Sound of Jura fish farm fears
CAMPAIGNERS are concerned about a proposed fish farm on the Sound of Jura.
CAMPAIGNERS have raised concern over a proposed fish farm in the Sound of Jura, off the north Knapdale coast.
Kames Fish Farming Limited (KFF) has applied to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) for a Controlled Activities Regulations licence, with plans to open a new fish farm at Dounie.
The proposed plan for a 12-cage salmon or trout farm has, however, been a cause of concern for some.
Letters of objection have been lodged over fears that any new fish farm in the Loch Sunart and the Sound of Jura Marine Protected Area could have a detrimental impact on endangered skate that live within this area and the wild salmon and sea trout that breed in the River Add.
William Goudy, secretary of Craignish Restoration Of Marine And Coastal Habitats, said: ‘Open net salmon farming is known to cause significant pollution of the marine environment due to uneaten food, faecal matter and chemical residues entering the water. And we are concerned about the impact this will have on the Add estuary.’
During a presentation about the proposal, at the Lochgilphead and District Angling Club AGM on Tuesday January 17, Mark Smith and Richard Luxmoore expressed their concerns that the uneaten food and waste from the farm would fall down and pollute a skate habitat in a deep trench, on the edge of the proposed site.
As the site is on the main migration route for fish into the River Add there is worry that escaped salmon will breed with wild salmon, weakening the gene pool. And that the farmed fish will pass on parasites and disease to the wild fish.
Stuart Cannon of KFF commented: ‘The Dounie site has been selected from several potential locations following extensive scientific site surveys, and we consider it offers the best operational conditions with the least impact.
‘To achieve a top quality product for our customers, preserving the quality of the environment in which we operate is essential.’
Mr Cannon explained that ‘fish farming installations are designed and selected to withstand the site specific conditions’ and that Marine Scotland Science considers the company’s containment protocols as part of the planning application process, as well as monitoring operational sites, to minimises the risk of escapes from farmed sites.
As part of the surveys undergone ahead of this SEPA application, KFF has also approached a marine consultancy service to produce a report on sea lice dispersal.
Mr Cannon said: ‘Scientific data was used to predict dispersal of any potential sea lice larvae in the area. Although the report is not yet finalised, it indicates that this risk is low.’ If SEPA approves the licence application, KFF will then submit a planning application, including an environmental statement, to Argyll and Bute Council for consideration.