THE POTENTIAL APPLICATION OF STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (SEA)TO THE FARMING OF ATLANTIC SALMON (SALMO-SALAR L) IN MAINLAND

Scottish inshore sea lochs have traditionally provided undisturbed and unpolluted conditions for a variety of marine wildlife species, some of which are internationally important. Marine fish farming, particula rly of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) has proliferated along the Sco ttish coast to the extent that all major sea loch systems are affected . The industry gives rise to a number of environmental impacts which p otentially threaten the environmental quality of inshore sea lochs and jeopardise populations of characteristic wild species. In view of the wildlife importance of these areas, consent procedures should give fu ll consideration to potentially damaging environmental effects and ope rational effects should be assessed thoroughly. It has been suggested that current policy and legislative mechanisms fail to regulate the en vironmental performance of the marine fish farming industry in any eff ective way. This paper reviews the current status of marine fish farmi ng in the U.K., identifies the main environmental impacts and summaris es the relevant legislative mechanisms for limiting potentially advers e impacts on areas important for native marine wildlife. A framework f or the strategic environmental assessment of the industry is proposed to overcome some of the shortcomings identified. (C) 1995 Academic Pre ss Limited