The creation of Scotland’s first semi-closed fish farm has moved a step closer with fledgling company Loch Long Salmon submitting a planning application to the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Planning Authority for the development of its site in Loch Long, near Beinn Reithe in Argyll.
The proposed farm will be comprised of four circular enclosures, each with an outer diameter of up to 50 meters, and a 50-meter-long harvesting facility. These will sit in single-file formation, approximately 300 meters from the western bank of Loch Long.
Each of the farm’s pens will incorporate a secondary barrier that prevent sea lice from entering and which will stop seals from seeing the farmed fish. The company also anticipates the farm will capture more than 85 percent of the organic waste its fish produce, which it will sell as fertilizer or for use in green energy production.
According to Loch Long Salmon, the farming site is not suitable or economical for conventional open-net aquaculture due to its low current, but the sheltered location, deep water, geographical isolation from other salmon farms, and proximity to a suitable shore base location make it the ideal environment for semi-closed aquaculture. LLS Director Stewart Hawthorn said the company is excited to be the first to bring the “transformative farming system” to Scotland.
“Our technology will allow salmon farming to thrive in Scotland’s rural coastal areas, such as Loch Long, with a significantly improved environmental and fish welfare performance. We will be working closely with local stakeholders to demonstrate how the proposed farm will be good for the environment, good for the salmon and good for the local community,” Hawthorn said.
Following assessment by the planning authority, LLS’s application will go through a formal public notification and official consultation process. LLS said it hopes the farm will be operational by 2023.
Loch Long Salmon was created by the Simply Blue Group, through its Simply Blue Aquaculture subsidiary, and aquaculture sales and service supply company Trimara Services UK Ltd., with the objective of producing 15,000 to 20,000 metric tons (MT) of salmon annually.
Photo courtesy of Loch Long Salmon
