{"id":559,"date":"2009-08-04T09:39:50","date_gmt":"2009-08-04T08:39:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bxttlines.wordpress.com\/?p=559"},"modified":"2009-08-04T09:39:50","modified_gmt":"2009-08-04T08:39:50","slug":"9000-call-for-salmon-farm-relocation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/btl.longlinemedia.co.uk\/index.php\/2009\/08\/04\/9000-call-for-salmon-farm-relocation\/","title":{"rendered":"9000 call for salmon farm relocation"},"content":{"rendered":"

A PETITION calling for the urgent relocation of salmon farms away from the estuaries of major salmon rivers in Scotland has raised more than 9000 signatures in less than two weeks.<\/p>\n

\"'<\/a>
' . . . literally eating our wild fish alive'<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The campaign to halt the spread of sea lice infestations which are harming wild fish stocks, has been launched by the Salmon and Trout Association, the UK\u2019s leading game angling charity\u00a0 as a \u201cdire warning of impending disaster\u201d and a call to arms to the Scottish Government to act \u201cbefore it is too late.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul Knight, executive director of the S&TA, said today: \u201cWe fully recognise that salmon farming makes a significant contribution to the Scottish economy. However, this industry is also threatening the very survival of our wild salmon and sea trout in the west highlands and islands.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is the source of huge sea lice infestations that are literally eating our wild fish alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said it was \u201cfundamentally inequitable\u201d that fish farm interests should take precedence over\u00a0 one of the country\u2019s greatest natural assets.<\/p>\n

\"Paul<\/a>
Paul Knight: 'conclusive evidence'<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Knight said there was conclusive scientific evidence, some gathered by the Government\u2019s own staff, of the damage caused by sea lice from sea-based farms.<\/p>\n

The S&TA whose patron is Prince Charles, makes two demands in the petition:<\/p>\n