Regulation of fish and shellfish farm deposits: Strategic Environmental Assessment screening determination

Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005: Section 8(1) Screening

Statement – Screening Determination

A Strategic Environmental Assessment screening report was prepared for the proposals to identify the Scottish Environment Protection Agency as the responsible authority for the regulation of fish farm environmental discharges between 3-12 nautical miles and amendments to exemptions to requirements for marine licences for fish and shellfish farms. This was submitted to the SEA Gateway on 22/07/2025.

Responses from the Consultation Authorities (Scottish Environment Protection Agency, NatureScot, Historic Environment Scotland) were received on 14/08/2025, whose overall opinion was that the plan is unlikely to have significant environmental effects.

The Scottish Government has therefore determined, using the criteria set out in Schedule 2 of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005, that the proposals to identify the Scottish Environment Protection Agency as the responsible authority for the regulation of fish farm environmental discharges between 3-12 nautical miles and amendments to exemptions to requirements for marine licences for fish and shellfish farms are unlikely to have significant environmental effects. A Strategic Environmental Assessment is therefore not required.