Menu

Scottish Government urged to reject destructive Loch Long salmon farm proposal

Salmon farming is bad for our marine environment and our landscapes.
Loch Long

Scottish Green MSP Ariane Burgess has urged the Scottish Government to finally reject destructive proposals for an industrial salmon farm development at Loch Long.

The controversial proposal, which was rejected by the National Park Authority in 2022, was appealed by the developers almost 12 months ago, with the Scottish Government taking the rare decision to “call in” the application.

The final decision now lies with the Scottish Government and Cabinet Secretary Shona Robison.

Sitting just 2 miles from Loch Lomond, at the heart of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, Loch Long is an iconic landscape. It's home to a broad range of marine life like seals, otters and seabirds, as well as linking with the Endrick Water Special Area of Conservation, which hosts a fragile population of endangered Atlantic Salmon.

Ms Burgess said:

“Loch Long is renowned for its natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural heritage. The proposed salmon farm could scar the loch's iconic coastline and badly harm its wildlife.

“This application is totally inappropriate, and has already been opposed by the community council and the National Park Authority. There are no fish farms in Loch Long, and the local community wants to keep it that way.

“There is no reason for this application to have been under consideration for so long. I urge the Scottish Government to end the uncertainty by listening to local people and finally rejecting it.”

Ms Burgess, who has called for a pause on new salmon farms in Scotland, added:

“Salmon farming is an unsustainable and often very cruel practice.

“We urgently need to consider how much of our seas we are giving away to an industry which is doing so much harm to marine life and our environment.”