Scottish Government Faces Criticism for Slow Progress on Salmon Farming Regulation

The Scottish government is facing heavy scrutiny following the release of a parliamentary inquiry that criticized its “slow progress” in regulating the salmon farming industry. The report, which took five months to compile, raises serious concerns over high mortality rates, fish welfare, and environmental pollution in the industry.

The inquiry also revealed a heated debate among Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) about the possibility of imposing a moratorium on new salmon farms or expanding existing ones. However, due to the potential impact on jobs and local communities, the MSPs ultimately refrained from recommending such a measure.

A Call for Stronger Leadership

One of the central findings of the inquiry is a call for stronger leadership from the Scottish government. The report urges the government to set a clear timetable for addressing the ongoing challenges facing the industry, with a minister overseeing these efforts within a year. This comes amid growing concerns about the future of salmon farming in Scotland.

  • Economic Importance:
    The farmed salmon sector is the UK’s biggest food export, contributing £645 million annually.

    • 2,500 direct jobs in rural communities.
    • 10,000 additional jobs in the supply chain.

Despite these economic benefits, there are mounting concerns about sustainability. The record number of fish deaths in 2023, exceeding 17 million, has highlighted the need for urgent regulatory reforms to address welfare and environmental issues.

Scottish salmon farming industry concerns

High Mortality Rates Raise Alarm

The high mortality rate in Scottish salmon farms has been one of the most critical issues raised by the inquiry. In 2023, a staggering 17.4 million salmon died before reaching harvest, surpassing the previous year’s record. While the industry blames external factors such as unusual micro jellyfish blooms linked to global heating, environmental groups argue that overcrowding and poor welfare conditions are significant contributors.

  • Key Statistics:
    • 17.4 million salmon deaths in 2023.
    • 17.2 million salmon deaths in 2022.
    • Industry’s lowest production for decades.

The government has yet to take substantial steps to address these ongoing issues, despite the industry’s own pledge to improve its practices.

Industry’s Response to the Inquiry

The salmon farming sector, while acknowledging the issues, has defended its efforts to address challenges through innovation and investment. Tavish Scott, the CEO of Salmon Scotland, pointed out that the industry has made significant progress, especially regarding sea lice management and environmental protection. He emphasized that the recommendations in the inquiry were primarily aimed at the Scottish government, not the industry itself.

However, MSP Finlay Carson expressed frustration with the lack of progress since the 2018 inquiry, which also raised concerns over high mortality rates and weak regulation. Carson believes that the government has failed to keep pace with the changing marine environment and the impact of climate change.

Environmental and Welfare Concerns Remain

Environmental and welfare groups have expressed mixed feelings about the inquiry’s recommendations. While they welcomed some of the proposed changes, such as new powers to halt production on farms with persistently high mortality rates, they were disappointed that the inquiry did not call for a moratorium on industry growth.

John Aitchison from Coastal Communities Network Scotland described the high mortality figures as “a national disgrace,” echoing concerns that the industry’s practices are damaging both the environment and animal welfare.

In October, a tragic incident highlighted the scale of the issue when over a million farmed salmon died in a mass die-off at a Mowi Scotland farm. This event has only intensified calls for stricter oversight of the industry.

Future Outlook: Will the Government Act?

Despite the criticism, Mairi Gougeon, Scotland’s cabinet secretary for rural affairs, defended the government’s efforts. She pointed out the progress made in areas such as sea lice management and environmental protection. However, she acknowledged the need for further work and pledged to consider the inquiry’s findings carefully.

If significant progress is not made in the next 12 months, Carson has warned that the committee may revisit the issue of imposing a moratorium on new farms.

By Ishan Crawford

Prior to the position, Ishan was senior vice president, strategy & development for Cumbernauld-media Company since April 2013. He joined the Company in 2004 and has served in several corporate developments, business development and strategic planning roles for three chief executives. During that time, he helped transform the Company from a traditional U.S. media conglomerate into a global digital subscription service, unified by the journalism and brand of Cumbernauld-media.

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