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Scottish fish farmers use record amounts of parasite pesticides Scottish fish farmers use record amounts of parasite pesticides
(about 4 hours later)
Scottish fish farmers have been forced to use record amounts of highly toxic pesticides to combat underwater parasites that prey on salmon, raising fears of significant damage to the marine environment.Scottish fish farmers have been forced to use record amounts of highly toxic pesticides to combat underwater parasites that prey on salmon, raising fears of significant damage to the marine environment.
Data released by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) shows a 110% increase in the amount of chemicals used to treat the sea lice parasite in the past four years, in large part because sea lice are becoming resistant to treatment. Data released by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) shows a 110% increase in the use of chemicals to treat sea lice in the past four years, mainly because the parasite is becoming resistant to treatment. During that same period, however, salmon production has increased only by 22%, to 158,000 tonnes.
During that same period, however, salmon production has only increased by 22% to 158,000 tonnes. The agency said it was not carrying out any studies into the impact of the chemicals on the marine environment, but added that there was no evidence of any cumulative damage from increasing use of pesticides.
The agency said it was not carrying out any studies into the impact of the chemicals on the marine environment, but insisted there was no evidence of any cumulative damage from increasing use of these pesticides. Richard Dixon, director of the environment group WWF Scotland and a Sepa board member, said the figures were worrying. The Scottish government and salmon industry plan to increase output by 50% by 2020, suggesting that there will be even greater use of toxic treatments against sea lice in future.
Richard Dixon, director of the environment group WWF Scotland and a Sepa board member, said the figures were worrying. The Scottish government and salmon industry plans to increase output by 50% by 2020, implying there will be even greater use of toxic sea lice treatments.
Urging the industry to cut chemical use, Dixon said: "News that the use of some pesticides has jumped in recent years is a worry and urgently needs addressing. It is doubly concerning as the industry is still in the process of expanding. Expansion of the industry should be predicated on the reduction in chemicals released."Urging the industry to cut chemical use, Dixon said: "News that the use of some pesticides has jumped in recent years is a worry and urgently needs addressing. It is doubly concerning as the industry is still in the process of expanding. Expansion of the industry should be predicated on the reduction in chemicals released."
Don Staniford, a campaigner who was given the chemicals data by Sepa, and who has previously been deported from Canada for his activities against its fish-farming industry, said he believed the increase breached the UK's legal duties to protect the marine environment. Don Staniford, a campaigner who was given the data by Sepa, and who has previously been deported from Canada for his activities against its fish farming industry, said he believed the increase breached the UK's legal duties to protect the marine environment. "Instead of reducing chemical use, Sepa has shamefully sanctioned a doubling in the use of toxic chemicals which are known to kill lobsters and other shellfish," he said.
"Instead of reducing chemical use, Sepa has shamefully sanctioned a doubling in the use of toxic chemicals which are known to kill lobsters and other shellfish," he said. The chemicals used are highly toxic to many marine species, especially crustaceans. The treatments use organophosphates, which attack the nervous system of sea lice and teflubenzuron, which interferes with their ability to grow shells. Marine scientists have shown the chemical is extremely threatening to young lobsters, crabs and prawns, Staniford said.
The chemicals used are highly toxic to marine species such as lobster, prawns and other fish. The salmon industry is expected to keep their use under strict control but has seen significant problems in Norway with the emergence of "superlice" that are highly resistant to normal treatments. The salmon industry is expected to keep use of the toxins under strict control but has seen significant problems in Norway with the emergence of "superlice" resistant to normal treatments.
Some are organophosphates, which attack the nervous system of the sea lice, while teflubenzuron interferes with their ability to grow their shells. Marine scientists have shown that the chemical is extremely threatening to young lobsters, crabs and prawns. Ecologists and campaigners argue there is compelling evidence that some fish farms are failing to use chemicals safely. Sepa disclosed last week that while a large majority were satisfactory or excellent, 54 fish farms were rated as "poor" in 2011 – mostly for having too high chemical residues on the seabed, an increase on the 51 found to be poor or very poor in 2010.
Ecologists and campaigners argue there is compelling evidence some fish farms are failing to use chemicals safely. Sepa disclosed last week that while a large majority were satisfactory or excellent, 54 fish farms were rated as "poor" in 2011 – mostly for having too high chemical residues on the seabed, an increase on the 51 found to be poor or very poor in 2010.
The Salmon and Trout Association, which represents anglers, said last week that its analysis of Sepa's seabed monitoring reports identified 137 cases since 2009 where salmon farms' environmental impact had been "unsatisfactory", with 64 rated as "borderline". It said other freedom of information requests had uncovered numerous cases where chemicals were used illegally.The Salmon and Trout Association, which represents anglers, said last week that its analysis of Sepa's seabed monitoring reports identified 137 cases since 2009 where salmon farms' environmental impact had been "unsatisfactory", with 64 rated as "borderline". It said other freedom of information requests had uncovered numerous cases where chemicals were used illegally.
The Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO), the main industry body, has disclosed consistent reports of significant sea lice problems. In west Shetland last February, sea lice infestation rates are 584% higher than the recommended levels and on average more than 250% higher.The Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO), the main industry body, has disclosed consistent reports of significant sea lice problems. In west Shetland last February, sea lice infestation rates are 584% higher than the recommended levels and on average more than 250% higher.
While areas such as Orkney reported very low rates, in east Shetland, they were 222% above the threshold last spring. In northern Scotland, they were 150% higher both in mid-winter and in spring. In south western, Scotland, they were on average 79% higher last spring. While areas such as Orkney reported very low rates, in east Shetland, they were 222% above the threshold last spring. In northern Scotland, they were 150% higher both in mid-winter and in spring. In south western, Scotland, they were on average 79% higher last spring.Professor Phil Thomas, chairman of the SSPO, said the industry's critics were guilty of making simplistic "tabloid statements".
In documents seen by the Guardian, the SSPO also admits that sea lice infestation cost the industry £30m in 2010, against sales of £400m. The SSPO denies the situation in Scotland is out of control, but it told industry experts in 2010 that "sea lice represent the greatest single threat to the health and welfare of farmed salmon and the sustainability of salmon production." He added: "Are sea lice a problem? Yes. Because every salmon farmer in the world, indeed any farmer of any species, is always sensitive about the need to maintain low levels of parasites on their stock. It's exactly the same issue as ticks on cattle and sheep. The buildup of resistance as a general issue is a problem for all interests."
The data from Sepa, the first time that farm-by-farm chemical useage figures have been seen, shows that between 2008 and 2011, these chemicals were used 2,756 times with the overall weight of the five treatments used rising from 188kg to 395kg. Sepa confirmed it had done no studies into the overall impact of these chemicals on the wider marine environment, or investigated whether the sharp increase was justified.
Useage of some, such as the agricultural pesticide cypermethrin – best known as a sheep dip – has fallen sharply from 21kg in 2008 to under 1kg in 2011, but use of the four other compounds, deltamethrin, emamectin, teflubenzuron and azamethiphos, had increased, some significantly.
The organophosphate azamethiphos, described by Sepa as needing "great care" on fish farms "because even a slight overdose can harm or kill the fish", now accounts for more than half of all chemical use by weight. Its usage had more than doubled since 2008, from 100kg to 211kg last year.
The SSPO and Sepa said focusing on the weight of chemicals used was potentially misleading. Some treatments, such a teflubenzuron, were much weaker by volume than others while some were highly concentrated.
Some were added to feed, while others were used as bath treatments to avoid entering the marine environment. In other situations, fish farms were using different chemicals in rotation or in combination to find more effective ways of controlling sea lice.
Prof Phil Thomas, chairman of the SSPO, said these chemicals were similar to using both paracetamol and ibuprofen on humans – they had different strengths and worked in different ways. The industry had found that rotating chemicals was very effective.
He said the industry's critics were guilty of making simplistic "tabloid statements". He added: "Are sea lice a problem? Yes. Because every salmon farmer in the world, indeed any farmer of any species, is always sensitive about the need to maintain low levels of parasites on their stock. It's exactly the same issue as ticks on cattle and sheep. The build-up of resistance as a general issue is a problem for all interests."
Sepa confirmed it had done no studies of the overall impact of these chemicals on the wider marine environment, or investigated whether the sharp increase was justified.
It insisted, however, that any adverse impacts from these chemicals were very localised and were very quickly dispersed in the sea. Sepa said it had a "robust" system of monitoring and enforcement to ensure breaches were minimal.It insisted, however, that any adverse impacts from these chemicals were very localised and were very quickly dispersed in the sea. Sepa said it had a "robust" system of monitoring and enforcement to ensure breaches were minimal.
"Assessing medicinal use on a site specific basis is the most effective way of Sepa carrying out its duties, ensuring environmental protection and managing any impacts of the fish farming industry on Scotland's coastal ecosystems. In this way, we can ensure that each licensed fish farm is operating within the limits prescribed," a spokesman said."Assessing medicinal use on a site specific basis is the most effective way of Sepa carrying out its duties, ensuring environmental protection and managing any impacts of the fish farming industry on Scotland's coastal ecosystems. In this way, we can ensure that each licensed fish farm is operating within the limits prescribed," a spokesman said.
"The effects of sea louse medicine residues on the environment are localised and relatively short lived.""The effects of sea louse medicine residues on the environment are localised and relatively short lived."