MSPs stop short of salmon farming moratorium amid environmental and welfare concerns.
Scottish Members of Parliament have refrained from recommending a moratorium on salmon farming expansion, despite a parliamentary inquiry raising significant concerns over the sector’s environmental impact and governance.
The Rural Affairs, Islands, and Natural Environment Committee concluded that while progress has been made, it has been slower than expected, particularly in addressing issues highlighted in a 2018 report.
The committee spent nine months reviewing the industry’s practices and evaluating whether its welfare, environmental, and transparency standards have improved since earlier investigations.
Despite considering calls for a halt to new farms and expansions, MSPs decided against such measures due to concerns over the economic impact on rural communities, committing instead to reassess progress within a year.
Mortality Rates and Climate Challenges
The report expressed disappointment over persistently high salmon mortality rates, which remain at around 25% of stocks, with 17 million fish deaths recorded in 2023. Witnesses described this as “not a sustainable practice.” While sea lice infestations have historically been the primary cause, the inquiry noted an increase in climate-related incidents, such as algal blooms and micro-jellyfish swarms, which drove mass die-offs in 2022 and 2023.
The committee warned that mitigating these emerging risks is “not currently within the operational capability of the industry.”
Transparency and Governance
Concerns were also raised about inconsistencies in how mortality data is collected and reported. The committee recommended mandatory reporting to address these gaps, contrasting with the voluntary arrangements defended by Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon as “proportionate.”
Committee convener Finlay Carson acknowledged industry efforts to tackle challenges but said, “Further progress should have been made in implementing the… recommendations of 2018 as well as anticipating the impact of climate change and rising sea temperatures on the industry.”
Economic Importance
The salmon farming sector remains a critical component of Scotland’s rural economy, supporting an estimated 10,000 jobs. Industry representatives have argued that halting growth would harm these communities.
Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, highlighted advancements in welfare and environmental standards. “We continue to innovate which is why survival rates are at a four-year high, sea lice levels are at a historic low and consumer sales of our nutritious fish are on track to break all records. We engaged constructively with MSPs to provide evidence of the significant progress our sector has made, and we note that most of their recommendations are for the Scottish government.”
Future Outlook
The Scottish government has committed to reviewing the report’s findings. Gougeon stated: “Significant progress had been made in a number of areas including the management of sea lice and environmental protection. I am grateful to the committee for their detailed report and recognise the call to make progress at pace in other key areas.”
The committee will revisit the issue in 12 months, with the possibility of recommending stricter measures if significant progress is not made.
