Bakkafrost gets green light for Gigha farm

Bakkafrost Scotland has welcomed the planning authority’s decision to grant permission for a third salmon farm off the island of Gigha, on Scotland’s west coast.

The company said: “Gigha is a key part of our southern operations, and we are pleased with the outcome of the hearing.”

The decision was made this week at a meeting of the Argyll & Bute Council’s planning committee, following a recommendation by council officers in September, in favour of the application.

Bakkafrost says the site will consist of eight circular pens, each with a circumference of 160 metres, as well as a 600-metric-ton feed barge. The pens will be placed in a 120-meter-by-120-meter mooring grid matrix, held in two linear rows of four pens. A feed barge with eight spreaders will be moored alongside the pens. The farm’s capacity will be 3,104 tonnes.

A visual impact report commissioned by Bakkafrost suggests that the farm’s footprint in the local seascape will be small, and the pens and feed barge will be painted dark grey or black to minimize impact on the surrounding marine environment.

In the public consultation documents, Bakkafrost said the farm would create six full-time jobs, bringing the total workforce across its three Isle of Gigha fish farms to 21.

The application had drawn objections from local groups and from Highlands and Islands Green MSP Ariane Burgess, focusing particularly on fish mortality incidents over the past few years.

A spokesperson for Bakkafrost Scotland said: “Bakkafrost is determined to be a good neighbour, and we are encouraged many of the local community came out to express their support for our plans.

“Our aim is to be Scotland’s leading and most sustainable salmon producer, and Gigha is part of that journey.”

Northern coast of Gigha