The Scottish Wildlife Trust has welcomed comments from the Environment Minister Stewart Stevenson, suggesting the Scottish Government may increase protection for wild salmon and sea trout by regulating the siting of fish farms.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Head of Policy Tony King said:

“The Scottish Wildlife Trust is very encouraged by the environment minister’s comments suggesting that a precautionary approach may be taken to siting fish farms.  The aquaculture industry has developed rapidly and without any strategic environmental assessment, in breach of European law.

“Any move to protect Scotland’s valuable wild fish resource is to be welcomed.  We look forward to seeing the government’s proposals and to working constructively with them and the industry to ensure that Scottish aquaculture is environmentally sustainable.”