An anti fish farm protest planned for this weekend has sparked fears for the safety of those taking part.
Organised by Scottish Salmon Watch (SSW) the campaign has been criticised by Scottish Sea Farms and the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation.
A day of action, led by SSW campaigner Don Staniford, will see activists – who will be in small boats, swimming and kayaking – take samples of water purity around cages, and inspect the sea bed in the area of various fish farms.
Organiser Don Staniford said: “We are calling our weekend of action Make a Splash for Salmon, Cetaceans, Lobsters and Seals.
“And we are inviting people to come along to tell the Norwegian Salmon farming companies that we don’t want their toxic fish farms in our clean and clear Scottish lochs and seas.
“If you are a good swimmer, or have a boat or kayak we want you do join us.”
Mr Staniford, who has alerted the police authorities to the campaign, continued: “We want to rattle the cages of the owners and sail or swim near to the pens around Oban and on Loch Linnhe.
“Like any other protest, under Right To Roam legislation – we are entitled to be there.”
Joining the protest Andrew Holder, of Extinction Rebellion Oban, said: “The profligate use of toxic chemicals, the spread of sea lice to wild fish stocks, and the decimating of indigenous fishing industries in their plundering of wild fish to make salmon farm feeds are all playing a part in the destruction of our environment and ecosystems.”
Health and safety manager for Scottish Sea Farms, Gerry McCormick, said: “Our primary concern is for the safety of those being encouraged by Scottish Salmon Watch to join their water-based protest.
“There are more ways than ever for people to voice their opinion nowadays without putting themselves at risk, but taking to the water isn’t one of them. Our salmon farms, like land-based farms, are places of work and our farm teams undergo rigorous training in order to operate there safely.”
Hamish Macdonell, for the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation, said: “Unauthorised visits to fish farms place employees and the animals they care for at risk.
“Salmon farmers ask that people remain a safe distance away from farms and other facilities, for the safety of all involved and to protect the health and welfare of the livestock.”
