The publishing of the ‘Scottish Aquaculture Vision for Growth’ in 2016 projected the doubling of Scottish salmon production between 2014-2030. This raised concerns of the environmental impacts of the growing industry. 

following a petition submitted to the Scottish Government’s Rural Economy and Connectivity (REC) Committee by Salmon and Trout Conservation Scotland.   

with the aim to deliver a framework to support fish welfare and health management. Fidra submits briefing on sustainability dashboard concept to FFHF group.   

The ECCLR report concluded that environmental impacts of the sector would continue to increase as the industry grew, with significant gaps in knowledge and data, and a lack of monitoring and research regarding of adverse impacts to surrounding ecosystems.  

The final REC report has 65 recommendations for the salmon aquaculture industry, regulators and policy makers.  

With the aim to evaluate and review policy, advice and projects on the issue of farmed/wild salmon interactions. 

with the aim of greater enforcement of environmental standards within the industry. Fidra welcomed the plan, but calls for more ambition, detail and increased requirements for transparency in the sector. 

with more stringent requirements for those applying for Controlled Activity Regulations (CAR) licenses for aquaculture. 

The survey looks at what factors influence the choices made Results showed that consumers were largely unaware that all Scottish salmon is farmed (5%), 80% would be happy to pay more for sustainably produced salmon and 64% would like more information on product labels.

Representatives from throughout the Scottish supply chain are invited.

Read the report here

Highlighting the levels of traceability and transparency of Scottish salmon from 10 major UK retailers and where it could be improved. The table has been updated over the course of the project, showing positive steps from retailers to improve transparency and traceability.  

The review recommends improving regulation of the industry, further work and that the Scottish government produce a 10 year framework for each aquaculture sector within 12 month. 

Read the full report here

Results showed that consumers were still unaware that all Scottish salmon is farmed (2019 5%, 2021 6%), the majority agreed or strongly agreed they would be happy to pay more for sustainably produced salmon and 69%  would like more information on product labels.

This workshop aimed to facilitate discussion to better understand the challenges and barriers of information exchange between supply chain stakeholders, and how this could be overcome.

Read the full report here.

With the aim of managing interactions between sea lice from marine finfish farm developments and wild Atlantic salmon in Scotland. 

Following the progress of UK retailers in transparency and traceability, the publication of the Scottish Government’s ‘Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture’ and the SEPA consultation on ‘Proposals for a risk-based, spatial framework for managing interaction between sea lice from marine finfish farm developments and wild Atlantic salmon in Scotland.

An important step in increasing retailer transparency. 

Fidra join as Scottish Environment LINK representative, to develop the Scottish Government’s Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture and consult on other aquaculture-related policy. 

Civil Service category award for representing Scottish Environment LINK on aquaculture work with Scottish Government

The Vision  sets out the Scottish government’s long-term aspirations for the Scottish aquaculture sector and supply chain up to 2045.  

Following the success of previous workshops, Fidra in partnership with the BRC hosted a webinar to explore positive progress made by stakeholders in improving transparency and traceability in the salmon supply chain since 2020 and exchange knowledge between participants.