Biological Control in Scotland.

Odd Geir Oddsen CEO 4 June 2009 www.lighthousecaledonia.com

Biological Control in Scotland

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Regulations, Scheme and Stakeholders

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Lighthouse Caledonia – Biological Strategy – Case Study

Regulation, Schemes and Stakeholders

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National Strategies - started in 1937

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Local & Scottish Industry Strategies

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Code of Good Practice for Scottish Finfish Aquaculture. Tripartite Working Group (TWG) Area Management Areas (AMA’s). National Strategy for the Control of Sea Lice on Scottish Salmon Farms

Stakeholders – –

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Industry • Industry Partners, SSPO Government • Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department; Scottish Environment Protection Agency; Local authorities, Scottish Natural Heritage, Veterinary Medicines Directorate, Fisheries Research Services; NGO • WWF Scotland, Scottish Environment Link, RSPB Scotland Wild fish Interests • The Association for Salmon Fisheries Boards, Rivers and Fisheries Trusts of Scotland, Scottish Anglers National Association, Sea Trout Group The public.

Lighthouse Caledonia Key Facts

To be the leading supplier of high quality Scottish Salmon produced in the most sustainable and cost efficient way, to an increasingly demanding global market •

Lighthouse Caledonia ASA listed December 2007

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Turnover 2008 £62 million

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Volume 2009 23,500 tonnes

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3rd largest Scottish salmon farmer ~ 16% of production

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215 Employees with integrated sales and processing

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Farm sites – Seawater 35 sites in 2 regions (North and South) each with its own infrastructure and management feeding into central production planning – Freshwater 5 sites including largest tank rearing facility in Scotland at Russell Burn

Biological strategy

introduced when Lighthouse Caledonia started

Biological Strategy  

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Policy introduced to be the sole operator in loch systems Loch management policies, strategic nutritional practices and careful husbandry Strict risk assessment policy for fish movement ‘best in class’ Synchronized fallowing Strict co-ordination of sea lice treatment PD control through bio-security Bio-secure control of well-boat movement Proper vaccination and improving smolt quality

Current status 

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Operating in 11 management areas 6 sole operator in area 3 sole operator in loch 2 operated in partnership Health in seawater is good with good growth in general Among the best health status of major players in Scotland Frequent monitoring ensures prompt action if required Very low mortality Only minor lice issues

Lighthouse Caledonia – case study Biological Control Strategy Single Loch Single Company Single Production cycle – Initiated on Loch Fyne, Argyll – Successful results and introduced n 2009 to Loch Roag, Outer Hebrides Results: – – –

Co-ordinated sea lice treatment Positive impact on mortality Improved Growth

Case Study locations

Loch Roag, Outer Hebrides

Loch Fyne, Argyll

Consequences evident - lack in co-ordinated sea lice strategy Multiple treatments and high lice numbers – Loch Roag 2008

Co-ordinated sea lice treatment – Loch Fyne

Co-ordinated sea lice treatment - Loch Fyne

Gravid Sea Lice levels following introduction of AMA

Average No. of Gravid Lice

Lice Trends with Firth of Clyde AMA 2006-7

2.0

Sea Lice Levels within Loch Fyne AMA

1.5

CoGP Target Sea Lice Levels

1.0 0.5 0.0 2006

2007 Year Source: Firth of Clyde Annual Report 2008

Loch Roag, Outer Hebrides Single loch – single company – single production cycle

•Complex integrated rationalisation with all loch sites now operated by LHC •Synchronised production cycle throughout the loch system •Fallowed for the first time in 25 years •Site modelling to promote sustainable site development and environmental stability

Positive impact on mortality

Improved Growth

Loch Roag, Outer Hebrides

Biological Control in Scotland www.lighthousecaledonia.com

Appendix Lighthouse Caledonia

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National Strategies

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Local and Scottish Industry Strategies

National Strategies - started in 1937 1937 - The Diseases of Fish Acts Prohibiting movements of live fish or eggs 1985 & 2002 Registration of Fish Farming & Shellfish Farming Business Order Companies must maintain records for inspection on movement, mortality, escapes 1994 The Disease of Fish (Control) Regulations EU Directive with measures for the control of fish diseases 1997 & 2002 The Fish Health Regulations Implements EU directive on fish transport & slaughter referring to health status 2000 The Animals & Animal Products (Import & Export) (Scotland) Regulations Controls import of fish and products from non EU countries 2003 The Animal By-Products (Scotland) Regulations 2003 Controls the disposal of dead fish

Local & Scottish Industry Strategies •

Code of Good Practice for Scottish Finfish Aquaculture. Defines industry standards that farmers must demonstrate

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Tripartite Working Group (TWG) Chaired by Scottish Government, address issues common to aquaculture and wild fisheries including; sea lice control, disease and escapes. Facilitates setting up AMA’s

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Area Management Areas (AMA’s). Industry developed management areas based on hydrographic areas defined by the Fisheries Research Service. Aim is to control disease, fish movements and co-ordinate sea lice treatment strategies and synchronized fallowing

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National Strategy for the Control of Sea Lice on Scottish Salmon Farms Industry strategy for sea lice control