39.Section 15(1) creates an obligation for operators of fish farms and shellfish farms, as soon as reasonably practicable, to notify the Scottish Ministers of the presence of a commercially damaging species on the fish farm or shellfish farm. In terms of section 15(2), the notification obligation also applies to any person who is employed, or acts as an agent as regards the fish farm or shellfish farm.
40.Section 15(3) specifies the details that must be included in any notification, including the type of the commercially damaging species, and details of the fish or shellfish farm in question. It is an offence, punishable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, for a person to fail to give a notification (section 15(4) and (6)).