Missing Meridian Salmon cages found near Collafirth

Four salmon cages belonging to Meridian Salmon, which disappeared this morning while being towed from Bluemull Sound to Olnafirth for decommissioning, have been found.

The Skerries fishing vessel Fairway, which started with eight empty cages under tow, notified Shetland Coastguard at 7.45am that the four cages were missing. The total of eight cages had last been seen at 1.30am, but by daylight only four could be seen.

The wind at the time was north-easterly force five to seven with snow showers and rough seas.

According to the coastguard, the four cages were later spotted “high and dry” at Ayre Skea, north of Collafirth.

The cages were in the process of being towed to Josie Manson’s yard at Olna near Voe to be broken up.

The incident follows the one during the Christmas hurricane when 12 cages containing 300,000 fish belonging to Meridian Salmon went missing off Unst.