Marine / Salmon company consults on possible expansion into Sullom Voe harbour area
AQUACULTURE company Cooke Scotland says it is investigating the feasibility of developing salmon farms in the Sullom Voe Harbour Area.
The area has historically been off limits for development, but a masterplan exploring possible future uses was adopted a few years ago in light of less tanker traffic at Sullom Voe Terminal.
Crown Estate Scotland is intending to launch a leasing round in the future for potential aquaculture developments within the area.
Cooke, which operates a number of salmon farms in Shetland particularly in the North Isles, is holding two public consultation events on the topic.
They are taking place at the North Roe hall tomorrow (Tuesday) between 12pm and 2pm, and 6pm to 8pm. Feedback can also be given online.
The Crown Estate said it hopes to bring lease option agreements in the harbour area “to the market in a fair, open and transparent manner”.
It is also inviting feedback on the proposed process for granting aquaculture lease arrangements in the area, with folk encouraged to complete a survey by 14 July.
A masterplan for the harbour area was adopted by Shetland Islands Council (SIC) as non-statutory planning guidance in 2022.
An exclusion on aquaculture has been in force for decades for navigational safety reasons, but with reduced Sullom Voe tanker traffic in recent years the SIC sought to explore the potential for future development.
The council said the masterplan provides a “clear picture of opportunities and constraints to guide future development within the Sullom Voe Harbour Area”.
It identifies several ‘potential development zones’ which could suit a range of potential uses including aquaculture, seaweed farming and renewable energy development, while leaving a clear passage for tankers heading to Sullom Voe Terminal.
The prospect of the area opening to aquaculture and other uses has previously drawn concern from fishing organisations.
Some of the potential development zones sit off land in Northmavine, with one located off North Roe and another near Ollaberry, for instance. There are also large zones sited to the west of Yell.
The Sullom Voe Harbour Area begins at the very northern tip of the Shetland mainland and reaches as far south as Mavis Grind. It reaches as far east in Yell Sound to waters around the isle of Samphrey.
Cooke said aquaculture development within the Yell Sound/Sullom Voe harbour area has the “potential to positively impact the viability of rural communities within the wider area through direct and indirect employment”.
Cooke Scotland’s communications manager Murray Spooner said in a statement: “We are seeking feedback from the public at an early stage to identify possible opportunities and constraints in relation to aquaculture development within potential development zones identified by Shetland Islands Council in the Sullom Voe Harbour Area Masterplan.
“We look forward to welcoming all interested stakeholders to our public consultation events.”
Crown Estate Scotland meanwhile is a public corporation tasked with managing land and property on behalf of Scottish ministers, including leasing of virtually all seabed out to 12 nautical miles.
All revenue profit is returned for public spending, with a pot of money distributed to coastal communities.
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