COMMUNITY groups and individuals from Arran are setting sail to oppose what they consider a short-sighted and unsustainable proposal from the Scottish Salmon Company to expand their salmon fish farm production by 62 per cent in Lamlash Bay.

Cabinet Secretary for the Environment Roseanna Cunningham will consider calling in this expansion and her department has stated they “will aim to make this decision by December 7, 2016”.

Arran’s Community Council rejects this proposal, as does Stuart Turner of the Lamlash Improvements Association.

He said: “Our government is jeopardising our natural resources by allowing multinational fish farms to expand within protected areas.” 

Barbara L’Anson, representing Whiting Bay’s Ecosavvy group says their members will be “disappointed if our government approves even more waste and chemicals going into our hard won MPA.”

Local MSP Kenneth Gibson fully supports the community’s stance.

The Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST) Executive Director Andrew Binnie said: “We will pursue all available options to prevent this unwelcome expansion.”