FoE blasts fish farming

It calls for reduced stocking densities, removal of cages from unsuitable sites and a moratorium on new developments.

Salmon production has increased ten-fold since 1988 while wild salmon catches are at their lowest since records began in 1952, FoE notes. It highlights problems such as the illegal use of chemicals, fish farm escapes and increasing numbers of algal blooms.

In February, two Scottish parliamentary committees urged a public inquiry into the industry and its impacts. The call was rejected by Ross Finnie, Minister for the Environment, in May.