Hi ,

It's hard being a Ferret at Christmas. Our natural instinct to expose the truth - even at this time of year - can seem a little un-festive. 

But The Ferret is fearless, even in the face of the most cheerful of seasons. So we're entering into the yuletide spirit with the same dedication that we give to our work year round. We've slung up the fairy lights in our newsroom, decorated the window with a snowy scene and are slotting in party and present planning like pros along with producing a new batch of cracking investigations and fact checks.

This week is the latest part of our marine conservation series and with investigations, solutions stories, photo essays and explainers on the topic still to come, we think you'll agree – it's the gift that just keeps on giving.

Yours,

Karin (Ali is Xmas shopping)

Story of the week

An in-depth look at a Ferret investigation

Seven fish farming companies have been accused by the Scottish Government’s green watchdog of breaking the law by failing to provide information on fish numbers.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) told The Ferret that it is “actively considering the appropriate action in response to this failure”. Sepa has a range of enforcement powers, including fines and initiating prosecutions.

Companies were asked to give numbers of salmon and trout, and the sea lice that can infest them, across Scotland. Sepa said it needed the information in order to introduce new controls in March 2025 to try and stop lice spreading to wild salmon and killing them.

Companies have argued that detailed information on fish numbers at individual farms before they are harvested is “commercially confidential”. They suggested that Sepa’s request could breach competition law.

Campaigners, however, described the situation as “deeply concerning”, and accused salmon firms of trying to “browbeat” Sepa. They called for tougher regulation and greater transparency.

What did we dig up this week?

A round up of our investigations in the last seven days

Scotland's seas in danger: part three

Over the next week we’ll focus on plastic pollution, the impact of ghost fishing in Shetland, and how fish farmers and Scots academics are working together to solve welfare and disease problems.

Scientists find highest ever level of microplastics in Scotland’s waters

Data released reveals that the highest concentration of microplastics found in Scotland was in a sample taken from the Solway Firth.

Question of the week

Should there be tougher regulation on salmon farming companies? 

We now have a platform exclusive for Ferret Underground subscribers where you can share ideas about future investigations, answer polls and more!

Create an account here to get access.

Best of the rest

Investigations we've enjoyed from around the world

Oil and gas investments of Donald Trump's UK ambassador revealed

U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s pick to be UK ambassador runs a firm with investments in several oil and gas companies. [DeSmog]

Trans people finding it hard to access 'lifesaving' treatment

Reports of Trans people being refused treatment, or having it withdrawn, are on the rise, according to a new investigation – and no official figures exist to track the issue. [Bureau of Investigative Journalism]

How a hospital supported a doctor despite fears he was harming patients

This investigation follows the trail of patient harm and suspicious deaths which followed a popular doctor in Montana with a "cult" like following. [Propublica]

Any comments? Have you seen something we could include? Email us at contact@theferret.scot.

Copyright © The Ferret Media Ltd, All rights reserved.