Letters / Local opposition mounts

Further to your article Norwegian investors propose large underground salmon farm in the southend (Shetland News, 19 April 2024).

Apart from being an unproven scheme, because of the huge impact on local wildlife and the environment, I’m sure the majority of Shetland residents would be horrified by such a large scale engineering venture – as were the residents on the Isle of Lewis where a similar scheme has been suggested.

Of course, it should also be mentioned such a venture would be within the confines of a legally protected seal haul-out site at Colsay & Bay of Scousburgh in area SH-016 (www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2014/185/made) which also encompasses the well known seal habitat of Rerwick Beach.

In addition, such a huge engineering scheme would be adjacent to Spiggie Loch which is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Protection Area (SPA) for wildlife conservation.

It seems Tavish Scott, Chief Executive of the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation, his cohorts and potential investors need to carefully rethink such a scheme whilst local opposition mounts.

The only example of an underground fish farm is located in western Russia.

However, it’s very much smaller than what would be proposed in either Shetland or the Isle of Lewis.

This article was published in March 2024 and explains the concept, but is rather short of detail.

Kerrie Meyer
Bigton

Norwegian investors propose large underground salmon farm in the southend