Ariane Burgess, Scottish Green MSP for the Highlands & Islands, has raised critical questions with the Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes MSP, regarding the broader impact of salmon farming on Scotland’s rural economy. This comes in the wake of a recent planning approval for a new fish farm in West Gigha, despite alarming reports of over 80% mortality rates at existing farms in the area.
During Portfolio Questions on Wednesday, Ms. Burgess highlighted the deteriorating conditions in the salmon farming industry since a 2018 Parliamentary inquiry, which had already called for significant changes. At that time, salmon mortalities were around 15%, but recent figures show a dramatic increase, raising serious concerns about the industry’s sustainability and management.
Ms Burgess questioned the Deputy First Minister on the economic analysis conducted by the Scottish Government regarding the impact of fish farming on the wider Scottish economy. According to Scottish Government data, there are only 253 more jobs in the salmon aquaculture sector than there were 30 years ago. She asked how many rural jobs have been lost in other sectors, such as shell fishing, marine tourism, and recreational sea angling due to the mismanagement of the fish farming industry?
Ms Burgess also expressed concern over the lack of curiosity by the Scottish Government about the negative impacts of salmon farms on other important sectors of the rural economy, including marine tourism, other forms of fishery and seafood, as well as environmental pollution concerns.
Commenting after the exchange, Ms Burgess said: “Most companies operating salmon farms in Scotland are headquartered elsewhere, sending their profits abroad, which further diminishes the local economic benefits.
“We must bring greater transparency and accountability to the salmon farming industry and ensure that its impacts on the Scottish economy and environment are thoroughly examined and addressed.”
