Current project status
- Site selection process
- Pre-application discussions
- Screening and scoping application
- Planning application
- Application determination
Cooke Scotland currently operate marine farms across Shetland, with active sites in Unst, Yell, and the West Mainland. With the consultation on potential development zones and leasing being opened to aquaculture in the Sullom Voe area we are exploring the potential of these zones identified by Shetland Islands Council, which have previously been closed to aquaculture development.
This initiative is being guided by Shetland Islands Council’s Sullom Voe Harbour Area Masterplan, which outlines opportunity zones for marine development. The Masterplan and associated development zones have been shaped through engagement with a wide range of marine stakeholders – including local fisheries, the harbour authority, and other marine users – to ensure that any potential development is well-informed and carefully balanced. We are looking for additional input to guide our own development process and ensure we have taken into account all issues at an early stage.
The aim is to identify suitable areas for potential development that maximise local benefit while minimising conflict with all stakeholders.
Application Stage: Site selection process
Consultation Period: 17th June 2025 to 8th July 2025
Deadline for comments to be received: 8th July 2025
Shetland Islands Council has identified potential development zones within the Sullom Voe Harbour Area Masterplan. Cooke Scotland is engaging all interested stakeholders at an early stage as we seek to understand potential opportunities and constraints in terms of potential aquaculture development within the specific development zones.
In response to declining activity at the Sullom Voe Oil Terminal, Shetland Islands Council initiated development of the Sullom Voe Harbour Area Masterplan during 2018. The purpose of the Masterplan was to examine the potential of the harbour area to support future marine developments such as aquaculture and renewable energy.
Following extensive consultation with the public and marine stakeholders, a range of potential development zones were identified. Cooke is investigating the feasibility of developing marine fish farms within these designated development zones.
Crown Estate Scotland is intending to launch a leasing round in the future for potential aquaculture developments within the Sullom Voe Harbour Area. This leasing round will follow the Masterplan and is likely to include a multi-stage application process.
Cooke Scotland is one of the largest employers in the North Isles of Shetland and provides well-paid, highly skilled and year-round jobs which help maintain the economic and social viability of rural and remote communities. Aquaculture development within the Yell Sound/Sullom Voe Harbour Area has the potential to positively impact the viability of rural communities within the wider area through direct and indirect employment.
We plan to continue not only investing in our people and development but also the local communities we support through our Community Benefit Fund.
Cooke Scotland is seeking feedback from all stakeholders regarding potential aquaculture development within the development zones identified in the Masterplan. We are holding an in-person public consultation event on 17 June 2025.
The event will be held at the North Roe and Lochend Public Hall and will consist of two sessions (12 – 2pm & 6 – 8pm). Cooke environmental and production staff will be on hand to answer any questions and collate feedback.
Comments may be submitted at any time to the email address and feedback form at the bottom of this page. Alternatively, we operate a freephone telephone number which can be used to provide feedback: 0808 196 4790.
If you have any questions about potential aquaculture development within the Sullom Voe Harbour Area that have not been answered here or in our FAQ page, you can contact us at cas.environment@cookeaqua.com and we will endeavour to answer your query as soon as we can.
Please note this is for queries only. Any comments you would like to be considered should be submitted using the feedback form below.
Project Feedback Form
Please use the box below to send us your feedback on potential aquaculture developments within the Sullom Voe Harbour Area. All comments we receive will be used to inform the future progression of the proposed development. It should be noted that any feedback at this stage is for Cooke Scotland only.
- Do you have any comments on the development zones which have been identified within the Sullom Voe Harbour Area Masterplan?
- Do you have any comments on potential opportunities and/or constraints with regards to potential marine fish farm developments within the Masterplan area?
- Do you have any local knowledge of environmental sensitivities within the Masterplan area which we should be considering?
- Any other comments?