The remaining fuel from the sunken vessel Julie Anne, which had been leaking oil near a fish farm in the Sound of Mull, has been successfully removed, according to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
The Julie Anne, a landing craft operated by Scottish Sea Farms, sank on July 4 near the company’s Fiunary salmon farming site. Footage later emerged showing the oil slick being contained near the salmon nets.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) stated that steps were taken to limit the spread of oil and no fish were reported harmed. Scottish Sea Farms has confirmed that no fish from the affected site have been sent to retailers since the incident.
The MCA reported that the oil leak does not currently pose a significant or long-term pollution risk. “As expected, a small amount of pollution is still being observed but volumes are small and dispersing,” a spokesperson said. “Given the current flow in the area concerned, small quantities lost from containment are inevitable, which is why oil removal from the wreck has been prioritized.”
Scottish Sea Farms, a primary supplier of farmed salmon to Marks & Spencer, emphasized their adherence to safety protocols. Marks & Spencer reassured customers that they are not sourcing salmon from the affected site and that all their salmon undergo safety and quality testing.
Company spokesman Andy Gourlay explained the company’s immediate response to the sinking: “It’s due diligence and what any responsible food producer would do. The focus has been on containing and removing the fuel onboard, and with that now done, refloating the vessel. Once achieved, we will, without question, test the fish on farm to ensure they meet all food safety standards.”
A failed attempt to recover the 15m (49ft) vessel, which lies 20m down on the seabed off the Ardnamurchan coast, was carried out on July 21. The coastguard confirmed that further efforts would be made to raise the vessel for a full inspection to determine the cause of the sinking.
