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WWF – UK
Sea lice survey provides evidence on effect of salmon farms
Thursday 3 October 2002
Today's report on sea lice infestations on Loch Sheildaig and the river Sheildaig hands the salmon farming industry a smoking gun. The report is the strongest evidence to date that makes a clear link between sea lice infestation of wild trout and fish farms.
Wild fish stocks have been dropping on the West Coast for years. This new evidence reinforces WWF's call a year ago for an immediate moratorium on any further expansion of the industry until a proper strategy is put in place.
This study shows just how urgently the Executive's long awaited strategy for aquaculture, due to be produced in the next six months, has to push through radical reforms. For the sake of Scotland's remaining wild salmon and trout we need to know just how many fish farms Scotland's coastline can support.
This means carrying out a strategic environmental assessment of the industry and the legislation governing it. In the mean time we need to start relocating farms out of hotspots like Loch Sheildaig right now.
It was great to see the Minister Allan Wilson saying this week that the Executive will apply the precautionary principle in its dealings with the aquaculture industry. We need to see these fine words turned into concrete actions to safeguard the future of wild salmon and trout, both of which are important symbols of Scotland's natural heritage.
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