Shetland Islands Council approves 6,000-tonne salmon farm in Yell Sound.
Shetland Islands Council has approved an application by Scottish Sea Farms to develop a new salmon farm at Fish Holm in Yell Sound, with a permitted standing biomass of up to 6,000 tonnes.
The consent covers a 12-pen seawater site and follows a planning process that has included objections from fishing representatives and environmental groups. The project is expected to involve capital investment of around £8 million.
Scottish Sea Farms said the Fish Holm site forms part of its strategy to consolidate its existing Shetland estate into fewer, larger farms located in deeper, higher-energy waters. The company previously scaled back its proposal from 200-metre pens to 160-metre pens following consultation.
According to the developer, the project is intended to support improved growing conditions, fish welfare, and operational efficiency, while sustaining local employment.
Statutory adviser NatureScot initially objected to the proposal due to concerns over potential impacts on red-throated divers but withdrew its objection after Scottish Sea Farms submitted additional information.
Campaign group WildFish said it was disappointed by the decision, citing concerns over cumulative impacts from large sites in the area and potential effects on wild sea trout associated with sea lice.
In the decision notice, the council’s marine planning officer concluded that the location, scale, and nature of the development were acceptable and would not result in significant adverse impacts on the natural or historic environment, landscape, or visual amenity. The officer also stated that potential pollution and disease-transfer risks were considered to be within acceptable limits, subject to regulation by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Scottish Government Fish Health Inspectorate.
The approval is subject to planning conditions.