ORGANIC SEA HARVEST “DISAPPOINTED” AS EXPANSION PLANS REFUSED

Organic Sea Harvest “disappointed” as expansion plans refused. Organic Sea Harvest have expressed their “disappointment” following the decision by the Highland Council North Planning Application Committee not to approve plans for new organic salmon farms in the North East of the Isle of Skye.

The award-winning company had applied to the local authority for permission to install a new ten cage farm off the coast of Flodigarry, and a second ten cage site at Balmaqueen.

Both applications were refused permission yesterday.

James Deverill, Managing Director of Organic Sea Harvest, said:

“Naturally we’re disappointed by this decision.  As a company, we will now reflect and decide how we proceed.”

Organic Sea Harvest has been farming organic salmon in North East Skye since 2021, when permission for an initial two cage groups at Invertote and Culnacnoc was granted by the planning committee.

The company farms to some of the strictest organic standards in the world with accreditation certificates from organisations including UK Soil Association and Canada Organic Standards (COR). In 2023, OSH was awarded Aquaculture Company of the Year at the UK Aquaculture Awards.

As an island nation, Skye and Scotland has a long history of farming and fishing. Organic Sea Harvest is passionate about farming the finest quality salmon in the wild waters off the North-East of Skye. Their plan has always been to invest in and develop four salmon farms, run from their farming operations centre in Staffin.

Organic Sea Harvest have been working with Scottish Government, regulators, Highland Council and all other relevant stakeholders to ensure they meet, and exceed, all regulatory requirements when applying to develop these two new sites. Specific technical details of their planning applications are available through the Highland Council Planning Portal.