Scotland breaks record for mussel production while oyster output declines

The Scottish Shellfish Farm Production Survey 2024, published today, shows that table production tonnage of common mussel increased by 13% from 10,311 tonnes in 2023 to 11,690 tonnes in 2024. This is the highest level of common mussel production ever recorded in Scotland.

 

During 2024, 2.4 million Pacific oyster shells were produced for the table market, a decrease of 38% from the 2023 total. A main producer in the Highland region ceased production in 2024, the report notes.

 

Native oyster production was up on 2023, however, with 170,000 shells produced compared with 111,000 in 2023.

 

Overall, based on the estimated first sale value for all shellfish species, Scotland’s farmed shellfish industry was worth approximately £14 million in 2024, a decrease of 1% on its 2023 value.

 

Employment decreased by 2% from 2023, with 241 full-time, part-time and casual staff being employed in 2024.

 

Movement restrictions remain in place for the presence of Bonamia ostreae at Loch Sunart and the Dornoch Firth in Highland region, West Loch Tarbert and Lynn of Lorne, Loch Creran and Loch Etive in Strathclyde region.

 

Great Britain maintained disease free status with regard to Bonamia ostreae, Marteilia refringens and ostreid herpesvirus-1 microvariant (OsHV-1 µvar), with the exception of specific compartments under movement restrictions.

 

The report is compiled by the Marine Directorate of the Scottish Government, based on the returns of an annual survey questionnaire sent to all active authorised shellfish farming businesses in Scotland.