Editor’s Welcome

The fish farming industry has had to defend its record over the past few weeks. First, a report from animal welfare group Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) alleged poor practices on the part of the salmon farming industry in Scotland. The report was accompanied by graphic images and video footage showing fish either dead or in a bad condition, and it led to the suspension of RSPCA Assured Certification for five of the leading operators in Scotland.

Then Seaspiracy, a polemic documentary on Netflix, took aim at the seafood industry as a whole, with a range of allegations from unsustainable and illegal trawling through modern slavery to “unsustainable” aquaculture.

Many of these allegations levelled against the fish farming industry have failed to stand up. RSPCA Assured restored certification to the firms concerned following a thorough investigation, while many of the “facts” cited in Seaspiracy have been disproved or challenged, and some of the participants have claimed that their views have been misrepresented or taken out of context.

There is no room for complacency, however. As Vince McDonagh reports in this issue, the Norwegian authorities believe fish mortality in salmon farming is still too high, while Chile is struggling with the latest challenge from harmful algal blooms.

This month we look at how the industry is dealing with these issues, from cleaner fish welfare to how to protect stock against predators without having an unacceptable impact on marine mammals.

We also examine the issue of traceability, which is essential if the many ethical producers that follow sustainable practices are to win and retain the public’s trust.

These are challenging times for aquaculture, but addressing those challenges effectively can only make the industry stronger.

Best wishes, Robert Outram

Robert Outram