Halt salmon industry expansion around Arran!

After the wonderful news in March that the application for this development had been unanimously rejected by the North Ayrshire Council Planning Committee, the "Scottish" Salmon Co. chose to appeal against that decision with the Scottish Govt.

We are delighted to tell you that this appeal was also rejected in an announcement in November!

Details of decision at https://www.lovemillstonepoint.com

YES!!! At long last, after many delays caused by Covid-19, North Ayrshire Council's planning committee voted unanimously to reject the application by the"Scottish" Salmon Co. for an industrial salmon production site at Millstone Point! Than you everybody - Arran is grateful!

Transfer of sealice between industry cages and young wild salmon (smolts) is a real issue; many fish migrate to the Atlantic through the Firth of Clyde. How many more will be killed by the increased presence of these 5,000 tonne battery farms?

https://www.fishfarmingexpert.com/article/high-sea-lice-levels-will-kill-wild-salmon-and-trout/

In the light of the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic it's understandable that North Ayrshire Council have postponed or cancelled all meetings until after 30th June; so there should be no news on the current application until after that date.
What is worrying is that the Scottish Environement Protection Agency have chosen to relax the regulations covering the use of toxic chemicals in salmon aquaculture sites until after the same date. We at the Community of Arran Seabed Trust feel that this is not the time to increase the risk of pollution in Scotland's seas; we suggest that the need is for greater monitoring and reporting. Details of SEPA's stance can be found at: https://coronavirus.sepa.org.uk/regulatory-position/finfish-aquaculture-regulatory-positions/

There is no longer any reason for the salmon industry to pollute Scotland's seas- while they persist with the outmoded and dangerous method of open-cage production, more enlightened companies are stealing their markets!

https://www.fishfarmingexpert.com/article/pure-salmon-picks-france-for-site-of-european-ras/

We're in The Guardian! Last issue of 2019:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/31/protest-plans-salmon-farm-lochranza-arran?CMP=share_btn_tw

We have recently received confirmation that the Planning Committe Meeting to decide the outcome of the Scottish Salmon Co’s North Arran application has been delayed until the 22nd January 2020. This was at the request of the SSCo and also Scottish Natural Heritage.

Which "Scottish" salmon company that wants to build a 5,000 tonne production site at Millstone Point of Arran tried to stop the Scottish Government releasing photographs of injured and diseased salmon? Don't let them get away with it - sign this petition!

https://theferret.scot/salmon-photos-scottish-government-freedom-of-information/

Despite evidence to the contrary with record levels of disease, sealice infestation and fish deaths, Roseanna Cunningham, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform says “There is insufficient evidence to support a moratorium on the industry’s expansion”. Tens of thousands of people in Scotland disagree with her - please sign our petition and show your opposition!

This letter from Newfoundland explains why open-cage salmon production is no longer a viable option; if it is necessary to produce salmon on an industrial scale, closed-containment or re-circulating aquaculture systems are a better method.

https://www.thetelegram.com/opinion/local-perspectives/letter-comparing-open-net-to-recirculatory-fish-farming-353911/?fbclid=IwAR2VRR1hftz075v0rWz25lrzf-Zt5WqIbQ08TBkPoBTVO0cb7dp730DMATI#.XYPoz4fQfxY.facebook

We made the Sunday Post! Is Oor Wullie with us now? ;-)

https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/hundreds-create-human-chain-on-isle-of-arran-to-protest-proposed-new-fish-farm/

Here's a shot of most of the people who walked the 4.5km to the site (and 4.5km back!) - there were also kayakers, yachts and other vessels at sea!

https://www.facebook.com/arran.coast/photos/pcb.2506612046065923/2506609439399517/?type=3&theater

A gathering of people opposing the Scottish Salmon Co's planning application was held on Sunday 15th September:

https://www.facebook.com/arran.coast/photos/pcb.2506612046065923/2506608472732947/?type=3&theater

The Arran community are organising a gathering on Sunday 15th September at 1.30pm in North Sannox Picnic Area to show public opposition to the proposed salmon site.

Further details can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/395251997845685/

The Scottish Salmon Company have now lodged their application to construct a mega-site on the North-East coast of Arran!

Links to the relevant North Ayrshire Council web page, together with the ways you can express your opposition, can be found here:

https://www.arrancoast.com/responding-to-the-north-arran-salmon-farm-planning-application/

Please continue signing and sharing this petition too!

With suggestions that the officially toxic salmon industry is a major contributor to the devastation of Scotland's wild Atlantic salmon population, it's time to stop their expansion plans:

BBC News - Scotland's wild salmon stocks 'at lowest ever level'
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-48030430

Reports reveal extent of damage to marine environment by toxic substances from salmon industry:

Check out @ScottishEPA’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/ScottishEPA/status/1115968814657736705?s=09

At a public exhibition on Tuesday, the management of the Scottish Salmon Co refused to address the residents:

https://www.arrancoast.com/fish-farmers-label-islanders-as-rabble/