Scottish pilot launched for fish farms further out to sea
Government quango offers up to three sites between three and 12 miles from shore
A pilot project which will see aquaculture development areas being extended from the current three-mile limit to a new 12-mile zone is to be trialled in three areas off the east coast of Shetland.
The pilot will allow new technological innovations and management approaches to finfish aquaculture to be assessed and evaluated.
The opportunity for finfish operations to take place in more exposed locations, with higher energy waters, has the potential to reduce environmental interactions and to support fish health and welfare, said Crown Estate Scotland, which manages leases for seabed around Scotland.
It is working closely with the Scottish Government and agencies which regulate the aquaculture industry to oversee the trial.
May support improvements
Mike Spain, Crown Estate Scotland’s director of aquaculture and marine ecosystems, said: “This is an important pilot, offering the chance to examine how the aquaculture sector might evolve in the future.
“The proposed changes have the potential to support positive improvements to how finfish farming is carried out, as well as simplifying the process for providing overview and management of the industry.”
CES said the pilot aims to support a consistent, robust, and efficient consenting framework for Scotland’s inshore marine areas, allowing greater innovation in Scottish aquaculture, attracting more investment and driving development of new technologies. This in turn will help create additional economic, social, and environmental opportunities.
Consenting framework
Jim Fairlie, the Scottish Government’s minister for agriculture, marine and the islands, said: “This pilot represents the first practical implementation of the Scottish Government’s decision to extend marine planning zones for aquaculture from three to 12 nautical miles. It marks a significant milestone in the collaborative work of the Scottish Government and relevant public bodies to establish a clear consenting framework for fish farm development out to the 12-nautical-mile limit of Scotland’s inshore territorial waters.
“Fish farming in more exposed locations holds real potential, backed by advances in technology and engineering. We want to support developers into these locations, where conditions can be better for fish health and welfare and for reducing environmental impact.”
Up to three sites
The three-pilot area lies between three and 12 nautical miles east of Shetland. The maximum consented area will be 12 square kilometres, across a maximum of three sites.
An agreement with a successful applicant who obtains their statutory consents will be for a 25-year lease, with a break option for both parties at 15 years.
The award of a lease option agreement does not confer development consent. Successful applicants will still be required to obtain all necessary statutory consents and approvals from the relevant authorities before a lease can be granted and any development can proceed.
