maaey environmental statement - iema - homemaaey environmental statement a100123-s00 client: bradan...

Maaey Environmental Statement Bradan Cuan Siar Ltd

Assignment Number: A100123-S00 Document Number: A-100123-S00-REPT-001

Xodus Group Ltd 180 St Vincent Street Glasgow G2 5SG UK T +44 (0)141 299 0000 E [email protected] www.xodusgroup.com

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.xodusgroup.com/

Maaey Environmental Statement A100123-S00

Client: Bradan Cuan Siar Ltd Document Type: Report Document Number: A-100123-S00-REPT-001

A01 04/06/2013 Issued for use AH ID LS AM

R02 27/05/2013 Issued for Client Review AH ID LS AM

R01 10/5/2013 Issued for Client Review AH ID LS AM

Rev Date Description Issued by

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Approved by

Client Approval

Maaey Environmental Statement Assignment Number: A100123-S00 Document Number: A-100123-S00-REPT-001 ii

NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY

Introduction Bradan Cuan Siar Ltd (BCS Ltd) proposes to develop a new Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fish farm off the east coast off Benbecula in the Western Isles of Scotland at a site known as Maaey (Figure 1.1) The proposed development will consist of 16 cages and a feed barge with a maximum operational biomass of 2,000 tonnes. The development will be an integral part of a series of new farms being developed by BCS Ltd.

EIA Process and Consultation

As part of the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (CnES) planning application for the proposed site an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been undertaken and this Environmental Statement (ES) provides the findings of the EIA. The EIA process requires an understanding of the proposed construction and operation of the salmon farm development and the environment upon which there may be an impact. In order to inform this process a formal screening/scoping exercise with statutory consultees was undertaken by CnES. Responses were taken into consideration and potential environmental impacts are described together with any environmental/mitigation measures that will be put in place to avoid or minimise impacts. The significance of any residual impacts has been identified.

Assessment of Alternatives

The process of site selection is an integral part of the EIA process and BCS Ltd considered a number of key factors which would help determine the acceptability of a new site. The main drivers in the selection process were marine navigation, proximity to existing shore facilities and environmental impacts.

Maaey Environmental Statement Assignment Number: A100123-S00 Document Number: A-100123-S00-REPT-001 7

Development Description

A summary of the development is provided in Table 1.1.

Equipment and Maintenance Location The proposed location is approximately 660 m to the southwest of the shoreline of Loch

Uiskevagh in Benbecula, Western Isles. Sea cage group centre co-ordinates: 57° 26.334' N, 7° 12.092' W (OS NGR: NF 8801850684).

Water depth 20 m at site centre. Cages 100 m circumference (15.92 m radius) Fusion Marine polythene cages Cage layout 16 cages arranged in 2 groups of 8 (2 x 4) cages Site surface area 63,000 m2 Mooring system Sea cages are held in place in a 60 x 60 m grid with a 45 m between the grids. The mooring

anchor system consists of mooring anchors (1,000 kg), steel ropes and chains. Mooring containment area is 292,500 m2.

Installation The anchor and mooring system will be installed using a landing craft. Cages will be constructed locally at South Ford, Benbecula and transported to site by sea.

Nets • Nets will be made of square mesh nylon and tensioned by a series of weights. • Smolt nets: 14 mm mesh, 5 m depth with a 1 m jump net. • Grower nets: 24 mm mesh, 10 m with a 1 m jump net. • Top nets: 50 mm black or yellow nylon mesh. • External predator nets: 100 mm mesh. The net is orange in colour to increase visibility

to predators and reduce entanglement. The top 2 m of these nets are green heavy duty nylon.

Predator control BCS Ltd has a graded system of predator control: • Top nets will remain in place for the duration of the production cycle. • Tensioned smolt and grower cage nets (tensioned to 12-15 kg/m with lead lined rope

and a series of weights) which present a wall to underwater predators with no slack areas for entanglement or purchase on the net.

• External subsea predator nets may be used during early smolt stages and growing stages. Nets are tensioned and completely surround each cage and clear the bottom of each net by a minimum of 2 m.

• Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs) will only be employed if other methods fail. • Rogue seals will be shot only as a last resort. In this event, BCS Ltd will obtain the

appropriate licence required. Barge 220 tonne Sea-Mate feed barge manufactured by Gael Force Marine. Cage lighting Cage lighting will be used. Three LED lights will be installed per cage 3-6 m below the

surface. Equipment maintenance

• All equipment above water level will be checked daily. • All underwater moorings will be inspected at least twice per annum or after storm

events. • Nets will be coated with an antifoulant prior to installation and cleaned in situ using net

cleaner if required. • As a minimum, nets are checked for holes on a monthly basis, but are checked twice

weekly when the site is first stocked. • Net history is tracked and they are replaced after 5 years of use.


Husbandry Production regime and stocking

Site will operate for 24 months with a minimum fallow period of two months. The site will be stocked with 1,000,000 S1 (one to two year old) smolts in March 2014.

Maximum biomass 2,000 tonnes Maximum stocking density

15.7 kg/m3

Feeding Frequency and timing of feeds will be dependent of fish size and time of year. Fish will be fed with feed produced by the EWOS company. Feed which will be air driven from the feed barge to the cages via plastic pipes and feed spreaders by manual or automatic operation. Feeding is monitored using spy ball cameras fitted in each cage.

Grading Fish will be mechanically graded once per cycle and further passive grading may take place at harvesting to optimise harvestable fish size using a net panel passive grader.

Harvesting All fish are harvested when they reach 3.5 - 5 kg. Harvesting is carried out onsite by trained personnel in dedicated harvest vessels.

Mortalities • Dead or moribund fish will be recovered from cages using mort socks, auto lift (LiftUP system or equivalent) and hand net brailers, as appropriate. Recovery of mortalities from the net socks will be scheduled for three to seven times per week, depending on conditions and as assessed by drop-down video camera.

• Mortalities will be stored temporarily in large plastic bags within sealed fish bins on the landing craft. These will then be transferred direct to a licensed carrier for disposal at a local approved site. It is likely that the waste handler in Uist, White Shore Cockle Ltd., will be used.

Disease prevention and veterinary treatments

BCS Ltd is committed to sound husbandry practices to prevent fish disease becoming an issue. No antibiotics or anti microbials will be used routinely onsite. In feed treatments Slice is the preferred sea lice treatments. Bath treatments using Azamethiphos, Cypermethrin and Deltamethrin may also be undertaken.

Escape prevention To prevent escapes, BCS Ltd regularly inspects the integrity of the cages and ensures that equipment is capable of withstanding environmental conditions onsite. A site-specificescape contingency plan is in place.

Site Servicing and Personnel

Onshore facilities The site will be serviced daily (weather permitting) from existing onshore facilities. Workboats The site will be serviced using BCS Ltd owned vessels comprising a 14 m landing craft and

two 6 m open workboats, all fully certified by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). Waste Management Waste management at the site will be in line with waste management regulations and best

practice. Appropriate dialogue will be maintained with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency SEPA, the local authority and waste handling contractors.

Personnel and training

BCS Ltd will employ approximately five staff. Staff will be trained to to Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) Aquaculture level 2. The venture is headed up by Angus A. MacMillan, formerly of West Minch Salmon Ltd. and therefore will build on over 30 years of salmon aquaculture across the Western Isles. All staff controlling the automated feeding system will have previous experience or will receive comprehensive training.

Table 1.1 Summary of development


Environmental Description

A summary of the potential environmental sensitivities associated with the proposed development at Maaey are provided in Table 1.2.

Visual and landscape The proposed development is out with any National Scenic Areas (NSAs) and during consultation no concerns were raised over the potential for landscape and visual impacts.

Seabed at site location The seabed beneath the proposed development is a relatively uniform. The sediment can be described as mainly mud, mud with shell and patches of bedrock and boulders.

Sub littoral habitats and communities

Little variation in epifaunal species occurs across the location of the proposed development. The Devonshire cup coral Caryophyllia smithii has been observed rarely on bedrock and boulders at the site; it is the most common hard coral in Britain and is found off all coasts except parts of the east and south east coasts of England (Gregory, 2008). It is common around Scotland and not highlighted on the Scottish Biodiversity List.

The northern seafan Swiftia pallida is known to occur at the location of the proposed development. The species is recorded as a UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP) species and is recorded on the Scottish Biodiversity List (Scottish Biodiversity Forum, 2012).

Marine fish The fish species commonly found in the area of the proposed development are typical of Scottish waters and include haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), hake (Merluccius merluccius), whiting (Merlangius merlangus) and Norway pout (Trisopterus esmarkii) as well as small pelagic species such as sprat (Sprattus sp.).

Diadromous fish Sea trout and salmon are abundant in the rivers and lochs of the wider region. The Loch is surrounded by tributaries which are known to contain brown trout it is likely that some sea trout are present in Loch Uiskevagh.

Birds Up to and including 2012, 388 bird species have been recorded in the Outer Hebrides (Western Isles Wildlife, 2012). A number of sites in the Western Isles have been designated as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) due to the presence of rare or vulnerable birds (as listed on Annex I of the EC Birds Directive).

Marine mammals Harbour seals and grey seals are known to occur in the vicinity of the proposed development and are protected under Annex II of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC).

Surveys of otters on the Western Isles over the last 30 years have shown a stable population of otters at or near carrying capacity (Strachan, 2007).

The cetacean fauna of the Western Isles is one of the richest in Britain. The most commonly observed cetacean in the vicinity of the proposed development is harbour porpoise.

Designated areas The proposed development site is not within a protected site; however a number of Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and NSAs do occur within the vicinity of the development.

Cultural Heritage No scheduled Ancient Monuments or Listed Buildings occur in the vicinity of the proposed development. No concerns were raised during consultation in regard to potential impacts on cultural heritage.


Fisheries and Aquaculture

Up to 11 fishing boats are known to fish in the vicinity of the proposed Maeey development. In addition to this, these vessels together with three local based vessels also fish the area of the proposed development for scallops.

A number of aquaculture developments occur in the vicinity of the development. Navigation The proposed development has been positioned such that the moorings do not extend

across the leading line of 264° into Loch Uiskevagh. The development will be buoyed and illuminated in accordance with the requirements of the Northern Lighthouse Board.

Table 1.2: Potential environmental sensitivities

Assessment of impacts

This EIA used data relevant to the proposed development, consultation (formal and informal) and the sensitivity of the environment in the area surrounding the proposed development site in order to identify and rank potential impacts. The ES details the significance of residual impacts following mitigation and management, the impacts are ranked using EIA significance criteria developed by Xodus. Impacts considered in detail in the EIA process were those which had been raised as concerns at the consultation stage and documented in the Screening/Scoping Opinion. An overview of these impacts is provided below.

Benthic and water column impacts

Seabed Impacts

An extended baseline and video survey was conducted to assess benthic conditions at the proposed development site in August 2010. Generally the seabed was similar at all transects and there was little variation in epifaunal species. The turret shell Turritella communis was observed, as were its tracks and those from other mobile organisms on all transects. The Devonshire cup coral Caryophyllia smithii was observed rarely on bedrock and boulders at the site. The northern seafan Swiftia pallida was present in a total of 10 out of 359 images analysed.

Potential impacts from marine sea cage developments arise as a result of organic inputs from waste feed and faeces. Key factors which determine the extent of organic deposition include: the biomass of fish on site, feed input, bathymetry and hydrographic conditions in the area.

To predict the deposition of particulate material over an area of seabed within a given time frame, AutoDEPOMOD modelling was used. Maaey is classed as being weak to moderately flushed and the deposition of waste predicted by the model was restricted to the area immediately under and adjacent to the sea cage group, generally along the north-west to south-east axis. Due to the hydrography of the site, a small percentage of waste (9%) will be flushed out of the site and it is considered that it will be dispersed across the mouth of Loch Uiskevagh and then into the wider marine environment of the Little Minch.

Swiftia pallida

The northern seafan Swiftia pallida is known to occur at the site. The species is recorded as a UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP) species. UKBAP species were identified as being the most threatened and requiring conservation action. The species also occurs on the Scottish Biodiversity List (Scottish Biodiversity Forum, 2012). Concern exists over the potential for impacts on the species arising from benthic and water column impacts. Based on the following the environmental consequence of this impact is considered to be moderate:

• The restricted area likely to be impacted by nutrient deposition;

• The large area occupied by Swiftia in the locality of the Western Isles;

• The relatively low quality of the Swiftia present, and

• Protection for Swiftia offered elsewhere.


Water Column Impacts

Although solid material falls toward the seabed, other excretory products such as urine will be dispersed directly into the water column. An Equilibrium Concentration Enhancement (ECE) Calculation based on a simple box model was used to quantify the predicted nutrient enhancement as a result of the proposed Maaey development. From this it was predicted that the residual impact of dissolved wastes is considered to be negligible.

Potential cumulative impacts arising as a result of the proposed development at Maaey in combination with other aquaculture sites within Loch Uiskevagh were analysed using a worst case scenario ECE, where all discharges from the proposed development enter Loch Uiskevagh rather than being dispersed into the Minch. Nitrogen enrichment in lochs is categorised by Marine Scotland Science (MSS) as per their guidance in Gillibrand et al., (2002) and a list of categorised lochs has been published (MSS, 2013). A nitrogen enrichment index is used to indicate the level of nitrogen in a loch. The index runs from 0 to 5 with the higher value indicating a greater risk of environmental damage from nutrient input. Loch Uiskevagh has a nitrogen enrichment index of 3 and Loch Meanervagh has an enrichment index of 4. It is anticipated that the proposed development will result in nutrient enrichment in the close vicinity of the cages, but that the hydrographic conditions in the area will mean that it is unlikely to have a cumulative impact with other developments present in the loch and that the nutrient enhancement Index for Loch Uiskevagh will remain at 3.

Chemical Discharge

During production a number of chemicals may be used as required including disinfectants and medicines such as antibiotics and sea-lice treatments. The discharge of chemicals from fish farm operations into the marine environment is controlled by SEPA. The discharge limits set by SEPA on each chemical are based on a risk assessment. BCS Ltd has recently been granted a Controlled Activities Regulations CAR license which contains consent to discharge a number of chemicals in controlled quantities into the marine environment.

Nets will be treated with antifoulants which are commonly copper or zinc based-biocides, and which slowly leach into the water column preventing algal growth on nets. There is the potential for accumulation of these chemicals in the sediments and toxicity to benthic organisms. Impacts are considered to be minor as the small amount of leaching copper will only affect the area directly adjacent to and below the cage site, within the Allowable Zone of Effect (AZE) permitted by SEPA.

There is concern regarding persistence of antibiotics in the sediments under the sea cages, the impact on non-target species and an increased frequency of antibiotic resistance. BCS Ltd is committed to sound husbandry practices in order to prevent disease and reduce the need for antibiotics. As the risk of antibiotic use is so remote the overall risk is considered to be negligible.

Sea-lice infestation has become a common problem for fish farms. Sea lice treatments which may be used include the in-feed treatments Slice and Calicide and the bath treatments Salmosan, Excis and Alphamax. As treatments are not water-soluble, it is the species associated with the seabed that are most likely to be affected.

Mitigation and management

> The use of cameras and accurate monitoring of feeding rates will reduce the potential wastage due to excess food delivery. A C-Cap 220 automated feed barge will be installed on-site which will result in a higher feed conversion rate in comparison to manual feeding, thus resulting in a reduction in feed wastage.

> Weekly underwater inspection of nets will take place to monitor the level of fouling and washing will take place regularly during periods of strongest tidal currents to aid in the dispersal of the fouling material.

> To mitigate against possible smothering of organisms on the seabed, in situ net washing will occur on a regular basis resulting in a small weight of removed material on each occasion.

> Monitoring will be carried out in accordance with SEPA water quality monitoring procedures (new guidance for water column monitoring is currently in development by SEPA) throughout the production cycle, to monitor nutrients entering the water column and to act as an early warning of a potentially harmful bloom. It is considered that the cumulative impact will not be significant.


> Any chemicals used will be used to SEPA standards and within the industry Code of Good Practice (SSPO,

2011). These levels are based on site-specific modelling results and are set so that environmental quality standards (EQS) are not exceeded in the area. On approving the limits of use and discharge of sea lice treatment chemicals at the site SEPA will consider the long term cumulative impacts off all fish farm sites in the vicinity of Maaey. Disinfectants will be used with care and BCS Ltd will instigate measures to minimise accidental run off wherever possible.

> BCS Ltd will minimise the need for use of antibiotics and sea lice treatments through the application of sound husbandry and sea lice prevention measures including:

o Vaccination programme for all smolts prior to introduction at the site;

o Single year classes and a Voluntary Area Management Agreement in place;

o All site supervisors trained in fish health monitoring; and

o BCS Ltd Health Plan and use of Fish Vet Group for veterinary services including annual health and biosecurity inspections.

Interactions with wild salmonids

Although farmed fish are contained and distinct from wild fish populations there is the possibility of interaction with wild fish stocks through a number of avenues. Concerns were raised during scoping as to the potential impacts on wild salmonids from disease transfer, sea lice and the consequences associated with escaped fish.

Loch Uiskevagh is surrounded by tributaries which are known to contain brown trout therefore it is likely that some sea trout are present in Loch.

BCS Ltd recognises that there are stakeholder concerns as to the potential impacts of the proposed development on wild sea trout, in particular those caused by sea lice, and is therefore committed to applying industry best practice

Table 1.3 provides an overview of the management and mitigation measures in place to prevent escape and disease transfer, including sea lice.

Residual impacts

Following an impact assessment and taking into account the proposed mitigation and management technique no significant residual impacts are predicted for the benthos or water column.


Area of concern


Escape • A site-specific contingency plan, developed in line with the industry Code of Good Practice (SSPO, 2011) is in place.

• Equipment will be designed to withstand environmental conditions onsite.

• Moorings, cages and nets are regularly checked for damage.

• Nets are tagged, recorded and replaced as necessary.

• Nets are tensioned to prevent predator attack.

• All grading and harvesting equipment will use containment barriers.

Disease • Deployment of a Veterinary Health Plan.

• Risk reduction i.e. policies that focus on minimising exposure to pathogens.

• Sound management principles to incorporate preventative measures.

• Training in fish husbandry and disease control skills, including.

• Identification of infection.

• Adoption of full and comprehensive disinfection procedures (as detailed in the Scottish Executive ‘Disinfection Guide with Regard to the ISA Virus’ – also relevant in the control of other fish pathogens ).

• Use of appropriate stocking densities.

• Fallowing will be undertaken in combination with removal and disinfection of all farm equipment (breaks disease cycles and reduces pathogenic burden in the sediments of a site).

• Fallowing to be undertaken for a period of at least two months to allow recovery of seabed and break sea lice life cycle (approximately seven weeks).

• The site will stock only single year classes.

• Sourcing stock animals from certified disease-free sources.

• Synchronised sea lice treatments.

• Regular monitoring of fish health.

• Removal and safe disposal of moribund and dead fish.

• Restricting movements of fish to a minimum during grading and harvesting.

• Minimising stress.

• Single sourcing of juvenile animals where possible.

• All smolts will be vaccinated for furunculosis and IPN prior to stocking the site.

Sea lice management

• Site selection: Selection of the site was influenced by its flushing characteristics. As the site is moderately flushed it is unlikely that sea lice will have the potential to form dense aggregations in the vicinity of the cages.

• Smolt stocking: Only brood stock from breeding programmes for sea lice resistance will be used and only single year will be used which ensures that smolts are not at risk from infection by older fish.

• Stocking densities: Recognising the reduced stocking density in minimising disease risk, including sea lice, BCS Ltd will not exceed a maximum stocking density of 15.7 kg/m3 which will only be reached at the height of the production cycle.


Area of concern


• Fallowing: as above.

• Cage lighting: lights in the green – blue end of the spectrum will be used which are less attractive to sea lice.

• Feeding: When fish are hungry they tend to aggregate near the surface in anticipation of feed, descending again when fed. As sea lice settle optimally on salmon near the surface BCS Ltd will ensure that stock is well fed to reduce the risk of infection.

Table 1.3: Escape and disease mitigation and management

Natural resources

Concerns exist over the potential for the proposed development to impact negatively on the natural resources which are commercially exploited in the area. The main concerns relate to:

> Live shellfish storage (chemical residues transported from the proposed site);

> Herring stocks (displacement, hearing, chemical residues and escapee fish), and

> Loss of fishing ground.

A number of boats are known to fish in the vicinity of the proposed development, with each vessel landing up to a tonne of herring from the area over the winter months. In addition these vessels also fish the area of the proposed development for scallops. Live shellfish are stored at both Kallin Harbour and Bridge End (over 5 km from Maaey). Given the distance and tidal conditions at the site it is unlikely that any chemical residues will reach either Kallin or Bridge End. In the extremely unlikely event that this did occur any residues would be at such a level of dilution that no discernible impact would occur. Potential impacts to herring species are all considered to be not significant. This is based on the likelihood of the accidental and non-routine events and the relatively minor environmental consequence associated with the presence of the development causing displacement.

The area of fishing ground that will be lost as a result of the proposed development is relatively small (0.31 km2). It is also considered that the area in question does not offer favourable conditions for many shellfish species that are locally fished in the area. The residual impact is therefore not considered to be significant.


> BCS Ltd is committed to sound husbandry practices in order to prevent fish disease thus minimising the need for chemical use at the proposed development.

> In order to minimise the risk of any adverse effects arising from the use of chemicals and sea lice treatments on the surrounding marine environment, SEPA will set limits in the concentrations and frequency of use for all treatments. All chemicals used will adhere to limits set by SEPA and standards set out in the Code of Good Practice (SSPO, 2011).

> BCS Ltd through effective husbandry techniques will strive to keep potential displacement mechanisms to a minimum. Lights and noise will be kept to a minimum at the proposed development site (see Section 5.1.4) for

Residual impact

Following an impact assessment and taking into account the proposed mitigation and management technique there are no significant residual impacts predicted for wild salmonids.


a description of noise and light anticipated. An effective measure of reducing odour will be the use of an automated feed barge which reduces feed wastage and increases feed conversion ratios, resulting in a reduction in the amount of odourous waste entering the environment.

> Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs) are not to be used as standard and will only be employed upon the failure of other methods. Modern specification devices with lesser impact on non-target species (i.e. triggered machines) will be used if required following consultation with Marine Scotland.

> BCS Ltd will minimise the loss of fishing ground by adhering to the maximum area of the development as granted by planning permission.

> Details of mitigation and management techniques in regard of escapee fish are presented in Table 1.3

Wildlife interactions

The scoping opinion received by BCS Ltd indicated that the main species of concern are pinnipeds (seals). The main concerns lay with the predator control methods to be used at the site: entanglement in nets, noise generated by Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs) and shooting of seals.


There is no risk of entanglement for seal species in the top, grower or smolt nets. If external predator nets are to be used BCS Ltd will ensure they are used in such a fashion as to minimise the risk of entanglement this will include effective colouring, maintaining the correct tensioning and distance between nets and regular maintenance of the nets. The residual impact is therefore not considered to be significant.

ADDs are not used as standard and will only be employed upon the failure of other methods. Modern specification devices with lesser impact on non-target species (e.g. triggered machines) will be used if required following consultation with Marine Scotland. The residual impact is not considered to be significant.

Shooting of seals will only occur as a last resort and under the correct License as applied for from the Scottish Government. The probability of seal shooting becoming a necessity is considered unlikely. The impact is not considered to be significant.

Conclusions

BCS Ltd proposes to develop a new Atlantic salmon farm off Benbecula in the Western Isles, Scotland. The proposed site is called Maaey.

BCS Ltd submitted detailed information in a Screening/Scoping request which was considered by CnES and statutory consultees in providing a Screening/opinion. The Opinion received concluded that under the

Residual impact

Following an impact assessment and taking into account the proposed mitigation and management technique there are no significant residual impacts predicted for natural resources.

Residual impact

Following an impact assessment and taking into account the proposed mitigation and management technique there are no significant residual impacts predicted for wildlife interactions.


Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations (EIA) (Scotland) Regulations 1999 an EIA was required for the proposed development. BCS Ltd appointed Xodus to undertake the EIA and this ES document is the result.

The scope of the ES was based on the Screening/Scoping Opinion received by CnES as well as non-statutory consultee opinions. The EIA process focussed on consideration of the impacts that were significant and scoped out impacts that were not considered significant at the Screening/Scoping stage.

Each sensitivity identified has been carefully considered and ranked according to defined criteria and cumulative effects have also been considered. It has been possible to manage and reduce many of these potential impacts to a ‘not significant’ level through appropriate mitigation measures such as design/equipment selection, site management (such as standard operating procedures for disease) and environmental monitoring programmes (such as sea lice monitoring).

The potential for benthic and water column impacts such as organic enrichment and eutrophication as a result of marine fish farms is widely acknowledged and well documented. SEPA is the regulatory authority in terms of the aquaculture industry in Scotland, and regulates the biomass and associated discharges permitted at aquaculture sites. SEPA will specify the limits of consented chemicals that can be used on site. Consented limits of sea lice treatments are based on AutoDEPOMOD modelling. BCS Ltd will comply with all monitoring requirements in order to ensure benthic and water column impacts remain negligible. BCS Ltd is committed to sound husbandry practices in order to prevent disease and therefore prevent the use of medicines such as antibiotics.

The potential for interaction with seals was raised as a concern due the proximity of the proposed site to known haul out sites. Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs) may be used onsite which have the potential to disturb seals although their use is unlikely and will only be considered if all other anti-predator methods fail. If used, modern specification devices with lesser impacts on non-target species will be used. The potential for entanglement in predator nets has also been considered; predator nets will only be used if attacks prove to be persistent and a risk to cage integrity, and even then will present only a minimal risk to seals.

The potential for interaction between wild sea trout and farmed salmon (such as interbreeding with escaped salmon and disease transfer) was highlighted during scoping, with sea lice infection also noted as being a key concern. BCS Ltd will follow a strict disease prevention and sea lice management strategy in line with the industry Code of Good Practice (SSPO, 2011). BCS Ltd will continue to record data on sea lice levels on a regular basis at all of its sites.

Angus MacMillan, the Managing Director BCS Ltd has successfully farmed salmon in the Western Isles for over 30 years and remains committed to minimising any potential environmental impacts as a result of aquaculture operations within realistic financial and technical restraints.


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