AN ECONOMIC-APPROACH TO POLLUTION-CONTROL IN AQUACULTURE

Scottish salmon farming industry has grown rapidly over the last 10 ye ars, generating employment and income for the region's population. The re is, however, increasing concern over adverse impacts of the industr y on coastal environments. This paper argues that economics can provid e a unifying theoretical framework for the analysis of such impacts, w ith particular reference to pollution impacts. The benefits of applyin g such a framework include a clearer analysis of the nature of the pol lution problems encountered, leading to well-defined objectives for co rrective policy and the development of innovative regulatory mechanism s for the aquaculture sector in Scotland.