Scottish Government

A number of working groups have been in operation since Devolution, dealing with issues around fish and shellfish and more stratetgic issues, such as planning and location.

However, since the launch of A Fresh Start - the renewed Strategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculture, five new groups have been created including:

• the Healthier Fish and Shellfish Working Group; and
• the Improved System for Licensing Aquaculture Development (ISLAD) Working Group:

Other groups with an interest in planning and location issues have included:

• The Aquaculture Planning Taskforce (APT), which monitors overall delivery of Delivering Planning Reform for Aquaculture and reports to Ministers on progress.

• The Location/Relocation Working Group (LRWG) was established to prepare criteria to assess whether or not any finfish aquaculture site is poorly located and assess the likely benefits and effectiveness of relocation of those farms which are sited close to rivers important for migratory fish. The original location/relocation stakeholder group has completed its work.
• An Expert Working Group on Aquaculture Siting (EWGS) was set up in 2008 with a remit to examine how sites are currently used (especially "inactive" sites) and make recommendations on a strategic approach to the siting of farms to help expand the aquaculture industry in a sustainable way. The Group made its recommendations to the Ministerial Working Group on Aquaculture in October 2008 and has now complete its work.