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Aquaculture
Aquaculture developments, including fish and shellfish farms, require planning permission and are assessed through the planning process. In Orkney, planning controls apply to both freshwater and marine aquaculture developments within three nautical miles of the coast.
Applications are considered against national and local planning policies and guidance. Key factors include the effects on the environment, landscape, natural heritage and marine archaeology; impacts on protected sites, species and wild fish populations; potential effects on other marine users and activities; operational impacts such as lighting, noise and visual appearance; existing aquaculture developments in the area; the capacity of local waters to support additional development; effects on tourism, recreation and local communities; availability and impact of supporting infrastructure; navigation and marine safety; and economic benefits and operational requirements.
Some aquaculture proposals may require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Finfish farm applications are screened to determine whether an EIA is required, while shellfish farm applications do not normally require one.
Applicants are encouraged to discuss proposals with planning officers at an early stage. Advice can also be sought from other organisations involved in regulating aquaculture. In addition to planning permission, aquaculture developments may require approvals or licences from Crown Estate Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Marine Directorate Licensing Operations Team (MD-LOT).
Application forms and guidance
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Application for Marine Fish Farm Planning Permission
This document contains an application form for marine fish farm planning permission in Scotland. It asks for details about the applicant, site, species, equipment, production, servicing, environmental effects, water quality, consultation and land ownership. A checklist sets out the plans, reports, fees and other documents that may need to be submitted with the application.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
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Marine Fish Farm Planning Permission - Guidance Notes
This document contains guidance and a form for applying for planning permission for a marine fish farm in Scotland. It explains the information needed about the applicant, site, species, equipment, operations, environmental effects, ownership, fees and supporting plans, including extra requirements for major developments and environmental assessments. It also covers pre-application consultation, declarations, how applications are checked, expected decision times and possible appeals or reviews.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
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Plans and Documents Required for Applications
This document contains guidance on the plans and documents needed for a planning application, including scaled location, site and elevation plans, usually in two copies. Wind turbine applications also need plans showing turbine bases, cable routes, grid references and heights, plus one copy of the manufacturer’s technical details, including expected noise levels. It also refers applicants to Scottish Government Circular 4/2009.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
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Prior Notification Application Form - Freshwater and Marine Aquaculture
This document contains an application form for prior notification of freshwater and marine aquaculture works under Scottish planning law. It collects applicant and site details, describes proposed changes such as fish cages, feed barges, nets, temporary equipment or shellfish longlines, and lists required plans, supporting information, fees and declarations.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
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Prior Notification Application - Guidance Notes
This document contains guidance on completing prior notification forms for freshwater and marine aquaculture developments. It explains the five types of work covered, including changes to fish cages, feed barges, nets, temporary equipment and shellfish longlines, plus the limits and details needed for each. It also lists required plans, drawings, fees and declarations, and explains how the planning authority checks applications and responds within 28 days.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
Useful links
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Aquaculture - Scottish Government(opens in new tab)
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Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers(opens in new tab)
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Salmon Scotland(opens in new tab)
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NatureScot(opens in new tab)
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The Town and Country Planning Marine Fish Farming Scotland Order 2007(opens in new tab)
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The Conservation Regulations 1994(opens in new tab)
Finfish Farming Spatial Guidance
The Finfish Farming Spatial Guidance helps identify areas where finfish farming may be more or less suitable by highlighting potential environmental, historic, social, economic and infrastructure considerations. It provides greater clarity for developers, regulators and other stakeholders when considering finfish farming proposals in Orkney's marine region.
The guidance is supported by an interactive online mapping tool, which allows users to explore potential constraints and sensitivities around a chosen location. Developed with input from key stakeholders and informed by public consultation, the guidance was adopted by Orkney Islands Council in May 2026.
Related resources
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Finfish Farming Spatial Guidance
This document contains non-statutory guidance to support decisions on finfish farm proposals in the Orkney Islands marine region. It identifies areas and features that may be more or less sensitive, including wildlife, habitats, landscapes, historic sites, shipping, infrastructure, energy projects and existing aquaculture sites. Maps and an online interactive tool show these receptors and combined sensitivity levels, while appendices explain the assessments and how location data will be updated.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
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Interactive Finfish Farming Mapping Tool(opens in new tab)