Escapes from fin-fish farms is a major threat to the sustainability of the aquaculture industry. Escaped fish present a threat to natural wild stocks in terms of genetic dilution of wild populations as well as potentially competing with wild stocks for food and habitat. The potential threat to wild Atlantic salmon stocks has recieved media attention in Scotland. However, the 'escapes' issue is not just reserved for Atlantic salmon and has been reported for all the major cultured fish species across Europe including Atlantic cod, rainbow trout, sea bass and seabream.

Prevent Escape is a new project funded by the EU which aims to carry out a full assessment of fish farm escapes. The project should contribute to a better understanding of the issues surrounding fish farm escapes and provide a means to set national and international standards through siting recommendations, improved containment technology, improved cage management and operational procedures.SAMS will be testing whether it is possible to distinguish farmed cod, bass and bream from their wild conspecifics and assess whether this method can be developed as a practical assessment tool for identifying escapes.

For more information on the Prevent Escapes project click here