RSPCA standards extended to cover cleaner fish

A new version of the RSPCA Assured standards for farmed Atlantic salmon welfare comes into effect from 19 May this year, with more than 300 new standards and amendments. The standards will apply to the vast majority of salmon production in Scotland. The new standards include a new set of rules covering non-medicinal treatments for…

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Vónin Scotland lands £955K for new aquaculture net facility

Vonin image

In a significant advancement for the Scottish aquaculture sector, Vónin Scotland Ltd, a leader in aquaculture services and supplies, has received £955,000 in funding from the Scottish Government. The grant will contribute towards the large investment required to develop a comprehensive facility for the maintenance, cleaning and treatment of fish farming nets. Vónin’s new operation…

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Scottish salmon is named UK’s top food export for 2023

Scottish salmon was the UK’s top food export by value in 2023, figures from HMRC show. Export sales for the calendar year totalled £581m, up by 5% year-or-year and equivalent to £1.6m every day. France – which is a key processor for on-sale to other countries as well as a major consumer of salmon –…

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Scottish Sea Farms situation beginning to improve, SalMar reports

Scottish Sea Farms could be turning the corner with its biological problems, new figures suggest today. The business has still to get back into profit, however. SalMar, which jointly owns the business with the Leroy Seafood Company, says in its 2023 fourth quarter report that SSF (also known as Norskott Havbruk) showed an improvement from…

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Mowi Scotland battling back against severe biological issues

Mowi Scotland continued to be plagued by biological problems during the final quarter of 2023, company figures show today. Challenges were unusually intense, with a high level of amoebic gill disease (AGD) which the company said was linked to the El Niño cyclical climate phenomenon and all-time high seawater temperatures. Jellyfish had also contributed to…

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Study reveals patterns in mussel population diversity

Pile of mussels on sea sand. Seafood mussel on marine coastline habitat.

Innovative new research by the University of Stirling’s Institute of Aquaculture could help improve mussel farming practices and lead to increased production. Blue mussel aquaculture is an important sustainable and eco-friendly way of producing a protein source, but the industry has been facing challenges resulting in production fluctuations. The University of Stirling study saw scientists…

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Phased introduction of SEPA’s Sea Lice Framework begins

The first phase of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s new Sea Lice Framework begins this month.   The Framework outlines what SEPA describes as “a proportionate, evidence-based approach to protect young salmon from sea lice”. Built on international best practice and using cutting edge science to triage risk, it will help to support the sustainable development of fish farming in…

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The countdown is on to the largest Aquaculture UK ever

The UK’s leading aquaculture show is gearing up for a bigger than ever exhibition, which is expected to attract record crowds from around the world. Aquaculture UK, to be held from 14-15 May in Aviemore, Scotland, has expanded to accommodate overwhelming demand for exhibition space at what has become the highlight in the aquaculture sector’s…

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Salmon Scotland joins in tax protest

Industry body Salmon Scotland is among 16 Scottish business groups jointly writing to Deputy First Minister & Finance Secretary, Shona Robison MSP to protest against a potential tax hike announced in the Scottish budget. Proposals for a new “business rates surtax” on retail premises selling alcohol or tobacco were outlined in documents for Scotland’s 2023/24…

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Trial for new consenting process gets underway

Scottish Sea Farms is the first of two salmon producers to submit a planning notification to help trial a new, improved process for farm consents. Scottish Sea Farms will be applying to merge four of its Shetland sites into one, while Mowi will be making an application to the Highland Council. The trial follows the…

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