Fish farm extension approved

An application to alter and extend a fish farm at the Bay of Meil, St Ola, was approved by the OIC’s planning committee this week.

The proposal will see ten circular cages partially repositioned and the circumferences of the cages increased from 90m to 100m, resulting in an increase in size, of both the overall surface area of the site and the mooring containment area.

Meridian Salmon Farms Ltd, who own the site, also intend to increase the maximum permissible biomass on site from 600 tonnes to 883.7 tonnes.

Despite objections to the proposal were received from the Orkney Trout Fishing Association and Orkney Fisheries Association, members granted permission for the development to go ahead.