Council’s retain control of aquaculture

SHETLAND Islands Council is to retain control of aquaculture management after a narrow victory in the Scottish Parliament saw amendments to the Marine Bill fall.

Labour MSP Elaine Murray had hoped to transfer control of fish farm licences to a central authority, but her move was defeated by 59 votes to 63.

Shetland MSP Tavish Scott said: “I was pleased that the minister recognised that the current system is right and that Liberal Democrat and SNP MSPs defeated this centralising move, which the Labour and Conservative parties wanted to impose.”