Advising Others

Locational Guidance for Aquaculture

Scottish Executive is reviewing the locational guidelines for aquaculture, issuing a revised Policy Guidance Note and Advice Note in August 2002. This guidance is intended to encourage early dialogue between developers and decision making bodies.

Nutrient loading and benthic impact constraints are shown on the Fisheries Research Service’s (FRS) website: www.marlab.ac.uk

Natural heritage designations, and the location of other areas supporting sensitive biodiversity, as detailed in this table, are shown on the following maps:

These maps identify natural heritage interests in the marine environment, or where natural heritage interests on land could have implications for development in the marine environment. These sensitivities do not preclude development: each case would have to be considered on its merits. In some circumstances natural heritage sensitivity differs with species cultivated. Land-based infrastructure is approved through the Town and Country Planning system: SNH is consulted on developments affecting coastal SSSIs, which are not all shown. For more details contact local SNH offices

Not all parts of all Natura sites contain qualifying features that are likely to be affected by aquaculture. For details of which qualifying features are found in named sites, see accompanying Microsoft Excel spreadsheets.These spreadsheets lists mapped Natura sites containing qualifying interests which are potentially sensitive to aquaculture.