Salmon farmers back Shetland tunnels plan

Trade body Salmon Scotland has voiced its support for Shetland Islands Council-backed plans to progress proposals for a network of undersea tunnels linking the islands in the archipelago.

The council has approved work to develop proposals for tunnels connecting Shetland Mainland with Yell and Unst, with further fixed links to Whalsay and Bressay also under consideration.

Salmon Scotland says fish farming is one of Shetland's largest private sector employers, contributing £91 million a year to the local economy and supporting around 1,000 jobs across the islands, including 390 directly on farms and processing sites.

Huge benefit to salmon farming

Salmon Scotland chief executive Tavish Scott, who is from Shetland, said: “We strongly support the development of tunnels serving Unst and Yell.

“These would hugely benefit salmon farming and our supply chain businesses.

“As the major private sector employer in many of these island communities, we know just how important better connections would be.

“Reliable transport links matter every day for staff, suppliers, equipment and getting premium Scottish salmon to market. Stronger connections would support jobs, investment and future growth across Shetland. The tunnels can't come soon enough.”

Cheaper in the long run

The council currently runs ferry services to nine islands, carrying around 750,000 passengers each year on 12 vessels at a cost of £23 million per year.

Council leaders say the tunnels, estimated to cost £1.5 billion, would be cheaper in the long run than building new ferries and replacing harbours.

Aquaculture supplier Brydon Barclay, of Fluggaboats on Unst, told the BBC that a tunnel would transform his company’s prospects.

“It's absolutely essential,” said Barclay, who was exhibiting at Aquaculture UK in Glasgow two weeks ago.

“At the moment, we’re running with a ferry service that just isn’t meeting the demand at all.”