Controversy Surrounds Approval of Largest Salmon Farm in Shetland

The Shetland Islands Council has recently approved plans for what will become the UK's largest salmon farm, operated by Scottish Sea Farms (SSF), located next to Fish Holm off Shetland's east coast. This decision has sparked significant concern among local fishermen, particularly those like Sydney Johnson, who fear that the new farm will threaten their livelihoods. Johnson, who fishes for scallops in the area, expressed his discontent, stating, “They say it’s just one farm. But it’s one farm more. There’s only so much water and we’re at saturation point.”

The Guardian

The salmon farming industry in Scotland has seen substantial growth, producing 192,000 tonnes of salmon in 2024, a 23% increase since 2018. SSF, which employs nearly 300 people and is jointly owned by Norwegian companies SalMar and Lerøy, plans to build 12 large pens capable of holding up to 6,000 tonnes of salmon. The company argues that consolidating operations into fewer, larger farms will improve fish health by reducing sea lice and waste accumulation. However, local fishermen and environmental groups have raised alarms about the ecological impact of such expansions.

The Guardian

The Shetland Fishermen’s Association (SFA), representing 450 members, has criticized SSF for allegedly underestimating the economic value of local fishing grounds, claiming that the environmental impact assessments do not adequately reflect the area's significance for scallop fishing. Johnson dismissed SSF's claims regarding the economic value of the site as “laughable,” asserting that he has caught significantly more scallops in a single day than the farm's projected annual value.

The Guardian

Environmental advocates, including Nick Underdown from WildFish, have labeled the approval as an “unprecedented expansion of industrial salmon farming that carries significant environmental risk.” They argue that the industry's growth is detrimental to marine ecosystems and primarily benefits foreign-owned companies.

The Guardian

The Scottish Parliament's rural affairs and islands committee is set to question salmon farming executives regarding industry practices and mortality rates, which have been a point of contention. In 2024, the survival rate of salmon in farms dropped to 61.8%, the lowest since the 1980s, prompting calls for stricter regulations. Edward Mountain, a Conservative Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP), has indicated that he would now support a moratorium on new farm expansions due to ongoing mortality issues.

The Guardian

Local residents are divided on the new salmon farm. While some, like retired engineer William Cooper, acknowledge the economic benefits and job creation associated with SSF, others express concern over the environmental implications. Cooper remarked, “For Shetland to be known for just producing millions of salmon would be quite sad really.” SSF has contributed over £300,000 to local initiatives, which some residents view as a positive aspect of the company's presence.

The Guardian

A spokesperson for Salmon Scotland, representing the salmon farming industry, stated that they look forward to updating the rural affairs committee on progress regarding fish health and welfare. As the debate continues, the future of salmon farming in Shetland remains uncertain, with potential implications for both the local economy and the marine environment.

The Guardian