Seòmar agus comataidhean

You mentioned activity ranging from blue-sky thinking research to consultancy work. When you say “consultancy work”, what is in your mind?

Thank you.

So, you are not obliged to monitor cleaner fish deaths.

Okay. Thanks very much.

That is helpful in understanding what you mean by no deterioration. Do you think that the no deterioration, stand-still approach is consistent with the recommendation by the REC Committee that sea lice trigger levels

“should be challenging and set a threshold that is comparable with the highest international industry standards”?

Strong views on both sides?

The committee heard concerns that SEPA’s new sea lice framework is not precautionary, in part because it is not applied to existing farms. You have already explained that you are beginning to roll that framework out.

SEPA is taking an approach of “no deterioration”, which could bake in sea lice levels that are a risk to wild salmon populations. Will you explain what you mean by “no deterioration”?

What is the timeframe for the move from stand-still?

Can I just clarify a point? Will that be the approach for every site or just those within the eight wild salmon protection zones?

Good morning to the witnesses—I thank you for joining us.

The SSAC’s report highlights the need for “horizon scanning syntheses”, particularly in relation to climate change. As you said, the IPCC is doing some great work in that area. Obviously, climate change is here, so the horizon is not very far away. I would be interested, therefore, in getting a sense of how you think that science and scientists can help stakeholders to embrace the urgency that is needed.

Certainly, on the west coast of Scotland, we are seeing warming waters. We know that, although salmon can cope with warm water, it means that the pathogens on the fish increase. That is already happening, and we are seeing a high level of mortality.

I am hearing from some stakeholders that it is not enough just to review literature from other countries and that we need things such as spatial planning and guidance for local planning authorities. How can science help us to move with that sense of urgency?