The ‘kayak vigilante’ accuses Norwegian salmon firm of trying to privatise Scotland’s public waters

An anti-fish farm activist dubbed the “kayak vigilante” has accused a Norwegian multinational of trying to “privatise public waters” at ​salmon farms in the Highlands and islands.

Don Staniford, who spotlights problems with Scotland’s farmed salmon industry, made the claim after receiving a new legal threat from Mowi, the world's largest producer of farmed Atlantic salmon.

The firm has imposed a five metre exclusion zone around its salmon farms and warned Staniford of legal action if the ban is breached.

Staniford has been opposing salmon farming for more than 20 years. A high-profile activist who covertly enters fish farms to film, he posts photos and videos of diseased and dying fish online.

Salmon companies have accused Staniford of distorting the truth, by allegedly editing together images in a way that makes the pens holding salmon look worse than they are. 

They argue that Staniford’s incursions on to fish farms are unlawful, and that his conduct poses a risk to the safety and wellbeing of the company’s staff. 

Critics, however, have questioned the legality of Mowi’s exclusion zones because its fish farms are in public waters like lochs.

Staniford claims the bans imposed are effectively SLAPPs to prevent him revealing what he regards as the truth about fish farming. 

SLAPPs – strategic lawsuits against public participation – are legal actions typically brought by corporations or individuals with the intention of harassing, intimidating and financially or psychologically exhausting opponents via improper use of the legal system.

Mowi previously took legal action against Staniford and he is permanently banned from boarding, entering, or occupying the pens, walkways, and structures of 46 Scottish sites. But an attempt then to impose a 15 metre exclusion area was dropped by Mowi in court.

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The FerretBilly Briggs

The latest legal threat from Mowi’s lawyers follows claims by Staniford that the ban does not apply to all of its fish farms. He argues that eight of the firm’s sites were acquired after the company initially started its legal action in 2021.

Mowi’s legal letter to Staniford says it is “reasonably apprehensive” that he could enter those sites, also claiming that his “actions and behaviour” would put the health and safety of Mowi’s staff at risk while potentially damaging the firm’s commercial interests. 

Staniford must agree in writing to Mowi’s demands by 5pm on 12 June 2026, the letter continues, otherwise legal action will be taken.  

Staniford told The Ferret: “Fencing off feedlots via a five metre exclusion zone flies in the face of Scots Law and the law of the sea.”

He was backed by Dr Thomas Appleby, an associate professor specialising in property law at the University of the West of England, who said Scotland has “long had an enviable approach to rights to roam” and that it “needs to be careful not to become like Tasmania or Greece” where it is a criminal offence to approach fish farms. 

"Fencing off disease-ridden feedlots via a five metre exclusion zone flies in the face of Scots Law and the law of the sea." — Don Staniford

He claimed companies in these countries “claim wide exclusory powers at the expense of the public”, adding: “I can understand why fish farm companies may not want people climbing all over their structures, but it absolutely goes against the grain to restrict the public right to navigation.”

Ewan Kennedy, a former solicitor who campaigns against industrial aquaculture on Scotland’s west coast, said: “There’s no law of trespass on the surface of the sea. You can go where you want unless there’s a law stopping you, such as around the nuclear base at Faslane. 

He added: “Mowi tried to impose a fifteen metre exclusion zone a couple of years ago, but that part of their case collapsed when the sheriff pointed out there was no legal basis for it. I don’t see how in legal terms five metres is any different.”

Two other farmed salmon firms – Scottish Sea Farms and Bakkafrost Scotland – have previously taken legal action against Staniford to keep him away from their farms.

Mowi Scotland declined to comment.