Wild salmon catches plunge by 40%

Published on Friday 24 June 2011 18:25

ANGLERS and fish farmers are involved in a new dispute over the effect of farmed salmon on wild stocks.

According to new analysis from the Rivers and Fisheries Trusts of Scotland (RAFTS), wild salmon catches have dropped significantly in areas where fish farms have been established.

The group said rod catches fell by more than 40 per cent on the west coast of Scotland between 1970 and 2009, while there was a 20 per cent rise in catches in the east where there are no salmon farms.

It said the results contrast with a recent paper from the industry body, the Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation (SSPO), which said there was "no difference between the pattern of decline" in west and east coast catches and "salmon farming has had no effect on wild salmon catches".

But the SSPO hit back saying the new research simply backs up its own findings.

Anglers have consistently blamed the decline of wild stocks at least partly on fish farming which began in 1980. The industry now produces about 145,000 tonnes of fish a year. Anglers argue migrating juvenile wild salmon and sea trout are susceptible to sea lice infestations from farmed salmon cages.

RAFTS chairman Andrew Wallace said: "The RAFTS analysis shows conclusively that wild salmon catches in the salmon farming heartlands have fallen markedly compared to catches elsewhere.

"It is now time for the salmon farming industry to acknowledge formally that it has indeed had a significantly negative impact on wild salmon stocks."

The SSPO's report said that after a peak of 600,000 in 1967, Scottish annual salmon catches began to decline to annual level of 100,000-120,000 in 2000. It attributed the fall to the reduced survival of salmon during their marine migration phase.

It claims the west coast pattern of decline was well established before salmon farming started and has shown no discernible change in pattern since.

But RAFTS says the SSPO used catch statistics from the entire west coast which includes a large area where there is no salmon farming. It claims the SSPO data also gives a misleading picture because of the inclusion of catches from nets.

Chairman of the SSPO Professor Phil Thomas said: "The game-fishing lobby has wholly confirmed SSPO's published analysis - that is, the total catch on the west coast has declined at the same rate as the east coast where there are no salmon farms.

"However, their 'new concept' that only salmon hauled from the water for sport should be taken into account simply reflects their vested interest in salmon fishing."