Aquaculture

Aquaculture is an important industry in the UK, and is the fastest growing food production system in the world.Many of the sheltered bays, estuaries and lochs around the UK coastline are suitable for the farming of a wide range of species and there is potential for further expansion in land-based farms and ponds.It holds great potential for the production of large volumes of high quality sustainable seafood. However, that potential will only be realised if the impacts from aquaculture are minimised and wild fisheries are sustainably managed.

The most popular farmed species in the UK is the Atlantic Salmon. 90% of all UK aquaculture is based in Scotland where the industry is worth about £500 million. Approximately 140,000 tonnes of salmon are raised in cages in Scottish sea lochs each year.

We are starting to see farmed fish and shellfish appearing on retailers’ shelves and in restaurants more often now. Much of the shellfish we produce in the UK goes for export but mussels, oysters, clams and scallops are available from various outlets.

However, there are impacts from aquaculture, such as the spread of disease and parasites from escaped fish to wild and native stock, effects on genetic make up (escaped fish breed with wild stock) and effects on nearby marine environment e.g. from chemical treatments used.