Fish farms killing wild stocks, claim anglers

Published on Tuesday 23 March 2010 22:21

ONE of Britain's main angling associations yesterday accused the salmon farming industry of threatening to wipe out wild Atlantic stocks from Scotland's rivers.

The Salmon and Trout Association (STA), which represents 100,000 salmon and trout anglers, claimed a series of scientific studies provided "incontrovertible proof" that the industry was triggering an environmental disaster for the iconic species.

And angling leaders called for an immediate action plan to prevent wild stocks becoming extinct within decades in Scottish rivers.

Paul Knight, the chief executive of the angling organisation, claimed the aquaculture industry was hanging like a "sword of Damocles" over a vital natural resource – an allegation which was angrily rejected by the Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation (SSPO).

Mr Knight said an STA report on a review of scientific studies into the environmental impact of salmon farming revealed a "devastating catalogue of malpractice" which threatened wild salmon and sea trout stocks and the marine environment.

The report claims up to 80 per cent of juvenile salmon and sea trout are killed by sea-lice infestation from fish-farm cages and that the genetic pool of wild fish could be ruined within decades by interbreeding with farm escapees.

Mr Knight said: "Fish farming practised sustainably can offer enormous benefits to mankind and significantly reduce the pressure on our precious wild oceanic stocks. But the scientific literature unequivocally demonstrates that fish farms, as presently constructed and operated, are having a disastrous impact on native fisheries, the wider environment and the many public benefits associated with it."

He added that the STA, together with the Association of Scottish Fishery Boards and the Rivers and Fisheries Trusts of Scotland, was calling on the Scottish Government to act before it is too late to save wild salmon and sea trout stocks.

Its action plans includes demands for sea-based salmon farms to be moved away from locations with significant salmon and sea trout migration runs and a ban on aquaculture developments in designated ecologically sensitive sites.

But Dr John Webster, the technical director of the SSPO, dismissed the STA's claims.

He said: "It's the same old ignorant propaganda we have seen time after time from these people.

"This is nothing to do with facts – this is just propaganda to try to support their view that we should get rid of salmon farming and everything will be fine after that."

He added: "It's just the rehashing of the same old nonsense. They are just not prepared to listen to the other side of the argument.

"The reason that salmon are in decline is because there are problems with global climate change out at sea. To point the finger at salmon farming is just naive and ridiculous."

Simple steps that could turn the tide on what ails the king of fish

THE universal use of enclosed systems for rearing fish should be made the long-term target of the industry and the Scottish Government.

&#149 Until then, the precautionary principle, enshrined in EU legislation to protect species and habitats, should apply to fish farm developments.

&#149 An effective sea lice dispersal model must be developed.

&#149 A list of ecologically and economically sensitive sites should be drawn up.

&#149 No new sites should be permitted in designated sensitive areas.

&#149 All new fish farm applications must be supported by independent Environmental Impact Assessments.

&#149 Sea-based salmon farms must be moved away from locations with significant salmon and sea trout migration runs within estuaries and sea lochs.

&#149 Salmon smolt farms should be banned from operating within any wild salmon river, unless in enclosed systems.

&#149 The impact of escapees on the environment should be reduced by the mandatory stocking of sterile fish within an agreed timescale.