Severe storms have many devastating effects, including damage to property and impacts on human health.
They can also disrupt wildlife habitats in surprising ways, as seen with farmed salmon recently escaping into natural waters in Scotland.
What's happening?
As the BBC reported, Storm Amy devastated a Scottish Highlands fish farm, causing nearly 75,000 salmon to escape. Storm Amy was a powerful storm that caused flooding, power outages, and service disruptions across the U.K.
When the storm destroyed a fish net, the farm-raised salmon moved into the open waters of Loch Linnhe.
"The escaped fish pose a serious threat to Scotland's wild salmon," explained Ariane Burgess, a member of the Scottish Parliament. "When farmed salmon breed with wild fish, it weakens the wild population and reduces their chances of survival. Every escape adds to the pressure on our already depleted wild salmon populations."
Why is sustainable fish farming important?
When intense storms like this one in Scotland strike, even the best farming operations can fail due to unpredictable weather. A spokesperson for the farm said that the storm caused mooring anchors to drag and come into contact with a flotation pipe, resulting in a net tear.
Perk up the winter blues with natural, hemp-derived gummies Camino's hemp-derived gummies naturally support balance and recovery without disrupting your routine, so you can enjoy reliable, consistent dosing without guesswork or habit-forming ingredients. Flavors like sparkling pear for social events and tropical-burst for recovery deliver a sophisticated, elevated taste experience — and orchard peach for balance offers everyday support for managing stress while staying clear-headed and elevated.
Learn more → |
Unfortunately, farmed fish escaping into natural waters is becoming a greater risk as storms intensify worldwide.
The release of farmed fish into the wild can have harmful ecological consequences. WildFish Scotland has highlighted concerns about breeding among local populations of farmed and wild salmon.
What's being done to promote sustainable fishing?
Sustainable fish farming is crucial because it helps maintain the balance of marine ecosystems while providing a healthy, reliable source of food for people. Innovative farming methods can not only support local fish populations but also promote biodiversity and reduce the spread of disease.
Sustainable fishing also has positive economic impacts. For example, vertical ocean farms grow mussels and oysters naturally, without harmful chemicals. Methods like this reduce farmers' costs, create job opportunities, and contribute to healthier oceans and communities.
TCD Picks » Upway Spotlight
💡Upway makes it easy to find discounts of up to 60% on premium e-bike brands
|
What's the most you'd pay per month to put solar panels on your roof if there was no down payment?
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. |
$200 or more 💰 If you love seafood or are interested in sustainable fishing, learn about local fishing regulations and responsible fishing practices in lakes and rivers near you.
You can also get involved with local initiatives that encourage people to catch and eat invasive species to help balance local ecosystems.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices — and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club.
Cool Picks
