october 2009 - april 2010

I would like to start with an apology for not providing these reports on a monthly basis as previously. As a task, they never quite make it to the top of the list, and before you know it another month has gone. Stephen Cameron has agreed to be my self-appointed reminder service, in an attempt to ensure that I get reports out every month.

APRIL 2010 - UPDATE

8/4 I had dinner with Charles Milne, Sandy McDougall, Jennifer Howie and Lorna Murray from FSA. Charles is the new Director for Scotland, and Jennifer Howie has taken over from Lorna Murray. The following day we went round the farm, and discussed every aspect of our relationship with FSA. It was a very productive day, and I look forward to working with Charles and Jenny.

12/4 I attended a meeting with SSPO and SNH regarding Landscape Guidelines, with relation to the SNH publication about the visual impact of aquaculture installations. Again, a positive day, and I will have input into the new publication planned for printing early next year.

15/4 Meeting with Nicki Holmyard to start arranging our Conference for this year. First choice venue is not available, so we have both been looking at alternatives. I hope we can use SAMS, at Dunstaffanage, but cannot confirm that yet. If anyone has any specific ideas about who we should have giving presentations please share them with me.

16/4 Scottish Gov. Finance Group Meeting. What has become apparent at this group is that the statistics relating to aquaculture are often contradictory, and confusing, which perhaps explains why potential lenders are reluctant to engage. There are plans to address this now.

22/4 Meeting with Stephen Cameron, SSMG. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss (generic) marketing, and how we could perhaps all benefit from using some EFF common interest funding to do some joint promotion. I feel we need to decide whether or not to remain in the broader aquaculture marketing group, or bring shellfish marketing into our own group. No decision yet, more dialogue required. After leaving Stephen, I travelled to London for the SAGB Mollusc Committee meeting.

23/4 SAGB meeting. Almost the entire agenda was given over to the issue of Norovirus. It was an interesting and productive meeting. I will circulate the minutes when they come out. Any specific interest, please call me.

28/4 Marine Strategy Forum. The reason for engaging in this forum is to ensure that our sector is not overlooked as we are taken through the process of marine planning, and implementation of Water Framework Directive, as well as Marine Protected Areas, Special Areas of Conservation, etc.

29/4 Marine Policy Statement Working Group. Almost exactly as above, but with a slightly different group of people, with a different remit. This was a productive day, having an opportunity to discuss our requirements, with other marine users.

I will attach with this report my summary worksheet, which I now keep, to help submit our EFF claims. It is an interesting discipline, as I now have to record work that I do in the office, but often do not charge to ASSG. You will see that I am spending a considerable amount of office time working for ASSG, which is difficult to report on. Broadly speaking, it involves e-mail communications, relating to all aspects of ASSG interest, which is quite hard to quantify.

Any questions, as always, pick up the phone. - Walter