Stop East Moclett Salmon Farm

Orkney Islands Council will soon decide whether to approve a new salmon farm off Papa Westray – against the will of many local residents. The tiny island is already penned in by fish farms on 3 sides; this new farm in East Moclett Sound would make it completely surrounded.

The proposed farm also puts nature at risk. Sea currents flow past the site to the nearby Marine Protected Area, putting it at risk from chemical and faecal waste. It would also likely damage the nearby seagrass meadow which helps protect against climate change by capturing blue carbon.

Help us by emailing Orkney Islands Councillors and asking them to reject this fish farm proposal.

Help us by asking Orkney Islands Councillors to speak out against this fish farm proposal

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Postcode *

Campaign

Email Text *

Dear Orkney Islands Councillors,

I am writing to express strong concerns about the application from Cooke Aquaculture Scotland for a new salmon farm in East Moclett Sound, off the southern tip of Papa Westray.

As you will know, there are already 7 salmon farms locally, 5 in close proximity to Papay. These are constantly noisy with generators running 24/7, brightly lit all night causing light pollution, and always busy with boats attending.

This new farm in East Moclett Sound would make the island completely surrounded by fish farms, and will take away the last remaining pristine seascape vista and shore to which Papay residents have direct access for recreational activities.

Locals already have to work year-round clearing salmon farm waste and debris from their beaches and shores. They don’t want to lose their last stretch of shoreline where they can swim or enjoy the beach without noise and pollution. And they are concerned about the impact on the local economy, since their main source of income is visitors who come for the peace and quiet, the dolphins, seals and other wildlife, and the natural beauty – all of which is threatened by the chemicals, infrastructure, bright lights and constant disturbance from fish farms.

Although the planning application is for an organic fish farm, it clearly includes licensing for powerful non-organic chemotheraputants: chemicals used to treat the sea lice which tend to plague farmed salmon. (These have already proved to be a problem at Cooke Aquaculture Scotland’s other nearby farms, which have not kept within the parameters set out by the Code of Good Practice for Scottish Finfish Aquaculture.) These toxic chemicals are deadly to lobster and crab larvae and shellfish – in an area where local creel fishermen depend on catches of crab and lobster for their living.

The proposed site is directly in the line of sea currents which flow towards the nearby Marine Protected Area, designated to conserve the largest colony of Black Guillemot seabirds in Britain; this could be at risk from effluent from the farm. The same is true of the nearby RSPB Reserve and Special Protection Area where arctic skua and terns breed and feed. The site is also close to a newly discovered seagrass meadow, a vitally important habitat for juvenile fish and for capturing carbon, helping protect against climate change – but waste material from aquaculture has damaged seagrass populations worldwide.

Locals on Papay say there has already “been a ‘deadening’ of our Western shores due to the established aquaculture industry impacting the shoreand marine wildlife. The abundance of shellfish and shoals of fish have disappeared not to mention the decline in the numbers of seals.”

I urge you to consider the damage this new fish farm would do to the local community, livelihoods and nature.

Please write to your colleagues on the Planning Committee and ask them to reject Cooke Aquaculture Scotland’s East Moclett proposal.

For more information, see:
The local campaign against the fish farm: https://www.facebook.com/No-East-Moclett-103857608928890  
The planning application: https://planningandwarrant.orkney.gov.uk/online-applications/simpleSearchResults.do?action=firstPage  
The discovery of the seagrass meadow: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-61712861

Sincerely,

This message will be sent to raymie.peace@orkney.gov.uk, Sandy.cowie@orkney.gov.uk, Ivan.taylor@orkney.gov.uk, Mellissa.thomson@orkney.gov.uk, Cllr.graham.bevan@orkney.gov.uk, Cllr.Lindsay.hall@orkney.gov.uk, Jean.stevenson@orkney.gov.uk, Duncan.tullock@orkney.gov.uk marked with your email address

Tags (used for supporter list opt in)

Yes, keep me informed of Scottish Greens campaigns and events via email

We will never share your details with third parties. You can find out more about how we use your information in our privacy policy.

174
Supporters.

500
Goal

174

Help us by asking Orkney Islands Councillors to speak out against this fish farm proposal

People powered politics