Loch Duart in high growth league

SALMON farmer Loch Duart has been included in a Sunday Times list of companies with the fastest growing profits. The firm, based in Sutherland and the Hebrides, was placed at number 21 in the newspaper’s annual BDO Profit Track 100 and second among the eight Scottish headquartered companies who made the list. The table ranks…

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MH seeks to expand on Muck

MARINE Harvest is hoping to increase capacity at its farm on Muck by 1,000 tonnes, according to a report in the Press and Journal. The Inner Hebrides farm was opened four years ago as part of an £80 million expansion by the firm, and is one of a number of larger, more exposed sites. The…

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Fish Update Briefing, Friday, April 6

NIP AND TUCK FOR FISH! THE idea of cosmetic surgery for fish might seem a little bizarre, but it is becoming standard practice in some parts of the Far East. The New York Times reports that in Singapore, pet store owner Eugene Ng has been giving some of his fish an eyelift after he noticed their eyes…

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Annan council fights to save plant

LOCAL council leaders have begun a fight to save at least some of the 450 jobs at the threatened Young\’s Seafood factory at Annan in the south of Scotland. They made the pledge after meeting Scottish government ministers yesterday. Elaine Murray, the leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council, and her deputy, Rob Davidson, are urging Young\’s Seafood to…

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Political backing for Iceland aquaculture

PLANS to expand Iceland\’s still fledgling aquaculture industry have received overwhelming backing from one of the country\’s leading political groups. The liberal-conservative Independent Party, which is largely supported by fishing businesses, passed a resolution at its annual assembly stating: ‘Aquaculture is an increasing part of the Icelandic fisheries industry, which offers increased opportunities for value…

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Rising prices boost Norwegian salmon exports

NORWAY\’S salmon exports are bounding back as prices continue to strengthen, the latest figures from the Norwegian Seafood Council show. The country sold 246,000 tonnes of farmed salmon worth 15.8 billion kroners (NOK) during the first three months of this year, an increase in volume of six per cent. However, the value fell by NOK 240…

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Scottish anger at Young's ‘betrayal’

YOUNG’S decision to close its salmon factory in Annan with the loss of 450 jobs has met with an angry reaction throughout Scotland. Unite Union regional officer Andy MacFarlane said: ‘The closure of Pinneys amounts to them shutting down the town. It is the ruthless betrayal of a local community that has served this company for generations.’ Young’s, which…

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Welsh fishermen get lifejacket deal

FISHERMEN in Wales are being given grants to purchase safety equipment that will soon become mandatory on commercial vessels. The International Labour Organisation: Work in Fishing Convention (ILO 188) is expected become law this year, requiring fishermen to wear Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) with integrated Personal Location Beacons (PLBs). To help fishermen meet the cost,…

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Marine Harvest buys Seahorse boats

MARINE Harvest Scotland has bought the fleet of Seahorse Aquaculture – and taken on the company’s four employees to crew the vessels. The three boats – The Nitrox, David Andrews and Tie Venture 111 – will be deployed in a variety of farm service roles. Marine Harvest Scotland seawater production manager David MacGillivray said: ‘I’d…

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Fuel cost threat to fishing profits – survey

THE UK fishing fleet earned a record £950 million last year as the volume of landings rose by 10,000 tonnes. However, the figures, compiled by Seafish, also show that higher fuel costs are starting to eat into operating profits. Seafish’s preliminary estimates reveal that skippers and vessel owners are reporting that spending on fuel is now taking up 12 per cent of…

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