Plans to build Scotland's largest salmon farm off coast of Shetland sparks concerns

Plans to build Scotland’s largest salmon farm off the coast of Shetland have sparked concerns among fishermen and environmental groups.

As the UK’s biggest food export, more than 100,000 tonnes of Scottish salmon are produced every year, with tens of thousands being produced in Shetland.

With this demand, Scottish Sea Farms has submitted plans to redevelop and expand some of its current sites in Yell Sound into one bigger farm, the Fish Holm.

Other industries operating in Shetland, such as wild shellfish, scallop, and whelk production, are worth around £4m. STV News

The company said this development would allow it to expand its pens, improve the health of its fish, and free up marine space currently used by other sites in Yell Sound.

“The area is already consented for development, the proposal is to increase it,” Robbie Coutts from Scottish Sea Farms said.

“In Shetland, we support 124 local suppliers to the tune of £27m. Scottish premium salmon is our highest export we want to be able to meet that global demand and supply locally too.”

If the plans are approved, the site would become Scotland’s largest fish farm, however, the plans has sparked concerns with fishermen and environmental groups.

Other industries operating in Shetland such as wild shellfish, scallop, and whelk production fear the Fish Holm will force them off key grounds.

Scottish Sea Farms has submitted plans to redevelop and expand some of its current sites. STV News

A fisherman, Richard Grains, said the Fish Holm will take up a big part of the area they work in, and will likely affect their ability to fish there.

“The whelks that we fish for aren’t in every area, it’s not as simple as just moving,” he said.

As well as hosting a multi-million business for fishing and salmon farms, Shetland is also a prime locaiton for the energy section.

The latest plan has raised questions about how all these different sectors can co-exist.

Sheila Keith, Shetland Fishermen’s Association, said there was a need for better regional and spatial management.

“Here in Shetland, we know where our fishermen fish, we know which grounds are irreplaceable, particularly for scallop and whelk fishermen; these grounds should simply be avoided so fishermen can retain their jobs, which form a vital part of our communities,” she added.

Tens of thousands of salmon are produced in Shetland every year. STV News

Concerns over how the plans will impact the ecosystem have also been raised.

Andrew Graham-Stewart, Wildfish Scotland said: “Whether the natural ecosystem has the ability to cope, we think probably not, you’re either going to have a clean healthy ecosystem or salmon farms, salmon farms.”

“If diseases and parasites break out on a farm where there are millions of fish, it would be an absolute nightmare to contain that if it gets out in the sea.”

Scottish Sea Farms say they’re meeting all the required environmental standards, and don’t have a problem with parasites like sea lice.

Shetland Islands Council is due to consider the proposal in the coming weeks.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said it was fully committed to working with the fishing industry to ensure a sustainable future.

“We recognise there is increasing pressure on marine space, and that there is valid concern from those engaged in existing marine activities,” they said in a statement.

“Our National Marine Plan 2 will help to address the global climate and nature crises by delivering sustainable management of our sizeable marine shared space in the interest of the whole of Scotland, in line with our Blue Economy vision and following the principles of a Just Transition.”

It added: “In developing this plan we are considering our marine economy, local communities, and the environment altogether.

“This will help to get the right planning framework in place to address the increased competition for marine space, whilst balancing the need for protection and enhancement of the marine environment and sustainable development of existing and emerging sectors.”