EXPOSED: Whiteshore Estimates 97,500 Litres of Mort Wastes PER WEEK (with 25,000 litres of 'condensate effluent' spread on Isle of Vallay & tankers to the mainland)!

A Freedom of Information disclosure from Western Isles Council (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) lifts the lid on the illegal dumping of millions of diseased Scottish salmon by Mowi, Bakkafrost (The Scottish Salmon Company) and Loch Duart at Whiteshore Cockles in North Uist. A 74-page PDF – one of 15 documents disclosed via FOI on 31 January 2023 – detailed complaints filed by members of the public in October 2022:

The FOI disclosure on 31 January 2023 included an email from Western Isles Council (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) admitting the council's "limited ability to deal with any complaints":

The FOI disclosure on 31 January 2023 revealed that Western Isles Council (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) expressed serious environmental concerns in May 2022 with respect to the proposal submitted by Whiteshore Cockles to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in March 2022 to 'spread' ca. 25,000 litres of waste per week on the Island of Vallay along with three tanker loads per week of 25,000 litres of "condensate effluent" taken to the mainland "for use in an anaerobic digester" (plus waste fish oil, excess fishmeal and wastewater removed by tanker) and concerns that the information submitted by Whiteshore Cockles was 'not satisfactory':

The FOI disclosure on 31 January 2023 revealed that in November 2021 SEPA suggested an option to extend the derogation to 31 March 2023 and referred to an intention by Whiteshore Cockles to "re-evaluate a number of the proposed emissions control measures to meet the relevant requirements in light of SEPA's feedback on the withdrawn application":

The FOI disclosure on 31 January 2023 included an email from the Scottish Government in November 2021 proposing an end to the derogation on 31 March 2022 but leaving it open "to be debated":

The FOI disclosure on 31 January 2023 included an email from Ralph Thompson of Whiteshore Cockles in March 2022 asking Western Isles Council (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) and the Scottish Government to 'exert pressure' on the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) "to process the application ASAP":

The Ferret reported earlier this month (16 January 2023) that SEPA was still processing the application by Whiteshore Cockles for a fish drier – to replace the illegal dumping of diseased Scottish salmon – with a PPC only issued by SEPA "if it is satisfied the installation will operate within relevant environmental quality standards":

The FOI disclosure on 31 January 2023 included an admission by Western Isles Council (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) in November 2021 that Whiteshore Cockles was "not in compliance" with the Consumer & Environmental Services Manager expressing the view that the derogation should not be extended beyond 31 March 2022 (certainly not to 31 March 2023):

The FOI disclosure on 31 January 2023 included an email to the Scottish Government in October 2022. "I was under the impression that it would only be a few months until the new plant was operational, however those planned seem to have stalled with SEPA and so this surely can't go on indefinitely?" asked Lisa Johnson, Chartered Environmental Health Officer at Western Isles Council (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar):

Thus far, SEPA has failed to respond to FOI requests re. Whiteshore Cockles and has not disclosed information via FOI since September 2019.

The FOI disclosure on 31 January 2023 included an email from Charles Allan of Marine Scotland in November 2021 referring to "the challenge for the Uists/Barra is the current lack of disposal options and the difficulty of transporting the mortality off-island":

The FOI disclosure on 31 January 2023 included an email from Whiteshore Cockles in November 2021 claiming that nothing "rings alarm bells":

Another email disclosed via FOI on 31 January 2023 detailed how the Scottish Government in October 2022 were being told by Whiteshore Cockles that the fish drier could be "up and running for 1 November 2022" even though it was "still unsure if this will be agreed by SEPA":

Here's the FOI disclosure from Western Isles Council (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) emailed on 31 January 2023:

From: Tim Langley <tim.langley@cne-siar.gov.uk>
Date: Tue, Jan 31, 2023 at 9:49 AM
Subject: RE: FOI review request re. Whiteshore Cockles since 1 November 2021 [Ticket#2022102127000047]
To: Don Staniford <salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com>
Cc: Freedom of Information Requests <foi@cne-siar.gov.uk>

Good morning Mr Staniford

I refer to your request for review below. I apologise for the delay in replying to you.

You original request was as follows:

Please provide information on Whiteshore Cockles since 1 November 2021.

Please include emails, letters, complaints and any other documentation pertaining to Whiteshore Cockles since 1 November 2021.

Please include any mortality data received relating to the disposal and transport of farmed salmon to Whiteshore Cockles since 1 November 2021.

A recent FOI disclosure this week from the Scottish Government includes emails showing that mortality data was recently reported for the first time to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar following the establishment of a task force in 2021. Please therefore include any data, reports and other information detailing the weight and number of mortalities being disposed of and transported to Whiteshore Cockles since 1 November 2021.

The Comhairle’s response was as follows:

On 4/10/2022 the Comhairle received a complaint regarding the smell related to the location. The complainant was advised to contact the Scottish Government.

Any other information held is exempt from release under Section 30(c) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 – Prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs.

Disclosure of the requested information would seriously erode the Comhairle’s ability to discharge its statutory obligations in respect of environmental health, and there would be an increased risk of future non-compliance by businesses.

The public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing it

You were dissatisfied with that response. I understand that you have since been provided with a copy of the complaints in question, so I have not reviewed that element of the request. In relation to the other aspects of the request, I have concluded that, although the nature of the information requested falls within the exemption provided for in s30(c) of the Act, for the most part the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in maintaining the exemption.. I therefore overturn the original decision of the Comhairle and attach the documents falling within the scope of your request. Mobile phone numbers have been redacted. One email, relating to planning permission at Whiteshore’s site, has been withheld on the basis that it is internal to the Comhairle and I believe that the public interest in not disclosing it, thereby enabling the Comhairle’s staff to discuss matters freely between themselves for the purposes of carrying out their statutory functions, is more important than the public interest in disclosing it. Upon investigation, it is apparent that the Comhairle does not hold mortality data relating to the period from 1 November 2021.

Should you remain dissatisfied after completion of the review process you may, within 6 months, apply to the Scottish Information Commissioner, Kinburn Castle, Doubledykes Road, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9DS, to establish whether your request for information has been processed in accordance with Part 1 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. You may make your application online at www.itspublicknowledge.info/Appeal. Should you remain dissatisfied after the conclusion of an application to the Scottish Information Commissioner you have the right to appeal to the Court of Session on a point of law.

Yours sincerely

Tim Langley

tim.langley@cne-siar.gov.uk | 01851 822604 | Ext 211214 | 07970 552 371

Documents posted online here:

#1 PDF Re_ Whiteshore Cockles – Task and Finish Group 2 …_redacted

#2 PDF Whiteshore Cockles – Task and Finish Group – bu…_redacted

#3 PDF Whiteshore Cockles – Task and Finish Group – fu…_redacted

#4 PDF 211102 APHA_redacted

#5 PDF 211102 FHI-SG_redacted

#6 PDF 211102 SG_redacted

#7 PDF 211104 SEPA_redacted

#8 PDF 211109 SEPA_redacted

#9 PDF 211117 LA_redacted

#10 221004 SG_redacted

#11 PDF FOI info with 4 attachments_redacted

#12 PDF FW_ Whiteshore Cockles_redacted

#13 PDF Re_ Task and Finish Group – Whiteshore Cockles …_redacted

#14 PDF RE_ Whiteshore Cockles – Task and Finish Group …_redacted

#15 PDF Re_ Whiteshore Cockles – Task and Finish Group 1 …_redacted

When you have the misfortune to live near stinky salmon farms it's important to have a sense of humour – cartoon from Isle of Harris News @facebook https://t.co/LoPlgNG2DA @GogarServices @BBTankers @Ferguson_TPT @LochDuartSalmon @MowiScotlandLtd @tavishscott @ScotlandSalmon pic.twitter.com/mG9RGzxPZS

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) January 30, 2023

In a strange coincidence (it's almost as if our government agencies are in cahoots together), the Scottish Government also posted heavily redacted documents on Whiteshore Cockles on 31 January 2023 online here

Old MacDonald had a farmed salmon dump – E-I-E-I-O
And on his land he had a cash cow – E-I-E-I-O
With a stink stink here And a pong pong there
Everywhere money @HIEScotland @cne_siar @scotgov #Salmafia #Salmoney #Salmonopoly @ScotlandSalmon @ScottishEPA https://t.co/LL9dCWFb5n pic.twitter.com/CGxuBBBpBD

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) January 28, 2022

The Scottish Government's FOI disclosure published on 31 January 2023 includes an update from a 'Task and Finish Group' meeting in December 2021:

The Scottish Government's FOI disclosure published on 31 January 2023 includes a letter from SEPA in January 2022:

The Scottish Government's FOI disclosure published on 31 January 2023 includes an 'article' allegedly published by the Stornoway Gazette in April 2022 from Whiteshore Cockles:

Here's a copy of the 'article' which Whiteshore Cockles claims was published in the Stornoway Gazette (as disclosed via FOI by the Scottish Government on 31 January 2023):

When asked about the 'article' by Whiteshore Cockles, the editor of the StornowayGazette told $camon $cotland:

From: Murray Macleod <murray.macleod@nationalworld.com>
Date: Fri, Oct 21, 2022 at 9:19 AM
Subject: Re: Letter from Angus MacDonald of Whiteshore Cockles published in April 2022?
To: Don Staniford <salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com>

Something did appear, but it wasn't in this form and wasn't in the form of a letter. It's difficult to get pdfs for anything over three months, due to the way our system works. It will take time.

Despite repeated requests, the Stornoway Gazette has failed to provide a copy of the actual published article written by Whiteshore Cockles but their editor emailed this:

From: Murray Macleod <murray.macleod@nationalworld.com>
Date: Thu, Feb 2, 2023 at 4:12 PM
Subject: Re: Letter from Angus MacDonald of Whiteshore Cockles published in April 2022?
To: Don Staniford <salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com>

This is what was published.

A long awaited new facility for dealing with mortalities from the salmon farming industry has reached a milestone with an application to the regulator, SEPA, for permission to begin production.

The Whiteshore Cockles facility, at Bayhead in North Uist, is crucial to fish farming throughout the Western Isles and it is envisaged the new plant will provide 15 jobs – a major employment boost for the island. At the same time, there are plans for innovative ways to use the by-products for potential benefit to the crofting community

After eight years of designing and installing a groundbreaking and innovative drier system to process the salmon mortalities into recycled by-products, the company told the Gazette this week that installation of the equipment is almost complete.

There have been years of discussions and advice involving SEPA and various consultants. Now they have submitted a Part A PPC application to SEPA to authorise a permit which will allow production to begin. When the plant is fully operative it is envisaged that the 15 staff will cover a range of trades and skills while transportation of fish from throughout the Western Isles also supports three full-time drivers and two part-time.

Whiteshore Cockles Ltd is a family owned company based in Bayhead and has been involved in the disposal of fish farm waste for 18 years. Angus Macdonald, his wife Michelle and son Fraser all work in the business which also has a construction arm.

Angus is better known as probably the biggest crofter in the Western Isles with a herd of Highland cattle which grazes on Vallay island. That background gives him a particular motivation to find ways in which the new facility can benefit the crofting community.

European legislation restricted their original method of disposal and made the company look to a more environmentally friendly recycling system which will help to ensure the long-term viability of the islands’ fish farm industry.

A multi-million pound investment has been involved and the plant will produce fish oil and fmeal from the salmon waste in an odour-controlled environment. A biomass burner has been installed which will utilise half the meal as a fuel to heat the drier system. Excess heat can also be used to run the grain dryer and provide a service to crofters.

The remaining oil and meal will be used to produce biofuel and as an addition to an Anaerobic Digester system. The company is also exploring the idea of using the meal as alow-grade agricultural fertiliser which again could be offered locally as a lower-cost alternative to crofters.

New staff have already been employed to maintain and service the machinery and once the permit is granted the company will advertise for further employees to work within the site.

The company have thanked the fish farms for their continued support and encouragement as well as Highlands and Islands Enterprise for their financial assistance and the Bayhead community for “their patience and understanding of the various issues that have arisen whilst the plans and installation of the new processing plant have been taken place during the transition period”.

The Ferret reported (16 January 2023):

NEW: The “illegal” dumping of dead farmed fish on a Hebridean beauty spot has been allowed to continue despite authorities’ plans to ban the practice in March 2022, The Ferret can reveal.https://t.co/6rdiY3s8Sg

— The Ferret (@FerretScot) January 16, 2023

More details via: Media Backgrounder: Leaked Video & Photos from Whiteshore Cockles CIWF Investigation

In September 2018, Angus MacDonald of Whiteshore Cockles told the BBC 'One Show' that he would not carry on dumping diseased salmon for "much longer":

Digital Economy Minister @KateForbesMSP visited Whiteshore Cockles in North Uist earlier this week to hear how they've used digital disruption as an opportunity to diversify and thrive pic.twitter.com/nct0dhG9sw

— Scottish Government Finance and Economy (@scotgoveconomy) October 2, 2019

"The pictures show open pits with liquefied/ensiled fish morts" @scotgov "The pits are remaining uncovered for weeks with little seaweed cover, which is producing a smell locals are complaining about. Evidence of seepage from the side of the pits" https://t.co/OvxPfiOiaO pic.twitter.com/ET9hilMV1N

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) July 2, 2021

The Times reported in May 2021:

When Bruce Sandison of The Salmon Farm Protest Group blew the whistle on the illegal dumping of diseased salmon in North Uist back in 2005, I bet he didn't think Whiteshore Cockles would still be raising a stink nearly two decades later.

Back in 2005, Bruce Sandison (aka Old Trout @PrivateEyeNews) received a tip-off about an illegal dump for diseased salmon in North Uist. He visited the site taking photos @SundayTimesScot
17 years later @scotgov is closing Whiteshore Cockles down! https://t.co/LL9dCWFb5n pic.twitter.com/OtizeMIkkX

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) January 27, 2022

Private Eye reported in February 2023:

Private Eye reporting on the stench of disease-ridden Scottish salmon @PrivateEyeNews @cne_siar @scotgov @_KateForbes @MairiGougeon @marinescotland @FerretScot @MowiScotlandLtd @LochDuartSalmon @Folketrygdfond @ScotlandSalmon @tavishscott @ScottishEPA pic.twitter.com/DdSbAV2qHC

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) February 9, 2023