New sea lice reporting system from 2013

Following consultation between the salmon farming industry, Marine Scotland, ASFB and RAFTS to determine ways to promote a more informed and transparent relationship between the wild and farmed salmon sectors, SSPO says it is pleased to advise that, from 1st January 2013, its reporting of information on sea lice management and control will be broadened to include additional information of interest to wild fisheries groups.

Reports will continue to cover the four quarters of the year and will be available six weeks after the end of each reporting period. These reports will include contextual information on Farm Management Areas, stocking, fallowing and strategic treatments.  They will, additionally, implement recommendations from the Ministerial Group on Aquaculture's Healthier Fish Working Group.

An integral part of the reports will be lice numbers, which will be based on the average number of adult females across District Salmon Fishery Board areas within the national salmon fisheries statistical regions (NB: SSPO is currently considering the fine detail of counter proposals).

Furthermore, SSPO has proposed the establishment of a national forum for discussion of issues of common interest on wild and farmed fish health and welfare.  Membership of this forum would include SSPO, BTA, ASFB, RAFTS, Marine Scotland Science and Marine Scotland Aquaculture Policy division. 

“We propose that this forum should meet annually and report on wild fish information (inc. catches, fishing effort, fishing conditions, fish health, etc.) and farmed fish information (inc. production, FMAg development, coordinated management activities, sea lice challenges, etc.).

“We propose that ASFB and RAFTS should contribute additional information on wild salmon and sea trout fisheries not included in SSPO’s proposal,” SSPO said in a statement.