Bakkafrost's Toxic Feed Barge Still Dumped in Loch Reraig!

Photo Exclusive: Bakkafrost's toxic barge @GaelForceGroup – which contained ca. 690 tons of contaminated feed & water – is still dumped in Loch Reraig just outside the Loch Carron MPA @nature_scot @ScottishEPA @MCA_media @marinescotland @HighlandCouncil @ScotlandSalmon pic.twitter.com/Yl46WmQHMX

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) January 25, 2023

Here's a photo taken on Monday (23 January 2023) in Loch Reraig – just outside Loch Carron Marine Protected Area – where Norwegian/Faroese salmon farming giant have dumped a toxic feed barge since before Xmas:

"We have been in contact with Bakkafrost who have given us two deadlines for moving the barge – which unsurprisingly have passed – and have given us various excuses as to why this has not happened! This pic shows the scene yesterday…it all looks very hazardous" @ScottishEPA pic.twitter.com/ePHRQfh0V8

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) January 25, 2023

Download photo as a PDF online here

Here's another photo showing how close the toxic – and formerly "explosive" feed barge – is to locals living on the shore of Loch Reraig:

If you lived in these houses overlooking this toxic – and formerly "explosive" feed barge – perhaps you would have a few wee concerns? @HighlandCouncil @ScottishEPA @_KateForbes @Ianblackford_MP
How long will it be dumed in Loch Reraig? @scotgov @marinescotland @MairiGougeon pic.twitter.com/t2Kxbu4uv5

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) January 25, 2023

Download high res image online here

A local source told $camon $cotland yesterday (24 January 2023):

"We have been in contact with Bakkafrost who have given us two deadlines for moving the barge – which unsurprisingly have passed – and have given us various excuses as to why this has not happened! Their plan has been to empty the barge of the contaminated fish food, then re-float it and tow it round to Lochcarron to beach it with the other barge and then tow them both away….This pic shows the scene yesterday… it all looks very hazardous."

Another local source told $camon $cotland on 12 January 2023:

"I have been told by Bakkafrost that the plan is to remove the remainder of the waste into the Viking Saga then tow it round to North Strome and then with the other damaged feed barge tow them both away for repair. I suspect that the Viking Saga cannot get alongside because of the depth (they have tried and the tide is going back now) so they will have to float it into deeper water to do the job, which is supposed to be done by Sunday. The toxic feed barge does, apparently, float slightly at high water so this new vessel will probably be using lift bags to then move it in to deeper water. I am also told that only 5 parts to one million of H2S remain and it is not a danger to life. It just smells of rotting eggs!! I shall be glad when its gone, if it goes."

For the last two weeks (since at least 9 January 2023), the Viking Saga has been lurking off Loch Reraig (as shown by Marine Traffic):

Here's photos of the Viking Saga in Loch Reraig in January 2023:

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency told $camon $cotland on 11 January 2023:

Fish Farming Expert reported (11 January 2023):

$camon Scotland reported (9 January 2023):

Bakkafrost have "reduced explosive risk & toxic risk to the public to zero & no exclusion zone is therefore necessary" says @marinescotland @scotgov "The Master had concerns for the safety of his vessel" @Folketrygdfond @ScotlandSalmon @ScottishEPA @MairiMcAllan @GaelForceGroup pic.twitter.com/nbVggKpAhu

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) January 9, 2023

$camon $cotland reported (5 January 2023):

"As of 15 December 2022, some waste is still in the hold of the barge" says @ScottishEPA in a FOI reply today. "Any remaining waste feed and water has been sealed inside" @Folketrygdfond @ScotlandSalmon https://t.co/wPYRsActR5 pic.twitter.com/WDwM4uSSL7

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) January 5, 2023

The West Highland Free Press reported (5 January 2023):

"It is unfortunate that the company did not undertake consultation before they parked it here" said Helen Merchison, chair of Lochcarron Community Council @WHFP1 "The community would appreciate knowing what the future plans are and when the barge will be moving on" pic.twitter.com/NxTAU7nFh6

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) January 5, 2023

The Daily Record reported (26 December 2022):

'Toxic salmon farm barge dumped at scenic Scots bay could be spewing chemicals @Daily_Record https://t.co/lB5NkjJORT @Folketrygdfond @ScotlandSalmon @HighlandCouncil @MCA_media @scotgov @marinescotland @GaelForceGroup @rendabelle

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) December 26, 2022

The Scotsman reported (21 December 2022):

Plockton fisherman Duncan McAndrew posted on Facebook: