Witness Statements

My name is James, I and my family have had the honour of living on these beautiful shores since January of 1981. Living here, I have witnessed the ever increasing plastic pollution of our pristine beaches from the fishing industry. Due to the management of the fishery it seems to be the only downside to this activity. The proposed open pen salmon farming will be a disaster to our unique and intact environment. The concentrated pollution it will produce is staggering. Our islands moto “Where nature is still in charge” will no longer apply. Gone will be the quiet evenings on camp when all you can hear is the distant bray of a Jackass penguin. Just a couple of changes out of many that will transform this irreplaceable ecosystem. We as a family are against open pen salmon farming, we have seen evidence from other parts of the world of how this industry can completely destroy a pristine natural environment. There can be only one outcome. No Salmon farming in the Falkland Islands

I've been fortunate enough to experience some of the most incredible corners of the Falkland Islands; I've been kayaking with energetic dolphins, watched albatross raise their chicks on completely pristine tussac islands, and have been face-to-face with Southern Right Whales just meters from the shoreline. The Falklands near shore waters are something that we, as a community, should be immensely proud of, and should be striving to protect.

Lets be clear about why the open-pen salmon industry wants to locate here in the Islands; they know that the rest of the world is turning against them, and they perceive us to be a push over and an easy profit. They believe that the will of the people can be brushed aside, and that the Government's regulatory powers will not be able to stop them from doing whatever they desire. A few people will get richer, but the Islands themselves will be irreparably poorer.

If countries much larger and richer than us are unable to regulate the open-pen salmon industry, then what hope do we have? Everywhere this industry operates is now suffering from environmental degradation. More wild fish are caught to feed the penned salmon than will ever reach the shop counters. Community groups across the world are fighting to save what is left of their local environments, and to remove the pens from their waters. We must heed their warnings. 

The only way to ensure that this industry doesn't pollute our waters, kill our wildlife, and ruin our international reputation and identity is to stand firm and not allow them to operate in the first place. There can be no compromise in this.

I am against open-pen salmon farming in any form in the Falkland Islands.

My name is Roy and I am a 3rd generation Falkland Islander. I am against salmon farming here in the Falklands for the following reasons,

1. Our waters are absolutely prestine and need to stay that way,  not become contaminated by the wastes of aqua culture..

2. Once salmon farming is here and established,  its unlikely it will ever leave, even after causing all sorts of devastation in our waters..

3. There are already Salmon farms established around the world so no need to find somewhere new, or is it because these locations are aware of the devastating environmental impacts surrounding aqua culture and won't allow expansion or new company set ups..

4. Once established its difficult, if not impossible to get them removed.

5. It's cruel and unethical. 
6. We as a nation are proud of, and promote the cleanliness of our islands and waters globally along with our wildlife, at various tourist, wildlife venues to attract ships, photographers, enthusiasts etc, so why have a blot on the landscape to explain..

Fingers crossed for a continued salmon free falklands..

Our environment is our greatest asset; it shouldn't be put at risk for short term economic gain. Large scale aquaculture brings significant negative impacts, and is driven by a wealthy, powerful industry.

FIG failed to follow due process before and our elected representatives now seem gagged by the court order resulting from the judicial review. Public concerns remain and we all need to speak out with our views, and respond to the consultation to ensure our voices are heard.

This is our home, our beautiful coastlines and bays, our Falklands, our decision.

I am a Falkland Islander and live here in the Islands.

I say absolutely “no” to open pen salmon farming as it would ruin the environment and the Islands.

The Falkland Islands prides itself in its pristine environment and "clean and green" image, relying on natural resources to support the economy. The rest of the world is regretting and turning against salmon farming. The politicians don't want salmon farming, the people of the Falklands don't want salmon farming.

Don't let large companies and overseas corporations bully you. Say no to salmon farming.

My name is Roxanne King-Clark, and I am a Falkland Islander. I’m speaking out because I care deeply about the future of our home and the protection of our unique environment.

While I haven’t seen the damage caused by open-pen salmon farming first-hand, I’ve done the research – and what I’ve learned is incredibly worrying. In other parts of the world, this industry has led to pollution, the spread of disease and parasites to wild fish, and the decline of local marine ecosystems. These are not small impacts, and once they start, they’re hard – if not impossible – to reverse.

The Falkland Islands are known for their natural beauty, their clean waters, and their thriving wildlife – things that we, as Islanders, are proud of and that visitors admire. Introducing open-pen salmon farming puts all of that at risk. It’s not just about fish farms; it’s about protecting our identity, our environment, and the long-term health of our economy – especially industries like tourism and fishing that depend on a clean, healthy ecosystem.

I am strongly opposed to open-pen salmon farming in the Falkland Islands. Our marine environment is too important, too delicate, and too special to gamble with.

Let’s protect what we have before it’s lost. Once it’s gone, there’s no bringing it back.

I work as a tour guide here in the Falkland Islands and I am against salmon farming because of the negative environmental impact it will have. We have pristine waters around our islands and salmon farming not only endangers our wildlife but also jeopardises our existing major industries: fishing, tourism and agriculture.

NO to Salmon farming

My name is Tim Stenning, and I have lived in the Falklands since 1991.

This is not going to be a long statement about setting out my concerns about the salmon farming industry. The effects of the industry upon the environment are well known and documented. There is no environmental upside. This is self evident. I am against any form of salmon farming.

The debate then moves on to whether any perceived upside is worth the damage that will be caused not only to the environment, but also to our democracy and our pride in the islands that we as a community call home.

If a company is ever allowed to go against the will of 8 of our elected representatives, as expressed in their manifestos that we voted on, for their own financial gain, that is wrong. There is no way that it should ever be allowed to happen. A company’s greed, however that may be packaged up and airbrushed into some bizarre sense of “Unity”, cannot be permitted to trump (and that is a very intended pun) the will of the community that I am proud to be a part of.

We say no. We are the Falklands. We will decide what happens, for us, our environment, and for the generations to come.

These are big decisions. Big decisions that big business, who can only be trusted to serve their own self interest, have no right to make. That right is ours. That decision is ours. These beautiful islands are ours and we will defend them because that is the right thing to do.

I am opposed to offshore salmon farming in the Falkland Islands due to its well-documented environmental risks. The introduction of intensive aquaculture threatens our pristine marine ecosystems with pollution, disease transfer to wild fish populations, and the potential for escaped non-native species to disrupt local biodiversity. The Falklands' waters are among the cleanest in the world, and we must protect them from the devastating ecological consequences seen in other regions where salmon farming has caused habitat degradation and declining wild fish stocks. Sustainable fisheries and responsible marine stewardship should be our priority, not industrial fish farming that prioritises profit over environmental health.

I am, however, open to exploring sustainable alternatives such as land-based, onshore salmon farming. If thorough investigations demonstrate that a closed-containment system can operate without harming local ecosystems, depleting marine resources, or introducing invasive risks, then it could provide a more environmentally responsible option. Any such development must be carefully assessed to ensure it aligns with the Falklands’ commitment to protecting its unique environment while fostering economic opportunities.

My name is Chris Peck. I am a Falkland Islander and love my home. We are so very lucky to live where we do and love the wildlife and getting out and about, enjoying the scenery and the fresh air and the peace and quiet. I feel so strongly against any form of salmon farming. If I remember rightly, at Foxbay, many years ago, they had salmon in tanks at a place called Doctors Creek. I went out to live and work on the west in 1982. Going to Doctors Creek to go fishing was mind blowing, the amount of fish there (mullet) was incredible.

I left the west and came back into Stanley, then went out to the west with my partner and we called into Foxbay and noticed there were no fish to be seen. I was told this was due to the fact of the salmon they had there in the tanks many years before, the place was dead. We have a good friend who is Chilean and into the echo system in a large way in Chile and he has shown us lots of data about the issues in Chile with salmon farming, everything is destroyed and the impact is, it never recovers. We have had people from Chile come over and explain all this to the people of the Falklands.

I am against any kind of salmon farming in any form because we all know the end results and it will completely destroy the Falklands.

My name is Jonathan Good. I spent a month in the Falkland Islands in November 2024, visiting New Island, Beaver Island, Carcass Island, Sea Lion Island, and several wildlife-rich areas near Stanley. I’m a wildlife photographer and traveler, and I’ve been fortunate to visit many extraordinary places—but the Falklands stood apart to me and I made immediate plans, not only to return this following year but also to undertake an informal study of the plant and animal life there for a more informed return.

What struck me most wasn’t just the abundance of wildlife, but the care and responsibility shown by the people living and working there. Every guide I traveled with emphasized the importance of not disturbing the animals—not altering their behavior in any way. We were also asked to take precautions to avoid spreading disease, particularly avian influenza. These were not just rules—they were reflections of a deep and shared respect for the fragile balance of life on the islands.

That’s why the proposed introduction of salmon farming feels so profoundly out of step with that ethic.

Industrial salmon farming would bring large-scale disturbance into one of the world’s few remaining intact marine ecosystems. Nutrient discharge, noise, artificial feed, waste buildup, and the risk of disease or escapees would all create pressure on a tightly woven and unusually narrow food web. This is not a place with layered redundancies or vast continental buffers. Here, everything is close-knit and specialized—especially for seabirds and penguins.

Falklands penguins—Gentoos, Rockhoppers, Kings, and Magellanics—each rely on a specific mix of prey: krill, squid, and small fish. These species, in turn, depend on the health of phytoplankton and oxygen-rich waters. Even modest shifts in nutrient levels or oxygen can disrupt this flow. A salmon farm may appear isolated on the surface, but its impacts extend outward through water, prey, and behavior.

Unlike places like Chile or Norway, the Falklands have no native salmonid populations. That means there’s no built-in ecological resilience or immunity to disease if (or when) farmed salmon escape. These fish would be an alien presence in waters that have evolved without them— carrying the potential to disrupt both wild species and microbial communities.

And the ripple effects don’t stop with the water column. Sea lions—curious, intelligent, opportunistic—will absolutely change their behavior in response to fish pens. We’ve seen it elsewhere. Whether it’s attraction to easy meals, altered hunting patterns, or increased conflict with people, it changes the role these predators play in the system.

Most importantly, this isn’t just a question of managing risk. It’s a question of values.

When individuals are told to be careful not to disturb a penguin, yet an industry is invited to fundamentally alter the ecosystem those penguins depend on, we are making a clear and contradictory statement. We’re saying that large-scale disruption is tolerable—as long as it’s profitable.

The Falkland Islands are not like anywhere else on earth. They are a pristine gem that deserve a different kind of decision—one rooted in ecological consistency, not economic mimicry.

The question we must ask is not simply whether salmon farming can be managed, but whether it belongs here at all.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Good

I have been visiting the Falkland for the last 11 years. We all know how the 700+ islands are rich with birdlife and cetaceans. So many scientific paper show the desastreous consequences of Salmon farming: contamination of waters, poor quality fish, release of these modified fish into the wild which can mix with wild Salmon, etc... it is useless, and only can be catastrophic. Just DON'T DO IT

Hello to the beautiful Falkland Islands a community I have visited and those visits will be cherished forever.

Please do not allow salmon farming in your waters it will destroy your local ecosystems.

Thank you for the opportunity to voice my concern for your community.

Please don’t pollute these incredibly beautiful and fragile environments with a damaging salmon farm. We have been to this area and it is a finely balanced ecosystem that deserves to be protected.

I was deeply touched by the pristine beauty of the Falklands when I visited this month (March 2025).

The natural beauty of these islands and fragile ecosystems are one of the main attractions of the Falkland Islands.

I am concerned about potential open-pen salmon farming because I have witnessed the impact of such farms where I live in Australia, such as those in Tasmania where the farms have destroyed the pristine environment and ecosystems. The salmon farms not only destroy the local environment but have significant impacts on wildlife that depend on the waters around the islands.

I am strongly against open-pen salmon farming in any form because evidence shows this industry is harmful to the environment.

Je reviens d’un séjour d’un mois aux Iles Falkland. Notre but était d'approcher les colonies d’oiseaux, dans leur milieu naturel et sauvage. Quelle merveille de savoir qu’il existe encore des endroits sur terre où l’on peut admirer ses paysages et cette faune d’une beauté à couper le souffle. Je ramène de ce voyage des images inoubliables. Imaginer qu’il pourrait y avoir sur ces îles magiques des fermes d’élevage de saumon me révolte et m’attriste profondément. L’Homme est prêt à tout pour assouvir son besoin d’argent, toujours plus, toujours plus loin, et peu lui importe les conséquences néfastes sur l’environnement et la vie. Et ce n’est pas en ajoutant des fermes d’élevage de saumon que l’on réduira la faim dans le monde. Alors je crie NON, STOP à ces nouveaux projets que l’on sait polluants et dangereux pour les espèces qui ont encore la chance de vivre dans ces lieux.

English translation:

I have just returned from a month-long stay in the Falkland Islands. Our goal was to approach bird colonies in their natural and wild environment. How amazing to know that there are still places on earth where you can admire landscapes and breathtakingly beautiful wildlife. I brought back unforgettable images from this trip. To imagine that there could be salmon farms in these magical islands revolts and saddens me deeply. Man is ready to do anything to satisfy his need for money, always more, always further, and he does not care about the harmful consequences on the environment and life. The addition of salmon farms will not reduce world hunger. So, I shout NO, STOP to these new projects that we know are polluting and dangerous for the species that are still lucky enough to live in these places.

I visited the Falklands in January 2025. I was awed by the rugged natural beauty of the place and am deeply concerned about the potential impact of open pen salmon farming on this exceptional location. I've seen the negative impact of open-pen farming in other locations and it is clear that it negatively impacts tourism as well as the overall environment.

I am against open-pen salmon farming in any form because evidence shows this industry is harmful to the environment, but am particularly concerned that it not impact this special place.

As a guide working on expedition ships to Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands for the past 3 years I have seen how interconnected and delicate our marine ecosystems are.

Working as a kayak guide in British Columbia as well I know all too well the effect of Salmon farms on the environment they are in. As a keystone species, wild salmon play an important role in nourishing the forest around the streams in which they head up to bread and complete their life cycle. Salmon farms pose a huge risk to the ecosystem they live in including the wild salmon that live around these areas. From sea lice, PRV and decomposing feces and flesh destroying the ocean floor, nothing in salmon farming is any good for the ecosystems they are raised in. The salmon Farming industry has greenwashed and made us believe that this practice is needed to feed the human population on the planet but it is only run by corporate greed and political lies.

These salmon farms should not operate not only in the Falkland islands but also close its doors everywhere around the world. They have been banned by the Norwegian government, where they originated, because of all the risks it posed on their ecosystems. These cooperate greedy companies weaseled their way into other government agencies around the world promising a wealthy economy while hiding the true impacts.

I am completely opposed to open net fish farming in any ocean setting around the world.

My name is Skip Novak and I am the managing director of Pelagic Expeditions. This is a yacht charter company that uses the Falklands not only as a base for launching off to South Georgia and the Antarctic, but also for providing logistic support for divers, wild life film teams and tourists within the Falkland archipelago itself.

The use and more often mis-use of salmon farming is becoming more well known globally. It is no longer a secret how damaging this type of aquaculture can be and this is well publicized in countries like Chile, Norway and the UK. So much so, that many people have decided to forego what has become a cheap fish food for the table. It is a massive case of over production.

I was shocked when it hit the news that salmon farming was in the pipeline for the Falklands. Irrespective of the damage that will be done to the environment and the inevitable escape of salmon into the ecosystem displacing native species ( what is currently happening in Tierra del Fuego) the last thing a group of tourists would want to see are salmon pens in an otherwise pristine bay or cove. It is a huge negative.

Although the commercial interests are no doubt over bearing, I would hope the MLA's will take an enlightened view on this, looking to the long term in maintaining the unique environment the Falklands has to offer.

I had the good fortune to be in the Falklands where we were able to visit several months ago—great people, beautiful landscape, and unique animal/bird life.

 We did a lot of hiking in that beautiful landscape. We visited the albatross colonies where albatross were nesting, along with rockhopper penguins and blue-eyed shags, all in a symbiotic relationship. All of the birds were using the pristine waters surrounding the islands for feeding.

Not so far away, Tasmania has a huge salmon farming enterprise. It is said by marine scientists that essentially the ocean is dead in the area where this massive industrial complex is happening. The native fish have died.  Therefore, the impact on marine mammals has been dramatically impacted. There are multiple factors involved with this, antibiotics and other chemicals given to the salmon because they are in an unhealthy and unnaturally crowded environment, similar to the cattle feedlots in the United States.  Salmon escape frequently and are suddenly in the open water to continue contaminating other fish.  Effluent which is rich in toxic heavy metals and a wide-range of chemicals is released and has not only damaged and killed the surrounding ocean, but it has permeated the natural drinking water on the mainland. There is a solid bed of evidence about the numerous hazards of salmon farming.  This cannot be news to you.  I am sure you are quite aware of this devastating situation, and choose to ignore and proceed with your proposal.  Washington state in the US has now banned salmon farming because it has been proven to be disastrous to indigenous people, to the ocean, and to nature generally. 

For me, the natural beauty of the Falklands deserves preservation, not exploitation.  This is where the reputation for the Falklands belongs, not with the rotting underbelly of the salmon industry.  Please have a bit of concern for something other than a lame plan to make money.

I recently returned from a two-week holiday in the Falklands, and I am deeply concerned about the potential introduction of salmon fish farms, or any fish farms, to this pristine environment.

As a UK resident with extensive experience on the west coasts of Ireland and Scotland, I have witnessed first hand the devastating impact of salmon fish farms on marine life. The untreated effluent released into sheltered bays in the West of Scotland is equivalent to the untreated sewage from 2.5 million people. In addition to the visible impact the pollution has led to the decimation of shellfish populations, creating toxic zones where marine life is suffocated by waste on the sea floor. Marine predators are notably absent due to disease and deterrent measures employed by fish farms. Orcas are unable to reproduce. The mothers give berth but their milk is toxic for their calves and so they die poisoned by their own mothers milk. The chemicals used by the fish farms may be implicated.

The Falklands are renowned for their pristine marine environment. The introduction of such levels of toxins would inevitably harm penguins and seals. Additionally, the deterrent measures used to protect fish farms would disrupt the behavior of these species. This environmental degradation would also negatively impact the Falkland Islands' tourism industry and tarnish the reputation of the islanders.

Argentina could argue that the Falkland islanders are no longer fit to manage their own affairs if they are willing to jeopardize the unique environment that they are guardians of. Images of drowned penguins stuck in nets is not going to enhance the reputation of the islands. Cruise ship passengers from all over the world are unlikely to visit a place tarred with such negative imagery,

One of my primary reasons for visiting the Falklands was to experience its unspoiled environment and observe the incredible wildlife, including penguins, elephant seals, and albatrosses. Does the Falklands truly want to create "death zones" around its coast, which would be both eyesores of urban decay and catastrophic for the animals that define the islands? Why put the Falklands at risk?

It's difficult to think of a greater act of self harm than to introduce salmon fish farms to the Falkland Islands.

I live on the west coast of Canada and seen the unwanted effects of Fish Farming.  The Falkland Islands does not need to endure the associated environmental damage and should take all steps to avoid it.

I urge you to walk away from this foolish idea.

I am a person who cares about the local ecology and protecting native wildlife. I ask that you BAN commercial net pen aquaculture in the Falklands. The impacts of this industry is detremental to native flora and fauna around the world. In my home, many many kilometers away, we just enacted a ban on such practices in part to support our fragile Southern Resident Killer Whale population, after disaster struck back in 2017 when these commercial pens released non-native fish into the Puget Sound. Please avoid our mistakes and keep salmon out of the Falkland Islands. https://www.dnr.wa.gov/news/board-natural-resources-ends-open-sea-net-pen-salmon-farms-washington-waters

I oppose to salmon farming in the Falklands due to concerns over its environmental impact, including risks to native marine ecosystems, pollution, and potential harm to wild fish populations.

No to salmon farming!

I have witnessed the devastation of the marine ecosystem in Tasmania from the salmon farms placed there. There are multiple dead zones in the Derwent river, where numerous species once thrived. Mutated salmon with diseases are escaping out of the pens into the wild, posing threat to native species. Humans do not need salmon to survive. Salmon farming should be done on land where their waste is contained.

I live in Tasmania. We have open pen salmon farming here - although calling them farmers is an insult to true farmers. This is a polluting industry and a divive influence. Salmon companies here are foreign owned, secretive and bullying.

Do what you can to keep them out.