SALMON farm production reports will show a “drastic” dip, campaigners predict.
Official figures on the key sector are expected to be published on Monday, covering activity from 2018.
The Scottish Fish Farm Production Survey includes tonnage produced in the previous 12 months and forecasts for the following year.
While the contents of the latest report have not yet been made public, consumer group SumOfUs says it expects confirmation of a “drastic” decrease in production.
The suggestion follows several reports of mass mortalities at separate sites, related to problems like killer lice, which can also be found in wild populations.
The group is campaigning for tighter controls on the multimillion pound aquaculture sector, citing environmental and welfare concerns.
This summer, more than 43,000 people signed a petition by SumOfUs and Scottish Salmon Watch calling for a new emergency inspection regime.
However, the Scottish Salmon Producers Association says members adhere to stringent quality, welfare and environmental standards.
Anna Liberadzki, campaigner at SumOfUs, said: “Salmon farming corporations aren’t just businesses but custodians of our precious marine environment.
“The priority should be to hold them accountable for their disastrous impacts, rather than give the go ahead to new sites off the islands of Canna and Arran.
“Due to growing evidence of terrible conditions on salmon farms, over 43,000 people have signed a SumOfUs petition urging the Scottish Government to carry out emergency inspections. It’s time they took salmon welfare seriously.”
Don Staniford, director of Scottish Salmon Watch, said: “If the forecast is correct, Scottish salmon farming production in 2018 will be less than 15 years ago.
“Far from being a success story, Scottish salmon farming is a welfare nightmare and a disease disaster.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel