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CATEGORY 1
All are designated as Category 1 areas due to the relatively high level of existing fin fish development, in relation to the hydrographic characteristics of the areas, and the associated release of nutrients and particulate organic matter. New development or increased production will only be acceptable in exceptional circumstances.
SHETLAND
Swining Voe
Sandsound Voe
SUTHERLAND
Loch Airdbhair
COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR [Western Isles]
Loch Grimshader
Loch Mharabhig
Loch Roag: also contains the Loch Roag Lagoons candidate Special Area of Conservation. Lagoons are a priority habitat in the EU Habitats Directive. The site also lies within the South Lewis, Harris and North Uist National Scenic Area and is a Marine Consultation Area.
Loch Odhairn
Loch Shell
Loch Meanervagh
Loch Sheilavaig
LOCHABER
Loch a Choire
CATEGORY 2
All sites marked "*" are designated Category 2 areas due to the existing level of fin fish development, in relation to the hydrographic characteristics of the areas, and the associated release of nutrients and particulate organic matter. Prospects for further substantial developments are likely to be limited although there may be potential for modifications of existing operations or limited expansion of existing sites particularly where proposals will result in an overall reduction in environmental effect, so enhancing the qualities of the area and hydrological conditions.
SHETLAND
Balta Harbour*
Vidlin Voe*
Northa Voe*
Seli Voe*
Stromness Voe*
Clift Sound* including West Burra, East Burra and Tondra also lies within the Shetland National Scenic Area. Further potential for finfish and shellfish development is limited by existing sites, landscape constraints, marine biological interest and restricted water exchange.
Swinster Voe and the Houb of Fora Ness The Houb is a Marine Consultation Area for its enclosed basin/lagoon features. The extent of existing aquaculture sites in Swinster Voe limits the opportunities for further development.
Busta Voe and Olna Firth is a possible Special Area of Conservation due to marine biological interest (including horse mussel beds) and is already congested in terms of existing levels of development. This area is therefore sensitive to further development of fin fish and mussel farming.
Brindister Voe and the Vadills is a Marine Consultation Area and contains The Vadills candidate Special Area of Conservation. The Vadills have been proposed under the lagoons category of the EU Habitats Directive, which is considered a priority habitat. In combination with the existing level of development opportunities for further development are constrained.
Whiteness Voe lies within the Shetland National Scenic Area and is a Marine Consultation Area due to marine biological interest (including sea grass beds at the head of the Voe). The development of aquaculture within the Voe would be difficult without compromising both landscape and biological characteristics.
Inner Weisdale Voe lies within the Shetland National Scenic Area. Existing aquaculture sites and landscape constraints limit the opportunities for further finfish and shellfish development.
Firths Ness to Ness of Setter has a high density of farms with very limited scope for further development.
ORKNEY
Scapa Flow contains part of the Hoy and West Mainland National Scenic Area. The semi-enclosed nature of Scapa Flow in combination with landscape considerations indicate sensitivity to further development of both finfish and mussel farming.
Wyre, Rousay and Eynhallow Sounds the existing number of salmon farming sites, combined with the high natural heritage interest of the well-developed maerl beds in these Sounds, constrain opportunities for further development.
COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR [Western Isles]
Loch Leurbost*
Loch Erisort*
Loch Gheocrab* : it is also lies within the South Lewis, Harris and North Uist National Scenic Area. In addition to landscape sensitivity, further opportunities for development are constrained by the existing level of production in this small loch.
Loch Uskavagh*
Loch a’laip*
Loch Kilerivagh*
Loch Skiport*
Loch Boisdale*
Loch Seaforth lies within the South Lewis, Harris and North Uist National Scenic Area and is a Marine Consultation Area for the quality and diversity of benthic habitats. Existing sites and natural heritage interests limit opportunities for further development.
Loch Maddy is a candidate Special Area of Conservation, a Marine Consultation Area and lies within the South Lewis, Harris and North Uist National Scenic Area. The loch contains a diverse range of marine biological features (including lagoons, maerl, tidal rapids and reefs). Existing production combined with natural heritage considerations are a constraint on further opportunities for aquaculture development.
Loch Eynort is a Marine Consultation Area for its benthic interest (including well developed tidal rapids) which, combined with existing production, limits opportunities for further development.
Coastline from Loch Tamnabhaigh to Loch Cravadale this coastline and the lochs within it, represent the last remaining areas within the Western Isles which are currently undeveloped in terms of aquaculture. It is recommended that they remain free from aquaculture development.
SUTHERLAND
Loch Clash*
Calbha Bay*: see Eddrachillis Bay
Loch Nedd*: see Eddrachillis Bay
Loch Laxford lies in the North-West Sutherland National Scenic Area and is a Marine Consultation Area. Existing development, the interests of recreational users and existing operators and natural heritage considerations impose significant constraints.
Eddrachillis Bay including Badcall Bay, Calbha Bay*, Loch Chairn Bhain/Glendhu/Glencoul and Loch Nedd* this area lies within the Assynt-Coigach National Scenic Area. In addition to benthic interests (e.g. tidal narrows at Oldany Island), Loch Chairn Bhain/ Loch Glendhu/ Loch Glencoul system has poor flushing characteristics which combined with existing production imposes significant constraints to development of further finfish farming.
ROSS AND CROMARTY
Loch Kishorn*: Also lies within the Loch Carron Marine Consultation Area and are adjacent to the southern boundary of the Wester Ross National Scenic Area. Marine biological interest (including tidal rapids and maerl beds), combined with the extent of existing development constrain the opportunities for further finfish or shellfish farms.
Loch Ewe is within the Wester Ross National Scenic Area and much of the Loch is affected by controls safeguarding navigation channels to the Ministry of Defence depot. Further development of finfish and shellfish farming is constrained by these factors as well as the existing level of development. High water quality standards require to be maintained in Loch Thurnaig because of its use by the Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department for marine pollution research.
Loch Gairloch is within the Wester Ross National Scenic Area and is currently undeveloped, it is recommended that it be retained free from aquaculture development.
Upper Loch Torridon and Loch Shieldaig lie within the Wester Ross National Scenic Area and is a Marine Consultation Area due to its marine biological interest (including tidal rapids and lagoons). The existing level of development in combination with natural heritage considerations provide significant constraints to further finfish and shellfish farms.
Loch Carron lies within the Loch Carron Marine Consultation Area and are adjacent to the southern boundary of the Wester Ross National Scenic Area. Marine biological interest (including tidal rapids and maerl beds), combined with the extent of existing development constrain the opportunities for further finfish or shellfish farms.
SKYE
Lochs Greshornish and Snizort Beg*
Portree Harbour*
Loch Sligachan* : Also adjoins the Cuillin Hills National Scenic Area which is an area of outstanding landscape quality. In addition the loch has relatively poor water exchange characteristics. These factors combined with the extent of existing development constrain the opportunities for further finfish or shellfish farms.
Loch Eishort*
LOCHABER
Loch Leven*: It is also an area of outstanding landscape quality within the Ben Nevis and Glen Coe National Scenic Area. The existing level of fish farming development in the loch leaves little scope for further expansion and the surrounding area is of considerable importance for tourism and recreation.
Loch Creran and Lynn of Lorn is within the Lynn of Lorn National Scenic Area and the Firth of Lorn Marine Consultation Area. Loch Creran is of marine biological interest due to its horse mussel beds, tidal rapids and particularly reefs formed by Serpulid worms. Due to the existing scale of development and additional constraints from established fishing, sailing and tourism interests there is very limited scope for further fin and shellfish production.
Loch Aline*
Lochs Long, Duich and Alsh are a candidate Special Area of Conservation for reefs and are already Marine Consultation Areas. In addition to which Loch Duich is within the Kintail National Scenic Area. The natural heritage interests combined with the existing level of development constrain opportunities for further aquaculture sites.
Loch Hourn and Loch Nevis lie within the Knoydart National Scenic Area. The area is very sparsely populated and has a wild and remote character greatly valued by both conservation and recreational interests and opportunities for further development are limited.
Sound of Arisaig area contains a candidate Special Area of Conservation for benthic interest (including sandbanks and well developed maerl beds) and the Morar, Moidart and Ardnamurchan National Scenic Area. The natural heritage interest in combination with the existing level of development (within Loch Ailort in particular, but the area generally) constrains further finfish and shellfish development.
Loch Sunart is a possible Special Area of Conservation for otters and a Marine Conservation Area for its marine biological interest as a fjordic sea loch. New finfish development is tightly constrained by the existing pattern of fish farming activity and fishing and yachting interests.
ARGYLL
Loch Riddon* : including the Kyles of Bute is a National Scenic Area and as such is sensitive to further finfish development. Tourism interests and the need to safeguard navigation channels and anchorages impose additional constraints in this area.
Loch Etive is partly within the Ben Nevis and Glencoe National Scenic Area as well as being a Marine Consultation Area in respect of marine biological interest resulting from the enclosed nature of the loch. The existing level of development is a significant constraint to further development of both fin and shellfish farms.
Loch na Keal and Loch Tuath is a National Scenic Area. The coastal landscapes of the north shore of Loch Tuath, Loch na Keal itself, and the Treshnish Isles and Staffa are particularly sensitive to further finfish development. The Treshnish Isles, which support important seabird and seal colonies, are a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Protection Area under the EC Wild Birds Directive.
Firth of Lorn is a Marine Consultation Area for marine biological interest (particularly reefs and tidal rapids). In Loch Melfort, Shuna Sound, the Sound of Kerrera and Loch Feochan, the need to safeguard established sailing and tourism interests severely restricts opportunities for further expansion of finfish farming in particular. In the latter two areas, the existing level of development is also an important constraint.
Upper Loch Fyne is a Marine Consultation Area for marine biological interest. Fishing, tourism, the level of existing development and the need to safeguard visual amenity impose additional constraints in this area.
Loch Sween is a Marine Consultation Area for marine biological interest (e.g. lagoons, maerl, tidal rapids) and lies within the Knapdale National Scenic Area. It is sensitive to further finfish and shellfish development. Amenity considerations, the level of existing development, and the need to safeguard recreational and tourism interests impose additional constraints, particularly in the subsidiary lochs of the Loch Sween system.
Loch Indaal is a Marine Consultation Area for marine biological interest. It is one of the few remaining large lochs which remain undeveloped for aquaculture in the South West. It is recommended that it remain free from aquaculture development.
AYRSHIRE
The Cumbraes are a Marine Consultation Area for marine biological interest which in combination with landscape considerations limit opportunities for development.
DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY
Loch Ryan is a Marine Consultation Area for marine biological interest (including a native oyster fishery). Landscape considerations and other activities limit the opportunities for aquaculture development.
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