Proposed Fish Farm – ardentinny.org

June 27, 2019February 28, 2026

Dunoon bookshop supports AFFtheClyde

As part of an initiative to support and promote local non-profit groups and causes, Dunoon’s Bookpoint has this week been hosting a window display for #AFFtheClyde, the Ardentinny-based group opposing the development of industrial fish farms on Loch Long and the Clyde.

Stuart Maslin and Jann Garratt of #AFFtheClyde & Taylor from Bookpoint DunoonThe week-long display provides information on the #AfftheClyde campaign as well as an opportunity for shop customers to sign our petition and to pick up our information leaflet. It also forms part of the group’s concerted outreach programme which saw #AFFtheClyde volunteer Jann Garrett address a packed public meeting in Rothesay last week of ‘Buteiful Coasts’, the Bute-based group opposed to a fish farm proposal at Hawk’s Neb, Isle of Bute.

[Contributed]

June 24, 2019February 28, 2026

Local environmental group attends Bute meeting

#AFFtheClyde volunteer Jann Garrett gave an update on our local group’s work to a packed public meeting in Rothesay last week. Dawnfresh Farming Ltd are proposing to develop a fish farm at Hawk’s Neb on the Isle of Bute, in addition to Ardentinny and the Cumbraes.

The meeting, called by ‘Buteiful Coasts’, an environmental group created to fight the island’s fish farm proposal, was organised to raise awareness locally on the impact of the development.

Theresa Nelson of Buteiful Coasts outlined the work done so far by the group and said that in addition to the three Dawnfresh farms, there were another two existing farms at Carradale and Ardyne that are looking to expand their operations along with a new ‘mega farm’ proposed at north east Arran.

Theresa outlined the sheer scale and impact of these industrial fish farms on the environment stating that some 51 Rothesay ferries would fit into the farm grid area and more than 70 if the underwater anchoring was included. She also explained that for every kilo of farmed fish produced, an unsustainable three kilos of wild fish feed is required. Theresa also mentioned that SEPA had made 24 unannounced fish farm visits last year and that this has been decreasing annually. If announced visits were added, then not every farm will have had an annual inspection.

Dawnfresh has claimed that a number of new job opportunities will be created at each of its new sites. The Bute group considers this very optimistic given the increased automation at the farms. In her address, Theresa also said that current total jobs in the sector in the Clyde Marine Region was 160. Tourism and angling jobs across Scotland account for some 3000 jobs with many of these at risk from the decimation of salmon and other stocks. She also outlined the environmental risks of marine aquaculture.

The presentation was followed by a lively question and answer session.

Below this report is the short presentation provided by Buteiful Coasts of the meeting. To find our more about the group, please visit the Buteiful Coasts website at www.buteifulcoasts.com.

Courtesy AFFtheClyde.org

https://youtu.be/xJYN-8GXLr4

June 10, 2019February 28, 2026

#AfftheClyde hits the road

#AfftheClyde began its outreach programme on Saturday at Glenfinart Walled Garden’s ‘Garden Party’ table sale. Its information stall was well visited and volunteers garnered more signatures for its offline and online petitions.

The group plans to take its message to other fairs and galas across Cowal and would also welcome teaming up with counterpart groups at similar events on Bute and Cumbrae. Anyone wishing to join the group in its endeavours to oppose the Dawnfresh fish farm proposals at Ardentinny and on the Clyde can get in touch by email at afftheclyde@gmail.com or via their social media accounts.

Photos/text: AFFtheClyde.org

AFFtheClyde volunteers Ann Woods and Elaine Allan with Ardentinny Community Councillor Rob Bray

May 25, 2019February 28, 2026

Is the tide turning on fish farms?

After the recent Panorama programme on the destructive effects of fish farms coupled with a lack of adherence to industry regulations, will public opinion force a re-think? The Scottish Government is taking note, according to Rob Edwards with Sepa planning unannounced inspections.

Anyone wishing to make a personal representation to SEPA with regard to the Car Licence application by Dawnfresh Farming to establish an industrial rainbow trout farm off Ardentinny can refer to local action group Aff The Clyde’s website https://afftheclyde.org for details of how to do so.

There you will find contact details, deadline date and a suggested template letter, which may be used to help tailor your response.

Photo courtesy Corin Smith.

May 18, 2019February 28, 2026

Trout Farm Opposition in evidence

Summary of Survey:

Jann Garratt of #AfftheClyde action group compiled, circulated and has now analysed the local questionnaire eliciting residents’ views on the Dawnfresh trout farm proposal for Ardentinny which are summarised as follows:

AFF the Clyde was formed by a group of volunteers, resident in the village of Ardentinny. The group formed to oppose the development of the Industrial Fish Farm proposed by Dawnfresh, the largest producer of trout in the UK.

AFF the Clyde undertook to survey the views of Ardentinny residents regarding the proposed Industrial Fish Farm Developments using a questionnaire devised for this purpose. A total of 130 questionnaires were distributed within the village and 71 were returned. 55% of questionnaires were returned, however it is not possible to calculate an accurate response rate as there are an unknown number of unoccupied second homes and holiday rentals both within the village and caravan park.

Although AFF the Clyde is a campaigning group with a clear remit to oppose the Dawnfresh development proposals, any views expressed in favour of Dawnfresh’s Fish Farm in this survey has been reported in full. The raw data gathered in this survey is available upon request.

The questionnaire looked at whether people were against or in favour of the development. It also looked at the strength of concern around environmental issues connected to the Fish Farm, together with the impact of the Fish Farm on wildlife resident in the loch and the impact upon Ardentinny and its surrounds. Respondents were also invited to identify any other issues of concern to them.

Analysis of the data shows that the overwhelming number of respondents are against the proposed Industrial Fish Farm development, with a total of 90% of respondents being against (85% strongly against and 5% against). Only 3% were in favour of the proposals with no-one being strongly in favour of them. Respondents also reported being very concerned about the wider environmental issues of the fish farm (92%), very concerned about the impact of the Fish Farm on resident wildlife in the loch (86%) and very concerned about the impact of the Fish farm on Ardentinny and its surrounds (87%).

In the final question, respondents were invited to identify any issues of especial concern to them, and many different issues were raised. The most frequently occurring issues of concern to respondents were the range of different impacts upon the quiet and beautiful village of Ardentinny, the impact on mammals and other sea life in the loch with especial reference to the small seal colony resident near to the proposed development site. Concerns about the effects of chemicals added to the sea pens during the farming process and the potential of those pollutants to negatively impact on the health of those using the loch for recreation were also frequently expressed, as were a range of concerns about the company of Dawnfresh as the company developing and operating the Fish Farm.

It is very clear from the questionnaire and the resulting analysis of the data that the overwhelming majority of Ardentinny residents who responded to the survey were strongly against the proposals by Dawnfresh to site an Industrial Fish Farm on the shores of Loch Long next to the Ardentinny village. The view which has clearly emerged is that this development is unwanted, uninvited, unwelcome and should proceed no further. It is intended that this report is to be fed into the planning process. It is hoped that serious weight is given to the depth of feeling against the proposed Fish Farm development by the Ardentinny community.

View complete survey results on #AFFtheClyde.