Question reference: S6W-08740
- Date lodged: 26 May 2022
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Current status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 1 June 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans are in place to legislate for the protection of the estimated up to 15 million cleaner fish (lumpsuckers and wrasse) that are used in the aquaculture industry in Scotland each year.
Answer
All farmed fish, including cleaner fish, are protected by the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, which places a duty on fish farms to ensure their needs are met. The Scottish Government’s Fish Health Inspectorate inspects the legally required veterinary and mortality records held by fish farms. Significant cases of poor welfare observed during inspection are reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
The Farmed Fish Health Framework Steering Group, which includes fish vets, regulators, sector representatives and Scottish Government officials, and which is chaired by the Scottish Government Chief Veterinary Officer, provides the appropriate forum within which future policy relating to the health and welfare of farmed fish will be developed.
Currently, there are no plans to introduce further legislation relating to the use of cleaner fish in Scottish aquaculture.