A petition opposing the development of three proposed recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) salmon farms in France has gathered more than 58,000 signatures.
The projects, planned by companies Smart Salmon in Plouisy, Pure Salmon in Verdon-sur-Mer, and Local Ocean in Boulogne-sur-Mer, have sparked controversy due to concerns over their “hyper-intensive” farming practices.
The French animal welfare NGO Welfarm, which launched a campaign against these farms in April, argues that the high-density conditions required by RAS systems are detrimental to fish welfare. The NGO points to risks such as overcrowding, potential mass mortality events due to equipment failures, and difficulties in maintaining water quality as key issues. These concerns are shared by several local opposition groups that have been actively protesting the projects.
Welfarm, alongside the ocean protection NGO Seastemik, is advocating for a moratorium on the establishment of new RAS farms for fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods intended for human consumption.
They argue that banning such developments is crucial for improving animal welfare and ensuring that French aquaculture aligns with sustainable development goals.
