Chamber and committees

Good morning. I am interested in information about salmon mortality. The Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee’s report made recommendations—they are listed as 9 and 10 in the report—regarding the levels of mortality among farmed salmon. Since then, stakeholders have stated that the mortality rates have remained high, citing reports that 17.5 million fish died in 2022.

I know that measures are being taken to address things such as the handling of the fish, the need for a reduction in mortality and a reduction in the levels of stress. Can you provide an update on what is being done to address fish mortality? Are we heading in the right direction and reducing the numbers?

What are we learning from other countries that farm salmon, such as Canada, Chile and Norway, when we compare their rates of mortality and its causes with ours? Do they have jellyfish issues as well?

I am looking at Charles Allan. I want to understand whether the rates are acceptable. I assume that we want to see a reduction in the rates of farm salmon mortalities.

I have a final question. In the RECC report, microjellyfish werenae mentioned as a cause of mortality, but algae blooms were.

Charles Allan said that there are emerging causes of mortality that are different now from what they were decades ago. It is almost like we would be chasing our tail on that, but the Government needs to continue to work on it—to collaborate with researchers and scientists and the marine directorate, and to support any action, because it will be difficult to keep ahead of the challenges. That would be my ask: Government obviously recognises that collaboration and support will be required, so will that take place?

Is there a magic number for the amount of biomass in a pen? How many is too many salmon and how many is not enough? We know that they like to swim together, so is there a magic number? Has that been looked at?

Yes.

I was going to ask about the pilot process, but Rhoda Grant just covered that. I note that the consenting task group was established in November 2022 and met nine times in 2023, and it seems to have met only in May this year—that is all that is on the Government website. Is that because the work on the draft consenting pilot process is under way and, until you evaluate that, further meetings are not needed in 2024? What is the plan?

That is interesting. We are not human rights experts; obviously, that is why you are here today to help us. In addition to the other human rights aspects of the bill, I am interested in hearing your thoughts on the information collection and review provisions. Are they drafted in such a way that they would ensure effective on-going monitoring of human rights compliance? If not, how should they be strengthened?

I am sure that we will have more questions on that. You also mentioned disability, and concerns have been raised about that.

I would be happy to hear from other panel members if they want to come in.

Thank you.

I have a couple of questions on the human rights issues that are related to the bill. The committee’s briefing papers provide information on the European convention on human rights, article 2 of which is titled, “Right to life”. Article 8 is titled, “Right to respect for private and family life” and article 14 is titled, “Prohibition of discrimination”. In the context of human rights, does the bill contain sufficient protections for vulnerable groups? If you have concerns, what could be done to address those?