The siting and design of aquaculture in the landscape: visual and ...

When viewed from a low level viewpoint and backed by a land formation,
it can be difficult to distinguish cages.
4.2 Key considerations from low-level viewpoints
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From a low-level viewpoint, including from the sea itself, water based structures can be harder
to see if they are set against a dark backdrop of landform and vegetation, or if they are often
seen in shadow.
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When viewed close up, cages and buoys are of course likely to be more visible. Where existing
trees are part of the character, planting trees along the shoreline, between the road and the
structures, can break up the visibility.
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The size of a large structure may be easier to absorb if it is seen against the expanse of the
open sea – the structures appear smaller and the water itself provides a well-scaled setting.
Siting a structure at a distance from the viewer, perhaps on a long expanse of horizon
associated with the open sea, will make the structure seem smaller in size.
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If you have the choice and you want to reduce visual impact, aim to site a structure where it is
visible from a stretch of road where people are likely to be driving fast, and certainly try to avoid
siting structures adjacent to lay-bys and other viewpoints from which there will be static views
of the structure.
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Visual foreshortening occurs when the level surface of what appears to be a large expanse of
water on plan takes up only a small part of a view. As a result, vertical structures viewed from
a low-level viewpoint can have a proportionately higher impact, taking up proportionately more
‘visual space’ than the water.
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Conversely, low structures on a flat surface, such as lines of buoys, can merge together so that
they appear to only occupy a small amount of the water surface, especially if located further
away from the viewer, as foreshortening becomes more pronounced with distance.
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Structures such as top nets, feed barges and accommodation modules contrast most
significantly with the level water surface. They will be less visible if they are kept close to the
water surface.
Cages viewed from a low level viewpoint are absorbed by background vegetation.
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