Kayakers unite to oppose Jura fish farm

from Mid Argyll have come together to show their opposition to a proposed fish farm in the Sound of Jura.

A group of 18 kayakers paddled a section of the Scottish Sea Kayak Trail between Carsaig and Crinan, stopping at Dounie, the site of the proposed fish farm.

Local kayaker Lib by Anderson said: ‘The proposed fish farm is massive and a really difficult hurdle for all but the most experienced kayakers. The bay would be utterly changed and dominated by it. The delight in seeing birds and mammals in their natural environment, while paddling in safety close to the shore, would be greatly compromised.’

Will Self of Wild Argyll said: ‘Dounie is in the heart of the Knapdale National Scenic Area, which has Scotland’s highest level of landscape protection, partly for views of the sea and remoteness, isolation and seclusion.’

The proposed fish farm, for either trout or salmon, is the subject of a licence application to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

Kilmelford-based Kames Fish Farming Ltd is seeking a SEPA licence for 12 circular cages, each 100m in circumference, to rear a maximum of 2,500 of fish. The firm says the project would create around six jobs.

Stuart Cannon, of Kames Fish Farming Limited (KFF), was keen to stress the SEPA application is part of the early stages of the process and that a planning application has yet to be made.

He added: ‘The Dounie site has been selected from several potential locations following extensive scientific site surveys and KFF consider it offers the best operational conditions with the least impact.

‘KFF recognises to achieve a top quality product, preserving the quality of the environment within which it operates in essential.’