Question reference: S5W-18863
- Asked by: Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 17 September 2018
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Current status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 1 October 2018
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to reports of high levels of wild and farmed salmon mortalities in Loch Roag, Isle of Lewis.
Answer
A report was received from the Outer Hebrides Fisheries Trust on 30 July regarding mortalities in wild salmon in the Blackwater River, Lewis. An inspector attended on the 2 August and investigative samples were taken. A report detailing the results of the testing has been issued to the Outer Hebrides Fisheries Trust.
All of the stocked fish farm sites in Loch Roag were inspected on the 7, 8 and 13 August following reports of elevated sea lice numbers. A second inspection, in conjunction with the Animal and Plant Health Agency, was carried on a fish farm in Loch Roag on 5 September following reports of welfare concerns. Four advisory letters have been issued to the operator in line with the Scottish Government’s sea lice compliance policy; https://www.gov.scot/Resource/0052/00522428.pdf