Salmon farmers extend efforts to keep coast clean
Scotland’s salmon farmers have established a dedicated email address for the public to use to let them know about marine litter on beaches – regardless of the litter’s source.
As part of a commitment to the wider marine environment, salmon industry body Salmon Scotland is encouraging people to report waste so that salmon farmers close to the location can help remove it.
Reports can be sent to reportdebris@salmonscotland.co.uk and should ideally contain a what3words exact location and photo.
Local teams
The information will be collated centrally and reported to local teams for recovery, even though in most cases marine debris does not come from salmon farms, but rather from towns and cities, other countries, and sometimes other continents, brought to Scotland by prevailing winds and tides.
The new measures cover the entire area where farms are based – the north-west Highlands, the Western Isles, Argyll and Bute, Shetland and Orkney.
The speed of response will depend on the relevant companies and the distance involved from the nearest farm, but the intention is to respond as quickly as possible, not least because debris can have moved on by the time they get there.
Clean-ups
The reporting tool extends efforts already being made by salmon farmers who carry out regular beach clean-ups and other initiatives.
Last year, Mowi carried out 79 beach cleans around the areas where it farms, while Scottish Sea Farms made its annual participation in the Marine Conservation Society’s Great British Beach Clean a company-wide effort.
Salmon Scotland said that while most marine debris comes from littering or incorrect disposal of plastics on land, extreme weather can occasionally cause equipment to break loose from a salmon farm. The organisation’s sustainability charter includes a pledge to “take every step possible to avoid marine debris from our farms and recover any items promptly regardless of their origin”.
Good neighbours
“Raising healthy fish relies on a healthy habitat, so it’s in all our interests to protect our shared environment,” said Salmon Scotland chief executive Tavish Scott. “By co-ordinating our efforts to collect marine debris – regardless of where it has come from – we can make a positive difference.
“There is also a concerted drive from our sector to prevent any marine debris at source which on rare occasions can be caused by instances of extreme weather.
“We’re privileged to work on some of the most beautiful coastlines in Scotland and we are committed to being good neighbours.”
