Salmon escape from fish farm off Ulva

A SALMON escape has been reported from a fish farm in Loch Na Keal, Mull.

Scotland’s Aquaculture, which registers fish escapes in Scotland, recorded the loss of an unknown number of Atlantic salmon, aged 12 months and weighing 2.8g on average, from the Scottish Salmon Company’s fish farm at Geasgill near the Isle of Ulva, starting on August 15. The reason for the escape is also recorded as ‘unknown’.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Salmon Company said: ‘During a routine fish handling exercise at our site on Mull a reduction in numbers was identified. We have reported this to Marine Scotland and we are investigating locally in line with standard procedure.’

A spokesperson for Marine Scotland, an arm of the Scottish Government managing Scotland’s seas, is currently investigating, telling The Oban Times: ‘The operator in the area is assisting with enquiries and engaging with local interests.’