The Act
3.The Act is in 6 parts. Part 1 provides a series of information gathering, inspection and enforcement measures aimed at controlling parasites on fish farms and shellfish farms and at improving, in respect of fish farms only, the containment of, prevention of escape of, and recovery of escaped, fish. It also provides a power for the Scottish Ministers to approve a code of practice giving guidance and promoting desirable practices in respect of (a) the prevention, control and reduction of parasites on fish farms and shellfish farms and (b) in respect of fish farms only, the containment of, prevention of escape of, and recovery of escaped, fish.
4.Part 2 provides powers for the containment and treatment of the disease causing parasite of salmon Gyrodactylus salaris, should it be introduced into Scotland. These include powers to create barriers to the movement of fish, to purchase land compulsorily for the purpose of doing so; to maintain, remove and dismantle any such barriers; and to treat waterways with chemical agents.
5.Part 3 provides a series of measures in respect of salmon and freshwater fisheries.
6.Part 4 brings in a system of administrative penalties for certain sea fisheries offences, amends the Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967 to change the provisions for regulating a fishery and makes an amendment to section 30(1) of the Fisheries Act 1981.
7.Part 5 provides a series of miscellaneous measures: the regulation of the movement of live fish with a view to preventing the spread of fish diseases; a discretionary power for the Scottish Ministers to make payments in certain circumstances; and the provision of certain information about fish farming and shellfish farming.
8.Part 6 makes provision in respect of the application of the Act to the Crown; concerning offences by bodies corporate; in respect of minor and consequential amendments; for the making of ancillary provisions by order; for the exercise of powers conferred by the Act by statutory instrument; in respect of interpretation of the Act; and for commencement of provisions of the Act.
9.The schedule to the Act contains minor and consequential amendments to other enactments.