Scotland’s largest salmon farm prepares to launch next year
SCOTLAND’s largest salmon farm to date is set to launch in Shetland waters next year – with the overall cost rising to £7.5 million.
Scottish Sea Farms said the Billy Baa farm, to be located to the west of South Whiteness, is due to launch in May.
It has a biomass consent for nearly 4,100 tonnes of fish.
The development will have nine 160-metre pens – the first of their kind in Shetland – as well as one which is 120 metres.
Scottish Sea Farms said the development represents a total investment of £7.5 million, and this includes a £1.8 million workboat which is being built by MacDuff Ship Design.
It will also create eight new jobs.
Shetland regional manager Richard Darbyshire told Scottish Sea Farms’ newsletter that the depth at Billy Baa is 45 metres, making it one of the deepest farms within the Shetland estate.
“With the depths at Billy Baa and the new 160m pens, our fish will have more room than ever to grow,” he said.
“These larger pens in larger grids improve the water flow through the farm and lead to better performance and survival.”
There will also be a 500-tonne feed barge, the company’s largest barge to date.
Scottish Sea Farms’ other proposed salmon farm – Fish Holm to the west of Lunna Ness, which would have a biomass of 6,000 tonnes – remains under planning consideration.
This could have 12 pens with a circumference of 160 metres.
It has not been without its planning hurdles, however, with NatureScot responding with an objection – before later removing it.
A number of other objections remain, with Shetland Fishermen’s Association reaffirming its stance earlier this month and saying that the salmon farm would displace fishermen from “some of the most productive and irreplaceable fishing grounds in Shetland”.
Scottish Sea Farms has also begun exploring the idea of a salmon farm off Skerries.
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