{"id":622487,"date":"2026-06-05T10:43:16","date_gmt":"2026-06-05T10:43:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/622487\/"},"modified":"2026-06-05T10:43:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T10:43:16","slug":"salmon-farm-off-vementry-which-drew-fishing-objections-is-approved-by-sic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/622487\/","title":{"rendered":"Salmon farm off Vementry which drew fishing objections is approved by SIC"},"content":{"rendered":"

A SALMON farming site off Vementry which drew objections from fishing representatives has been given the green light by Shetland Islands Council.<\/p>\n

Developer Cooke Aquaculture is bringing the project forward, which will include 10 pens sized at 120 metres in circumference, with a maximum biomass of 1,350 tonnes.<\/p>\n

Both the Shetland Fishermen\u2019s Association (SFA) and Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation (SSMO) had publicly objected to Cooke\u2019s Vementry plans<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cooke said the location of the proposed development was identified following \u201cextensive environmental assessments, strict regulatory review, and careful consideration of surrounding operations\u201d.<\/p>\n

It added that situated in a \u201cmoderately exposed area, the site hosts ideal conditions for rearing strong and healthy salmon, supporting high standards of fish health, welfare, and environmental performance\u201d.<\/p>\n

Shetland Islands Council has now approved the planning application for the Vementry salmon farm site, with Cooke Scotland welcoming the decision today (Thursday).<\/p>\n

It said the approval \u201cfollows a detailed assessment process and marks an important step in the company\u2019s plans to support sustainable production of Scottish Atlantic salmon on Shetland\u201d.<\/p>\n

The company\u2019s Shetland manager David Brown said that \u201ccareful consideration\u201d had been given to the project and that the company was \u201cexcited to move forward\u201d with it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe approval of this development reflects years of planning, environmental assessment and engagement with local stakeholders,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Cooke said it had \u201cworked closely\u201d with regulators, local communities, industry stakeholders and environmental specialists to ensure the proposal met the required standards.<\/p>\n

The proposed layout of the salmon farm, with the island of Vementry located to the south west. Image: Cooke Aquaculture<\/p>\n

It added it would continue to maintain an open dialogue as the project moves forward.<\/p>\n

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The new site comprises of ten 120m circumference pens, with a proposed maximum biomass of 1,350 tonnes \u2013 creating up to four full-time, year-round job positions to service the farm.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur Vementry site will not only increase the capacity to meet growing consumer demand for salmon, but will also provide new employment and training opportunities as well as investment in Shetland\u2019s infrastructure and services, while supporting local suppliers and contractors,\u201d Brown added.<\/p>\n

Subject to operational planning conditions, development of the site is expected to commence in 2027.<\/p>\n

The SFA had objected to the Vementry project on the grounds of the impact it would have on established fishing activity and the livelihoods of its members.<\/p>\n

It said in its objection letter that the site lies \u201cdirectly within an area actively used by local fishermen\u201d, and that these grounds are not easily replaced; in the case of scallop grounds, \u201cthey are never replaced\u201d.<\/p>\n

The SFA added that the removal of \u201cproductive fishing grounds threatens the viability of fishing businesses and undermines the planning authority\u2019s responsibility to safeguard existing marine industries\u201d.<\/p>\n

The SSMO said it objected to the plans in their current form as it would \u201cinterfere with existing legitimate use of the area for scallop dredging\u201d.<\/p>\n

It said the issue \u201cspecifically relates to proposed anchors on the south side of the site which would encroach on, and therefore reduce access to, existing scallop dredge grounds\u201d.<\/p>\n

However, the SSMO also praised Cooke\u2019s local managers on their \u201cextensive and positive\u201d consultation efforts, and said the company had taken an \u201cenlightened approach\u201d to salmon farm development by looking for sites of relatively modest size that do not remove seabed essential to local sustainable fisheries.<\/p>\n

A potential compromise on the location of a proposed salmon farm off Vementry, which could have allayed objections from fishermen, was ruled out earlier in the planning process by Cooke.<\/p>\n

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