Scotland is one of the largest producers of farmed Atlantic salmon in Europe.

The bulk of Scotland’s farmed fish are salmon, with more than 200 farms of caged salmon mainly off the west and north coasts and in the Western, Orkney and Shetland islands

According to Scottish Government figures, in 2019, production of Atlantic salmon increased by 47,856 tonnes (30.7%) to 203,881 tonnes.

Government and industry say fish farming is worth some £885 million a year to the Scottish economy, and contributes £94m in taxes.

Nearly half of Scotland’s salmon farms burn, dump or destroy millions of fish every year, according to Scottish Government data.

It is claimed that 45% of dead farmed fish end up as landfill, are incinerated or are disposed of as waste.