Mowi Scotland plan to expand Torridon fish farm approved by Highland councillors
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Controversial plans to expand a fish farm at a Ross-shire beauty spot have been approved despite vociferous objections from the community.
Fears were also raised by some members of the planning panel who ultimately approved the application about the potential impact on the marine environment.
Mowi Scotland Ltd wanted to add two 120m circumference cages at Upper Loch Torridon.
Torridon and Kinlochewe Community Council (TKCC) said the pens were already in place before the application came before Highland Council’s north planning applications committee on Tuesday.
East Sutherland and Edderton Lib Dem councillor Richard Gale said, that although he was not in a position to object to the application, the committee should.
“I do have concerns over the overall impact that more cages will have on the seabed – overall provision and impact on the wider environment, particularly on wild fish in the area,” he said.
“I realise that I won’t get any support over this objection so I will not raise one, but I do think we should register our concern over the overall impact of the fish farms and their ongoing expansion.”
Skye councillor Drew Millar said: Even though they are reducing the numbers of fish in each cage they are still expanding the fish farm. “I know that some of the people involved and Marine Science Scotland don’t have an objection, but I just wonder.
“It just seems to me that all these fish farm applications coming in to extend, but under the guise of creating more space to allow the fish to have a healthier lifestyle – there are some genuine concerns throughout the whole of our area that the size of wind farms are getting bigger and bigger and so are fish farms.”
“Some of the cages are holding up to 50,000 fish – that can’t be good for the seabed.”
The two new cages now permitted are in addition to 10 previously present.
Councillors were officially recommended to grant the application, with planning officers not agreeing with objections about potential marine environment impact and worries about increased noise and light pollution.
TKCC chairwoman Caroline Hamilton previously raised fears about an argued an increase in pen numbers would impact the marine environment due to the increased quantity of anti-fouling chemicals for net washing and litter.
She wrote: “Already miles of black fish farm pipe is routinely washed up on our coastline, and this proposal will only lead to more. It is a hazard to local boats and a terrible eyesore.”
And she said there would be a “loss of amenity, light pollution and noise”, including the potential loss of night sky due to new lighting.
“TKCC recently conducted a community survey that was completed by approximately 50 per cent of the population,” she said.
“Almost everyone said the natural environment was one of the top three things they like about living in the area.
“Fifty-seven per cent said they would like to see a reduction in environmentally damaging aquaculture. This application flies in the face of the community’s wishes and represents a further loss of amenity.”
Along with Marine Science Scotland other relevant consultees including NatureScot and SEPA did not object.
NatureScot said: “The proposal will give rise to a slight negative localised impact however this is not so substantial as to have an adverse effect on the integrity of the Wester Ross National Scenic Area or the objective of its designation.”
Supporting the application, Lib Dem councillor for Wick and East Caithness Jan McEwan said: she was impressed after visiting a fish farm.“I would actually say that fish health is of the highest priority to fish farmers.
“They are very sympathetic to the environment – you can hardly see the farms – and they are very into sustainability.”
She added that supporting them would be positive for the local economy.
