Question
Untitled item
S6W-13103 · Written Question · lodged by Burgess, Ariane
Lodged on
08 Dec 2022Heard / answered on
23 Dec 2022To ask the Scottish Government whether a fish farm company application for a European Protected Species Licence to use Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs) or Acoustic Startle Devices (ASDs) would be refused unless the applicant has provided strong and robust evidence that all alternatives such as fitment of double skinned anti-predator nets, recirculating aquaculture systems, semi-closed containment and/or relocation of the farm have been tried.
The answer
A licence to disturb European protected species (“EPS”) can only be granted if three licensing tests are met, including that there is no satisfactory alternative to the proposed action.
Marine Scotland has published a document that provides guidance and advice for any aquaculture production business that wishes to apply for a licence to disturb EPS as a result of ADD use –
faq_adds_and_eps_including_annex_1_and_annex_2_-_version_5_-october_2021_-_final.pdf (marine.gov.scot) . Applicants are required to provide an analysis of alternative methods of predator control tried or considered and if they have been discounted provide reasons for this. All EPS licence applications are considered on a cases by case basis and it would not be appropriate to pre-determine the outcome of the satisfactory alternative test without consideration of any justification provided by the applicant.
Marine Scotland has published a document that provides guidance and advice for any aquaculture production business that wishes to apply for a licence to disturb EPS as a result of ADD use –
faq_adds_and_eps_including_annex_1_and_annex_2_-_version_5_-october_2021_-_final.pdf (marine.gov.scot) . Applicants are required to provide an analysis of alternative methods of predator control tried or considered and if they have been discounted provide reasons for this. All EPS licence applications are considered on a cases by case basis and it would not be appropriate to pre-determine the outcome of the satisfactory alternative test without consideration of any justification provided by the applicant.
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 23 Dec 2022.