Local campaigners have slammed fish farming practices following news of 300,000 young salmon killed by jellyfish at a Loch Duart Salmon Ltd farm in Loch Maddy, North Uist.
Lewis based campaign group Outer Hebrides Against Fish Farms (OHAFF) commented: “This tragic incident highlights everything that is inhumane and wrong with salmonid aquaculture.
Campaigners criticise fish farming
17 December 2014
“That so many young fish have died a panicked and painful death either directly due to jellyfish sings or through exhaustion as a consequence of the attack, is a damning example of why so many people concerned for animal welfare want the unnatural and forced containment of a migratory fish species to cease.”
OHAFF continued: “Farmed salmon are a sitting target for swarms of sealice and jellyfish.
“They are prone to mass outbreaks of deadly diseases and the industry is polluting our seas and threatening wild fish stocks.
“This has to stop, and OHAFF urges anyone with a concern for animal welfare to stop buying farmed salmon.”
Thousands of tiny mauve stinger jellyfish killed off around 300,000 salmon worth around £1 million.