Salmon cage retrieval continues after four pens sink

The now long-running operation to save the large salmon cages which went adrift during storms at Christmas was still ongoing today, although four of the original 12 cages have now sunk.

They disappeared 85 miles east of Sumburgh this morning as efforts to tow in the remaining pens continued apace.

The dozen 30ft pens owned by Meridian Salmon Group went adrift from their moorings south of Unst in Christmas Day storms, sparking a major effort to retrieve them amid fears the wayward cages could pose a danger to local shipping.

Two of the cages have already arrived back at Dales Voe in Lerwick following last week’s efforts, however another six remain at sea and are still around 30 miles east of the isles.

Several vessels have been involved in the salvage operation. Fishing vessels the Devotion, Fairway and Opportune have each played a part in bringing the cages ashore.

The Danish tug Westsund is still keeping a watchful eye over the remaining six pens. Conditions at sea have been much better than they were last week, and the last of the pens are expected to arrive in Shetland in the next two days.