Shetland lists fish farmers as key workers

SHETLAND has made clear that salmon farmers will be regarded as key workers during the coronavirus lockdown, giving staff access to support such as child care. The council has issued a list that it says will ensure essential services can function. Included are those directly involved in farming fish, contractors supporting animal husbandry and food…

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Algae early warning system ‘boost for farmers’

AN early warning system to detect harmful plankton and algae is being developed in Scotland to help tackle one of the biggest challenges to fish health. A consortium – including technology company Otaq, the University of Aberdeen, SAIC (Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre), and Scottish Internet of Things centre CENSIS – is creating a low-cost sensor…

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Farmed fish only food sector free of medicine residues

AQUACULTURE is the only animal sector in the UK where no residues of medicines have been found in the end product for the whole of 2018 and 2019 to date. According to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), which publishes regular updates of veterinary residues in animals and animal products, farmed salmon and trout were free…

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Norway to help its algae hit salmon farmers

NORWEGIAN salmon farmers hit by last month’s algae outbreak are to be allowed to increase production beyond their permitted licence limits to help compensate for heavy losses. Several companies in the Nordland and Troms regions, including Nordlaks and Lerøy, lost a total of 13,000 tonnes, or some eight million salmon, during the five-week long outbreak,…

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SSPO hits back at ‘sensationalist’ Panorama

THE Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation has hit back at the BBC for sensationalising the operations of the salmon farming industry. SSPO chief executive Julie Hesketh-Laird, who was interviewed for a half-hour Panorama show, broadcast last night, said no specific allegations had been made about any SSPO company during her meetings with the BBC team. Panorama…

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