The company working to bring transformational aquaculture technology to Loch Long has released a list of endorsements from marine environmental and green groups who believe semi-closed containment can bring high quality jobs to rural Scotland and protect the environment.
The technology that will be used by Loch Long Salmon has been endorsed by groups such as the Atlantic Salmon Trust, the Scottish Wildlife Trust Finfish Policy, and the Sustainable Inshore Fisheries Trust.
In addition, Loch Long Salmon’s application for their first site at Beinn Reithe on Loch Long, which is due to be determined by the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park later this month, has drawn no objections from key environmental regulatory bodies such as SEPA, NatureScot and Marine Scotland. It is supported by the closest Community Council, Arrochar, Tarbet & Ardlui.
In addition to Loch Long, the company has plans for a further four sites in the west of Scotland bringing more than £200m of capital investment into rural Scotland and with each site creating at least 12 FTE jobs and contributing £100,000 annually to local community funds.
Stewart Hawthorn, Managing Director of Loch Long Salmon, said: “Semi-closed containment technology has been shown to be safe and reliable through over 20 years deployment in marine environments in Norway, Canada and the Faroe Islands.”
“We are pleased to be bringing this technology to Scotland, that has been endorsed by many environmental- and conservation-focused groups as potentially transformational for the salmon farming sector here in Scotland. By setting up this first site in Scotland we can demonstrate what is possible and we expect to see wider adoption in other salmon farming areas. Our approach is different with no sea lice, capture of fish waste and no requirement for acoustic seal scaring devices.”
“This technology will create valuable jobs in rural Scotland which could otherwise be lost and will do so in a way which will protect the environment. It would show Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is a leader in supporting innovations which not only protect the beauty of the Park but sustain the communities that are so valuable to this area.”