Salmond's farms
Among the significant proposals for Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles is that the islands should keep all monies currently taken for seabed rental by the Crown Estate. This could bring millions of extra pounds to local authorities.
Empowering Scotland’s Island Communities prospectus includes plans for the Scottish Government to work with the Island Councils, the aquaculture industry and those involved in the regulatory framework to develop a 'planning brief' for aquaculture, similar to those that already exist in terrestrial planning, which will underpin the further development and sustainable growth of the sector.
This process will include a 'Community Benefit Charter' which will seek to maximise the broadest benefits to the community, including but not restricted to more fish farm jobs; more onshore secondary processing jobs; training, further education synergies and local supply chains.
The Scottish Government agrees that the Island Councils should be given collective representation on the Ministerial Group for Sustainable Aquaculture, and that with independence future Scottish governments should reflect island interests in aquaculture discussions at EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council meetings.
To further support the sustainable growth of the aquaculture sector, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund may assist, within the terms of the Regulation, in the development of aquaculture and onshore processing facilities, and the provision of skills and scientific or technical knowledge through support for training and networking, and elements of marketing and promotion.
Moreover, at present Scotland receives only 1.4 per cent of the current European Fisheries Fund or 40 per cent of UK allocation, despite representing 58 per cent of sea fishing and 85 per cent of UK aquaculture. According to the prospectus, after independence the government will be able to put aside the current unfair allocation within the UK and negotiate a fairer share of European fisheries budgets, reflecting the size of those industries and the wider seafood processing industry.
SIC leader Gary Robinson said: “By implementing the measures...we can maximise the opportunities presented by fisheries and aquaculture, and realise the full potential of marine renewables, while protecting our pristine environment.
“Crown Estate powers and a share of the income generated from leasing agreements will allow us to support investment in our coastal communities and ensure that this has a lasting and sustainable impact. By strengthening and embedding the County Council Acts’ powers, each of the islands’ councils will be better able to manage the diverse and sometimes conflicting demands on the marine environment.”
