Salmon farmer planning best way to raise feed barge sunk by storm

Salmon farmer Bakkafrost Scotland is assessing the best way to raise a feed barge that sank at its Sgeir Dughall site in Loch Torridon during Storm Boelo last Sunday.

A spokesperson for the Faroese-owned company said: “No one was injured in the incident. All fish pens remain intact, and there have been no fish escapes or losses.

“We are assessing the situation, including the condition of the barge and its contents, and considering the safest approach to recovery.

“Protecting the surrounding marine environment is a priority, and we want to ensure that any recovery work is carried out safely and with minimal impact.

“At this stage our focus is on completing the assessments and working with the relevant authorities and specialist contractors. As this work is ongoing, we do not have further information to share at present. We will provide an update should there be any significant developments.”

HM Coastguard told the BBC it was notified of the sinking on Tuesday morning.

A spokesperson said: “No one was reported to be in distress and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s counter pollution and salvage team was notified.

“The site is being monitored and no significant pollution has been reported.”

Storm Boelo brought damaging high winds and rain and the Met Office issued an amber severe weather warning for most of Scotland from 9pm on Saturday to 9pm on Sunday.

Feed cannons

Bakkafrost Scotland’s Sgeir Dughall farm first received a licence from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in 2012, and has a maximum allowed biomass of 2,091 tonnes. It was most recently stocked in May this year.

Fish Farming Expert understands that Bakkafrost is currently using hydraulic feed cannons to feed the fish at Sgeir Dughall, and will have a replacement feed barge on site next week.