Fish farm application approved

An application to expand a fish farm in Carness Bay, St Ola, has been approved by the OIC’s planning committee.

The plans, put forward by Meridian Salmon Farms Ltd — before the site was bought by Cooke Aquaculture — will see 12 70-metre circumference cages at the site changed to 12 100-metre cages.

Objections had been put forward by both the Orkney Trout Fishing Association and Orkney Fisheries Association, with the latter represented at the meeting, on the grounds of the risk of lice to wild salmon and the cumulative impact on local fishermen and scallop divers.

Representation from the applicant argued that more jobs and increased economic contribution would result from the expansion. Members also heard that, on record, the farm in question has never had a problem with sea lice.

The final vote saw three committee members vote to refuse and seven vote to approve the application.