This Order approves the code of practice entitled “Aquaculture Code of Practice: Containment of and Prevention of Escape of Fish on Fish Farms in relation to Marine Mammal Interactions”, which was issued by the Scottish Ministers on 21 September 2021 (“the Code”). The Code relates to the containment of fish on fish farms and the prevention of escape of fish from fish farms.

Under section 8 of the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2007 (“the 2007 Act”), the Scottish Ministers may serve notice on a person who carries on a business of fish farming where it appears to them that that person is not complying with, or is likely to not comply with, the Code in a material regard. Such a notice may require the execution of such works or the taking of such other steps as the Scottish Ministers consider necessary for securing compliance with the Code.

Section 8(5) of the 2007 Act applies the provisions of section 6(6) to (13) of that Act (enforcement notices) to any notice issued under section 8. It is an offence for a person to contravene a notice issued under section 8 and any person who commits such an offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

A Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment in relation to this Order has been prepared and placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. Copies of it can be obtained from Marine Scotland, Victoria Quay, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ and online at www.legislation.gov.uk.