AN ECONOMIC-APPROACH TO POLLUTION-CONTROL IN AQUACULTURE

Scottish salmon farming industry has grown rapidly over the last 10 years, generating employment and income for the region's population. There is, however, increasing concern over adverse impacts of the industry on coastal environments. This paper argues that economics can provide a unifying theoretical framework for the analysis of such impacts, with particular reference to pollution impacts. The benefits of applying such a framework include a clearer analysis of the nature of the pollution problems encountered, leading to well-defined objectives for corrective policy and the development of innovative regulatory mechanisms for the aquaculture sector in Scotland.