Algal bloom hits Loch Fyne farm

THOUSANDS of fish have died following an algae outbreak at the Scottish Salmon Company’s Quarry Point farm on Loch Fyne, the BBC reported.
The company said it believed recent warm weather was to blame for the mortalities, which were removed yesterday by lorries.
‘Following the warmer water temperatures in recent weeks, a suspected algae bloom was reported in Upper Loch Fyne,’ the company confirmed to the BBC.
‘Naturally occurring biological challenges such as these are unavoidable and we take rigorous steps to protect our livestock.
‘The health and welfare of our fish is at the heart of our operations and, in line with standard procedure, the matter has been reported to Marine Scotland.’
A Scottish government spokesperson said: ‘Marine Scotland\’s Fish Health Inspectorate was made aware of a loss of salmon by the Scottish Salmon Company last week and are currently liaising with the company.’
In it Q1 report released yesterday, the SSC said site optimisation in Loch Fyne resulted in an additional 1,600 tonnes of consent, with harvesting planned in early 2021.
‘This is an on-going programme integrated with an ambitious pipeline of new site development projects.’
Picture: Loch Fyne (photo: BBC)