CAMPAIGNERS who exposed a fish firm allegedly “burying” dead salmon on a beach four months after the practice was made illegal in Scotland have filed a criminal complaint to the police.
Green Britain Foundation has filed a formal criminal complaint with Police Scotland against the Uist-based fish firm Whiteshore Cockles, alleging multiple environmental offences and fraud.
The group has demanded a thorough investigation by the police into the potential ongoing criminality at the Outer Hebrides site following their investigation.
Campaigners from the group recorded footage in May of the firm apparently still burying “tonnes” of dead and diseased fish months after it was illegal for them to do so.
Whiteshore Cockles were able to previously carry out the practice legally due to an exemption from the Scottish Government, as they were building a fish waste dryer.
The drier breaks down dead salmon with heat turning them into fish oil and fishmeal, which is seen as a sustainable solution for the disposal of fish mortalities in the Western Isles.
However, this exemption came to an end on January 31, 2024, and it became illegal to bury deceased salmon.
Dale Vince, environmentalist and founder of the Green Britain Foundation, said the criminal complaint was just the start and that they are going to keep “holding industries accountable” when they “trash the environment for profit”.
He said: “What we've uncovered at Whiteshore Cockles is shocking — it's the fish farming industry treating the land and sea like a dumping ground.
“Tonnes of diseased fish, illegally buried, right next to sensitive ecosystems. We’ve taken it to the police, because the usual suspects—the regulators—have sat on their hands for years. They’ve known all about this and done nothing.
“This complaint is just the start. We're going to keep digging, exposing, and holding industries accountable when they trash the environment for profit.
“Enough is enough. Time for real accountability and for these people to face the consequences of their actions.”
The three main points from Green Britain Foundation’s complaint include alleged illegal ongoing burial of diseased and dead salmon, potential environmental crimes and alleged false statements to regulatory bodies about the cessation of burial activities.
Campaigners also said industry regulatory bodies, including the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) and Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) have failed to take effective action, leading to the call for a criminal investigation.
When shown the footage by ITV the owners of the family-run Whiteshore Cockles, Angus and Fraser Macdonald, said that it was in “the past”, and the plant they showed us was “the future.”
When asked specifically if the practice of burying dead fish was still going on, Angus said: “It’s not happening at all.”
But, when asked why the video footage existed from May, Angus said: “We’re not willing to comment on these pictures just now.”
Whiteshore Cockles and Police Scotland have been approached for comment.
