Salmon & Trout Association employ lawyer to lobby for fish farm relocation

S&TA has engaged the services of the experienced lawyer, broadcaster and environmental campaigner, Guy Linley-Adams to protect and preserve wild Atlantic salmon and sea trout, argue the case for sustainable aquaculture to politicians.

The priority of the campaign will be to see the relocation of those existing fish farm sites identified in areas sensitive for wild fish and to remove all smolt cage units from river systems containing wild salmon populations.

Paul Knight, S&TA CEO, commented: “Scientific research confirms that farming of salmon in floating cage farms on the Scottish west coast has had a negative impact on wild Atlantic salmon and sea trout; even the Scottish Government now concedes it is likely that impacts of aquaculture have contributed to the decline in runs. We must now translate this scientific consensus into action.” Guy Linley-Adams added: “There has simply not been sufficient progress over the last few years in reducing the impact of salmon farming. I feel the industry is at a crossroads. It can chose the path of unsustainable expansion, or it can recognise its failings, pull back from the brink and start to address the damage it has already caused. Working with the S&TA, I see it as my task to cause the industry to choose the latter option.”