Choosing a suitable site

The selection of a suitable site is crucial to the success or failure of any aquaculture business.

Growth and survival of the stock, whether fish or shellfish, are influenced by a range of physical and biological factors, including sea water temperature and salinity, exposure of the site, dissolved oxygen and pollutants.

As well as the factors that affect the species being reared, there are a number of other considerations to be taken into account when finding a suitable site. For example, many areas of the coastal zone have been designated for their conservation value so it is also advisable for any potential new business to contact the appropriate conservation agency. There are a number of legal and regulatory points to consider, eg water abstraction and discharge (for fish), water classifications (for shellfish).

Marine Scotland has produced guidance on establishing a fish or shellfish farm.

There is also further information on selecting a site for cultivation purposes at the Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas).

Including: 

• Bivalve cultivation: criteria for selecting a site 
• Research on shellfish cultivation
• Scallop cultivation in the UK: a guide to site selection