Opinion

Since writing my contribution last month, I have been travelling, including a short visit to the Aquaculture UK event in Aviemore. There was a real buzz about the place, not just because of the ability to meet friends old and new but because the new organisers had much improved the visitor experience. I have heard…

At the New Year I wrote about the possibility of Ukraine being invaded. How much I wish the sources I had been reading were wrong! That such a proud and resourceful people should be put through such a pointless and vicious war is a tragedy akin to Greek mythology rather than our times. I have…

Earlier this year two members of the Senedd, the devolved legislative assembly for Wales, visited Scotland to find out more about its aquaculture sector. Here, they report on their impressions.  The overnight sleeper train from Crewe to Fort William is a pleasurable experience in the bleak winter months. On awakening from our slumber, we looked…

Pupils in Stirling are taking part in a trial programme to see how salmon can become a delicious highlight of the school lunch menu. About 18 months ago, my son texted me a picture from school of salmon fillets among the choices on offer for lunch. At first I was delighted, but then I looked…

Despite the critics, the salmon industry is supported by people in local communities, says Hamish Macdonell. Ask anyone who has ever put an opinion poll in the field, and they will tell you that there is always a moment’s hesitation before they give it the go-ahead. That’s because, even if you believe you have a…

February turned out to be an interesting month in terms of the retail market. Sales of chilled salmon increased by 7.8% year on year in terms of volume. The value of the sales also increased. Yet, at the same time, Tesco announced the closure of more of its meat and fish and hot food counters…

Scottish salmon is booming – that was certainly the message from the annual export figures last month. Production is up, exports are up and prices are starting to get back to where they were so everything in the Scottish salmon garden is rosy, right? Well, not quite. A key measure of success is not how…

Fisheries Management Scotland (FMS) recently posted a news story from the Guardian newspaper about restoring Finland’s river ecosystems, although it doesn’t mention salmon. Earlier in January, FMS posted the news that the River Tay fishing season was to be opened by actors Robson Green and Jim Murray, and at the end of December they posted…