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One witness said that they would have to apply for licences repeatedly throughout a given season. There is a concern that a few loopholes remain. I accept the Government’s intention, but I am not sure that the bill will achieve it.

Are you saying that the detail will be in the bill at stage 2 or is that something for when the bill becomes an act? I am not sure about the process.

Please forgive me if this is outlined elsewhere and I have missed it, but will you explain in what circumstances you envisage a licence being issued? Is it intended that there will be regular reviews of the licensing scheme to ensure that it meets its purpose?

Thank you. Does anyone else want to come in on theme 4? If not, I can ask my question on theme 5.

My question is at a slight tangent, but, as we were talking about welfare issues and sea lice, I thought that it might be a good moment to bring up wrasse fisheries.

As I understand it, the remit of the report was to review the operation of the regulatory framework for aquaculture from the perspective of other users of the shared marine environment, including wild fisheries. Wrasse fisheries are wild fisheries, and they are entirely economically interdependent with aquaculture. Will you talk the committee through your rationale for not considering that as part of your report?

That is reassuring.

In relation to wild wrasse fishery, would it be appropriate to introduce stock assessments or limits on catches, given that we are getting reports of extreme declines in wrasse populations?

Those questions came under theme 3. Do you want me to move on to theme 4?

The point that I am angling at—excuse the pun—is that fisheries management plans are required for other species. Therefore, would it not make sense to bring in something for wrasse that is similar to what has been adopted elsewhere in the UK?

Okay. No problem.

Okay—sorry. I will keep it brief.

The precautionary principle is enshrined in Scots law through the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. How relevant is that principle to decision making about environmental harm that is caused by salmon farming?