Addressing environmental concerns in Scottish salmon farming

The Best Fishes project is run by environmental charity Fidra. The project aims to address concerns surrounding salmon farming in Scotland. The vision of the project is to improve transparency across the sector and encourage best practice to minimise its environmental impacts.   

Fidra’s approach

Fidra is already working to alleviate the current impacts, of the salmon industry, on the environment. We are aiming to ensure supply chain traceability is at the forefront of aquaculture practices with the long-term goal of full transparency in the industry. To achieve this, we will work with a variety of stakeholders in the following ways:  

• Assist and facilitate the development of an online ‘Sustainability Dashboard’ which will present detailed yet clear information on the environmental impacts of individual salmon farms in Scotland.  
• Work with UK retailers to encourage improved transparency throughout the sector by increasing the level of information presented on the packaging of products, listing the name of the farm so customers can look up the information on the environmental impacts using the suggested Sustainability Dashboard above.
• To inform consumers about the known environmental impacts of salmon farming and allow them to choose salmon with the least negative effects.
• Liaise with salmon producers to implement best practice processes, reduce impacts on the local environment and increase transparency on farms through the proposed Sustainability Dashboard.
• Continue dialogue with government and regulators to adopt robust legislation based on best practice, supported by strong regulations and effective enforcement.