Iceland farm site plan faces opposition

Plans to build a large salmon farm near the east Icelandic port of Seyðisfjörður are facing growing opposition. The main protests are coming from sports fishing organisations and a section of local inhabitants.
The company, Fiskeldi Austfjörður, which is part of the Ice Fish Farm group, wants to produce up to 10,000 tonnes of fish in the fjord.
The project, says the company and those locals who support it, would create many new jobs and boost the local economy. Fiskeldi Austfjarðar has said it wants good co-operation with locals and plans to hold an introductory meeting in Seyðisfjörður to explain its plan and allay any fears.
The eastern part of Iceland has become a focus for expansion by fish farming companies in the last couple of years.
But not everyone living in the area is happy with this growth even though it would provide the local municipality, with extra income. Opposition groups say it would spoil the appearance of what is an area of considerable natural beauty and a popular calling point for cruise liners. It would also turn it into an industrial zone.
Meanwhile, The influential National Association of Fishing Associations said in a statement it shared the concerns of local people, adding it was strongly against the project because it would harm wild salmon stocks who inhabit local rivers..
The statement pointed out that tens of thousands of tourists come to Iceland every year and they did not want to be faced with what it described as open factories in the fjord or offshore.
However, the final decision on whether the project goes ahead will be made nationally and not at local level.