PLANS to improve the health of farmed fish are set to be put in place this month.
Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing confirmed a framework will be developed to guide best practice.
Key areas of work will include knowledge exchange, sea lice and innovation.
Professor Colin Moffat, head of science at Marine Scotland and Ben Hadfield, director of Marine Harvest Scotland, will co-chair the Strategic Framework for Fish Health Working Group which will meet later this month, with a final draft framework expected next spring.
Ewing said: “This framework reflects the importance of fish health to our aquaculture industry, and puts the welfare of our marine environment and fish at the heart of production.
Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “It is imperative the right balance is struck between the continued growth of Scotland’s aquaculture, whilst ensuring fish health and environmental interactions are managed.”
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