Advice for recreational sailors

Fish farming makes an important contribution to local economies, particularly in remote areas. When well-planned, aquaculture has no adverse impact on recreational sailing and there can be benefits from sharing facilities. RYA Scotland has, for many years, worked with fish farm companies and the consenting authorities to minimise the risk to recreational boaters. Depending on where you sail you may encounter farms for salmon and other fish, mussels, oysters and even seaweed.

Stay alert

It is perfectly safe to sail in waters with aquaculture farms. Good seamanship, particularly with regard to keeping watch, is the key as fish farms are not always where you expect them to be. New fish farm licences can be granted, old ones surrendered and existing farms can rotate their cages between different sites. It is important to be particularly alert in conditions of poor visibility as marker lights for aquaculture farms may not always be lit.

Give farms a wide berth

Fish cage anchors extend outwards beyond the cages themselves but are not generally a hazard. It is wise, however, to keep at least 15 m away from a fish farm, particularly when a workboat is present. There is good advice on the Respect the buoys site of the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation. 

In a few places, a feed store on land is connected to the cages by pipes near the surface and so it is best to avoid passing between cages and the shore unless you are certain the passage is clear. Sometimes there are temporary moorings with floating ropes attached.

Fish are generally brought to and taken away from fish farms in “well boats” which are fast and manoeuvrable coasters. Keep a good lookout for them even in remote sea lochs. However, they will be transmitting an AIS signal.

Mussel farms consist of ropes suspended from a cable supported by large grey buoys. As the mussels mature the buoys sink lower in the water. It is inadvisable to try to sail through a mussel farm or between the buoys.

Scotland is also home to a few oyster farms. These are in shallow water and may be unmarked. Hazards include steel cages (trestles) and steel rods just under the surface.

Additionally, boaters should be mindful of few seaweed farms. These can be large and will be marked with special marks at each corner. The seaweed is grown on ropes suspended between buoys. RYA Scotland works with the seaweed companies to minimise the risk to boaters.

Reporting problems

Please report any problems with aquaculture farms to RYA Scotland. Problems might include defective lights and moorings with floating ropes. Several aquaculture companies are putting their farms through the Aquaculture Stewardship Council accreditation process. RYA Scotland responds to such applications which provide an opportunity to comment on any problems for recreational boaters.