Trade protection measures are a curse on plans to expand salmon production in northern waters to challenge other protein sources for consumers, the top UK conference on aquaculture has been told.

Frank Asche, an expert from the University of Stavanger, said that trade protection measures were of dubious value for Scottish salmon producers.

He said: “Trade measures will reduce the possibility of having an aquaculture industry in northern waters.”

He added: “Trade measures are a curse (if you are trying to create a growing food industry).

“Trade measures are a blessing if you want to see salmon being a niche-orientated cottage industry.”

In his presentation to the 160 plus delegates at Aquaculture Today 2005, Asche presented statistics which showed that over the last couple of decades, when Norway has suffered various impediments on access to European markets, Scotland’s production share of world salmon production has remained constant at around 18%.

He said: “There are no obvious benefits to the Scottish industry from the Norwegian salmon problems over the last 15 years. The only real effect is going to be substantial problems for Norway and the salmon is going to be produced somewhere else.”

Mr Asche was speaking at Aquaculture Today 2005, organised by Fish Farmer magazine.

The two day conference was at the Edinburgh Marriott hotel.

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