Photo by Norbert Buduczki

A pilot allowing finfish aquaculture development beyond the current three-mile limit, out to 12 nautical miles, is to be trialled in three areas off the east coast of Shetland. Crown Estate Scotland, which leases the seabed, is overseeing the trial with the Scottish Government and the agencies that regulate the industry.

Jim Fairlie MSP, Minister for Agriculture, Marine and the Islands, said: “This pilot represents the first practical implementation of the Scottish Government’s decision to extend marine planning zones for aquaculture from three to 12 nautical miles.”

The regulatory gap

The 2025 order extending marine planning zones to 12 nautical miles came into force in June 2025. However, Crown Estate Scotland had not been offering seabed agreements in the three to 12 mile zone while the regime for regulating farm discharges was settled. The Scottish Government has consulted on making SEPA responsible for discharges in that zone.

The pilot will assess new technologies and management approaches for farming in more exposed, higher-energy waters. Proponents argue these sites could reduce environmental interactions and improve fish health and welfare.

“Fish farming in more exposed locations holds real potential, backed by advances in technology and engineering,” Fairlie said. He also stressed that any proposals would face the full regulatory process: “Any future development proposals would be subject to full assessment and would need to secure all necessary consents before they could proceed under Scotland’s regulatory framework.”

Mike Spain, Crown Estate Scotland’s Director of Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems, said: “This is an important pilot, offering the chance to examine how the aquaculture sector might evolve in the future.”

Local context

Crown Estate Scotland has not named any developers. Interest in the area is not new. Norwegian firm SalMar’s offshore division told Shetland News last year that it was working with regulators on a pilot three to 12 nautical miles off east Shetland. Shetland Fishermen’s Association raised concerns at the time that offshore salmon farming could add to the “spatial squeeze” fishermen already face from planned offshore wind and cabling east of the isles.