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Xodus AURORA has compiled an Environmental Statement (ES) on behalf of Green Island Organics Ltd for a three-site salmon farm development in the North St Magnus Bay area of Shetland’s northwest mainland.
Green Island is a small locally-owned, Soil Association certified organic salmon farm company and one of the few privately owned salmon farms in Scotland to see a third generation of the family take an active role in the Shetland aquaculture business.
The ES was the end result of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which involved the systematic identification of issues that could impact the environment, including the impact on other users of that environment such as recreational sea users and fishermen. All potentially significant impacts were then considered in more detail so that measures could be taken to remove or reduce the impact through design or operational measures i.e. mitigation measures.
Part of the Xodus AURORA role was also to suggest forms of mitigation and agree this with the salmon farmer, such as painting feed barges to blend in with the surrounding seascape. Some impacts are of course beneficial, such as introducing new jobs and more trade to the area.
The project did not however begin and end with the writing of the ES. Before the ES was compiled, Xodus AURORA took an active role in the supporting studies and, during the compilation of the ES, provided general support and advice which included:
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Modelling the impact on the seabed caused by the presence of the salmon (AutoDEPOMOD) and providing advice to ensure any impact is within SEPA standards |
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An informal scoping study, where interested parties, including local community groups, were consulted to address any concerns and obtain their input to the ES |
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Visual impact assessment, including a site visit and photography which acted as a base for photomontages of the developments |
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GIS mapping of sea cage site areas |
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Organising specialist contractors for photomontage and graphics production |
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An otter survey of the area. |
Additionally, post-submission, Xodus AURORA is addressing any comments and providing general support following submission of the ES to the relevant authorities, though no major issues have been highlighted.
In support of the work carried out by Xodus AURORA, the Scottish Government Marine Directorate commented that the ES comprehensively covered all necessary issues, and the NAFC Shetland Marine Centre stated that the document constitutes “an impressive piece of work”.
This project is one of six environmental impact assessments carried out by Xodus AURORA in the last 12 months and marks a series of environmental statements that have been successfully recognised by environmental regulators and the Scottish Government Directorate.
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