STORRE Collection: Electronic copies of Aquaculture reports and discussion papers.Electronic copies of Aquaculture reports and discussion papers.http://hdl.handle.net/1893/283932024-03-18T18:20:30Z2024-03-18T18:20:30ZStrategic Considerations for Locational Regulation of Shellfish Aquaculture in ScotlandRoberts, CarolineHilbourne, SHull, StephenTelfer, TrevorScott, Davidhttp://hdl.handle.net/1893/350152023-05-02T00:05:03Z2016-03-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Strategic Considerations for Locational Regulation of Shellfish Aquaculture in Scotland
Author(s): Roberts, Caroline; Hilbourne, S; Hull, Stephen; Telfer, Trevor; Scott, David
Abstract: Aquaculture is an increasingly important industry for Scotland, helping to sustain economic growth in the rural and coastal communities, and producing Scotland’s most valuable food export. In 2014, the Scottish shellfish farming industry produced almost 8,000 tonnes of shellfish for consumption, estimated to be worth approximately £10.5million. The Scottish shellfish aquaculture industry is aiming to double production volumes by 2020, compared to 2012, and the Scottish Government supports the achievement of these growth targets, with due regard to the marine environment, and refers to the targets in Scotland’s National Marine Plan (NMP) and Strategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculture. Sustainable development demands that such expansion respects environmental limits so that the capacity of the marine environment to accommodate economic development activity is not exceeded. This requires consistent and effective regulation of shellfish aquaculture development to set limits which protect the marine environment but which don’t unnecessarily constrain expansion. The Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum (SARF) commissioned this study to undertake a systematic review of the shellfish aquaculture planning decision-making process after concerns regarding the degree of consistency with which planning applications are treated in different parts of Scotland were raised by the Ministerial Group on Sustainable Aquaculture (MGSA), particularly in relation to the issue of biological carrying capacity. The study objectives were met through undertaking a review of the shellfish planning applications and determinations made in Scotland between 2009 and 2014 and through consultation with key stakeholders in the process including local planning authorities (LPAs), regulators, other statutory consultees in the planning process, industry representatives and individual shellfish businesses/farmers. The initial findings were also discussed with key stakeholders at a project workshop held in October 2015. The results of the planning review showed that of the 148 planning applications made between 2009 and 2014 (118 for mussels, 26 for oyster and 4 for integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) developments), 131 were granted (89%), 9 were withdrawn (6%) and 8 were refused (5%). These results do not indicate that the planning determination system has unduly constrained the development of the industry over this time period through overly conservative determinations. Overall, the study found that there was consistency in the approach to planning considerations and determinations across Scotland. The one exception to this was the finding that the current model used to assess the risk of exceedance of biological carrying capacity for proposed shellfish developments produced different results when used by the two end users (the LPA and the statutory consultee) who assess this issue for applications in the Shetland Islands. The reason for this relates to the LPA making allowance for the carrying capacity for the indigenous wild shellfish populations within the model (i.e. using a safety margin for wild shellfish stocks), while the statutory consultee does not as they consider the model to be sufficiently precautionary. Consultation with stakeholders did highlight a number of more minor but nevertheless important issues, where there is opportunity to improve both the planning and wider consenting process and help support sustainable expansion of the industry. Within the determination process, landscape and visual impacts (particularly cumulative impacts) and impacts on commercial fisheries are relatively difficult considerations for LPAs to assess. Aspects of the planning process which concerned industry stakeholders included the cost of the process (including the proportionality of the planning fees for the shellfish industry), competition for space with other marine sectors and unutilised capacity (consented sites not producing fish or shellfish). Stakeholders also felt that the wider consenting regime for the aquaculture industry was complex and that there was an element of duplication between the different consents required. The study also briefly considered future influences on the planning process and the shellfish aquaculture industry. Indicative future projections of shellfish production suggested that the 2020 production targets (13,000 tonnes) may not be met at the current industry growth rate. Expansion of the industry requires expansion at existing and new sites to be available with suitable natural resources and minimal constraints relating to other marine users. The incoming regional marine plans, where based on good data, should be a useful source of information for developers and support industry development where it is appropriate.2016-03-01T00:00:00ZOptimising handling in salmon aquaculture (2): The effect of mesh type on cryptic lesions and hygienePowell, Adamhttp://hdl.handle.net/1893/336802021-12-01T01:16:46Z2021-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Optimising handling in salmon aquaculture (2): The effect of mesh type on cryptic lesions and hygiene
Author(s): Powell, Adam
Abstract: Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, interact with humans during recreational and commercial activities, in both freshwater and marine environments. This involves routine hand netting, with a modest body of literature proving that handling techniques which reduce abrasion also minimises scale loss and likely improves fish welfare. In a recent study, the use of a rubber mesh, compared to a knotless equivalent, was shown to reduce scale loss in two size cohorts of the study species during routine movement between tanks. The current study aimed to investigate this further via a Fluroscein dye technique, now commonly used to visualise cryptic damage to the mucus membranes of fish (eyes and more recently, skin). Although the technique was shown to work using easily available and cost-effective consumables, negligible damage was observed in any of the individually handled salmon regardless of mesh type. Previous studies have shown that the extent of observable skin damage is influenced by species, behaviour and anaesthetic technique. Although encouraging for this particular stock, it is unknown if higher net capture densities (i.e. more than one fish per net) or stock undergoing smoltification would be so robust. Scale loss data collected simultaneously proved a link between fish size and the extent of scale loss. A positive correlation was of individual smolts netted with knotless mesh. This was not significant for rubber mesh which showed low scale loss regardless of fish size, suggesting a further benefit of using the latter mesh type and supporting the findings of previous studies. Finally, in vitro microbiological study exposed sterile mesh fragments to effluent tank water allowing absorbance and adherence of bacteria to the mesh matrix. Subsequent incubation in sterile saline then permitted estimation of bacterial transfer between the exposed mesh to a further medium. Knotless mesh transferred more Vibrio spp. than rubber mesh, and this was significantly greater for total heterotrophic bacteria. This is likely due to the greater surface area and absorbance of infected water found in the filaments of knotless mesh. Encouragingly, following exposure to a standard aquaculture disinfectant, both mesh types were found to be sterile. These findings further support the likelihood that rubber mesh reduces scale loss in Atlantic salmon, and also suggests reduced microbial transfer when rubber mesh is used for routine handling.2021-01-01T00:00:00ZD 3.1 Analysis and investigations of existing studies and research-based data on skills gaps in aquaculture industry and VET supplyMcKillop, StevenBostock, JohnHaines, MartynStav, John Birgerhttp://hdl.handle.net/1893/332192021-09-02T07:09:43Z2019-01-31T00:00:00ZTitle: D 3.1 Analysis and investigations of existing studies and research-based data on skills gaps in aquaculture industry and VET supply
Author(s): McKillop, Steven; Bostock, John; Haines, Martyn; Stav, John Birger
Abstract: Vocational Education and Training (VET) is an important component of any national educational system and supports workforce development in many fish producing European countries. The role VET plays in the education system is sometimes understated, and qualifications achieved through VET are perceived by some to be of a low quality or second rate. However, VET can offer an important and accessible education pathway that can prepare an individual for a specific job, thereby helping them to find initial employment, or improve their practical skills and knowledge for their current role. The low perception of VET in some countries as a credible educational pathway does not always apply in every sector. For example, VET is central to certain trades such as construction and engineering which are generally held in higher regard. Conversely, there appears to be some negative association with employment in aquaculture which is seen as a last resort in some countries. This can make it difficult to promote aquaculture VET as a career path due to the negative social association in countries where higher education in university is the aspiration of many. A Cedefop public opinion survey carried out in 2017 (2) found that VET may not be viewed with high regard as an educational pathway by those surveyed, but the general perception was that VET can prepare people well for the world of work and is a positive pathway towards finding employment. Web based research for specific VET in each of the 12 BlueEDU countries included in the project confirmed that each country does have a formal VET system, but frequently, an aquaculture or aquaculture related curriculum is missing. There is evidence to suggest that most countries do have some form of aquaculture education and training activity, but this is commonly fragmented, informal and lacking structure, or aimed at higher education. Identifying aquaculture VET currently available is an essential first step in establishing who is delivering what, where and how. The research for BlueEDU revealed that there is an existing VET system in each of the BlueEDU countries, but a very limited number of aquaculture VET programmes. This was an expected result but still something that had to be confirmed. Norway and Scotland both have long established VET systems that are respected and well structured. Both systems have benefits that could bring positive results if they were replicated in other countries. The system in Norway is well supported across the country by the Norwegian aquaculture industry, whereas the system in Scotland appears to be confined to delivery from two centres, NAFC in the Northern Isles and Inverness College, both of which are part of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). The systems used in both Norway and Scotland are currently being evaluated by other countries aiming to setup an aquaculture VET system to support their growing industries, namely, Iceland and Faroe Islands. There are aquaculture VET systems ongoing in Spain, France, Italy and Greece although the options available in Italy and Greece are very limited. France has a well-established VET and aquaculture full time course provision distributed across the country. There is however a general lack of aquaculture VET provision in southern European countries where tertiary education at university is held in high esteem. Information on countries in southern Europe was difficult to obtain as online searches would reveal very limited information. Requests for information sent to contacts generally received little or no response. There have been several EU supported projects in southern Europe that have developed a wide range of learning tools aimed at: • fish health monitoring and disease control, • improving fish welfare, • improving skills and general aquaculture knowledge, • creation of an aquaculture glossary, • improve research knowledge and infrastructure and • creation of a Europe wide networking system. These initiatives have led to the creation of a number of online courses and training tools that could be utilised by any aquaculture VET system to help address knowledge gaps. It appears that most of the resources created are no longer in use or are rarely used. This may be down to the lack of effective promotion and they may be put to good use if updated and promoted to a wider audience.2019-01-31T00:00:00ZEURASTIP Best Practice Case Studies: Aquaculture training and capacity building collaborations between Europe and Southeast AsiaBostock, JohnCrumlish, MagsMyint, OmarBosma, RoelDhont, JeanReuver, MariekeMaher, Janehttp://hdl.handle.net/1893/329382021-07-20T00:06:50Z2019-08-09T00:00:00ZTitle: EURASTIP Best Practice Case Studies: Aquaculture training and capacity building collaborations between Europe and Southeast Asia
Author(s): Bostock, John; Crumlish, Mags; Myint, Omar; Bosma, Roel; Dhont, Jean; Reuver, Marieke; Maher, Jane
Editor(s): Reuver, Marieke; Maher, Jane; O Raifeartaigh, Peadar; Tully, Oona
Abstract: This document was compiled to support future cooperation and collaboration between European and Asian educational institutions and other organisations with an interest in aquaculture sector training and skills development. It is primarily aimed at educators and administrators who may be directly responsible for establishing schemes involving staff and especially student communications and mobility between the regions. It should also be a useful resource for other organisations involved in supporting education and training in the aquaculture sector. Though not intended as a guide for students seeking mobility opportunities, the document does provide case study examples of different activities and academic relationships that exist between aquaculture actors in Europe and Southeast Asia.2019-08-09T00:00:00Z