Deputy leader of Scottish Labour, Jackie Baillie MSP, whose Dumbarton constituency borders the proposed Beinn Reithe salmon farm at Loch Long, has spoken out about the development on the eve of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Public Hearing in Arrochar on Monday 31 October.
In a written submission to the National Park, the MSP said “There is ongoing concern locally about the concentration of fish farms around the Clyde which my constituents believe is unsustainable… fish farms tend to employ small numbers of staff and therefore (there) is limited benefit to the local economy for such a development”. The Loch Long Salmon Company (LLSC) fish farm which will be the largest in Scotland. However it will only employ 12 people, half of which will require to be skilled.
The MSP also cited environmental issues and requested to have sight of the findings of a risk assessment on the threat to pre-existing wildlife. She said “It is important that this is published, so it can be considered as part of the decision making process”.
As reported by Marine Scotland, Loch Long has the highest microplastics count of all Scottish coastal waters. The MSP expressed her concern as to plastics and microplastics produced through fish farms, making their way into the water systems. She said, “The presence of these has a detrimental impact on the climate and wildlife within waterways”. Local people are seeking a more responsible and sustainable way to farm fish in coastal areas with the use of closed-containment. It appears however that the industry is not using less damaging methods and the Scottish Government does not do enough in the way of enforcement”.
With respect to the effect of the development on the tourism sector, Jackie Baillie said “Local people are worried about the wider tourism economy and that this will be impacted due to the proposed fish farm’s proximity to the Three Lochs Way. They strongly believe that this application is in contrast to the aims of the National Park, i.e., conserving and enhancing the natural and cultural heritage of the area, including the felling of trees as part of the development and eroding the natural character of the site. If approved, this would be the largest fish farm in Scotland using technology which has not been used here and therefore is not proven as working in this country”.
The Scottish Labour MSP joins Ross Greer MSP and fellow Scottish Green Ariane Burgess in opposing the planning proposal.
The Loch Long Beinn Reathe planning application Public Hearing will take place at Arrochar on Monday 31 October at 2pm. A film crew will also be in attendance as part of the production of a documentary about Scottish salmon farming and its impact on small communities.