“Offshore” aquaculture in Scotland

November 2012

Kenny Black

Sector dominated by Large Enterprises 2 of whom have “offshore” plans Marine Harvest Scotland Scottish Salmon Company

Issues Planning/regulatory issues regarding expansion in fjordic coastal areas SEPA biomass limit of 2500t biomass/site Sites planned all have wind fetch of 20-40 nautical miles and some exposure to oceanic swell. All are close (2km) to land but generally remote from populations centres. Current production ~160kt increasing to +200kt over next 5 years?

Marine Harvest Strategic Development: ‘Open Water’ Farming • Marine Harvest Scotland would like to develop new locations and enlarge it’s current production

levels by 20,000t per annum.

• They have taken out several Lease Option Agreements with the Crown Estate in order that these locations can be appraised for their suitability.

• These potential new farming areas are located in the Outer and Inner Hebrides in areas which

are more exposed ‘Open Water’ but are not offshore and are still protected by landforms. • Initially it was proposed that some of the sites would be operated under the concept of the oil

industry with staff accommodated at the facility. This currently happens in other countries such as Canada. However as the Company has conducted its pre-application consultation it became clear that most people want the site staff to be based on the islands in their community.

• Capital investment in excess of £40m • Overall it is estimated that the production increases will result in creation of around 40 full time

staff directly and further jobs upstream and downstream supporting these operations.

• To date two new farms have been opened in 2012 with a third being opened in 2013

MH1. New farm at Stulaigh island, South Uist

• The Stulaigh site was stocked with fish in April 2012

• There are six site employees and site has biomass limit of 2300t

Lochboisdale

MH2. Sound of Hellisay Site: Isle of Barra

• The Hellisay site was stocked with fish in April 2012

• There are seven site employees:

• Site biomass limit is 2300t.

• The site is currently operating from Northbay harbour on Barra

MH3. Isle of Muck Farm Site Details: Two locations considered with North site better protected and chosen based on detailed analysis. Depths are good at >35m and biomass limit of 2500t Planning permission granted farm development will commence in 2013

MH4. Proposed new farm: Isle of Colonsay

• Initial data collection completed – Full analysis underway – Depths good – Current speeds good – Site models for SEPA biomass

limit of 2500t

• Ideally Shore base on the island • We would like all the employees

to be based on Colonsay – 6 full time – 2 part time

• Screening & Scoping undertaken with full EIA being prepared.

• The EIA will be given to the

community with a referendum being held before end of 2012

MH5. Proposed new farm: Isle of Coll

• Initial data collection completed – Full analysis underway – Depths good – Current speeds good – Site models for SEPA biomass

limit of 2500t

• Ideally Shore base on the island • Employees based on Coll

– 6 full time – 2 part time

• Community consultation and Screening & Scoping undertaken.

• Full EIA being prepared and given

to the community early 2013 for referendum.

MH6. Proposed new farm: Isle of Pabbay

• The site will initially be developed with ‘test’ pens only (no fish) to trial pen and mooring capability.

• Full environmental dataset will be collected for a

year at the location prior to stocking.

• Site size will be limited by SEPA biomass criteria

Scottish Salmon Company

SSC1 Sgeir Dughall ~2000t biomass Fetch ~50nm, NW Consented 2012

SSC 2 Gometra ~2000t Fetch ~20 nm, W Public meeting Nov, 2012

SSC plans “to develop circa 4000t additional tonnage in Harris next year and a similar amount in Uist in 2014”

Conclusions Plans in place to significantly increase Scottish salmon production Most of this increase will be accommodated in exposed sites with large wind fetch and some oceanic swell None of this will be truly offshore There are no plans for offshore production in Scotland for the foreseeable future Scottish government aspirations for salmon farming do not require truly offshore culture

James, M.A. and Davies, P.A. (2010) Report of the Proceedings of the National Telford Institute (NTI) and the Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum (SARF) ‐ Aquaculture Orientation Workshop, 24‐25 February 2010. 57pp. ISBN:978-1-907266-02-7

http://www.sarf.org.uk/Project%20Final%20Reports/NTI-SARF%20Aquaculture%20Orientation%20Workshop%20Report%20.pdf

Thank you