Petition · PE01450 · Session 4
Environmental and genetic impact on natural stocks of Sea and Brown Trout by stocking rivers with farmed Brown Trout and hatchery reared Atlantic Salmon
Signatures
0
Comments
2
Considered
3 meetings
What it asks
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to cause scientific studies to be conducted to monitor any changes in the behaviour, density, longevity, survival rate and the genetic and DNA markers in wild Sea Trout and Brown Trout in rivers that are stocked with farmed Brown Trout and hatchery reared Atlantic Salmon and to include such data in the new Aquaculture Bill currently being processed by the Government.
What the petitioner did first
The subject is political and no organisation private/public/ or fishery association/organisation has asked the question or shown willingness to research the issue. Due to the political nature of the question, the only body with the powers and impartiality to order and coordinate such a study is the Scottish Parliament. The Petitioner has been involved with fishery conservation for over 24 years. Although he has discussed the issue with individual MSP’s on an adhoc basis, he has never heard of anyone or Government Department that has investigated the situation. Much has been assumed but nothing investigated scientifically. In the past 4 or 5 years legislation has been introduced whereby a permit is required to restock rivers but the issues above are not addressed. With the Scottish Government carrying out studies to ascertain the viability of a more robust and expanded farmed trout industry in Scotland, such studies need to be carried out in case of a mass escape of farmed fish to the environment. Studies also need to be done to monitor current practice of restocking with farmed Brown Trout, not necessarily stock of the river being stocked.
In 2009 DEFRA introduced a policy called National Trout & Grayling Fisheries Strategy New Rules to protect wild Brown Trout in England and Wales. That policy (not a regulatory requirement) indicates that only sterile fish may be introduced to open waters to prevent cross breeding with the wild native Brown Trout and other species. Part of the reasons given by DEFRA was that “…, evidence from over 300 scientific studies across Europe concluded that wild brown trout are at risk from interbreeding with farmed fish.”
In 2009 DEFRA introduced a policy called National Trout & Grayling Fisheries Strategy New Rules to protect wild Brown Trout in England and Wales. That policy (not a regulatory requirement) indicates that only sterile fish may be introduced to open waters to prevent cross breeding with the wild native Brown Trout and other species. Part of the reasons given by DEFRA was that “…, evidence from over 300 scientific studies across Europe concluded that wild brown trout are at risk from interbreeding with farmed fish.”
Where it was considered
Official Report-
22 Jan 20131 mention
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12 Jun 20132 mentions
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11 Sep 20131 mention
Signatures by country
10 online signaturesComments
2 comments, oldest first-
David Catto 18 Sep 2012I agree with this petition because it is my hope that wild fishery mis-management will be held to account for their actions over the years. They have continuously attempted to blame fish farming for the demise of sea trout when they have been making introductions of ravenous interbreeding trout for many years and have bought out almost all the netting stations around our coastline thereby allowing that most efficient of hunters, the seal, to have free reign. They have also buried their heads in the sand with regards the hydro schemes across the country which have blocked passage to breeding grounds.
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Prof. Mark Powell 29 Sep 2012There has been too few studies about the impacts of farmed salmonids on the interactions with wild fish. Those studies that have been conducted in manycases are seriously flawed scientifically. The continued mismanagement of rivers around teh world by governments who are undertaking so called ecological enhancement and protection is only making issues significantly worse. It is time we had some solid science and evidence and that rivers start to be managed properly by those who actually know about the biology.