4.3b case study - scottish salmon farms

Question 1

How much is the salmon industry worth to the Scottish economy?

Answer 1

Industry is worth $200m per year to the Scottish economy

Question 2

To what extent has the salmon population been affected?

Answer 2

• Salmon abundance has declined by 80-90% in the last decades
  –> due to the failure of authorities to manage the salmon fisheries

Question 3

What is the problem with current Scottish salmon farms?

Answer 3

• There are just under 100 fish farms on the east coast (too many!)
• They take place in open water

Question 4

Why is it negative that the salmon farms take place in open water?

Answer 4

The fish farms use pesticides to battle the sea lice. This makes the sea lice grow stronger and wild salmon end up being exposed to these infestations too, affecting their populations drastically.