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

5.3 Shellfish farm water-based structures
Water-based developments include:
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Buoys and long-lines
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Rafts and other structures
5.3.1 Buoys and long-lines
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Most long-line buoys are barrel-shaped and black or dark grey in colour. The standardised
shape makes it easier to design an ordered layout. The dark grey barrels are likely to be less
visually intrusive than the black buoys. All line buoys in one development should be the same
size. It is recognised that navigation and corner buoys need to be brightly coloured and may be
a different size.
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The pattern of buoys should be kept simple and relatively ordered, for example by maintaining
the same distance between the lines and reflecting, as far as possible, the alignment of the
coastline
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Currents and the wind might move the lines slightly, which makes them less geometric and
simply reflects the dynamism of the sea.
Buoy pattern: simple and ordered, reflecting alignment of coastline,
with constant distance between buoys.
Regular pattern of buoys and rafts complementing buoy pattern.
Trees and vegetation along a shoreline can break up visibility.
Long-line buoys in an ordered layout, located in-shore can respect on-shore activities.
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