Loch Long Salmon has secured planning permission to create the first semi-closed containment fish farm in Scotland in Loch Long, Argyll & Bute.

Representing £40 million of investment and recognized as a project of national significance, Loch Long Salmon can now progress with its ambitious vision to bring semi-closed containment technology to Scotland for the first time, having already secured its permit from SEPA in December 2021.

Mark Shotter, project director at Loch Long Salmon, said that “after years of planning and engagement with communities and stakeholders, we are tremendously pleased to have the backing of the Scottish government to deliver our first project at Loch Long. Representing £40 million of investment, the project brings a wealth of community benefits through job creation and dedicated community funds, strengthening both the national and local economies.”

“Achieving a positive determination underlines the Scottish government’s prioritization of investment within rural communities and positions Scotland as a forward-thinking and innovative country, adoptive of new technologies that will enhance the aquaculture sector’s international competitiveness and send a positive signal to investors.”

The project will also directly benefit the communities around Arrochar through the creation of 12 full-time jobs once the site is in operation. Loch Long Salmon will also establish a dedicated community benefit fund, contributing £100,000 of funding every year for a minimum of 20 years. Community representatives will decide how to use these funds to best enhance the local area.

Semi-closed containment farming systems resemble conventional pens from above, but below the surface, they feature an opaque, impermeable outer barrier surrounding the fish net. Water is drawn from deeper in the bay and circulated within the system. This design eliminates the risk of sea lice and seal attacks while allowing farmers to capture waste and bring it ashore for circular economy uses such as waste-to-energy.