Poor weather caused fish escapes

Siri Elise Dybdal

According to Scottish Government statistics on fish escapes in Scotland, two salmon escape incidents occured in the last months as a result of poor weather conditions.

The statistics, which include figures for breaches of containment up until 8 December 2011, reveal that 50 fish (71g) escaped from a salt-water site site belonging to Marine Scotland Science at North of Corran Narrows on the 30 October due to weather conditions.

Then, on the 8 December, a total of 8,832 salmon (5.2kg) escaped from Scottish Sea Farm's farm at Lismore West. The cause of the escape was also weather related.

In total, 33,942 salmon escaped in eight separate incidents from Scottish salmon farms in 2011 (statistics are currently only showing escapes up until 8 December. Further incidents may be added once numbers have been confirmed. An operator will submit final confirmation of the no. of escaped fish within 28 days of submitting their initial notification to Scottish Ministers)