Salmon morts 'buried without permission at North Uist site'
Activists filmed work continuing at Whiteshore Cockles after government dispensation ended
Authorities in Scotland are investigating a North Uist company, Whiteshore Cockles, for allegedly continuing to bury farmed salmon mortalities after permission to do so was withdrawn, The Times reports.
The burial of salmon morts has been illegal since 2016, but an exemption was granted to Whiteshore Cockles to give it time to have a fish waste dryer manufactured and commissioned.
The Times reports that owner Angus MacDonald pledged that the facility would be up and running on dates in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2023.
The Scottish government eventually revoked Whiteshore Cockles’ dispensation to bury animal waste, ordering the firm to stop the practice by January 31, 2024.
'Blocked by a tractor'
In May 2024, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) was informed that Whiteshore’s biomass boiler was “not capable to efficiently provide the steam needs necessary” and that further equipment would be required for it to operate. The company also told SEPA: “We have ceased burial of any fish mortalities as of January 31, 2024.”
But video footage shot by environmental activists in the summer appears to show large quantities of salmon carcasses continuing to be dumped in open pits on land owned by the company, The Times reports.
The activists claim that MacDonald and two other men threatened and pursued them before blocking their exit with a car and a tractor, leaving them in a state of fear and alarm and prompting them to call the police.
Police warnings
Police Scotland confirmed to The Times that three men received recorded police warnings in connection with threatening and abusive behaviour in North Uist between Thursday 5 June and Friday 6 June, and received conditional offers for road traffic offences.
The activists were funded by vegan multi-millionaire Dale Vince, who owns renewable energy company Ecotricity and vegan football club Forest Green Rovers.
SEPA told The Times that action would now be taken against Whiteshore Cockles. A spokesman said: “SEPA is concerned by the information presented and is now investigating with public partners with responsibilities for this activity.”
