Portree harbour, Skye. Photo: virtualskye.co.uk

LINK said it believes it is vital that the aquaculture strategy is not developed in isolation from the Scottish Marine Bill, also out for consultation.

Alan Wells from LINK said: “Scotland’s first Marine Bill is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to deliver sustainable, well-managed seas. Aquaculture is an important marine industry that, like many others from fishing to wildlife watching, relies on a healthy marine environment. The new aquaculture framework must build on the Marine Bill proposals, including a statutory marine planning system, a single marine management organisation, and marine protected areas.”

He continued: “It is also essential that the new strategy includes a comprehensive review of feed sustainability in preparation of the anticipated rising demand from a growing industry, and an appraisal of the performance and efficacy of the Code of Good Practice for Scottish Aquaculture.”