Scottish Pavilion at Aqua Nor hailed a resounding success

Team Scotland’s presence last year at Aqua Nor, the international aquaculture trade show, has been hailed as a resounding success. In a poll, three-quarters of the Scottish businesses represented there said they expect to see an increase in turnover after attending the biennial exhibition and conference held at Trondheim in Norway, in August last year.…

Read More

Scottish Salmon Company in awards hat-trick

THE Scottish Salmon Company (SSC) has won three categories at the Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards, held last week. The company picked up top prizes for Business Growth, Export and Marketing at the ceremony in Inverness in recognition of its performance over the past 12 months. The SSC has posted record results in…

Read More

SAIC secures £10m to help industry thrive

THE Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) plans to focus on small and medium sized enterprises over the next five years, after securing its second phase of funding, worth £10 million. It will also use the money to develop aquaculture skills and talent across Scotland through a mentoring scheme; working with undergraduates and schools to build…

Read More

Working on a supply chain gang

PLANS to create an organisation representing Scotland’s aquaculture supply chain were mooted during a workshop in Edinburgh yesterday. The meeting, opened by Rural Economy minister Fergus Ewing and bringing together around 90 people from across the industry, looked at how businesses could accelerate growth. The event, at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, emerged from the…

Read More

Industry talks to itself about growth

AQUACULTURE industry representatives from around Scotland are holding a meeting in Edinburgh today to discuss how to accelerate the sector’s growth. But despite industry leaders’ stated aim of improving transparency as a criteria of expansion, the gathering, of nearly 100 delegates, is to take place behind closed doors. The decision not to invite press and…

Read More

£5bn scope in Scotland’s marine economy

SCOTLAND’S Highlands and islands have enormous potential to develop the marine economy according to a new study. Entitled ‘The report focuses on supporting the growth of aquaculture, as well as energy and marine biotechnology, all identified as the most innovative sectors. Opportunities highlighted in the report – Maximising the Marine Economy in the Highlands and…

Read More

Minister heralds hatchery investment

SCOTTISH Sea Farms is to receive £1.28 million in R&D support from Scottish Enterprise towards its work enhancing fish welfare. Announced this morning at its new recirculation hatchery in Barcaldine, Argyll, the funds will go towards a total of £18.3 million the company is investing in innovative research and development. The R&D spans five key…

Read More

SSPO welcomes bumper year

THE Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation has welcomed record production levels by salmon farmers in 2017. In government figures just published, Scottish farms harvested 189,707 tonnes in 2017, up by 16.5 per cent on 2016 and the sector’s highest ever output. The level of survival on farms has also improved, up to 79.1 per cent compared…

Read More

Salmon company up for two awards

THE Scottish Salmon Company has been shortlisted in two categories at the Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards. The business, which has been acknowledged for its achievements in export and sustainability, is one of 44 companies to have been shortlisted for awards across 14 categories. Held in association with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the…

Read More

Scottish salmon standards ‘very high’, MSPs told

By Vince McDonagh A STRONG defence of Scotland’s record on the regulation of its aquaculture industry was put up by the team giving evidence at the Rural Economy and Connectivity (REC) committee at Holyrood yesterday. The committee, which is investigating the salmon farming sector, was told by the convenor, Highlands and Islands MPS Edward Mountain (Con),…

Read More