Protests target fish farms over environmental harm
● Demonstrators set to gather at Argyll salmon farm sites this weekend
Protesters are taking to the waters off Scotland’s west coast this weekend to raise concerns over potentially toxic pollution being pumped out of fish farms and into the sea.
Swimmers, kayakers and rowers will gather at salmon sites in Argyll and collect water samples to test for viruses, pathogens, chemicals and contaminants.
The campaigners are calling for greater scrutiny of the country’s aquaculture industry, which has been coming under increasing pressure over its impact on nature. Fish farming is worth around £1 billion to the Scottish economy, with salmon the country’s top food export. But persistent problems with fish health and pollution have blighted its image in recent years.
Ministers have laid out plans to double production by 2030, sparking outrage among environmental and fisheries groups, who believe open-cage fish farms harm the marine ecosystem, cause animal suffering and wipe out wild salmon.
“It is time for people to reclaim the seas from the filthy, floating factory fish farms, which are polluting our coastal waters, destroying our wildlife and turning the king of fish into the marine equivalent of battery hens,” said John Robins, from Scottish charity Animal Concern.
“Salmon farming is unsustainable, incredibly cruel and very damaging to the marine environment.
“The Scottish Government must take the lead from the protesters and act now to stop salmon farmers destroying our coastal ecosystem.”
But industry leaders have warned demonstrators not to get too close to fish farms.
Hamish Macdonell, director of strategic engagement for the Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation, said: “Unauthorised visits to fish farms place employees and the animals they care for at risk. They also pose serious hazards to those entering the farms without permission. As a result, any visit must be undertaken in accordance with the strict safety and biosecurity measures in place on each farm.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “There is no evidence to support assertions that there is welfare abuse at Scottish salmon farms and it is misleading and irresponsible to make such a claim.”
‘The government must take the lead from the protesters and act now to stop salmon farmers destroying our coastal ecosystem’
JOHN ROBBINS
Animal Concern