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Hi everyone!
My apologies to you all for cross-posting, but I need to reach as wide a range of potential information sources as possible.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has just decided to licence the use of Ivermectin as a fish food additive to control sea lice in salmon in marine cages. There is concern in shellfish and environmental circles about the potential environmental impacts of using this persistent chemical in the relatively protected waters used for salmon farming, as it is reported to paralyse the neuro-muscular system of invertebrates (R Edwards, New Scientist, 7 September 1996 - i.e. today! - page 4).
I have been informed that some years ago damage was caused to shellfish farms in Shetland through the use of tributyl tin antifoulants on salmon cages located close to shellfish farms, and it appears that this proposal might also have some impacts on local wild and cultured species.
Is there any case history material available which would allow an impartial assessment of the environmental and commercial risks implicit in the licencing of this chemical for use in this way?
Thanks for any advice on this topic,
--
Doug Cross, Environmental Consultant and Forensic Ecologist
Tel/Fax (+44) 1884 277627
e-mail [log in to unmask]
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