Scotland’s Salmon Survival Debate: What the Data Actually Shows

What can one number really tell us about an entire industry? This week, we unpack the Scottish Fish Farm Production Survey 2024, a report that’s sparked headlines and controversy with its 61.8% survival figure, the lowest in more than three decades. But beyond the shock value, the data reveals something deeper: the long-term cycles of progress, constraint, and adaptation that define Scottish salmon farming. We’ll explore what the numbers actually mean, why short-term data can distort reality, and how progress in sustainability often comes with biological trade-offs. For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.