Explanatory Notes

Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2013

2013 asp 7

18 June 2013

The Act

Part 1 Aquaculture

Chapter 3 – Commercially Damaging Species
Orders relating to commercially damaging species
Section 13 - Orders under section 12(1): samples and surveillance

35.Section 13 specifies the matters which may be provided for in an order under section 12(1). An order may contain provision which enables an “appointed person” to take samples of fish, shellfish, or material from any fish or shellfish farm and analyse these for the purpose of ascertaining whether a commercially damaging species is present at a fish or shellfish farm. Section 13(1)(d) describes the powers of an “appointed person”, including powers to enter any land, fish farms, shellfish farms or premises associated with the management or operation of such farms and to require the operator of such farms to provide samples. For example, an appointed person may enter onto a fish farm in order to collect samples of mussels to determine whether they are Mytilus trossulus or Mytilus edulis.

36.Section 13(3) contains further provision on the matters that may be provided for in an order under section 12(1), including requiring persons to undertake surveillance programmes or for appointed persons to undertake such action.