Seafood producers Mowi confirmed that 48,834 salmon escaped from their Scotland-based site due to the impact of Storm Ellen.

The salmon producer’s North Carradale site, just off the coast of Argyll, suffered damage from the high winds and strong tides on Thursday, 20th August.

In total, 125,900 were harvested while a further 30,616 were killed after the ropes of four out of ten pens were torn apart.

Mowi confirmed that the remaining six pens were still ‘structurally sound’ with the fish in good condition that should prevent common wildlife pests such as seals from catching them.

They said the farm was installed five years ago to Marine Scotland ‘A-Technical’ standard for Scottish Finfish Aquaculture.

A statement from the salmon producers says: “The company continues to engage with local and national wild fisheries groups to monitor and assess the presence or absence of salmonid genetic introgression.”

Environmental campaigners, including the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, have expressed their concerns on the incident following reports of half-eaten salmon being pictured washed up along Scottish seafronts.

The broken ropes, which were last inspected three months ago, are now being tested in Aberdeen for further investigation.