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The Crown Estate is to increase its annual investment in aquaculture research and development to over a quarter of a million pounds from 2013, continuing to support a sector which is vital to the Scottish economy.
The move follows an independent fin fish rent review carried out by valuation expert Stephen Pollock of James Barr Ltd and industry expert Professor Graeme Dear. Reviews of fish farm rents and lease terms are carried out every five years and The Crown Estate undertakes to implement all of their recommendations.
The increase in investment has been set to correspond with the percentage increase in the salmon species rent, and the additional funds will be targeted at sea lice research and consideration of fish farm development opportunities in offshore locations, in consultation with industry.
The review also recommended that:
• Species rents for sea-grown trout and marine species such as halibut remain unchanged.
• Species rent for salmon rise from 1.7 pence to 2.25 pence per harvested gutted weight kg.
• The 10% discount on rents in Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides remain in place.
• The vacant rent threshold for leases with no production rise from £500 to £1000 a year and retains the existing two yearly doubling to encourage relinquishing of unused sites.
Commenting on the news, Alex Adrian, The Crown Estate’s Aquaculture Operations Manager said: “Aquaculture forms part of one of the growth sectors within the Scottish Government’s economic strategy. Last year salmon alone made up 36% of all Scotland’s food exports. We are proud of our role in the development of the Scottish aquaculture, an industry that supports over 6,000 jobs.”
Last year (2010/11), The Crown Estate invested around £200,000 in aquaculture research and development, including the investigation of cultivation protocols for wrasse and remote detection of jellyfish blooms.
It also held its latest Scottish Marine Aquaculture Awards, which are a well established way of showcasing industry best practice, achievement and innovation.
Proposals for the review and the appointments for the review team were discussed with industry in the latter half of 2010, with the review starting in early 2011. The changes resulting from the review will be implemented on 1 January 2013.
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