From the Herald, Wednesday 28th June


Fish farming must change

JAMES FREEMAN

ONE of the strongest warnings yet that the worldwide aquaculture industry - including Scottish salmon farming - must change radically if it is to survive has been sounded by an eminent group of international biologists and aquaculture experts. 
Writing in the science journal, Nature, the scientists say their evidence suggests that while world aquaculture production currently adds to net global fish supplies, many types of aquaculture result in net loss of fish. 
The industry's potential contribution to fish supplies is severely diminished by rapid growth in production of species fed carnivorous diets, and by practices which lead to coastal habitat destruction, biological pollution, and discharge of untreated effluents. 
Fish farming, the paper says, currently accounts for a quarter of all fish directly consumed by humans, but it asserts that growth of aquaculture is a mixed blessing for the sustainability of ocean fisheries. 
They found no evidence to support the argument that fish farming will restore wild populations by relieving pressure on capture fisheries. 
They state further that over-exploitation of North Sea capelin, sandeel, and Norway pout stocks for reduction to fish meal, most of which becomes feedstock for farmed species, has been implicated in the decline of cod, seal, and seabird colonies. Salmon escaping from pens are also causing biological pollution. As much as 40% of atlantic salmon caught by fishermen in some North Atlantic areas are now of farmed origin, while there is "increasing evidence that farm escapees may hybridise with and alter the genetic make-up of wild populations of Atlantic salmon genetically adapted to their natal spawning grounds". 
The salmon farming industry hit back. Mr Jamie Lindsay, chairman of Scottish Quality Salmon, said yesterday: "Reliable sources estimate that the world's populations will require another 30m tonnes of fish and fish products within the next 10 years. 
"If wild catch ocean sources are expected to meet this additional demand, then there will be nothing at all left in the oceans. This emphasises the importance of aquaculture. 
"In Scottish terms, the new code of practice designed to underpin fish health is going to be implemented by the industry with absolute commitment. 
"Scottish Quality Salmon has identified as a priority the development of disciplines which demonstrate to the widest possible audience the sustainability of the product and the system of production." 
The 39-member body, Scottish Environmental Link, called yesterday for Scottish parliamentary committees to start an independent and public inquiry into the environmental effects of fish farming. 
Mr Kevin Dunion, director of Friends of the Earth Scotland, a Link member body, said: "This important piece of work clearly shows that the intensive farming of fish such as salmon and trout is inherently unsustainable. 
"It can take up to three tonnes of wild fish to produce one tonne of farmed fish and that cannot be sustained in the long term. Far from being a solution to the crisis in wild fisheries, intensive fish farming can only compound the crisis." 
Calling for a shared vision between public and private sectors if fish farming's long-term potential to provide food for the world's growing populations, the scientists say that "the private sector must alter its course and recognise that current practices that lead to dependence on pelagic fisheries, habitat destruction, water pollution, and non-native introductions run counter to the industry's long-term health". 
Without that shared vision, an expanded aquaculture industry "poses a threat, not only to ocean fisheries, but also to itself". 

Translate this page automatically.