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AMAs

Area Management Agreements


Click on the map below.


Map of AMA areas Outer Hebrides West Sutherland and Wester Ross Skye Argyll and Lochaber

 Un-signed areas are shown hatched

Courtesy of Fisheries Research Services

 

Area Management Agreements are being developed between local industry and wild fisheries interests throughout the west coast and Western Isles. 

These cover a range of objectives, including:


  • single year class management and synchronised production/fallowing cycles
  • Synchronised lice treatments
  • zero ovigerous salmon lice, particularly during the critical  wild smolt migration  period (Feb – June)
  • vaccination of smolts against furunculosis
  • preparation of containment and contingency plans to minimise escapes
  • adherence to industry Codes of Practice
  • regular monitoring and information exchange between AMA partners
  • preparation of catchment management plans
  • adherence to disease control mechanisms in wild fisheries
  • possibility of augmenting with biological control using wrasse cleaner fish

Progress

To date eighteen agreements have been implemented:


  • Linnhe/Lorne/Etive/Sound of Mull/Sunart
  • Loch Nevis
  • Loch Fyne
  • West Mull
  • Loch Torridon
  • Lochs Carron/Kishorn
  • West Loch Tarbert
  • East Lewis/Harris
  • Loch Laxford
  • Loch Eriboll
  • Loch Ewe
  • Kyles of Bute
  • Lochs Duich/Alsh
  • Lower Lorne (signed 23 March 2006)
  • Loch Roag (signed 16 August 2006)
  • Isle of Skye (signed 9 October 2007)
  • Loch Ailort (signed 12 December 2007)
  • Isle of Arran (signed 17 December 2007) 

Regional Development Officers

Regional Development Officers (RDOs) facilitate the formation of Area Management Groups, develop, deliver and monitor the Area Management Agreements process across 4 Regions in the Western Highlands and Islands. A significant proportion of the RDOs time is spent engaged in field operations, river and farm site visits and in developing trusted working relationships between Area Management Group partners. 
 
RDOs liaise directly with the TWG Project Manager and report to the Regional Steering Committee and the TWG Plenary and Management Groups. 
 

RDOs:

    • Perform farm visits, collect sea lice and other data from farms and freshwater river systems
    • Interact with farms to promote co-ordination and/or synchronisation of sea lice management techniques
    • Provide secretariat services to the AMG
    • Undertake formal and informal AMA reporting to AMG members and the TWG Project Manager
    • Attend quarterly TWG Management Group meetings
    • Attend bi-annual Plenary Group and sub-Group meetings as necessary
    • Assist in delivery of the  PR strategy
    • Liaise regularly with other RDOs to identify common problems and potential solutions
    • Liaise with and increase understanding of key issues with Producers, Fisheries Trusts, and other key stakeholders as required
    • Manage and report on AMA budgets