Irish Examiner view: Salmon row spawned years ago

Ministries clash over aquaculture and danger to wild salmon posed by commercial farms 

Just before the pandemic struck Salmon Watch Ireland warned that salmon could become extinct in our lifetime.

The arguments over Irish policies on the establishment of salmon farms were spawned many years ago and, as we can see from new information about disputes between ministries, there remains a clash of cultures between environmentalists and those who support expansive commercial opportunity.

One side, led by Environment Minister Eamon Ryan and supported by campaigners such as Salmon Watch Ireland, maintains that Irish processes for issuing aquaculture licenses downplay risks to wild fish stocks posed by sea lice which are associated with commercial salmon farms.