Update on regulatory toolbox for aquaculture development Keith Jeffery 15 th September 2015
Background 1. Concern about regulatory framework underpinning aquaculture in England 2. Review of Aquaculture Regulation Most significant impacts on new businesses Difficulty understanding and locating regs Roles of the regulators Defra have commissioned a Toolbox of guidance.
Phase 1 Provide a summary of regulatory requirements for aquaculture businesses Step by step walk through regulation necessary to establish a new APB. To cover all main sectors and species across terrestrial and marine environments
Cefas progress on Phase 1 Progress Breakdown into 13 sectors Document for each sector Consents required, regulator, links, contacts etc. Quick look spreadsheet Draft regulatory portal webpage List of Regulators in England
Aquaculture Sectors (existing and emerging) Aquaculture has developed into a diverse range of activities and techniques in both freshwater and marine environments that includes many species of finfish, shellfish, crustaceans, aquatic plants and seaweed. The different, locations, techniques, species and feeding methods all influence the type of regulation required. Some enterprises are considered to be contained and secure whilst others are open to the environment and increasing interest is being paid to combinations of species and systems for environmental reasons. To help an emerging aquaculture industry understand its regulatory framework the requirement have been broken down into the following aquaculture sectors. Environment Culture Type Typical Species Marine Shellfish On-bottom Mussels, Scallops, Oysters, Aquaculture (trestles, or ground Clams. cultured) Off-bottom Mussels, Scallops, Oysters. (Longline or raft) Marine Crustacean Cage Culture Lobsters Marine Macroalgae Culture Kelps Marine Finfish open net pens & submerged cages. Salmon, Trout, Bass, Bream etc. Marine Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) Combinations of marine species of finfish, Shellfish, Macro algae and Crustaceans. Marine (land based) Pump ashore flow through finfish farms Flatfish, Salmon smolts, Sea bass. Marine (land based) Shellfish Aquaculture Hatcheries Oysters, Clams, Scallops, Abalone. Pump ashore shellfish Abalone, Scallop. Marine (land based) Recirculation Aquaculture System (RAS) Sea bass, Flatfish, Salmon, Prawns. Marine (land based) Macroalgae Culture Kelps Marine (land based) Shellfish Purification Centre Mussels, Oysters, Scallops. Freshwater Flow Through and Static Water Finfish Farms Trout & Salmon. Cyprinids and Coarse species. Freshwater Fully Enclosed Recirculation Aquaculture Systems (RAS) Cyprinids, Tilapia, Pike perch, Barramundi, Crustaceans Freshwater Aquaponics Farm Combinations of freshwater species of finfish, aquatic or water loving plants and Crustaceans. Marine Macro Algae culture Apply rs free tion me = 13 weeks dation of on This type of culture appears to be a licence able activity under MCA (2009) and is not mentioned under the Marine Licensing (Exempted activities) order 2011 in the way that Shellfish or Crustaceans are. However, this area is being currently being reviewed. s and consultees when a marine licence is required mental Impact The MMO works with other authorities ent (EIA) to carry out an EIA and are responsible for making the final decision. (Intensive aquaculture falls under Annex II of the EIA Directive) ate Assessment n & Ramsar tion sites) amework (WFD) The MMO works with other authorities to assess if there are likely significant effects on European sites or Ramsars and carries out an appropriate assessment under the Offshore Marine Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c) Regulations 2007. The MMO will work closely with the Environment Agency (the competent Authority for WFD) and will be advised of any likely effects before issuing a licence. Water Framework Directive Marine Management Organisation Marine Management Organisation Marine Management Organisation Aquaculture Business Regulatory Guidance Marine required Regulator / Authorising remit Regulator Web link Telephone & Email cence Licensing of marine activities under the Marine and Coastal access Act (2009). Marine Management Organisation https://www.gov.uk/make-a-marinelicence-application#overview Marine Licensing Team evelopments out M. Responsible for screening activities to see if a licence is required. https://www.gov.uk/do-i-need-a-marinelicence#aquaculture 0300 123 1032 marine.consents@marinemanagemen https://www.gov.uk/marine-licensingimpact-assessments#environmentalimpact-assessment Freshwater Plans and strategies Marine Licensing Team 0300 123 1032 marine.consents@marinemanagemen https://www.gov.uk/marine-licensingimpact-assessments#hra UK Multi Annual National Plan (MANP) Marine Licensing Team 0300 123 1032 Strategic Guidelines for the sustainable development of EU aquaculture marine.consents@marinemanagemen English Aquaculture Plan https://www.gov.uk/marine-licensingimpact-assessments#wfd Blue growth Trade associations Aquaculture Regulators Guidance TBA 2015/2016 Marine Licensing Team 0300 123 1032 Working groups marine.consents@marinemanagemen Examples Environment Aquaculture Type Culture Type Planning permission Marine Licence Crown Estate lease Several/ regulating order Abstraction Licence Discharge licence Marine Shellfish Rope, bottom, trestles, Rafts, longlines N/A No* Yes Optional No No Marine Shellfish Land based hatchery Yes Yes* No* N/A Yes* Yes Marine Shellfish Shellfish depuration unit Yes Yes* No* N/A Yes* Yes Marine Macroalgae Rope or Longline N/A Yes* Yes N/A No No Marine Macroalgae Land based hatchery Yes Yes* No N/A Yes* Yes Marine Finfish Floating pen or Submerged cage N/A Yes* Yes N/A No Yes Marine Finfish Pump ashore land based Yes Yes* No* N/A Yes* Yes Marine Finfish Recirculation Aquaculture Yes Yes* No* N/A Yes* Yes Marine Crustacean Submerged cages N/A No* Yes Optional No No Freshwater Finfish Flow through or static earth ponds Yes* N/A N/A N/A Yes* Yes* Freshwater Finfish Fully Recirculation Aquaculture Yes* N/A N/A N/A Yes* Yes Freshwater Finfish /Crustaceans Aquaponics No* N/A N/A N/A No* No* Key Yes Yes* No No* Optional N/A If In doubt check with competant Authority Regs generally apply Regs generally apply but check with CA Regs don't generally apply Regs don't generally apply but check with CA Only required if this part of business Not applicable for this sector British Trout Association (BTA) Shellfish Association of Great Britain (SAGB) British Aquaponics (BAQUA) Ornamental aquatic trade association (OATA) International Fishmeal and Fish Oil Organisation Funding streams European Maritime Fisheries Fund Local Enterprise Partnerships Coastal Communities Fund Aquaculture Common Interest Groups (ACIG) UK Aquaculture Forum Global Aquaculture Alliance Global Good Agricultural Practice (GlobalGAP) World Wildlife Fund Research forums Cefas Seafish EATIP EAS
Seafish Website Seafish to host regulatory portal Cefas sent regulatory data to Seafish for preliminary look. Seafish meeting discussed and came up with suggestions PDF based pages Not necessarily a Website with links. Highlighted problems (link rot) Website expanded at a later date
Phase 1- Status Defra provided input and views to Cefas and Seafish Case studies & Interactive tool Cefas to provide updates Discussed at EAWG meeting Suggestions for searchable database Suggestion to include food safety issues
Phase 1 Next steps Defra - Cefas & Seafish meeting 22 nd September 2015 Discuss options Agree resourcing & schedule
Phase 2 Regulators guidance (2015 2016) Build on this guidance site Contextualise developments for regulators Improve consistency of the way aquaculture is treated Guidance for and by regulators
Phase 2 Status & Progress Early stages Natural England provided a draft document for Defra Document shared with Cefas Other regulators to be involved Discussions required on how Phase 2 comes together and fits with Phase 1 Important to establish balance and clarity at key points (if not a one stop shop).