Scottish MPs address environmental impact of salmon farming

Members of the Scottish Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee have conducted a report on the state of salmon farming, noting ‘unacceptable levels’ of fish mortality and a lack of progress in managing environmental impacts since a 2002 review.

The salmon industry in Scotland has continued to suffer from issues such as parasitic sea lice, which attach themselves to the skin of the fish and are then transferred to nearby wild salmon. To counteract the issue, salmon farmers use chemicals to treat the lice, however environmentalist groups have raised their concerns over this practice.

Salmon production in Scotland is a £600 million industry, providing almost 2,500 direct jobs and thousands more jobs for the aquaculture sector. Seafood is the second biggest food and drink export in the country after Scotch whisky.

The committee argued that with the fishing industry planning to expand in the next decade, Scotland must take into consideration the sustainable development of salmon farming in terms of the environment.

Scottish MPs called for an ‘ecosystem-based approach’ to place new farmers in areas which will not impact the environment.

The Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO) reiterated its commitment to ensuring sustainability.

“Until the report is officially published and the industry has time to read and consider its findings we cannot make any specific comments,” said an SSPO spokesperson. “However, the industry takes this inquiry very seriously and has provided written and oral evidence to the committee to highlight our commitment to long-term sustainability through high standards of fish health, husbandry and environmentally responsible production.”

The expansion consists of an investment of more than £50 million in new innovations and £10 million per year on research, according to the SSPO. In the press release, the SSPO reinforced its commitment to addressing environmental challenges.

The committee report will be sent to today (5 March 2018) for review by the Scottish Parliament.