NATURE CONSERVATION AND THE PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE

The application of the precautionary principle to an area of environme ntal protection, such as nature conservation, requires commitment to t he idea that full scientific proof of a causal link between a potentia lly damaging operation and a long term environmental impact is not req uired. Adoption of the principle in Government statements related to s ustainable development should therefore be seen in this context. The p aper addresses the particular case of marine fish farming in Scotland where the principle was advocated but not upheld in practice. In the l ight of this experience there is a need for educators and philosophers , ethicists and concerned scientists to ensure that the principle is m ore widely interpreted and understood.