Organic Sea Harvest fallows farms and lays off staff

Skye salmon farmer Organic Sea Harvest (OSH) has announced that is fallowing both of its existing farms and making staff redundant until refinancing can be agreed for the business.

“Organic Sea Harvest is the only new salmon farming business to have been created in Scotland for many years, an achievement that we have, and continue to, celebrate. We’ve produced fantastic quality farmed organic salmon that has been in high demand and enjoyed by people around the world,” the company said in a statement on its website.

“Despite these successes, the challenging and slow pace of the planning and regulatory system in Scotland has resulted in Organic Sea Harvest reaching the end of its financial resources. Consequently, a decision has been made to fallow both existing farms until refinancing can be agreed for the business, including for the development of a new farm near Balmaqueen.

“Sadly, the fallowing of our existing sites will result in redundancies in our workforce. Our immediate focus will be on helping our people through this difficult time and, where possible, supporting them in finding alternative employment.”

Blocked by planners

OSH won permission for two farms at Culnacnoc and Invertote off the northeast coast of Skye in 2018 but was later refused permission for farms at Balmaqueen and Flodigarry further up the coast. It has always said that it needed at least three farms to be financially viable.

It eventually won permission for a third farm at Balmaqueen last year, when Highland councillors narrowly overturned the decision of its planning committee. But it has not had time to develop the farm.