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Proposed Lochaber shellfish site could grow new jobs

The local company, based at Garvan near Fort William, want to grow them at Loch Linnhe for a year then transfer them to their sites at Loch Eil
The local company, based at Garvan near Fort William, want to grow them at Loch Linnhe for a year then transfer them to their sites at Loch Eil

New jobs could be created if plans for another shellfish growing site on Loch Linnhe are approved.

Fassfern Mussels has applied to Highland Council for permission to install a 700 foot longline at Inversanda Bay to catch and grow spat – very young shellfish.

And if the site on the loch proves successful, the company hopes to increase the number of its longlines which, in turn, would create more jobs.

Mussel spat develop from a floating larval stage and attach themselves to seaweed or ropes where they develop into miniature shellfish about the width of the tip of a needle.

The local company, based at Garvan near Fort William, want to grow them at Loch Linnhe for a year then transfer them to their sites at Loch Eil for continued growth before the mussels are harvested.

The only significant predators which threaten mussel farm stock are eider ducks, but the stock at Inversanda would be removed before it is of any interest to them.

Fassfern Mussels stated in the application that tried and tested longline equipment would be installed and both the site and stock would be both inspected and serviced regularly by boat.

The equipment would be located just over two miles from the east shore of Loch Linnhe, but the company said it would be very difficult to see by the naked eye from the opposite shore.

Fassfern Mussels already operates four shellfish sites in Loch Eil, Loch Linnhe and Loch Sunart and the operating hours for feeding and deliveries at Inversanda would be between 7am-8pm.