SalmonBusiness has learned that WildFish, a prominent environmental group campaigning against farmed salmon, has barred aquaculture researcher Martin Jaffa from attending a public event in Edinburgh, raising questions about the charity’s openness to critical engagement.
The event, titled “Tribe Talks Sustainability with WildFish”, is scheduled to take place on December 5 at the Tribe Porty co-working space in Portobello, Edinburgh.
Promoted as an open discussion on sustainability, the talk will feature WildFish’s Scotland Director, Rachel Mulrenan, who advocates for the removal of farmed salmon from restaurants and shops. However, despite the event being advertised as public and free, Jaffa claims he was barred from attending after he made his intentions to participate known.
Speaking to SalmonBusiness, Jaffa expressed disappointment, stating, “This is indicative of the fact that opponents of salmon farming avoid engaging with people from the industry. They’re not interested in discussing or addressing their concerns. They’re focused solely on the removal of farmed salmon because they view it as harmful to the environment.”
Jaffa, the publisher of influential salmon farming newsletter reLAKSation and a longstanding critic of claims made by anti-salmon farming activists, emphasized that his intention was not to disrupt the event but to ask questions during the Q&A session.
“I wasn’t going to demonstrate or cause a scene. I simply wanted to hear what they had to say and ask a question,” he told SalmonBusiness.
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Ongoing Tensions
This is not the first time Jaffa has been excluded from events critical of aquaculture. He recounted a similar experience several years ago when he attempted to attend a film screening hosted by Patagonia, where he was asked not to ask questions. “They reneged on a private meeting they promised me in exchange for staying silent,” Jaffa noted.
The latest exclusion comes amid heightened tensions between salmon farming advocates and environmental groups. WildFish has been vocal in its opposition to salmon farming, citing environmental and welfare concerns. However, Jaffa criticized the group for spreading what he considers misleading information. “They often make claims about issues like sea lice without engaging with evidence that contradicts their narrative,” he said.
Citing recent data from Canada, Jaffa pointed out that removing salmon farms does not always lead to reduced sea lice infestations, challenging a core argument made by salmon farming critics. “The idea that removing farms will automatically protect wild salmon is nonsense, but they’re not interested in hearing that because it spoils their story,” he said.
Jaffa also noted WildFish’s lack of engagement with him over the years. Despite reaching out on several occasions to discuss industry-related data, he says he has received no response. “This narrow-mindedness is frustrating. Their unwillingness to engage critically reflects poorly on them,” he said.
WildFish is a UK-based environmental charity dedicated to the conservation of wild fish and their habitats. The organization focuses on protecting wild fish species, such as Atlantic salmon and sea trout, from threats including pollution, habitat degradation, and the impacts of open-net salmon farming. WildFish claims to engage in scientific research, policy advocacy, and public campaigns to promote sustainable practices and influence governmental policies.
SalmonBusiness contacted WildFish for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.
