Staffin trust backs organic fish farm plan
A SKYE community group has reiterated its support for two new organic salmon farms on the island after Highland councillors granted planning permission for the proposal this week.
Staffin Community Trust (SCT) has welcomed the approval of plans for the new organic fish farms at Tote and Culnacnoc, and highlighted the economic and social benefits of the developments to the district, which is classed as ‘fragile’ by the Scottish Government.
Fourteen jobs are set to be created in the area for direct community benefit and additional infrastructure investment at Staffin’s harbour.
The council’s north planning committee considered the proposals, which were lodged by Organic Sea Harvest (OSH) last year, at its meeting in Inverness on April 17.
OSH will produce and package salmon in Staffin before wholesaling to major retailers as organic Skye salmon.
These processes could create up to 38 additional jobs as well as further indirect supply and service jobs.
In pointing out the differences between organic and conventional fish farm production, OSH has highlighted the lower stocking densities of fish, its intention not to use anti-foulant chemicals on nets or cages, and extended fallow periods when the cages are kept deliberately empty.
OSH has also said it will use wrasse and lumpfish (types of fish) within the cages to control sea lice.
SCT proposes to move forward with further development of the Staffin slipway and surrounding infrastructure to create opportunities for marine tourism, fishing and the leisure industry, on the strength of this project.
To demonstrate its commitment to the community, OSH has agreed to make annual payments to the SCT, which will result in at least £140,000 becoming available for further investment in this community.
A representative from the trust said: ‘As a coastal crofting community, Staffin has a rich affiliation with the sea but has now seen a generation who have not benefited from employment associated with fishing.
‘This development presents a real and exciting opportunity for the community to re-establish those ties and create sustained economic growth for years to come.’
SCT says it views this as a fantastic opportunity to use these potential jobs to lure people who were brought up in Staffin back home, attract new families and employ people from neighbouring communities in Kilmuir, Uig and Portree.
It went to say that Staffin ‘cannot be overly reliant on one market, such as tourism’ and the diversification of the local economy is key to the community’s sustainability.
The trust also said that the plans should be considered positively as they offer an opportunity to ‘empower this community to achieve its untapped potential’.
The representative continued: ‘Community empowerment sets out guidance for communities to seek and engage their own destiny by encouraging decision makers, such as the council, to fully consider their wishes and desires and encourage local autonomy.’
Skye MP Ian Blackford and MSP Kate Forbes have also supported the fish farm plans.