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New funding adds to range of salmon conservation measures
Scottish Government Responds to Salmon Interactions Working Group Report
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Aquaculture: external review of the current regulatory processes involved in fish farming
Details of the appointment and terms of references of the external review of the regulatory process involved in fish farming announced by the Scottish Government
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Aquaculture review underway
Professor Russel Griggs appointed to lead project
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Aquaculture - fish farms: containment of and prevention of escape of fish - draft code of practice - consultation
This consultation seeks views on an Aquaculture Code of Practice: Containment of and Prevention of Escape of Fish on Fish Farms in relation to Marine Mammal Interactions.
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Aquaculture - Acoustic Deterrent Device (ADD) use: parliamentary report
Report to the Scottish Parliament on the use of acoustic deterrent devices by the Scottish aquaculture sector at finfish farms as required by section 15 of the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protection and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020.
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Changes to permitted development rights for fish farms: screening determination
A plan for Amendments to Permitted Development Rights for Fin Fish Developments to increase the maximum cage size to help mitigate effects of seal predation. - reference number 01605.
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Supporting the Langoustine sector
£1 million assistance for new group.
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Wider economic impacts of aquaculture
New report published.
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Aquaculture vital for coastal communities
Report highlights importance of skilled workforce to future of sector.
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Support for aquaculture
Shellfish growers and trout farmers share £3 million
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Supporting the seafood sector
£10 million assistance for processing businesses during COVID-19 pressures.