Aquatic Food Production

• What is the outcome of genetic modification in salmon?

  Salmon can grow up to 4x faster
• What is aquaculture?

  Rearing aquatic animals or plants for food
• What is a consequence of high-density cages in fish farming?

  Waste accumulation on the seafloor
• What is the role of the RSPCA in fish farming?

  Sets requirements for fish space
• What is a major environmental issue in salmon farming?

  Sea lice infestations
• How do sea lice affect wild fish?

  They can cause increased mortality
• What is a lice skirt in salmon farming?

  A waterproof tarpaulin to prevent lice
• What treatments are used for sea lice?

  Chemical and freshwater treatments
• What is the impact of selective breeding on farmed fish?

  Maximizes size and nutritional value
• What is stock management in marine fisheries?

  Regulating fish numbers and types taken
• What is the role of Marine Scotland?

  Protects coastal waters and fisheries
• What are the responsibilities of Marine Scotland?

  • Issuing licenses for marine activities
  • Providing scientific data and monitoring
  • Enforcing marine and fisheries laws
  • Marine conservation and planning
• High Density Cages

  In most cases, smolts are reared at specialist hatchery sites before being transported to fish farms. They are raised in cages with 30-70 thousand fish in each cage. In the UK, the RSPCA sets out requirements for the space each fish requires. On organic farms, fish are given twice as much space. High concentrations of salmon have been linked to waste on the seafloor, mainly from excess feed.
• Pesticide Use

  Sea lice are parasites which live on fish. As farmed salmon are kept in cages close to the top of the water column, sea lice are prevalent. Sea lice attach under the scales and eat the flesh. Salmon farms now have to have a waterproof tarpaulin to prevent lice entering. Chemical and freshwater treatments also remove lice. Organic farms only use freshwater, requiring a special boat at a high cost.
• Breeding and GM

  These have both been used to maximise the size and nutritional value of farmed fish. Egg and smolt producing specialists have led the way in ensuring that salmon is healthy and provides a significant source of protein. GM in the USA have created salmon that grow up to 4 times faster than normal salmon.
• Hormone Use

  Steroid hormones are used in fish farming to increase growth. It can also induce spawning or control sex differentiation. This ensures a predictable, consistent supply of egg and larvae.
• Marine Fisheries

  Balancing the needs of the natural environment with the demand for food places a strain on some ecosystems. Stock management, where the number and type of fish which are allowed to be taken, has been used to manage fish stocks so they aren't depleted. Marine Scotland is one of Scotland's key environmental agencies. It protects Scotland's coastal waters, seas, and freshwater fisheries through managing the activities that take place.
• Responsibilities of Marine Scotland

  • reissuing licenses for marine renewables, fishing vessels, marine fisheries, and aquaculture.
  • providing scientific data and environmental monitoring.
  • enforcing marine and fisheries laws according to legislation.
  • marine conservation and planning.