A jellyfish invasion has devastated salmon farms in Scotland, killing thousands of fish and raising alarms about the industry’s environmental practices.
Scotland: A shocking event has unfolded in Scotland. A jellyfish species has wiped out over 200,000 salmon at local farms. This is being called the worst incident of its kind.
The String of Pearls Jellyfish, also known as the barbed wire jellyfish, has caused chaos. It previously devastated Norway’s salmon farms, killing millions of fish last winter.
Just days before the attack was noticed, footage showed tons of salmon being removed from the farms. The jellyfish’s venomous tentacles inflict painful burns on the fish.
Trapped in crowded pens, the salmon can’t escape the stings. This leaves them with serious injuries and stress, making them vulnerable to infections and diseases.
Experts describe the situation as a nightmare for the fish. Dale Vince from the Green Britain Foundation believes this shows the need for better oversight in salmon farming.
He argues that the industry is failing to handle environmental challenges. The jellyfish invasion is a clear sign that nature is pushing back against harmful practices.
This incident serves as a warning about open-net salmon farming. Climate change is making these farms more susceptible to unpredictable threats.
Environmentalists say we need to phase out open-net farming. Until then, stricter regulations are essential to prevent more damage.
In late October 2024, Norway warned its salmon farmers to prepare for jellyfish attacks. They advised farmers to take steps to protect their fish stocks.
Jellyfish have been spotted in many areas, causing severe burns to salmon. A spokesperson for one farm acknowledged the risks posed by jellyfish blooms.
To tackle this issue, Mowi Scotland has set up monitoring programs. They track water conditions and jellyfish presence daily to prevent harmful blooms.
A Scottish Government spokesperson emphasized the health of farmed fish is a priority. They are working to better understand the impact of jellyfish on fish mortality.
