Shetland fishermen call for salmon farm moratorium after approval

Shetland fishermen are calling for a moratorium on new salmon farm developments after Scotland’s largest site was approved.

The Shetland Fishermen’s Association said the planned £8m Fish Holm development in Yell Sound, backed by Scottish Sea Farms, could force vessels away from key fishing grounds and highlighted wider concerns about environmental impacts.

The development will comprise of 12 pens, each 160 metres in circumference, in waters east of Mossbank.

Wildlife campaigners have warned the project could reduce access to vital fishing grounds, while environmental organisations argue it could harm wild fish stocks.

The council’s approval has now reinvigorated calls for a moratorium on new fish farms in the waters around Scotland.

Executive officer of the SFA, Sheila Keith, said the organisation believes further expansion should be paused until more research is carried out.

“I think we now have to call for a moratorium on all developments or anything that takes away important fishing grounds until ecological thresholds for these developments are established and their impacts on the environment are understood,” she said.

Highlands & Islands

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“We need research to see the impact of salmon farming and other aquaculture projects, as well as electromagnetic cables, to make sure they’re not impacting on wild stocks.”

Salmon is the UK’s biggest food export, with more than 100,000 tonnes produced every year, including tens of thousands in Shetland.

Environmental group Wild Fish echoed the concerns and called on the Scottish Government to publish findings into whether salmon farming is being properly regulated.

Deputy CEO Nick Underdown said approving the development while parliamentary scrutiny of the sector continues was concerning.

He said: “The decision is especially concerning given that the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs and Islands Committee is currently scrutinising whether salmon farming is being effectively regulated, and whether the industry has made sufficient progress since the Committee reported in January 2025.

“Approving Scotland’s largest-ever farm while that scrutiny is ongoing appears to run counter to the precaution that Parliament hopes to see in the protection of Scotland’s marine environment.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said salmon farming remains subject to strict oversight and brings economic benefits.

A spokesperson said: “Salmon farming is a highly regulated sector and subject to robust controls on planning, environmental impacts and fish health, with enforcement action where needed, to provide environmental sustainability and important economic benefits for Scotland.

“Planning decisions sit with the local authority, and it would not be appropriate to comment on a specific application.

“A moratorium on salmon farming would not only risk the benefits salmon farming brings to Scotland in jobs and investment, but would limit the innovation and actions required to address the sector’s challenges.”