Cages recovery makes good progress

THE RECOVERY of the salmon cages that were washed out into the open sea during the storms on Christmas Day is making good progress thanks to the lull in the winter weather.

The first of the six remaining cages are due to arrive at Dales Voe at some time late on Monday with further arrivals expected on Tuesday, and possibly Wednesday.

Of the 12 cages, belonging to Meridian Salmon Group, four have now sunk, two have already been towed into Dales Voe last week, and six are still under tow.

The recovery was hampered by severe weather and strong tides. They were lost several times as tow lines parted. The remaining cages were only rediscovered by a spotter plane last Friday, 82 miles east of Shetland.

But thanks to the much quieter seas since the weekend, good progress has been made with the nearest tow just 13 miles east of Bressay late on Monday afternoon.

Meridian Salmon Group managing director Mark Warrington said: “Arrivals expected as of this evening through into early Wednesday morning.”