The Yearbook - Fish Farmer’s review of 2023 by Fish Farmer Magazine

Fish Farmer www.fishfarmermagazine.com

THE YEARBOOK Fish Farmer’s review of 2023 0_FF Yearbook 2024 cover_converted.indd 1

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THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’

CONTENTS

Sa lmon

F orew ord

F I SH F A R M SU R V E Y

P A G E S3 6 - 7 3

SH E L L F I SH SU R V E Y P A G E S

7 4 - 8 7

E L C OM E F orew ord M airi Gougeon M SP Sa lmon Scotla n d B en ch ma rk G en eti cs B a k k a f ros t Scotla n d E v en ts I n terv i ew : D a v i d Ja rra d , SA G B C h i ef E x ecuti v e Spon s ors

N E W

SR E V I E W

Sa lmon : G loba l D ema n d C od F a rmi n g Sea f ood B us i n es s T ech n olog y F eed F i s h H ea lth a n d Sea L i ce C a g es , N ets a n d P red a tor P rotecti on B a rg es

I n tern a ti on a l L a n d - ba s ed F a rmi n g a n d H a tch eri es Sea w eed P roces s i n g hellﬁsh

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P roces s i n g

C od

126 F eed

94 L a n d B a s ed F a rmi n g

hellﬁsh

S OF T H E Y E A R

U K : Y ea r i n R ev i ew

B oa ts &

5 6-7 8-11 12-13 20-25 130-131 132-135 IBC

16-18 26-29 30-34 88-89 90-93 94-96 98-103

104-107 108-113 114-119 120-123 124-125 126-129 136 -138

136 O

E d i tor: R obert Outram D es i g n er: Andrew Balahura A d v erti s i n g : J anice J ohnston ce Administrator Fiona R obertson P ubli s h er: Alister Bennett

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Sa lmon Scotla n d

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ead O ce Special P ublications, Fettes P ark , 4 9 6 Ferry R oad, E dinburgh, E H 5 2 D L

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THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’

WELCOME By R OBE R T OU T R AM

E ditor, Fish Farmer magaz ine

Scotland or other parts of the world. H I S la tes t ed i ti on of th e Salmon farmers have also had F i s h F a rmer yea rbook to manage their relationship look s ba ck a t a n ev en tf ul with the wider community and 1 2 mon th s i n th e li f e with government. In N orway, for of th e a q ua culture s ector. example, this year, the ground rent We’re also delighted to include tax or salmon tax came into force in a foreword from M airi Gougeon, the face of vociferous protests from Secretary for ural airs, and the industry and what look s lik e a R eform and Islands in the Scottish resultant slowdown in investment. Government, as well as contributions In Canada, a long debate continues from Salmon Scotland and the about the future of salmon farming Shellfish ssociation of Great ritain. on the country s acific coast, with T he review includes not only a both sides citing the interests of reminder of the big stories that Canada’s First N ations to support played out during 2 0 2 3 but also their case. details from two important reports In Scotland, there was controversy charting the industry in Scotland: the over proposals for H ighly P rotected Scottish Fish Farm P roduction Survey M arine Areas but the industry and the Scottish Shellfish roduction welcomed the Scottish Government’s Survey. Both of these cover 2 0 2 2 , Vision for Aquaculture. the most recent period for which F A R M E R S eanwhile, the shellfish sector definitive figures are available. H A V E A L SO has had its own battles to fight, T he headline to tak e away H A D T O facing not only biological issues from the Fish Farm P roduction but also man- made challenges Survey is that production of M A N A G E T H E I R such as water quality, Atlantic salmon – the most R E L A T I ON SH I P regulation and trade barriers. significant element in Scottish “ Sustainability” has been aquaculture – declined by 1 8 % W I T H T H E W I D E R a k ey theme for aquaculture in 2 0 2 2 , compared with the C OM M U N I T Y around the world and this is not previous year. lik ely to change any time soon. T here is no doubt that the severe Look ing back at the news for 2 0 2 3 , biological challenges experienced however, it is clear that aquaculture during 2 0 2 2 were a k ey factor. T he can also o er solutions to wider news stories throughout 2 0 2 3 show issues of sustainability, worldwide. that these have not gone away in Sponsored by

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FOREWORD

SUSTAINABILITY IS THE KEY The Scottish Government is working to help make its vision for the success of the aquaculture sector a reality By M AIR I GOU GE ON Cabinet Secretary for ural airs, and eform and slands

H E Scotti s h G ov ern men t s upports th e d ev elopmen t of a s us ta i n a ble a q ua culture s ector th a t opera tes w i th i n en v i ron men ta l li mi ts a n d bri n g s s oci a l a n d econ omi c enefits to cotland. T hat’s the k ey message from the Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture, which I launched in J uly. T he vision sets out how we, work ing with aquaculture businesses and other stak eholders, will achieve a future for the industry that is even more productive, sustainable and community focused. The latest fish farming statistics covering continue to show the importance of the aquaculture sector to Scotland. Salmon farming achieved a record value of more than £ 1 . 2 billion, while there was a record production of more than 9 ,0 0 0 tonnes in the mussel sector (see details, starting page 3 6 ) . eneath these headline figures, we find a sector working to bolster its domestic supply chain and resilience. T he number of salmon smolts produced and of ova laid down to hatch both increased by 8 % , while the

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rainbow trout sector increased its source of brood stock from Great Britain by 3 6 % . T he 2 0 2 2 statistics also show that salmon farming production decreased by . hile this figure may cause concern, the drop in tonnage is a result of responsible farming decisions to harvest smaller fish where necessary. e ve seen improved fish survival rates of 7 5 . 9 % in this year’s survey. I k now that management of environmental and biological conditions has been particularly challenging in the last few years. It will tak e time to see improvements from new strategies and innovations, and we will continue to work collaboratively to improve

Above: Mairi Gougeon Below: Portnalong fish farm Opposite from top: Opening the Scottish Pavilion at Aqua Nor; Mairi Gougeon at Kames; Scottish salmon farm; open for business at Aqua Nor, Trondheim

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THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ fish health and welfare, and reduce environmental interactions. ecently, we ve worked with the industry and the Scottish ssociation for arine Science on cross comparison of sea lice models to assess their potential use in the management of interactions between our farmed and wild salmon the first of its kind in Scotland. e are also seeing progress by tbe Scottish nvironment rotection gency on a new sea lice risk assessment framework. The work of the Consenting Task Group CTG) to streamline the a uaculture consenting process continues. arly in , a smaller CTG dvisory Group was established to develop a draft pilot process. This group has met regularly, including in person workshops, and presented the draft finfish farm consenting pilot process to the Scottish uaculture Council. pilot will launch early in in two local authorities, with an independent evaluator appointed to support the pro ect and ensure continuous improvement. This progress has only been made possible through collaborative working by the CTG dvisory Group and the support from members of the Scottish uaculture Council and local authority representatives. n parallel to the work of the CTG, the Scottish Government is e ploring e isting marine licensing re uirements for finfish and shellfish farms, and the application of the marine licence e emptions. e ve also continued to support the

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burgeoning seaweed farming sector this last year by ointly funding, along with Crown state Scotland, a business development post at the Scottish Seaweed ndustry ssociation. was proud to open the Scottish pavilion at ua or in Trondheim in ugust. The pavilion provided a platform for Scottish businesses to showcase e pertise, products and services at the world s largest a uaculture technology and innovation e hibition. t was made possible by a partnership between the Sustainable uaculture nnovation Centre, ighlands and slands nterprise, and businesses supported and funded by the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government was also represented at Seafood po Global conference in arcelona, including meeting with the Spanish trade envoy to discuss the importance of Spain as one of our largest seafood e port destinations. will continue to champion Scotland s world class seafood internationally, in particular at the Global Seafood lliance s esponsible Seafood Summit, which will welcome more than industry delegates to St ndrews in October . This is the ﬁrst time the event has ever been held in the UK. hope you will agree that collaboration is a common theme in the highlights from . t will also help us to meet the challenges the sector faces in and beyond. Government will continue to play its part to support the innovation, investment and sustainable growth in the sector and wider supply chain that will make our shared ision for Sustainable uaculture in Scotland a reality.

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SALMON SCOTLAND

Open, transparent and proud In 2024, Salmon Scotland will continue to champion the sector – explaining what we do and why to anyone who will listen By T AVISH SCOT T Chief E xecutive of Salmon Scotland

H E w orld ’ s popula ti on i s g row i n g a n d i t n eed s more f ood to s us ta i n i ts people. But our planet also faces a climate emergency, with less land ﬁt to live and grow food on, biodiversity loss, and heightened food insecurity. Our changing world can be seen stark ly in the remark able footage on our T V screens this year as highlighted by Sir D avid Attenborough in the BBC’s P lanet E arth III. And it is being debated at a global level at the U N , COP 2 8 , the G2 0 , the Commonwealth, the E U and the G7 . So where is more food to come from? T he sea is the only answer. Scotland is blessed to have a considerable blue economy, which includes the marine, coastal and the interlink ed freshwater environment. N early 1 9 ,0 0 0 k m of coastline and

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This page from top: Fish processing; Tavish Scott Opposite from top: Rosie Curtis, Mowi; Torcuil Crichton, Ian Murray and Tavish Scott

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THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’

a marine area of 6 1 7 ,0 0 0 k m2 – seven times greater than the land – contribute to £ 5 bn in gross value added G ). Scottish salmon plays a pivotal role in this, accounting for of total UK ﬁsh and seafood e ports. Sustainable development of the blue economy is part of the solution to the world s crises and that s why our sector is more important than ever. T his is a message I have been repeating throughout . s look back over the past 1 2 months, I can re ect on the lessons and learnings took away from visiting our businesses and our people all across Scotland. et s start with osie Curtis. osie is owi s farm manager at their ac ean s ose sea farm at rdnamurchan. ecause the good people of the Ardnamurchan peninsula were without an operating ferry at

Corran for most of the year, I did what every supply van driver, engineer or vet had to do and took the two- hour detour via Glenfinnan. (N ote to government – does the Scottish T ransport M inister really think the central belt population would put up with the E dinburgh to Glasgow train out of service for a year o. ut there was no practical help for local people and businesses in rdnamurchan during .) osie was interviewed by C Countryfile, which could have been a tough gig. The C wanted to understand the sector s mortality figures and what climate change meant for fish farming. In her patient, matter- of- fact and down- to- earth manner perfect for interviews osie articulated the reality of fish farming with warmer sea temperatures, the adaptability of fish and fish farmer, and what her company and the sector is doing to change. y the time arrived via the Glenfinnan detour, was hardly needed by the C. T here is the lesson: we can explain, with confidence, how we are adapting to climate change. We can explain that there may be a degree of seasonality to the availability of salmon. So if the customer here and abroad wants the best, and that is why they buy Scottish, then we should mak e a virtue of what is happening in the sea. N ext to West Loch R oag in H arris with akkafrost s ain ac ntyre. This was a full scale political visit with abour s Shadow Scottish Secretary Ian M urray M P – who represents leafy south

SU ST A I N A B L E D E V E L OP M E N T OF T H E B L U E E C ON OM Y I S P A R T OF T H E SOL U T I ON

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10 SALMON SCOTLAND E dinburgh – along with Labour’s parliamentary candidates for the Western Isles, T orcuil Crichton. I have k nown T orcuil for many years, latterly as a newspaper political editor at Westminster. T here is no point trying to “ spin” T orcuil. H e has seen and heard it all. So Bak k afrost had a freshwater treatment boat alongside the sea pens. We took both politicians aboard and Iain’s team explained what was happening to the fish, showed every part of the process and answered every question thrown at them. On the boat back to the shore on a beautiful day with the sea and landscape of H arris look ing utterly stunning, two people who could next year be part of a U K Labour Government said how much they appreciated the sector’s candour in showing what we do to k eep fish healthy. Finally, to the D FD S distribution hub in Lark hall. I repeatedly highlight the many supply chain businesses that mak e the salmon sector work constantly to regulators, policymak ers and politicos. In October, we had Scottish E conomy Secretary N eil Gray with us. N eil is a refreshing change within the Scottish Government: he is mak ing a decent fist of not ust listening to businesses’ arguments, but doing

something about them. And he’s an Orcadian, so he gets the reality of transport and island life. e discussed the ourney that harvested ﬁsh in Orkney and Shetland tak e en route to the mark ets of continental E urope. D avid Cranston and the D FD S team were excellent in explaining the challenges and where government could help or provide some focus. I have spent more time this year putting salmon in front of policymak ers and ministers who do not normally think about us. As the U K ’s number- one export, most government ministers and senior civil servants should be aware of what we are, but as N eil candidly put it, we need to k eep mak ing the point.

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THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 11 So, in 2 0 2 4 , we will. T he tak eaway? E ven when we are bored of saying the same thing about the signiﬁcance of our sector, why it matters to Scotland and the UK, and why the e port picture would simply not exist but for whisk y and salmon, we need to repeat the message. Again and again. luntly, the salmon sector spent too many years trying to hide rather than being proud of what we do, proud of our people, our innovation, our constant change and how we look after ﬁsh in the marine environment. t is a team e ort. In 2 0 2 4 , we need more visits for ministers, regulators, local government leaders and opinion formers. And we should not hide – quite the reverse from e plaining the challenges and how we are tackling them head on.

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T here were many more visits than the three ve touched on in this article I found all inspirational as I invariably learnt something new each time. That is the message for the coming year. Our sector will be on the front foot, explaining what we do and why to anyone who will listen. Open, transparent and proud of what our people achieve that will be Team Salmon in 2 0 2 4 .

Opposite from top: Feeding the salmon; salmon fillets Above: Atlantic salmon Below: Tavish Scott (left) with Neil Gray (centre) and the DFDS team

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12 BENCHMARK – CLIENT CONTENT

Genetics tailored for Scottish waters Expertise in genetics is helping to create salmon stock with higher levels of resilience By AN D R E W P R E ST ON Lead, T rait D evelopment and Land Based, Benchmark Genetics

Opposite: Edwin Carl Lieberg and Olafur H. Kristjansson Below: Rosana Estevez

en ch ma rk G en eti cs i s a t th e f oref ron t of a d v a n ci n g s us ta i n a ble s a lmon prod ucti on th roug h g en eti c i mprov emen t. While selective breeding programs have already yielded signiﬁcant beneﬁts in growth performance, robustness, and disease resistance, the diverse production and environmental conditions pose challenges. N otably, gill health- related mortalities have risen in all the maj or salmonproducing countries lik e N orway, Canada, and Scotland.

G en eti c d ev elopmen t f or Scotti s h w a ters In response to these challenges, Benchmark Genetics has launched a comprehensive genetic development initiative. Focused on tailoring highperforming salmon lines speciﬁcally for the distinct conditions of Scottish waters. Addressing the critical issue of gill health and overall robustness is central to this strategy. Benchmark Genetics plays a crucial role in distributing Atlantic salmon ova to 3 8 countries, including Scotland. With a state- of- the- art incubation house with capacity to produce 3 0 0 million ova annually, the company ensures a year- round supply of high- quality salmon eggs. T he emphasis is on optimising incubation protocols, including thermal regimes, for quality smolt development. T his biosecure and reliable high- quality egg supply, coupled with impressive freshwater performance, positions Benchmark Genetics to enhance performance in the challenging Scottish seawater environment. B en ch ma rk s a pproa ch es to a d d res s bi olog i ca l ch a llen g es Scotland faces signiﬁcant biological challenges, such as multi- factorial

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gill diseases, environmental challenges, viral infections, and sea lice issues. Benchmark Genetics employs two main approaches to address these challenges. First, we initiate large- scale assessments and selections for highperforming salmon families routinely tested in commercial Scottish farm environments. Genomic selection is employed based on data collected from 2 0 0 families under commercial farm conditions, ensuring that the ova supplied to Scotland contains the best genetic potential for growth and robustness. T he second approach focuses on developing speciﬁc disease resistance traits. Building on past successes in genetic resistance to diseases lik e Infectious P ancreatic N ecrosis (IP N ) and Cardiomyopathy syndrome (CM S) , Benchmark Genetics conducts routine testing for complex gill disease (CGD ) using approximately 2 0 0 families.

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“Scotland faces significant biological challenges” T his groundbreak ing challenge model demonstrates signiﬁcant heritability, presenting substantial potential for genetic improvement. T he correlation between in vivo and net pen environments in the testing process enhances the e ectiveness of this approach. Succes s f ul R & D th roug h colla bora ti on s a n d pa rtn ers h i ps Benchmark Genetics is committed to extensive research and development partnerships with Scottish institutes, such as the U niversity of Stirling’s Institute of Aquaculture and T he R oslin Institute. T hese collaborations aim to understand the mechanisms underlying gill health and other k ey traits, utilising genomics and gene editing technologies to develop future genetic solutions for infectious diseases. T hese e orts align with enchmark s overarching strategy to create tailored, highperforming, and robust salmon to support the success of the Scottish industry.

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16 YEAR IN REVIEW – UK

Visions and U-turns

T he aquaculture sector continued to evolve in an eventful year

S th e yea r beg a n , i n Ja n ua ry, w e reported th a t th e Scotti s h G ov ern men t h a d publi s h ed i ts propos a ls f or H i g h ly P rotected M a ri n e A rea s ( H P M A s ) . T h i s w ould mea n 1 0 % of Scotti s h w a ters w ould be out of boun d s to a n y commerci a l a cti v i ty, i n clud i n g ﬁshing, a uaculture or o shore energy. Introducing the consultation, Scotland’s E nvironment M inister M à iri M cAllan said: “ Scotland has some of the most beautiful and diverse marine ecosystems on the planet and we are committed to safeguarding them. ” Also in Ja n ua ry, M owi’s appeal against the rej ection of its planning application to expand its Loch H ourn site was successful. In F ebrua ry, the Scottish Government published its long- awaited plan to reverse the decline of wild salmon, including managing recreational angling better, understanding environmental pressures on salmon and improving the condition of Scottish rivers. e also reported that three senior ﬁgures in Scottish aquaculture had j oined the board of the Sustainable

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Aquaculture Innovation Centre: Anne Anderson, H ead of Sustainability and D evelopment at Scottish Sea Farms; Su Cox, Communications and Business D evelopment director at Bak k afrost Scotland; and H ervé M igaud, D irector of H ealth, Welfare and Biology at M owi Scotland. T he sad news came in M a rch that Gigha H alibut, the awardwinning ﬁsh farm founded by Otter Ferry’s Alastair Barge, was to close down later in the year. E nergy costs, biological challenges and water intak e issues had made the farm uneconomic, Barge said. M eanwhile, the “ for sale” sign was ﬁnally removed from loch trout

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farmer D awnfresh, as it emerged that M owi Scotland had acquired the business. D awnfresh had been under administration since M arch 2 0 2 2 . T rout was also in the news in A pri l, when we reported that the owner of H oughton Springs, a trout farm in D orset, was being put up for sale. T he farm is also the U K ’s only producer of Arctic charr. ural airs Secretary airi Gougeon remained in post following incoming First M inister H umz a ousaf s cabinet reshu e. er predecessor, Fergus E wing, was one of the SN P members who rebelled in M ay over the H P M A proposals by ripping up a copy of the consultation in the debating chamber of the Scottish parliament. U ltimately, the government defeated a motion against the H P M A programme. M owi’s Salmon Wagon was back on the road with a busy summer schedule of events, raising money for local causes by selling tasty salmon snack s. In Jun e, we reported on the untimely death of N eil M anchester, M anaging D irector at K ames Fish Farming. M anchester, who was 5 9 , died suddenly at home in M ay. H e was a well- k nown and well- lik ed ﬁgure in Scottish a uaculture. M owi began consultations with the local community over a change of use for some of its D awnfresh sites. M owi plans to use the farms in Loch E tive, currently used to grow rainbow trout, to grow salmon smolts to a larger siz e before they are transferred to sea cages.

T he company also announced the appointment of Clara M cGhee as Area M anager of its D awnfresh operations. Jun e also featured the 2 0 2 3 Aquaculture Awards, held in Inverness. Organic Sea H arvest scooped two awards – for Farmer of the Y ear and the Community award, in conj unction with feed business Cargill. Other winners included M owi’s E leanor Lawrie, the Institute of Aquaculture (with R are E arth Global) , Aqua Clean T as, Selcoth Fisheries, M owi, K ames Fish Farming, ellﬁsh iagnostics now ellﬁsh T ech) , D r Lesley M cE voy of U H I Shetland and World Feeds. Scottish Sea Farms’ R onnie Soutar won an award for Outstanding Contribution. July saw a dramatic U - turn when the Scottish Government announced that its H P M A proposals had been dropped in the face of opposition from industry and grassroots groups along the coast.

Opposite from top: Seafood sector leaders launch campaign; Màiri McAllan; Fergus Ewing This page from top: The Mowi salmon wagon; Ronnie Soutar; Neil Manchester; Gigha Halibut

“The ‘for sale’ sign was finally removed from loch trout farmer Dawnfresh”

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18 YEAR IN REVIEW – UK

This page from top Loch Hourn farm; Mairi Gougeon and piper at Aqua Nor; Gilpin Bradley; Scottish Sea Farms’ post-smolt facility, Barcaldine

R epresentatives of the industries a ected had formed a united front, the Seafood Coalition, to campaign against the proposals. Organisations taking part included Salmon Scotland, the Scottish Fishermen s Federation, Seafood Scotland, Scottish ssociation of Fish roducers Organisations, Community Fisheries nshore lliance and the Scottish Seafood ssociation. In A ug us t, the Scottish Government published its long delayed ision for uaculture, launched by airi Gougeon. The ision sets out aspirations for the a uaculture sector and a blueprint for where it should be by albeit without putting any ﬁgures on growth or what the sector s economic contribution should be by that date. ot to be left out, the UK Government announced a raft of grant allocations from its Seafood Fund. owi s planned broodstock pro ect at rdessie, the Scottish Sea Farms post smolt facility at arcaldine and mussel farmer nverlussa Shellﬁsh were among the recipients in a . m package. A ug us t also saw Team Scotland returning to Trondheim for ua or, the biggest a uaculture trade show, after a Covid enforced absence of four years. The Scottish avilion, co hosted by ighlands and slands nterprise, the Sustainable uaculture nnovation Centre and the arine irectorate of the Scottish Government, featured Scottish businesses including Fish Farmer.

In September, we reported that the Scottish Government is set to trial a streamlined consenting process for fish farming applications in two local authority areas over months. The move follows the government s acceptance of the Griggs eport, which said that the process needs to be reformed. In October we learned from the Scottish Fish Farm roduction Survey that, during , production of tlantic salmon fell year on year to ust under , tonnes. roduction of rainbow trout increased by to , tonnes. Gilpin radley, former anaging irector of ester oss Salmon and a veteran of the a uaculture industry, announced he was retiring. e had latterly been usiness evelopment irector, Farming, Scotland with owi, which had ac uired ester oss in . In N ov ember, Salmon Scotland confirmed that it had asked to modify the industry s rotected Geographical ndication to remove the word farmed . ts reasoning was that there is, e ectively, no wild Scottish salmon on general sale and the change would make it harder to pass o an inferior product as Scottish salmon. In D ecember, it emerged that akkafrost Scotland was preparing to take legal action to prevent anti fish farming activist on Staniford from trespassing on its farms. owi Scotland had already successfully applied for an interdict against Staniford. similar suit is being brought by Scottish Sea Farms.

“The Vision sets out aspirations for the aquaculture sector”

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High quality cage nets and robust mooring solutions made for the harsh conditions of the North Atlantic

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20 BAKKAFROST SCOTLAND – CLIENT CONTENT

Image: The Ronja Star

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Investing in the future Bakkafrost Scotland’s drive to be the leading sustainable salmon producer

a k k a f ros t Scotla n d i s on e of th e la rg es t employers i n th e Outer H ebri d es w i th more than 00 sta across locations on the W es t C oa s t of Scotla n d a n d H ebri d ea n I s la n d s . It continues its commitment to become Scotland’s leading salmon producer with a sustainable approach to business. T he business’ progressive development programme continued during 2 0 2 3 with sustained investment in its people, business and facilities across Scotland – all part of a sustainability strategy set to totally transform the business. Bak k afrost Scotland’s ten- year strategy is underpinned by its ealthy iving lan which outlines priorities under ﬁve sustainability pillars: • H ealthy Business • H ealthy Salmon • H ealthy P eople • H ealthy E nvironment • H ealthy Communities An integral part of the sustainability plan for the salmon is to extend the time in fresh water producing large healthy smolt and then to be in the sea for one summer, rather

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22 BAKKAFROST SCOTLAND – CLIENT CONTENT

than the traditional two. Fundamental to this is the development of the recirculating aquaculture system (R AS) at Applecross in N orth- West Scotland. H ea lth y B us i n es s : Sustainable development of the business supported by the substantial investment programme will help secure j obs for the future and drive forward development in rural economies, as well as develop business performance. “ A consistent and sustainable approach remains a k ey priority. T his is being realised by introducing industry leading R AS systems - a freshwater rearing facility which will be used to produce robust larger smolt, which is a ‘ game changer’ for the industry,” says Bak k afrost Scotland managing director, Ian Laister. “ Our ambition in the longer term is to reduce the time in the sea for our ﬁsh to one summer, and therefore putting larger, more robust ﬁsh to sea that can cope with the increased natural challenges everyone in the sector is currently facing. “ We have increased awareness

and training of everyone across our business about the biological challenges we faced earlier this year, supporting early warning systems and continuous monitoring. We’re all on this j ourney together. ” E quipping sites with up- to- date tools was part of this year’s plan, including centralised feeding and introducing AI, predator proof netting on all sites and j ump nets where required, with the introduction of hybrid well boats and barges. N ew barges for Ardyne and P ortree were installed, and further investment has been made to add new support boats to work alongside the impressive and industry leading well boats R onj a Star and R onj a Fisk . H ea lth y Sa lmon : T he industry leading R AS facility at Applecross is set to be completed in 2 0 2 5 , and earlier this year Bak k afrost Scotland submitted a P lanning Application N otice with N orth Ayrshire Council with a view to constructing a further R AS facility at Fairlie on the Ayrshire coast. With BAP accreditation already

Above and right: Award winning staff Below: Ian Laister and Jamie Bilsland; Opposite below: Isle of Skye Half Marathon

“RAS is

‘game changer’ for the sector”

Bakkafrost - PED.indd 22

28/11/2023 10:14:52

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 23

secured on all Bak k afrost Scotland facilities, the company is now work ing with the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) - the world s leading certiﬁcation scheme for farmed seafood – to further add to the business’ accreditation credentials. T he ASC label only appears on products from farms that have been independently assessed and certiﬁed as being environmentally and socially responsible.

Bakkafrost - PED.indd 23

T he Company has achieved certification for several farm sites and also has obtained ASC Chain of Custody certification for all three of its processing facilities on the west coast. T his is a maj or achievement for the sites and teams across the country, as the ASC develops and manages the strictest standards in the industry including hundreds of requirements covering potential aquaculture impacts – such as water quality, responsible sourcing of feed, disease prevention, animal welfare, the fair treatment and pay of work ers and maintaining positive relationships with neighbouring communities. Bak k afrost Scotland standards and certifications also include R SP CA, GlobalGAP and the Code of Good P ractice to maintain world- class standards across each of its sites across the country. 2 0 2 3 also saw the company’s world- class N ative H ebridean salmon

28/11/2023 13:52:40

24 BAKKAFROST SCOTLAND – CLIENT CONTENT

continue to claim several industry accolades with further success at the Great T aste awards, the Great British Food Awards, a P rimary P roducer Award at the prestigious H ighlands & Islands Food and D rink Awards and further recognition at the Scottish R etail Food & D rink s Awards. H ea lth y P eople: T he Bak k afrost Scotland H ealthy Living Awards programme was launched in 2 0 2 1 to highlight the way in which members of the team across the country go above and beyond in their everyday roles in ﬁve pillars of sustainability. T o- date 2 2 people have pick ed up this prestigious award, following a nomination from colleagues. It is important to hear about the way in which team members have contributed to the responsible and sustainable development of our operations and sites. There are ﬁve categories for the awards which come under the Bak k afrost Scotland sustainability pillars – H ealthy P eople, Salmon, Business, E nvironment and Communities, and 2 0 2 3 saw the scheme widened to include colleagues from across the Bak k afrost group. E ach of the winners were congratulated for their outstanding commitment to both their communities and the wellbeing of colleagues, which is entirely in k eeping with the Bak k afrost values across the business. T he past year has seen considerable progress made by the Bak k afrost Scotland teams across the country in their commitment to grow the business in line with their industry leading sustainability ambitions, and that push is set to continue into 2 0 2 4 with new investments which are lik ely to be a ‘ game changer’ for the industry.

Bakkafrost - PED.indd 24

H ea lth y E n v i ron men t: 2 0 2 3 saw further progress at our Applecross recirculating aquaculture system (R AS) site as the development approaches completion on schedule. R AS facilities are a ‘ game changer’ for the industry and Applecross is a priority in our commitment to grow the business in line with our industry leading sustainability ambitions. When complete, the facility will run on 1 0 0 percent direct renewable energy with hydropower mak ing up 7 5 percent of the energy mix with 3 3 k m of private wire to our hydro system. On- site solar panels are expected to yield 8 8 1 K W annually, delivering the other 2 5 percent of the site’s electricity needs. Applecross will also be a shining example of the circular economy in Scotland with use of waste for fertiliser. H ea lth y C ommun i ti es : T he Bak k afrost Scotland Community Fund supports the delivery of its Community Charter, bringing employees and communities together by encouraging sta to champion local groups and charities that have a positive impact on health, wellbeing, and the natural environment. Last year, it launched an expanded community funding initiative building on the success of the e isting sta

28/11/2023 10:16:12

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 25

nominated Community Fund, o ering organisations the opportunity to apply directly to support local causes. Groups and charities based in or delivering pro ects within a twenty mile radius of one of the business sites, can apply for ﬁnancial support for pro ects that promote health and wellbeing, stewardship of the natural environment or economic development within the community. Since the launch of the Community Fund in , over community groups in the estern sles, rgyll and ute, the ighlands and slands and orth yrshire and rran have received funding. The Community Charter brings the brand values and pillars to life and details akkafrost s commitment to working closely with people, suppliers and communities. n , akkafrost Scotland partnered on a range of sponsorship activities supporting and celebrating sport, culture, and tradition. n uly, it continued its long standing sponsorship of the estern sles Games ssociation s participation at the at est nternational sland Games this year, held in Guernsey. This bi annual event attracts island teams from around the world and this year over athletes ew out of Stornoway to represent the estern

Bakkafrost - PED.indd 25

sles. The team were successful in bringing home four silver and one bron e medal from the Games. akkafrost Scotland also continued its long term association with two of the west coast of Scotland s highest profile community gathering and ighland Games events at the Cowal Gathering and ochcarron ighland Games. oth events attract thousands of visitors from far and wide every year, and the mi of tradition and competition is a ma or attraction for all who attend. e have been headline sponsor of the ochcarron ighland Games for five years now, and our association with the Cowal Gathering is also long term, said an aister. The investments made by akkafrost Scotland in will be significant for the business, and importantly supported by sound business practice, based on sustainability for long term success, in a sector which still delivers for the often fragile communities in which it operates as well as for Scotland.

Opposite from top: Lochcarron Highland Games; Cowal Highland Gathering This page from top: WIIGA group photo, opening ceremony; Kirn primary school 1

“Commitment to

communities and wellbeing” 28/11/2023 13:53:22

26 SALMON

Destination everywhere A global study by the Norwegian Seafood Council reveals the world’s biggest consumers of the pink fish – and the fastest-growing markets By VIN CE M cD ON AGH

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28/11/2023 14:54:42

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 27

H E w orld prod uces a lmos t th ree mi lli on ton n es of f a rmed s a lmon a yea r s o w h ere d oes i t a ll en d up a n d w h o ea ts i t? Some destinations are fairly obvious: the U nited States, E urope and the Far E ast mak e up the largest share. But there are doz ens of other little- k nown salmon- hungry mark ets that might surprise a few people. N ow the N orwegian Seafood Council has produced a survey provocatively titled “ Which Way D oes the Salmon Swim? ” Around 4 0 million salmon meals are eaten around the world every day. Of these, N orwegian salmon, as the world’s largest producer, is on the plate in around 2 1 million homes and restaurants. In its analysis, the Seafood Council

has e amined the ow of goods for Atlantic salmon to answer the questions: who eats the most salmon regardless of origin, who eats the most N orwegian salmon and where has the consumption of salmon increased the most in recent years? “ In many countries, we see that salmon consumption is still low. T he analysis clearly shows that there is great potential for growth in several of the countries,” says Seafood Council salmon analyst P aul T Aandahl. The e port ﬁgures show how much salmon is sent to di erent countries but the ﬁgures do not necessarily say much about how much salmon people eat in each individual country. T his is because the lik es of P oland are so- called processing countries, where the salmon is further

“There

is great potential for growth in several of the countries”

Above: Paul T Aandahl, Norwegian Seafood Council Left: Salmon on ice

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28/11/2023 14:55:23

28 SALMON

Above: Tallinn restaurant – Estonians are among the biggest consumers of salmon per capita Opposite: Salmon meal

processed into smok ed salmon, ﬁllets and ready meals before being sent on to other countries. In other words, the P oles export almost as much salmon as they import. To get an estimate of salmon consumption, the Seafood Council has look ed at trade statistics, which show both the amount of salmon imported, the amount of salmon e ported and possibly the country s own production of salmon. t was a surprise for some people to learn it that in 2 0 2 2 , it was the Germans, not normally noted as being ﬁsh addicts, who topped the list of countries in the world to eat the most orwegian salmon, downing a total of , tonnes. N ext on the list was France , tonnes), the US , tonnes), taly , tonnes) and Spain , tonnes). Taking all salmon producing countries, including Scotland, it was

26_Demand for salmon_Vince 1_converted.indd 28

the mericans, with a population of million, who ate the most at a whopping , tonnes. lso towards the top of the list are the French, British, Germans, talians and Spaniards. ll the ﬁgures in the analysis have been converted to round weight, in other words, whole ungutted salmon. ut big ﬁgures do not mean that, individually, mericans are the world s keenest consumers of salmon. The analysis has revealed a few surprises. For e ample, if you divide the amount of salmon by the number of people in a country, you get a picture of how much salmon is eaten per person on average each year. ere, the mericans are heavily beaten by the Scandinavians. hile they eat appro imately . kilos of salmon per person a year, it is orwegians and Swedes who

28/11/2023 14:55:52

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 29

“Estonians eat

a lot of salmon – as much as 7.1 kilograms” top the world with around 5 . 7 k ilos. N ext come the Finns with an average of 4 . 5 k ilograms per person, then D enmark and Israel with 4 . 4 k ilograms. T he analysis also suggests that E stonians eat a lot of salmon – as much as 7 . 1 k ilograms. But the ﬁgures are uncertain, e plains Aandahl. T he Seafood Council has also look ed at where in the world general salmon consumption is increasing the most, measured as a percentage. In the years between 2 0 1 6 and

26_Demand for salmon_Vince 1_converted.indd 29

2 0 2 2 , T hailand reigns supreme with an average annual growth of 8 % . T hailand is followed by the U SA, Italy, Spain, China, Canada, South K orea and Israel, all of which have had a consumption increase of 7 % in the same period. It should be mentioned that several countries, including Indonesia, E stonia, U k raine, Saudi Arabia and K az ak hstan, have all had an even greater growth in consumption than the mentioned salmon mark ets. When it comes to increasing demand for N orwegian salmon, the Seafood Council says it is the U SA and Thailand ﬁrmly at the top, with an average annual growth of 1 2 . 4 % in the period between 2 0 1 6 and 2 0 2 2 . N ext comes South K orea and Israel with 9 . 8 % and 8 . 6 % respectively. A total production of 2 . 9 million tonnes of Atlantic salmon may sound lik e a lot, but the saturation point for salmon is far from being reached, says Aandahl, and global demand look s set to grow at least as fast as increased supply. H e predicts that several countries will eventually eat roughly the same amount of salmon per capita as N orwegians and Swedes do today, provided that salmon production increases in the coming years. So which way do the salmon swim? J ust about everywhere, it would seem.

28/11/2023 14:56:35

30 COD

Farmed cod ﬁts the bill Farmed cod is increasingly winning acceptance, says Norwegian research institute Nofima By VIN CE M

ON AGH

T H E

and probably eat more of it per N G L I SH ch ef s Q U A L I T Y OF chips, a re ta k i n g head than any other maj or country. T H E F A R M E D a g row i n g But it has become far more expensive due to large quota cuts around Iceland f a n cy to C OD W A S f a rmed cod , in the Barents Sea – and there are P E R C E I V E D A S and more to come this year. a ccord i n g G OOD OR to a recen t Farmed cod could help to ease some of s urv ey ca rri ed out the price pressure if it sold cheaper than V E R Y G OOD the wild caught variety. And this is what by th e N orw eg i a n res ea rch org a n i s a ti on those same chefs have suggested. total of restaurants and three fishmongers in ofima. T he British love their cod, E ngland were sent 2 4 k g of heads- on farmed cod for especially when buying fish and evaluation along with questionnaires.

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28/11/2023 15:00:48

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 31

Opposite: Cod shoal This page from top: Cod; Ove Johansen; cod loins

The ofima survey also compared attitudes between UK and talian chefs, and found that the ritish are more positive than their southern uropean colleagues who were, unusually, uite reserved. ofima market researcher Ove ohansen pictured) says that despite these di erences, both countries believe orway presents a positive picture when it comes to cod farming. The members of the national whitefish groups Cod Cluster and Cod etwork, which recently merged, plan to slaughter large volumes of farmed cod in the future. ut they also wanted more information about potential markets so the orwegian inistry of Trade

30_Farmed cod_Vince 2_converted.indd 31

and Fisheries commissioned oﬁma to investigate opportunities and challenges, choosing the UK and taly. ohansen said The goal of the pro ect was to be able to assist the farming industry and other stakeholders with knowledge so that they can make more strategic decisions and business choices. Together with colleagues G ril oldnes and orten eide, he has prepared the report arket test of farmed cod in ngland and taly UK and talian chefs perception of farmed cod from orway. central point of the study was to ﬁnd new markets for farmed cod while avoiding competition with wild

28/11/2023 15:01:27

32 COD

cod when fishing was at its peak. s the world s largest whitefish market, the UK mainly southeast ngland) was chosen as the established country, with taly, traditionally buyers of dried and salted cod, selected as the new market. ofima says the UK results showed that the uality of the farmed cod was perceived as good or very good. The chefs saw no reason why farmed cod of similar uality would not be accepted on a food related basis.

30_Farmed cod_Vince 2_converted.indd 32

The talian chefs, on the other hand, knew little about natural cod, but thought the uality of the farmed ﬁsh they were sent was good or very good. The researchers also concluded that solid market was necessary, particularly in taly, if the sector was to successfully open up new markets. esearcher G ril oldnes said it was important to ﬁnd the right

28/11/2023 15:01:56

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 33

“Unsurprisingly, price was the key factor”

sales arguments that meet the requirements of the relevant mark et producers want to sell in. “ One could imagine that increased availability would be an important advantage for farmed cod, but the Italian chefs were used to changing menu according to what was in season,” Voldnes added. U nsurprisingly, price was the k ey factor. T he chefs in both E ngland and Italy agreed on the pricing of N orwegian farmed cod, insisting it must be cheaper than its wildcaught cousin.

30_Farmed cod_Vince 2_converted.indd 33

In E ngland, they said the price, depending on siz e and quality, should be between £ 1 0 and £ 1 1 per k ilo below the wild variety at the time it is delivered to a restaurant.

Opposite from top: Norcod farm; cod fillets; cod This page from top: Norcod’s cod on ice; cod swimming

28/11/2023 15:02:22

34 COD

FACTS ABOUT COD FARMING •T h ere a re a tota l of s i x commerci a l pla yers i n N orw a y w h o prod uce a n d s la ug h ter f a rmed cod tod a y. A f urth er f our pla yers h a v e permi ts but curren tly d o not ha e ﬁsh in prod ucti on .

This is because farmed ﬁsh in the UK is generally perceived as being priced below that of their wild counterparts. Their talian counterparts were also of the same view, suggesting farmed ﬁsh should be at least cheaper. ohansen stressed that one should be careful not to place too much importance on the results of the surveys in either ngland or taly. e said The survey has some clear limitations. The sample in this survey is small and limited to restaurants in the ondon, Kent and ilan area.

Furthermore, only farmed cod from one supplier has been tested at a speciﬁc time. f you test farmed cod from another facility or at another time of the year, the results can be di erent.

“A central point of the study was to find new markets for farmed cod”

• ofima has been a n a ti on a l cod breed i n g prog ra mme s i n ce 2 0 0 2 on beh a lf of th e M i n i s try of T ra d e a n d F i s h eri es . I t a i ms to breed a f a rmed cod th a t h a s better g row th ch a ra cteri s ti cs th a n w i ld cod a n d th a t h a s a h i g h er res i s ta n ce to important fish d i s ea s es . •M a n y q ua li ty pa ra meters of f a rmed cod a re s i mi la r to w i ld caught fish. •T h e f a rmed cod h a s con s i s ten t q ua li ty, a lon g s h elf li f e i n a ref ri g era ted s ta te a n d th e a bs en ce of n ema tod es .

This page: Fish and chips

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28/11/2023 15:02:55

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27/11/2023 15:18:51

36 FISH FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2022

Scottish Fish Farm Production Survey 2022

36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 36

28/11/2023 15:36:33

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 37

H E M arine D irectorate of the Scottish Government carried out the annual production survey of fish farms in Scotland for . This survey collates annual production data from Scottish finfish farm sites operated by authorised a uaculture production businesses. The production tonnage obtained is for the wet weight the weight of live fish) at harvest.

A T L A N T I C SA L M ON

, the total production of tlantic salmon decreased by , tonnes to , tonnes, an decrease on the production total. The survey showed an increase in the production of year z ero salmon and presalmon but a decrease in the production of grilse and year two salmon during . The number of sta directly employed on the farms increased by . Overall, there was a decrease in the productivity of tonnes produced per person from . to . . The estimated harvest forecast for is , tonnes. The trend towards concentrating production in larger sites was maintained, with of production in sites producing more than , tonnes per annum. uring , there was an increase in the number of ova produced to . million. The number of ova laid down to hatch increased by to . million and of ova were imported, with the remaining being derived from G broodstock an increase of on the ﬁgure). Smolt production increased to . million, with being produced as S smolts and as S smolts. The number of sta directly employed on freshwater sites increased by four in to sta , while productivity increased to , smolts per person. ro ections for suggest that fewer smolts will be produced compared with , followed by an increase in .

R A I N B OW

Opposite: Salmon fillets From top: Atlantic salmon; rainbow trout; halibut

T R OU T

H E production of rainbow trout increased by in to , tonnes and was directed at the table ) and restocking ) markets. The total number of sta employed decreased by eight to . There was an overall increase in the productivity of the industry to . tonnes per person. n , the number of eyed ova laid down to hatch . million) decreased by . million and was mainly triploid stock . ). The proportion of ova from G broodstock increased to . The US was the largest source of imported ova with of the total this was an increase proportionally from . The Scottish rainbow trout industry continues to be highly dependent on imported ova. mports of part grown rainbow trout from orthern reland continued in .

OT H E R

SP E C I E S

O UCT O of brown sea trout remained at tonnes in production occurred in but the ﬁgure cannot be shown without revealing the production of individual companies. umpsucker and wrasse continued to be produced for use as biological controls for parasites in the marine tlantic salmon farming industry. n , the total number of sta employed in the production of other species increased by one to .

36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 37

. alibut

28/11/2023 15:37:14

/ / E xecutive su mma r y 38 FISH FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2022

/ / Executive su mmathe r yresults from the 2022 fish farms annual The tables below summarise production survey (slight differences in these summary figures from

to E figures X tables E C inU the T main I V summarise E report SU M arethe M dueA results R rounding). Y from the 2022 fish farms annual The below

H E tables below(slight summarise the results from the fish farms from annual production survey differences in these summary figures production survey slight di due erences in these summary figures from figures in the main report are to rounding). Rainbow (Oncorhynchus figuresTrout in the main report are due mykiss) to rounding). 2021

2022

8,184 2022 573 8,757 138 8,184 63.5 573 4.2 138 2.6 63.5 4.2

R Total a i production n bowTrouttrout ( On corh yn ch us8,156 myk i s 8,757 s ) (tonnes) Rainbow (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Production for the table

(tonnes)

Production for restocking Total production Number of staff employed Production for the table Mean productivity Production for restocking Number of ova laid down to hatch Number of staff employed Number of ova imported Mean productivity

(tonnes) (tonnes)

(millions) (tonnes/person)

7,655 2021 501 8,156 146 7,655 55.9 501 4.9 146 3.6 55.9

Number of ova laid down to hatch

(millions)

4.9

(tonnes) (tonnes/person) (tonnes) (millions)

In 2022, the production of rainbow trout increased by 601 tonnes. Number of ova imported (millions) 3.6 2.6 Employment decreased by eight staff and mean productivity increased to n , the production of rainbow trout increased by tonnes. mployment 63.5 tonnes per person. The number of ova laid down to hatch decreased In 2022, the production ofmean rainbow trout increased tonnes.per decreased by eight sta and productivity increased by to 601 . tonnes by 0.7 million and the number of ova imported decreased by 1.0 million. person. The number of ovaby laideight downstaff to hatch decreased by . million and Employment decreased and mean productivity increased to the number ovaperson. importedThe decreased 63.5 tonnesofper numberbyofone ovamillion. laid down to hatch decreased by 0.7 million and the number of ova imported decreased by 1.0 million. Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

A tla n ti c s a lmon ( Sa lmo s a la r) – Ovaovand a Smolts a n d s molts

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

2021

2022

Number of ova produced Ova and Smolts

(millions)

46.3

53.2

Number of ova laid down to hatch

(millions)

Number of ova exported Number of ova produced Number of ova imported Number of ova laid down to hatch Number of smolts produced Number of ova exported Number of smolts put to sea Number of ova imported Number of staff employed Number of smolts produced Mean productivity (000’s smolts/person) Number of smolts put to sea

(millions) (millions) (millions) (millions) (millions) (millions) (millions) (millions)

72.8 2021 0 46.3 50.7 72.8 51.2 0 51.1 50.7 291 51.2 175.9 51.1

78.5 2022 0 53.2 43.9 78.5 55.1 0 55.3 43.9 295 55.1 186.6 55.3

(millions) (millions)

IN 2022, THE PRODUCTION OF RAINBOW TROUT INCREASED BY 601 TONNES

Ova production increased by . million in and the number of ova laid Number of staff employed 291 295down The production million in 2022 and the to hatch increasedofbyova . increased million. o by ova5.9 were e ported in and thenumber number Mean productivity (000’s smolts/person) 175.9 186.6 of ova ovaimported laid down to hatch 5.7the million.ﬁNo ova were exported of decreased byincreased . millionby from gure. The number of produced increased million and the number sta million employed in smolts 2022 and the number ofby ova. imported decreased byof6.8 from The production ovaproductivity increased by 5.9 million 2022 and the number increased four.ofThe ean increased by ,in increased smolts per the 2021by figure. number of smolts produced byperson. 3.9 million. of ova laid down to hatch increased by 5.7 million. No ova were exported In 2022 the number of staff employed increased by four and mean in 2022 and the number of ova imported decreased by 6.8 million from productivity increased by 10,700 smolts per person. the 2021 figure. The number of smolts produced increased by 3.9 million. In 2022 the number of staff employed increased by four and mean productivity increased by 10,700 1smolts per person.

36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 38

28/11/2023 15:37:54

Production fish

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 39

Total production

2021

2022 169,194

roduction sh Production of 0-year fish Production fish ﬁ

(tonnes)

205,393

(tonnes)

135

Production of grilse

(tonnes)

93,346 2021

65,163 2022

Production of pre-salmon Total production Production of 0-year year 2 salmon Production of fish

(tonnes) (tonnes) (tonnes) (tonnes)

51,349 205,393 60,664 34

52,738 169,194 51,158 135

Mean fish weight 0-year Production of grilse Mean fish weight grilse Production of pre-salmon

(kg) (tonnes) (kg) (tonnes)

2.1 93,346 5.0 51,349

1.7 65,163 4.4 52,738

Mean fish weight Production of yearpre-salmon 2 salmon

(kg) (tonnes)

4.6 60,664

4.8 51,158

(kg) (kg)

5.7 2.1

5.2 1.7

Mean fish weight 0-year salmon Number ofweight staff employed Mean fish grilse

(kg)

1,495 5.0

1,508 4.4

Mean productivity fish weight pre-salmon

tonnes/person (kg)

137.4 4.6

112.2 4.8

(kg)

5.7

5.2

Mean fish weight salmon

THE SMOLT SURVIVAL RATE FOR THE 2020 INPUT YEAR CLASS INCREASED TO 75.9%

Production tonnage decreased by 36,199 tonnes in the Number of staff employed 1,495 with a decrease 1,508 mean harvest weight of year 0, grilse, pre-salmon and year 2 salmon. Mean productivity tonnes/person 137.4 112.2 numbers mean to 112.2 P Staff roduction tonnagedecreased decreased byby 3 6 ,113 9 9 and tonnes, with productivity a decrease in thedecreased mean tonnes per person. harvest weight tonnage of year ero, grilse, pre salmon and year two salmon. numbers in the Production decreased by 36,199 tonnes with Sta a decrease decreased by 1 3 and mean productivity to 1 1 2 . 2 tonnes peryear person. mean harvest weight of year 0,decreased grilse, pre-salmon and 2 salmon.

Staff numbers decreased by 13 and mean productivity decreased to 112.2

molt sur i al percentage har Smolt survival tonnes per person.(percentage harvested) Survival (%)

Years 0+1

ested

Year 2

Total

2019 input year Smolt survival (percentage harvested) 54.4 20.0 class

74.4

Survival Years 0+1 Year 2 Total 2020 input(%) year 57.2 18.7 75.9 class 2019 input year 54.4 20.0increased to 7 5 . 74.4 T he smolt survival rate for the 2 0 2 0 input year class 9 % . class

ortality is included in the number of ﬁsh not harvested for human consumption,to 75.9%. The smolt survival rate for the 2020 input year class increased 2020 input year 57.2 18.7 75.9 which also consists of ﬁsh that have escaped, been culled for production Mortality classis included in the number of fish not harvested for human Opposite from reasons, removed for sampling purposes, statutory culls or selected for consumption, which also consists of fish which have escaped, beentop: culled Rainbow trout; broodstock production. Other Species fresh for reasons, removed for input sampling statutory cullstrout; or Atlantic Theproduction smolt survival rate for the 2020 yearpurposes, class increased to 75.9%. Including brown/sea trout (Salmo trutta); halibut (Hippoglossus salmon selected broodstock production. Mortalityfor is included in the number of fish not harvested for human hippoglossus); lumpsucker (Cyclopterus lumpus) and several species of Above: Trout smolt consumption, which also consists of fish(H which have escaped, been Below: culledRainbow Including brown/ sea trout ( Salmo trutta ) ; halibut ippoglossus wrasse (Labridae). hippoglossus ) ; lumpsuck er (Cyclopterus ) and several species statutory culls for production reasons, removedlumpus for sampling purposes, trout or of wrasse (Labridae ). selected for broodstock production.

Other species

2021

2022

(tonnes)

61a

46a

(full-time)

(part-time)

Number of ova laid down to hatch

(millions)

60.0

3.5b

Number of ova imported

(millions)

0.7

0.9

Total production Number of staff employed

Some figures are excluded from this report as providing them would reveal production

Some ﬁgures arean e individual cluded from this report as providing them would reveal information from company. production information from an individual company. ªExcluding halibut production. ab b

Excluding halibutproduction. ova laid down to hatch. cluding halibut

cluding halibut ova laid down to hatch.

2 decreased by 15 tonnes from In 2022, the production of other species the 2021 total, although this figure does not include halibut production. Overall, employment increased by one in 2022. There was a decrease in the number of ova laid down to hatch 2 during 2022 but any halibut ova 36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 39

28/11/2023 15:38:27

40 FISH FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2022

Other Species Including brown/sea trout (Salmo trutta); halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus); lumpsucker (Cyclopterus lumpus) and several species of wrasse (Labridae). 2021

2022

(tonnes)

61a

46a

(full-time)

(part-time)

Number of ova laid down to hatch

(millions)

60.0

3.5b

Number of ova imported

(millions)

0.7

0.9

Total production Number of staff employed

Some figures are excluded from this report as providing them would reveal production information from an individual company. ªExcluding halibut production. b Excluding halibut ova laid down to hatch.

In 2022, the production of other species decreased by 15 tonnes from In 2 2 , the production of other speciesdoes decreased by 1 5 tonnes the the2 0 2021 total, although this figure not include halibutfrom production. total, although thisincreased ﬁgure does include halibut production. Overall, in Overall, employment bynot one in 2022. There was a decrease employment by down one in to hatch . There was 2022 a decrease in the number the numberincreased of ova laid during but any halibut ova of ova laid down to hatch during butincluded any halibut ova 2022 laid down to hatch laid down to hatch in 2022 were not in the figure. in were not included in the ﬁgure.

N Number U M B E R ofOFConfirmed C ON F I R Escape M E D E SC A P E I N from C I D E Fish N T SFarms F R OM NotiIncidents F fied I SH toF the A R M Scottish S N OT I Government F I E D T O T H E SC OT T I SH G OV E R N M E N T Number of reported incidents which could have led to an escape of farmed fish

Number of reported incidents which did lead to an escape of farmed fish

Number of fish escaped

Rainbow trout

3,918

Atlantic salmon (freshwater stages)

Atlantic salmon (seawater stages)

52,463

Species

36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 40

This page: Rainbow trout Opposite from top: Trout fillet; rainbow trout

28/11/2023 15:39:05

// 1 . Ra i n bow t ro ut (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Production survey information was collected from all 20 THEcompanies YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 41

// 1 . Ra iinvolved n bowintrainbow ro ut trout (Oncorhynchus actively production, farming 46mykiss) active sites.

trout ( On corh yn ch us myk i s s )

R a i n bow

This figure represents the entire industry operating in Scotland. Production survey information was collected from all 20 companies P roduction survey information was collected from all 2 0 companies actively actively involved in rainbow trout production, farming 46 active sites. involved in rainbow trout production, farming active sites. This ﬁgure Production This figurethe represents the entire industry operating in Scotland. represents entire industry operating Scotland. Table 1a: Annual production (tonnes)inof rainbow trout during 2008-2022 and projected production in 2023

Production P R OD U C T I ON

Table 1a: Annual production (tonnes) of rainbow trout during 2008-2022 Percentage T a ble 1 a : a n n uaproduction lTonnes prod ucti on in ( ton n es ) of ra i Year n bow trout Tonnes f rom 2 0 0 8 Percentage to 2 0 2 2 Year and projected 2023 difference difference a n d proj ected prod ucti on i n 2 0 2 3 2008

7,670

2009 Year

6,766 Tonnes

2010 2008 2011 2009 2012 2010

5,139 7,670 4,619 6,766 5,670 5,139

2013 2011 2014 2012 2015 2013

5,611 4,619 5,882 5,670 8,588 5,611

3 Percentage -12 difference -24 3 -10 -12 23 -24 -1 -10 5 23

2016

8,096

2017 Year

7,637 Tonnes

2018 2016 2019 2017 2020 2018

6,413 8,096 7,405 7,637 7,576 6,413

2021 2019 2022 2020 2023 2021

8,156 7,405 8,757 7,576 8,708* 8,156

46 -1 * Industry estimate based on stocks currently being on-grown. 8,757 2014 5,882 5 2022 2015

8,588

2023

-6 Percentage -6 difference -16 -6 15 -6 2 -16 8 15 7 2 8 7

8,708*

Production increased in 2022 by 601 tonnes, an increase of 7%, to 8,757 tonnes. P roduction increased in 2 0 2 2 by 6 0 1 tonnes, an increase of 7 % to 8 ,7 5 7 tonnes. Production increased in 2022 by 601 tonnes, an increase of 7%, to 8,757 Table 1b: Production (tonnes) for the table trade during 2013-2022 tonnes. T a ble 1 b: prod ucti on category ( ton n es ) f or th e ta ble tra d e f rom 2 0 1 3 to 2 0 2 2 according to weight a ccord i n g to w ei g h t ca teg ory Table 1b: Production (tonnes) for the table trade during 2013-2022 <450 g 450-900 g >900 g Total according Year to weight category

** Industry Industryestimate estimatebased basedonon stocks currently being on-grown. stock s currently being on- grown.

2013 Year 2014 2015 2013 2016 2014 2017 2015 2018 2016 2019 2017 2020 2018 2021 2019 2022 2020

<1 lb

1-2 lbs

>2 lbs

Tonnes

1,908g <450 2,334 <1 lb 2,299 1,908 2,393 2,334 2,000 2,299 803 2,393 343 2,000 403 803 384 343 345 403

825 g 450-900 290 1-2 lbs 258 825 234 290 544 258 223 234 228 544 164 223 154 228 188 164

2,268g >900 2,704 >2 lbs 5,476 2,268 4,810 2,704 4,453 5,476 4,848 4,810 6,335 4,453 6,465 4,848 7,117 6,335 7,651 6,465

5,001 Total 5,328 Tonnes 8,033 5,001 7,437 5,328 6,997 8,033 5,874 7,437 6,906 6,997 7,032 5,874 7,655 6,906 8,757 7,032

P roduction in 2 0 2 2 was 8 ,1 154 8 4 tonnes, an 7,117 2021 for the table384 increase of 5 2 9 tonnes 345 (7 % ) on the 2 0 2 188 1 total. T his 7,651 2022 accounted for 9 3 % of the total rainbow trout production, a decrease on the proportion to that produced 4 in 2 0 2 1 . Also, an increase in the number of ﬁsh 4 in the medium and large siz e ranges and a decrease in the number of ﬁsh in the small siz e range were observed.

36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 41

7,655 8,757

ALL 20 COMPANIES ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN RAINBOW TROUT PRODUCTION, FARMING 46 ACTIVE SITES

28/11/2023 15:39:39

42 FISH FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2022 Production for the table in 2022 was 8,184 tonnes, an increase of 529 tonnes (7%) on the 2021 total. This accounted for 93% of the total rainbow trout production, a decrease on the proportion to that produced in 2021. Also, an increase in the number of fish in the medium and large size ranges and a decrease in the number of fish in the small size range were observed. Table 1c: Production (tonnes) for the restocking trade during 2013-2022 T a ble 1 c: prod ucti on category ( ton n es ) f or th e res tock i n g tra d e f rom 2 0 1 3 to 2 0 2 2 according to weight a ccord i n g to w ei g h t ca teg ory Year

<450 g

450-900 g

>900 g

Total

<1 lb

1-2 lbs

>2 lbs

Tonnes 610

2013

221

365

2014

256

270

554

2015

158

382

555 659

2016

183

441

2017

150

480

640

2018

143

382

539

2019

113

370

499

2020

130

368

544

2021

128

359

501

2022

207

341

573

In 2 0 2 2 , production for the restock ing of angling waters increased to 5 7 3 tonnes In 2022, production restocking increased representing an increasefor of 7 the 2 tonnes (1 4 % ) of on angling the 2 0 2 1 waters total. T his accountedto for 573oftonnes representing an increase of 72 tonnes on the 2021 of total rainbow trout production in . These figures(14%) represent the tonnage total. This accounted for 7%forofrestocking total rainbow trout in 2022. fish supplied to angling waters purposes theyproduction do not account for the These figures represent the tonnage of fish supplied tofiangling for catch taken by anglers. There was an increase in the number of sh in the waters small and restocking do not account for catch taken anglers. medium si e purposes; ranges but athey decrease in the number of the fish in the large si by e range. Production Site in the number of fish in the small and medium size There was an by increase Table 2: Number of by tonnage 2013ranges but a decrease the of fish inproduced the largeduring size range. P R OD U C T I ON B sites Y in SI grouped T E number 2022 T a ble tw o: n umber of s i tes by ton n a g e prod uced f rom 2 0 1 3 to 2 0 2 2 Number of sites per production tonnage <1-25

26-100

101-200

>200

Total number of sites

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

Year

IN 2022, PRODUCTION FOR THE RESTOCKING OF ANGLING WATERS INCREASED TO 573 TONNES

5 roduction was reported from of the active sites. The number of producers in Production was reported from 29 of the active sites.toThe number the to tonnes si e bracket increased while46 those in the , to of in si the <1-25 tonnes size while those in andproducers tonnes e brackets remained thebracket same as increased in . These ﬁgures do not include those sites specialising in the production of ova or young ﬁsh for on growing. the 26-100, 101-200 and >200 tonnes size brackets remained the same as in 2021. These figures do not include those sites specialising in the production of ova or young fish for on-growing.

Production by Method

36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 42

Table 3: Grouping of rainbow trout sites by production tonnages, main

28/11/2023 15:40:10

Production was reported from 29 of the 46 active sites. The number of producers in the <1-25 tonnes size bracket increased while those in the 26-100, 101-200 and >200 tonnes size brackets remained the same as in 2021. These figures do not include those sites specialising in the THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 43 production of ova or young fish for on-growing.

by Method P Production R OD U C T I ON B Y M E T H OD

Table 3: Grouping of rainbow trout sites by production tonnages, main T methods a ble th ree: g roupi n g of in ra i 2022 n bow and troutcomparison s i tes by prodwith ucti on ton n a g es in , ma2021 in of production production meth od s of prod ucti on i n 2 0 2 2 a n d compa ri s on w i th prod ucti on i n 2 0 2 1 Production grouping (tonnes) in 2022

Production method

<10

FW pens FW ponds and raceways FW tanks and hatcheries

10-25

26-50

51-100

>100

Total tonnage and (%) by method

Number of sites 2021

2022

2021

2022

1,976 (24%) 968 (12%)

2,454 (28%) 970 (11%)

68 (1%)

87 (1%)

5,246 (60%)

SW pens

5,144 (63%)

SW tanks

Total

8,156

Seawater production accounted for 5 ,2 4 6 tonnes (6 0 % ) and freshwater production the Seawater3 ,5production for 5,246 tonnesincreased (60%) and freshwater remaining 1 1 tonnes (4 accounted 0 % ) . P roduction from facilities during 2 0 2 2 . production the remaining 3,511 tonnes (40%). Production from facilities Company and Site Data C increased OM P A N during Y A N D 2022. SI T E D A T A Table 4: Number of companies and sites in production during 2013-2022 T a ble f our: n umber of compa n i es a n d s i tes i n prod ucti on f rom 2 0 1 3 to 2 0 2 2 Year

No. of6companies

No. of sites

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

Opposite and below: Trout farms Above: Fresh rainbow trout

In 2 0 2 2 , the number of companies authorised by the Scottish Government and2022, actively rainbow trout production 0 . T Scottish he number of sites In theengaged numberinof companies authorisedwas by2 the registered andand in production was 4 6 . in rainbow trout production was 20. Government actively engaged The number of sites registered and in production was 46.

Staffing and Productivity Table 5: Number of staff employed and productivity per person during 2013-2022

Year

Full-time Male

Full-time Female

Total Full-time

Part-time Male

Part-time Female

Total Part-time

Total Staff

Productivity (tonnes/ person)

2013

110

51.0

2014

113

52.1

2015

100

110

126

68.2

2016

100

121

66.9

2017

110

132

57.9

2018

103

111

136

47.2

2019

103

114

144

51.4

2020

110

134

56.5

2021

107

123

146

55.9

36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 43

28/11/2023 15:40:42

2022

In 2022, the number of companies authorised by the Scottish Government and actively engaged in rainbow trout production was 20. The number of sites registered and in production was 46. 44 FISH FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2022

Staffing and Productivity Table ST A F 5: F I Number N G A N of D staff P R ODemployed U C T I V and I T Y productivity per person during 2013-2022 a le ﬁ e sta employed and producti ity per person from 20 to 2022 Year

Full-time Male

Full-time Female

Total Full-time

Part-time Male

Part-time Female

Total Part-time

Total Staff

Productivity (tonnes/ person)

2013

110

51.0

2014

113

52.1

2015

100

110

126

68.2

2016

100

121

66.9

2017

110

132

57.9

2018

103

111

136

47.2

2019

103

114

144

51.4

2020

110

134

56.5

2021

107

123

146

55.9

2022

105

118

138

63.5

The overall number of sta employed in decreased by eight to . The The overall staff employed 2022 eight number of fullnumber time staof decreased by ﬁve,inwhile thedecreased number ofby part timeto sta 138. The number full-time staff decreased by five whileper theperson, number decreased by three.ofroductivity, measured as tonnes produced of part-time Productivity, measured tonnes increased by staffindecreased , withby no three. distinction between full and partas time employees per being made for this calculation. produced person, increased by 13% in 2022 with no distinction between full and part-time employees being made for this calculation.

PRODUCTIVITY, MEASURED AS TONNES PRODUCED PER PERSON, INCREASED BY 13% IN 2022

P Production R OD U C T I by ON Area B Y A R E A

Table 6: Production and staffing by area in 2022 a le si production and sta ng y area in 2022 Area

No. Table Restocking 7 Total Mean of production production tonnes tonnes sites (tonnes) (tonnes) (tonnes) per site

Staffing F/T P/T Total

Productivity (tonnes/ person)

North*

1,120

1,153

144.1

East

935

256

1,191

99.3

104.8 27.1

West

5,587

5,592

372.8

101.7

South

542

279

821

74.6

29.3

All

8,184

573

8,757

190.6

118 20

138

63.5

From2018, the , the north area also included production andfrom sta the from the Isles estern *From North area also included production and staff Western sles.from From , production and from sta Orkney from Orkney were also included. and 2021 production and staff was also included

roductivity was greatest in the westWest at at.372.8 tonnes per site Productivity was greatest in the tonnes perwhile site productivity while per person wasper greatest in was the north at in .the tonnes productivity person greatest Northper at person. 104.8 tonnes per person.

Above: Trout farming Left: Large rainbow trout

36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 44

28/11/2023 15:41:45

TY, D S D N, D N

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 45

µ µ

F i g ure on e: th e reg i on a l d i s tri buti on of a cti v e ra i n bow

trout s i tes i n 2 0 2 2

! ! !

N o rt h

! !

N o rt h

! !

!! !

! ! !! !

E as t

! !

! !! !! ! !!

! !

W es t

! !! ! ! !! !! !!!

E as t

! !

! ! !

! !

So u !t h

! !

W es t

! 20

4 0

6 0

8 0

Miles 100

! !! Figure 1: The regional distribution of active rainbow trout sites in 2022 ! So u t h © Crown copyright and database rights 2020 OS (100024655) 36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 45

28/11/2023 15:42:12

46 FISHof FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2022 Type Ova Laid Down Table 7: Number (000’s) and proportions (%) of eyed ova types laid down to Type of Laid hatch T Y P E during OF Ova OV2013-2022 A L A Down I D D OW N Table 7: Number (000’s) and proportions (%) of eyed ova types laid down to T a ble s ev en : n umber ( 0 0 0 s ) a n d proporti on s ( % ) of eyed ov a types la i d hatch during 2013-2022 All2 female Mixed sex d ow n Year to h a tch f rom 0 1 3 to 2 0 2 Triploid 2 no. (%) Total ova diploid no. (%)

diploid no. (%)

1,955 no. (20)(%) Triploid 2,710 (25) 1,955 (20) 1,800 (15) 2,710 (25) 1,943 (20) 1,800 (15) 4,670 (66) 1,943 (20) 4,843 (77) 4,670 (66) 5,369 (82) 4,843 (77) 5,943 (95) 5,369 (82) 4,877 (<100) 5,943 (95) 4,138 (<100) 4,877 (<100)

Mixed sex 77 (<1) diploid no. (%) 9 (<1) 77 (<1) 76 (<1) 9 (<1) 5 (<1) 76 (<1) 5 (<1) 5 (<1) 15 (<1) 5 (<1) 105 (2) 15 (<1) 15 (<1) 105 (2) 15 (<1) 15 (<1) 5 (<1) 15 (<1)

9,889 Total ova

2014 2013 2015 2014 2016 2015 2017 2016 2018 2017 2019 2018 2020 2019 2021 2020 2022 2021

All female 7,857 (80) diploid no. (%) 8,321 (75) 7,857 (80) 10,245 (85) 8,321 (75) 7,986 (80) 10,245 (85) 2,366 (34) 7,986 (80) 1,460 (23) 2,366 (34) 1,077 (16) 1,460 (23) 286 (5) 1,077 (16) 2 (<1) 286 (5) 8 (<1) 2 (<1)

2022

8 (<1)

4,138 (<100)

5 (<1)

4,151

2013 Year

Source of Ova Laid Down

SOU R C E OF OV A L A I D

D OW

11,040 9,889 12,121 11,040 9,934 12,121 7,041 9,934 6,318 7,041 6,551 6,318 6,244 6,551 4,894 6,244 4,151 4,894

Table 8: Number (000’s) and sources of eyed ova laid down to hatch in Source Laid T a ble ei g of h t: Ova n umber ( 0 0 Down 0 s ) a n d s ources of eyed ov a la i d d ow n to h a tch i n 2013-2022 2 0 1 3 to 0 2 2 Table 8: 2 Number (000’s) and sources of eyed ova laid down to hatch in 2013-2022 Ova produced in Year Year 2013 2014 2013 2015 2014 2016 2015 2017 2016 2018 2017 2019 2018 2020 2019 2021 2020 2022 2021

Imported ova

Great Britain (GB)

in Own Ova produced Other Total stockGreat Britain stock (GB)

Northern Imported Southern ova hemisphere hemisphere

Total Imported

Own 77 stock 9 77 6 9 35 6 20 35 15 20 10 15 15 10 181 15 740 181

Northern 9,275 hemisphere 10,376 9,275 11,227 10,376 9,550 11,227 6,474 9,550 5,808 6,474 6,519 5,808 3,712 6,519 3,645 3,712 2,637 3,645

Total 9,275 Imported 10,376 9,275 11,227 10,376 9,550 11,227 6,474 9,550 5,808 6,474 6,519 5,808 4,677 6,519 3,645 4,677 2,637 3,645

Other 537 stock 655 537 888 655 349 888 547 349 495 547 22 495 1,552 22 1,068 1,552 744 1,068

614 Total 664 614 894 664 384 894 567 384 510 567 32 510 1,567 32 1,249 1,567 1,514 1,249

Southern 0 hemisphere 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 965 0 0 965 0 0

Total Ova Laid Down Total

THE PROPORTION OF OVA FROM GB BROODSTOCK INCREASED (36% OF THE TOTAL)

Ova Laid 9,889 Down 11,040 9,889 12,121 11,040 9,934 12,121 7,041 9,934 6,318 7,041 6,551 6,318 6,244 6,551 4,894 6,244 4,151 4,894

In 2 0 2 2 , the total number of eyed ova laid down to hatch decreased by 0 . 7 million 2022 740 1,514 2,637 0 2,637 4,151 In 2022, the totalfi744 number of eyed laidfrom down hatch decreased ) on the gure. mported ova ova all came thetonorthern hemisphere by 0.7 million onproportion the 2021 ova all came from of the during (15%) . The of figure. ova fromImported G broodstock increased theNorthern In 2022, therainbow total number of eyed ova laid to hatch decreased by 0.7 hemisphere during 2022. The proportion ofdown ova from GBova. broodstock total) and the trout industry remained reliant on imported ata on the million (15%) onof the 2021 Imported ova all health came certifi from the and Northern importation of ova into Scotland are available from the cates are increased (36% the total)figure. andalso the rainbow trout industry remained hemisphere during The on proportion ovainfrom GB broodstock shown inon table a. ny 2022. discrepancy between the fiof gures tables eight and a is due reliant imported ova. Data the importation of ova into Scotland are increased (36% of the and the rainbow industry to data being obtained from two independent sources. also available from thetotal) health certificates andtrout are shown in remained Table 9a. Any reliant on imported ova. on in theTables importation of is ova into are discrepancy between theData figures 8 and 9a due to Scotland data being also available from the health certificates and are shown in Table 9a. Any obtained from two independent sources. discrepancy between the figures in Tables 8 and 9a is due to data being obtained from two independent sources. 10 10

36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 46

28/11/2023 15:42:42

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 47

from Official Import Health Certificates I Imports M P OR T from S F R OM OF F Import I C I A L Health I M P OR Certificates T H E A L T H Imports Official Table 9a: Number (000’s) and sources of ova imported into Scotland CTable E R T I F I C A T E S Imports from Official Health Certificates 9a: Number (000’s) Import and sources of ova imported into Scotland

from outwith GB during 2013-2022 T Table a bleoutwith 9 a : Number n umber ( 0 0 0 s 2013-2022 ) and a n d s sources ources of of ova ov a imported i mported into i n toScotland Scotla n d 9a: (000’s) from GB during Source 2013 2014 0 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 f from rom outw i th 2013 G B during f rom 1 3 to 2 2016 0 2 2 2017 outwith GB Source 20142 2013-2022 2015 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Denmark Source Denmark Isle of Man Denmark Isle of Man N. Ireland IsleIreland of Man N. Norway N. Ireland Norway South Africa Norway South Africa Spain Africa South Spain USA Spain USA Totals USA Totals Totals

1,315 2,500 2,330 2013 2014 1,315 2,500 2015 2,330 800 1,000 175 1,315 2,500 800 1,000 2,330 175 5,125 4,780 6,535 800 1,000 175 5,125 4,780 6,535 175 710 670 5,125 4,780 6,535 175 710 670 0 0 0 175 710 670 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2,350 1,700 1,675 0 0 0 2,350 1,700 1,675 9,765 10,690 11,385 2,350 10,690 1,700 11,385 1,675 9,765 9,765 10,690 11,385

5,535

3,518

3,728

5,567

3,703

1,861

2016 5,535

2017 3,518

2018 3,728 2019 5,567 2020 3,703 2021 1,861 2022 0

9,845

5,832

5,258

20 5,535 20 3,040 20 3,040 500 3,040 500 0 500 0 0 0 0 750 0 750 9,845 750 9,845

300 3,518 300 1,240 300 1,240 774 1,240 774 0 774 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5,832 0 5,832

0 0 3,728 5,567 0 0 1,085 380 0 0 1,085 380 0 0 1,085 380 0 0 00 00 0 0 0 60 00 0 60 855 430 0 60 855 430 5,668 6,437 855 430 5,668 6,437 5,668 6,437

0 0 0 3,703 1,861 00 0 0 150 0 0 0 00 00 150 0 0 0 150 0 0 0 0 0 1,225 0 00 00 1,225 0 0 180 828 428 1,225 0 0 180 828 428 0 950 2,330 180 828 428 0 950 2,330 5,258 3,639 2,758 0 950 2,330 5,258 3,639 2,758 3,639

2,758

Seasonal variation in numbers (000’s) and sources of ova T Table a ble 9b: 99b: b: Seasonal s ea s on a l variation v a ri a ti on in i n numbers n umbers (000’s) ( 0 0 0 s ) and a n d sources s ources of of ova ov a Table imported into Scotland from outwith GB during 2022 iimported mported iinto n to Scotland Scotla n d from f romin outw i th G B d uri n g 2 0 2 2 Table 9b: Seasonal variation numbers (000’s) and sources of ova outwith GB during 2022 Month into Scotland from outwith Spain USA imported GB during 2022 Month Spain USA January 0 160 Month Spain USA January 0 160 February 0 100 January 0 160 February 0 100 March 0 410 February 0 100 March 0 410 April 280 500 March 0 410 April 280 500 May 0 0 April 280 500 May 0 0 June 0 100 May 0 0 June 0 100 July 0 0 June 0 100 July 0 0 August 0 100 July 0 0 August 0 100 September 0 560 August 0 100 September 0 560 October 148 300 September 0 560 October 148 300 November 0 100 October 148 300 November 0 100 December 0 November 00 100 December 0 0 Totals 428 2,330 December 0 0 Totals 428 2,330 Totals 428 2,330 a le c num er 000s and sources of ﬁsh imported into cotland Table 9c: Number (000’s) and sources of fish imported into Scotland from f rom outw i th G B f (000’s) rom 2 0 and 1 3 to 2 0 2 2 of fish imported into Scotland from Table 9c: Number sources outwith during 2013-2022 Table 9c:GB Number and sources of fish imported into Scotland from outwith GB during(000’s) 2013-2022 Source GB 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 outwith during2014 2013-2022 Source N. Ireland Source N. Ireland N. Ireland

2013 537 2013 537 537

2014 674 2014 674 674

2015 746 2015 746 746

2016 592 2016 592 592

2017 486 2017 486 486

2018 391 2018 391 391

2019 935 2019 935 935

2020 787 2020 787 787

2021 463 2021 463 463

2022 609 2022 609 609

Suppliers from the U SA accounted for 8 4 % of ova imported into Scotland Suppliers from the USA accounted for 84% of ova imported into Scotland during 2 0 2 2 from , withthe suppliers from withinfor the84% E uropean nion accounting for the Suppliers USA accounted of ovaU imported into Scotland during 2022, with suppliers from within the Union (EU) Suppliers the USA years, accounted for of European ova into Scotland remaining 1 from 6 % with . In recent therewithin has84% been trendimported for producers to import during 2022, suppliers from theaEuropean Union (EU) accounting forwith the suppliers remainingfrom 16%.within In recent there has been during 2022, the years European Union (EU) a trend partgrown rainbow from N orthern Scotland. accounting for the trout remaining 16%. InIreland recent into years there has been a trend for producers import part grown trout there into Scotland accounting forto the remaining 16%. Inrainbow recent years has beenfrom a trend for producers to import part grown rainbow trout into Scotland from Northern Ireland. for producers to import part grown rainbow trout into Scotland from Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland. 36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 47

Opposite from top: Trout ova; trout farm Above: Rainbow trout

28/11/2023 15:44:11

Trade in Fry and Fingerlings Table Number (000’s) fry and fingerlings traded during 2013-2022 48 FISH10: FARM PRODUCTION SURVEYof2022 and fingerlings bought Trade in Fry andFryFingerlings

T R A D E I N

F R Y A N D

F I N G E R L I N G S

Total

7,973 Total number 7,334 bought 6,992 7,973 7,577

6,749 Total number 6,719 sold 6,971 6,749 6,779

7,334 5,435 6,992 2,340

6,719 4,145 6,971 2,383

7,577 3,393 5,435 2,853

6,779 2,832 4,145 2,544

2,340 3,130 3,393 2,793

2,383 3,389 2,832 2,975

2,853

2,544

Table (000’s)Triploid of fry no. and fingerlings during 2013-2022 Year10: Number number number All female Mixed sex traded a le 0 num of fry from 20 to 2022 bought sold diploider no.000s (%) (%) and ﬁngerlings diploid no. traded (%) 2013 Year 2014 2015 2013 2016 2014 2017

Fry and fingerlings bought 6,734 (84) 1,239 (16) 0 All female Triploid no. Mixed 5,911 (81) 1,423 (19) 0 sex diploid no. (%) (%) diploid no. (%) 6,104 (87) 598 (9) 290 (4) 6,734 (85) (84) 1,239 0 6,452 1,125 (16) (15) 0

2015 2018 2016 2019

5,911 (73) (81) 3,989 6,104 (87) 979 (42) 6,452 (85) 861 (25)

2017 2020 2018 2021

3,989 (73) 937 (33) 979 (42) 417 (13)

2019 2022 2020

861 29 (25) (1) 937 (33)

1,423 1,446 (19) (27) 598 (9) 1,361 (58)

0 0 2900 (4) 0 0

1,125 (75) (15) 2,532 1,446 (27) 1,916 (67)

0 0 0 2 (<1)

1,361 2,711 (58) (87) 2,532 2,763 (75) (99)

0 1 (<1) 0

1,916 (67)

2021 417 (13) 2,711 (87) 2 (<1) 3,130 farms 3,389 The established trade between hatcheries and on-growing continued in 2022. companies specialised in fry2,793 and fingerling 2022 29 (1) Some2,763 (99) 1 (<1) 2,975 production. The total number of fry and fingerlings bought decreased T he established trade between hatcheries and on- growing farms continued in 2 0 2 2 . by 11% and thespecialised number sold byproduction. 12%. TheThe disparity between The established trade between hatcheries and on-growing Some companies in fry decreased and ﬁngerling totalfarms number of fry supply andindemand is duecompanies toby trade with England continued 2022. specialised inand fryWales. and fingerling and ﬁngerlings bought Some decreased and the number sold decreased by .

production. The total number of fry and fingerlings bought decreased T he disparity between supply and demand is due to trade with E ngland and Wales. Use of and Vaccines by 11% the number sold decreased by 12%. The disparity between Table 11: Number vaccinated against enteric supply and to tradefish with England and Wales. U SE OF V demand A C C I N ofis E sites Sdue rearing redmouth disease (ERM) and number of fish vaccinated (millions) during T a ble 1 1 : num er of sites rearing ﬁsh accinated against enteric redmouth 2013-2022 Use of Vaccines disease E and num er of ﬁsh accinated millions from 20 to 2022 Table 11: Number of sites rearing fish vaccinated against enteric Year 2013 2014 2015 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021during 2022 redmouth disease (ERM) and 2016 number of fish vaccinated (millions) 2013-2022 No. of sites Year No. of fish No. of sites

2013 9.9

2014 10.0

2015 8.3

2016 7.3

2017 5.4

2018 3.4

2019 3.4

2020 2.8

2021 3.1

2022 2.8

A TOTAL OF 2.8 MILLION FISH WERE VACCINATED ON 18 SITES

Vaccines toto bebe used as a treatment againstagainst E R M ,a Vaccines continued used aspreventative a preventative treatment No. of continued 9.9 10.0 8.3 7.3 5.4 3.4 3.4 2.8 3.1 2.8 potentially serious bacterial by Y ersinia ruckbacterial eri. Vaccination is fish redmouth enteric diseaseinfection, (ERM), a caused potentially serious infection, generallyby carried out ruckeri. as a bathVaccination treatment atisthe fingerlingcarried stage, although caused Yersinia generally out as a some vaccines are administered intraperitoneal inj ection.some A bath treatment at the although vaccines are Vaccines continued to fingerling bebyused asstage, a preventative treatment against total of . million fish were vaccinated on sites. administered by intra-peritoneal injection. A total of 2.8 millioninfection, fish were enteric redmouth disease (ERM), a potentially serious bacterial vaccinated on 18 sites. caused by Yersinia ruckeri. Vaccination is generally carried out as a OR G treatment A N I C P R atODtheU fingerling C T I ON stage, although some vaccines are bath Of the 4 6 sites recorded as being active in rainbow troutof 2.8 million fish were administered by intra-peritoneal injection. A total production inon 18 ,sites. none were certifi12 ed as organic. vaccinated

E SC A P E S There was one incident involving the12 loss of , fish from a rainbow trout site in . There were two additional incidents reported, where the company confirmed there was no loss of fish.

36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 48

28/11/2023 15:44:47

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 49

// 2 . At l a n t ic s a l m o n ( Salmo salar ) – // 2 . ova At l a natnic mlo d sa ml o tsn ( Salmo salar ) – ova a n d s m o l ts

Production survey information was collected from all 21 companies

ininformation the freshwater production salmon, Aactively tla n involved ti survey c a lmon ( Sawaslmo s a from la ofrAtlantic ) all 21 companies Production collected farming 70 active in sites. This figure represents the entire freshwater actively involved the freshwater production of Atlantic salmon, –industry ov a operating a n d molts in Scotland.

70survey activeinformation sites. Thiswas figure represents the freshwater Pfarming roduction collected from all 2 1 entire companies actively industryinoperating in Scotland. involved the freshwater production of Atlantic salmon, farming 7 0 active sites. Company and Site Data This ﬁgure represents the entire freshwater industry operating in Scotland. Table 12: Number of companies and sites in production during 2013Company and Site Data 2022 Table 12: Number of companies and sites in production during 2013-

C OM P A N Y A N D

SI T E D A T A

2022 T a ble 1 2 : n Year umber of compa n i es No. a n of d companies s i tes i n prod ucti on f rom 0 1 sites 3 to 2 0 2 2 No.2 of 2013 Year 2014 2013

27 No. of companies 26 27

No. 102 of sites 96 102

2015 2014 2016 2015

25 26 26 25

87 96 87 87

2017 2016 2018 2017

24 26 24 24

79 87 71 79

2019 2018 2020 2019

23 24 24 23

76 71 78 76

2022

2021 2020 2022 2021

22 24 21 22

Opposite from top: Trout fry; trout vaccination This page from top: Atlantic salmon; salmon farm; salmon fillets; feeding salmon

74 78 70 74

In 2022, the number of companies authorised by the Scottish n , the number of companies authorised by the Scottish Government for Government for freshwater production of Atlanticthe salmon decreased In 2022, the number ofAtlantic companies authorised freshwater production of salmon decreasedby by oneScottish to 2 1 . A total of 7 0 by one to actively 21.for A total of 70insites were actively engaged in commercial Government freshwater production of Atlantic decreased sites were engaged commercial production, asalmon decrease of four from production, a decrease of four from the 2021 figure. by one toﬁgure. 21. A total of 70 sites were actively engaged in commercial the production, a decrease of four from the 2021 figure.

Production and Staffing A N D ST A F F I N G Table 13: Number of smolts produced, staff employed and smolt Production and (000’s) Staffing

P R OD U C T I ON

a le num er 000s of smolts produced, sta employed and smolt productivity during 2013-2022 Table 13: Number (000’s) of smolts produced, staff employed and smolt producti ity from 20 to 2022 productivity during 2013-2022 Year Year

Number (000’s) of Smolts Number produced (000’s) of Smolts 40,457 produced

Full-time Male Full-time Male

2013 226 2014 45,004 226 2013 40,457 226 2015 44,571 208 2014 45,004 226 2016 42,894 225 2015 44,571 208 2017 46,152 219 2016 42,894 225 2018 47,097 210 2017 46,152 219 2019 51,430 215 2018 47,097 210 2020 50,492 233 2019 51,430 215 2021 51,198 229 2020 50,492 233 2022 55,057 233 2021 51,198 229 2022 55,057 Smolt production 233 in

Full-time Female Full-time Female

Total Full-time Total Full-time

11 237 18 244 11 237 31 239 18 244 27 252 31 239 31 250 27 252 29 239 31 250 32 247 29 239 30 263 32 247 33 262 30 263 31 264 33 262 31 264 increased by

Productivity, Part-time Part-time Total Total Staff (000’s) smolts Male Female Part-time per person Productivity, Part-time Part-time Total Total Staff (000’s) smolts Male Female Part-time per person

29 19 48 42 23 65 29 19 48 41 14 55 42 23 65 35 7 42 41 14 55 33 8 41 35 7 42 30 9 39 33 8 41 26 8 34 30 9 39 23 6 29 26 8 34 18 11 29 23 6 29 22 9 31 18 11 29 22 9 compared with 31

285 142.0 309 145.6 285 142.0 294 151.6 309 145.6 294 145.9 294 151.6 291 158.6 294 145.9 278 169.4 291 158.6 281 183.0 278 169.4 292 172.9 281 183.0 291 175.9 292 172.9 295 186.6 291 175.9 295 186.6 . The number of

sta employed in increased by14 four and productivity increased by to a ﬁgure of , smolts produced per person. 14 ata for sta ng and productivity in are shown however, there are uncertainties with these data due to consolidation within the industry.

36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 49

28/11/2023 15:45:19

Smolt production in 2022 increased by 8% compared to 2021. The increased by 6% to a figure of 186,600 smolts produced per person. number of staff employed in 2022 increased by four and productivity Data for staffing and productivity in 2013 are shown, however, there are increased by 6% to a figure of 186,600 smolts produced per person. uncertainties with these data due to consolidation within the industry. Data for staffing and productivity in 2013 are shown, however, there are uncertainties with these data due to consolidation within the industry. 50 FISH FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2022

Smolts by Age Group

Table 14: Number of smolts (000’s) produced by type during 2013-2022 Smolts by Age Group

SM OL T S B Y A G E G R OU P

Table 14: Number of smolts (000’s) produced by type during 2013-2022 S1 S1½ f rom 2 0 1 3 Total T a ble Year 1 4 : n umber of S½ s molts ( 0 0 0 s ) prod uced by type to 2 0 2 2 2013 Year 2014 2013 2015 2014 2016 2015 2017 2016 2018 2017 2019 2018 2020 2019 2021 2020 2022 2021

19,024 S½ 22,367 19,024 23,850 22,367 25,072 23,850 28,072 25,072 24,058 28,072 25,607 24,058 22,872 25,607 30,175 22,872 26,587 30,175

21,279 S1 22,473 21,279 20,711 22,473 17,822 20,711 18,080 17,822 23,039 18,080 25,823 23,039 27,620 25,823 20,709 27,620 28,470 20,709

154 S1½ 164 154 10 164 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 314 0 0 314

40,457 Total 45,004 40,457 44,571 45,004 42,894 44,571 46,152 42,894 47,097 46,152 51,430 47,097 50,492 51,430 51,198 50,492 55,057 51,198

2022

26,587

28,470

55,057

In 2022, there was a decrease of 12% in the number of S½ smolts In 2 0 2 2 , there was a decrease of 1 2 % in the number of S½ smolts produced and produced and an increase of 37% in the number of S1 smolts produced. In an increase of 3 7 was % inathe numberof of12% S1 smolts In 2S½ 0 2 2 smolts , there was no In 2022, there decrease in theproduced. number of 2022 there production of S1½ smolts. production of was S1 an ½ no smolts. produced and increase of 37% in the number of S1 smolts produced. In 2022 there was no production of S1½ smolts.

Systems P Production R OD U C T I ON SY ST E M S

Table 15: Number and capacity of production systems during 2018-2022 Systems TProduction a ble 1 5 : n umber a n d ca pa ci ty of prod ucti on s ys tems f rom 2 0 1 8 to 2 0 2 2 Table 15: Number and capacity of production systems during 2018-2022 System

No. of sites with system

Total capacity, 000’s cubic metres

Year System

2018 2021 2022 No. 2019 of sites2020 with system

2018 capacity, 2019 2020 cubic 2021metres 2022 Total 000’s

Year ens

27 2018

27 2019

27 2020

26 2021

23 2022

346 2018

351 2019

379 2020

374 2021

364 2022

Tanks ens and Raceways Tanks and Total Raceways

27 44

27 49

27 51

26 48

23 47

346 54

351 68

379 62

374 65

364 63

44 71

49 76

51 78

48 74

47 70

54 400

68 419

62 441

65 439

63 427

T Total he types of facility used freshwater pens427 or 71 76 for 78the production 74 70 of smolts 400 in 419 441 are 439 Thestypes of facility production smolts freshwater are tank and raceways. In used 2 0 2 2 ,for thethe number of farmsof using pensindeceased by three pens ornumber tanks and raceways. In 2022, the number of farms one. usingInpens and of farms using and raceways terms The the types of facility used fortank thesproduction ofdecreased smolts inby freshwater are of volume, pen capacity by 1 0 of ,0 farms 0 0 m³ and tanktanks and raceway capacity deceased by three anddecreased the number using and raceways pens or tanks and raceways. In 2022, the number of farms using pens decreased 2 ,0one. 0 0 m³In. Tterms his resulted in a net decrease in volume of 1 2 by ,0 0 10,000 0 m³ decreasedbyby of volume, pen capacity decreased deceased by three and the number of farms using tanks and raceways available for the production smolts indecreased Scotland during 2 0 2 2 .m³. This resulted m³ and tank and racewayofcapacity by 2,000 decreased by one. In terms of volume, pen capacity decreased by 10,000 Table 16:decrease Number in (000’s) of smolts produced and stocking by of in a net volume of 12,000 m³ available for thedensities production and tank and raceway decreased Tm³ a ble 1 6 in : n Scotland umber 0 0 s ) ofcapacity s molts prod uced a n by d s 2,000 tock i n g m³. d enThis s i ti esresulted by production system( 0 during 2018-2022 smolts 2022. in a net decrease volume m³ available for the production of prod ucti on s ys teminf rom 2 0 1 8 of to 12,000 2 0 2 2 smolts in Scotland during 2022. 3 Number of smolts produced (000’s)

Year

2018

2019

THERE WAS AN INCREASE OF 37% IN THE NUMBER OF S1 SMOLTS PRODUCED

Stocking densities (smolts/m )

2020

15 2021

2022

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

15 19,344

ens

21,771 18,964 18,331

20,310

All others

25,326 32,466 32,161 31,854 34,747

469

477

519

490

552

Total

47,097 51,430 50,492 51,198 55,057

T he average stock ing densities of pens increased from 5 2 to 5 6 smolts per m³ in stocking of pens increased from 52increased to 56 smolts 2The 0 2 2 average compared to 2 0 2 1 ,densities while densities in tank s and raceways from m³5 in 4per 9 0 to 5 2 2022 smoltscompared per m³ . to 2021, while densities in tanks and raceways increased from 490 to 552 smolts per m³.

Ova Production Table 17: Number (000’s) of salmon ova produced during 2013-2022 Year

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

No. of ova

56,904

33,450

11,605

13,689

12,631

15,228

11,618

20,021

46,255

53,195

36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 50

28/11/2023 15:45:53

Total

47,097 51,430 50,492 51,198 55,057

The average stocking densities of pens increased from 52 to 56 smolts per m³ in 2022 compared to 2021, while densities in tanks and The average stockingfrom densities of552 pens increased from 52 to 56 smolts raceways increased 490 to smolts per m³. per m³ in 2022 compared to 2021, while densities in tanks and THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 51 raceways increased from 490 to 552 smolts per m³. Ova Production Table 17: Number (000’s) of salmon ova produced during 2013-2022

Ova Production

OV A P R OD U C T I ON

Table Number ova produced during 2013-2022 2014(000’s) 2015of salmon 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Year 17:2013 T a No. ble 1 7 : n umber ( 0 0 0 s ) of s a lmon ov a prod uced f rom 2 0 1 3 to 2 0 2 2 of ova Year

56,904

2013

33,450

2014

11,605

2015

13,689

2016

12,631

2017

15,228

2018

11,618

2019

20,021

46,255

2020

2021

53,195

2022

No. of 56,904 33,450 11,605 13,689 12,631 15,228 11,618 20,021 46,255 53,195 In ova 2022, over 53 million ova were stripped, an increase of 15% from the

In 2 0 2 2 , more than 5 3 million were stripped, an increase of 1 5 % from the number of ova produced in ova 2021. In 2022,ofover 53 million stripped, an increase of 15% from the number ova produced in ova 2 0 2 1 were . number ova produced 2021. previous year’s estimate of ova laid Table 18:ofSource, numberin (000’s), Tdown a ble 1 to 8 : hatch s ource,during n umber ( 0 0 0 s ) , prev yea r’ s esproduction ti ma te of ovfor a la2023 i d d ow n 2013-2022 andi ous projected Table Source, year’s to h a tch18:f rom 2 0 1 number 3 to 2 0 2 2 (000’s), a n d projprevious ected prod ucti onestimate f or 2 0 2 of 3 ova laid down to hatch during 2013-2022 and projected production for 2023 OutPrevious Year

In-house broodstock

Year 2013

In-house 16,996 broodstock

sourced GB broodstock Outsourced 8,263GB broodstock

GB wild broodstock

Imported ova

Total

GB wild 0 broodstock

Imported 41,315ova

Total 66,573

year's estimate Previous year's 49,249 estimate

2014 14,418 2,725 10 53,684 70,837 48,149 2013 16,996 8,263 0 41,315 66,573 49,249 2015 6,479 223 10 61,463 68,175 65,284 2014 14,418 2,725 10 53,684 70,837 48,149 2016 5,884 4 0 58,458 64,346 59,604 2015 6,479 223 10 61,463 68,175 65,284 2017 6,228 360 0 59,158 65,746 60,673 2016 5,884 4 0 58,458 64,346 59,604 2018 8,780 200 0 61,499 70,479 67,374 2017 6,228 360 0 59,158 65,746 60,673 2019 5,516 1,724 75 63,931 71,246 71,571 2018 8,780 200 0 61,499 70,479 67,374 2020 5,195 4,480 258 68,685 78,618 70,598 2019 5,516 1,724 75 63,931 71,246 71,571 2021 124 was 78.5 43,707 72,795 68,588 The number6,383 of ova laid22,581 down to hatch million, an increase of 2020 5,195 4,480 258 68,685 78,618 70,598 2,906on the29,871 45,761of the78,538 5.72022 million (8%) 2021 figure. 0The majority ova (58%)77,306 were 2021 6,383 22,581 124 43,707 72,795 68,588 derived on 2023 from foreign sources, this being an increase of 2 million (5%) 73,096 2022 2,906 29,871 0 45,761 78,538 77,306

the derived from broodstock (excluding wild T he 2021 numberfigure. of ova Supplies laid down to hatch was 7 8 . 5GB million, an increase of 5 . 7 million 2023ova) increased by 5.1 million, a 7% increase on the 2021 figure. 73,096 origin ) on the figure. The ma ority of the ova ) were imported, this being an In 2022,ofno from GB wild were laid down toGhatch, ova increase twoova million ) on the broodstock figure. Supplies derived from broodstock derived wild ova) stocks are generally heldaand hatched for e cludingfrom wild origin increased by . million, increase on thewild stock figure. n , no G wild broodstock laid down to hatch, enhancement byova thefrom aquaculture industrywere in cooperation with ova wildderived from wild stocks are generally held and16 hatched for wild stock enhancement by the fisheries managers. a uaculture industry in cooperation with managers of wild fisheries. 16

Smolts Produced and Put to Sea

SM OL19: T SActual P R ODand U C projected E D A N D smolt P U T production T O SE A and smolts put to sea Table (millions) during 2013-2024 T a ble 1 9 : a ctua l a n d proj ected s molt prod ucti on a n d s molts put to s ea ( mi lli on s ) f rom 2 0 1 3 to 2 0 2 4 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Actual smolts put to sea

40.9

48.1

45.5

43.0

46.1

45.5

53.0

52.5

51.1

55.3

Smolts produced

40.5

45.0

44.6

42.9

46.2

47.1

51.4

50.5

51.2

55.1

Estimated production

28.1

39.9

43.4

36.6

39.3

46.1

38.6

52.1

55.6

54.1

Ratio of ova laid down to smolts produced

1.6

1.5

1.4

1.5

1.4

1.6

1.4

47.1

Opposite and below: Salmon smolts Above: Salmon ova

56.6

The ﬁgure for the number of smolts put to sea includes smolts produced in The figure the number smolts put towhereas sea includes ngland andfor smolts imported of from elsewhere, smolt smolts production data relate only in to England those produced in Scotland. Smolt producers estimate putting produced and smolts imported from elsewhere, whereas 4 7 . 1 million smolts to searelate in 2 0 2 only 3 . T hetoratio of ova laid down to hatch toSmolt smolts smolt production data those produced in Scotland. produced inestimate 2 0 2 2 wasputting the same as the ratio smolts in 2 0 2 1 . to sea in 2023. The ratio producers 47.1 million of ova laid down to hatch to smolts produced in 2022 was the same as the ratio in 2021. 36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 51

28/11/2023 15:46:18

Scale of Production

52 FISH FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2022 Table 20: Smolt-producing sites grouped by numbers (000’s) of smoltsof produced during 2013-202 Scale Production

SC A L 20: E OFSmolt-producing P R OD U C T I ON Table sites grouped by numbers (000’s) of

Scale production T smolts a ble 2 produced 0 : s molt- prod uci n 2013-202 g of s i tes g rouped by n umbers ( 0 0 No. 0 s ) ofof during Year prod uced f rom sites in s molts 0 1 3 to 2 0 2 2 251- 50126- 2 511011-10 11-25

2013 1 0 Year 11-25 2014 1-10 0 0 2015 2013 2016 2014 2017 2015 2018 2016

2019 2017 2020 2018 2021 2019

1 1 1 0 1 1 0 1

1 1 1 0 1 1

1 0 1 0 0 1 1 1

0 0 1 1 0 0

1 262 50 2 1 0 2 0 2

100 250 500 Scale of production 7 14 14 51- 101- 2511 11 9 100 250 500 4 9 11 7 14 14

0 0 0 0

3 1 2 4

7 11 6 9

4 0 2 2

4 6 6 8

0 3 2 2

11 9 11 11

6 7 8 6

9 11 8 11 5 9 5 8

1,000

7 50114 1,000 16 7 13 14 10 16

Total smolts >1,000 production produced

No. of Total 14 58 in 40,457 sites smolts >1,000 produced 13 production 50 45,004 11 14 12 13

15 11 12 12

14 13 10 10

16 15 16 12

10 14 9 10

55 58 48 50

45 55 42 48

45 45 41 42

44,571 40,457 42,894 45,004

46,152 44,571 47,097 42,894

51,430 46,152 50,492 47,097

16 39 51,198 16 45 51,430 2022 0 0 0 0 5 9 9 15 38 55,057 2020 1 1 0 4 4 5 10 16 41 50,492 Note: These data refer only to sites producing smolts. The sites holding only ova, fry or 2021 1 0 0 2 6 5 9 16 39 51,198 parr are excluded. 2022 0 0 0 0 5 9 9 15 38 55,057 Note: Thesedata datarefer referonly only sites producing smolts. sites holding or N ote: these toto sites producing smolts. T heThe sites holding onlyonly ova, ova, fry orfry parr

The number of sites producing smolts in 2022 was 38. There were no sites producing less than 101,000 smolts during 2022 while the number of sites producing between 101,000 and one million smolts per year The number sites producing 2022 were no T he number of of sites producing smoltssmolts in 2 0 2 2 in was 3 8 . T was here 38. wereThere no sites producing increased by three. The number of sites producing in excess of one sites producing less than 101,000 smolts duringof2022 while thebetween number less than 1 0 1 ,0 0 0 smolts during 2 0 2 2 , while the number sites producing million smolts per between year decreased byand oneone to sites. producing 101,000 million smolts per 1 of 0 1 sites ,0 0 0 and one million smolts per year increased by15 three. T he number of year sites parrexcluded. are excluded. are

THE NUMBER OF SITES PRODUCING SMOLTS IN 2022 WAS 38

producing excess of one smolts year decreasedin byexcess one to 1 of 5 sites. increasedinby three. Themillion number of per sites producing one million smolts per year decreased by one to 15 sites.

of Ova P Production R OD U C T I ON OF and OV A Smolt A N D by SM Production OL T B Y A R Area E A

Table 21: Staffing in 2022, ova laid down to hatch in 2021-2022, smolt a le 2 sta ng in 2022, o a laid down to hatch in 202 and 2022, production in of 2021-2022 estimated productionArea in 2023-2024 by Production andand Smolt byand Production smolt productionOva in 202 and 2022, estimated production in 202 region Table 21: Staffing in 2022, ova laid down to hatch in 2021-2022, smolt a n d 2 0 2 4 by reg i on production in 2021-2022 and estimated production in 2023-2024 by Number region of staff Ova laid down to Smolt production Estimated smolt Region

Region North West

employed in 2022 Number

hatch (000’s)

(000’s)

production (000’s)

of staff F/T P/T employed in 156 202219

Ova laid down to 2021 2022 hatch (000’s) 39,077 47,168

Smolt 2021 production 2022 (000’s) 28,369 30,336

Estimated smolt 2023 2024 production (000’s) 27,773 32,784

Orkney

F/T 2

P/T 2

2021 175

2022 175

2021 111

2022 109

2023 0

2024 0

North West Shetland

156 22

19 2

39,077 4,239

47,168 3,459

28,369 2,905

30,336 3,962

27,773 1,760

32,784 3,240

Orkney West

2 59

2 4

175 24,766

175 25,421

111 16,063

109 17,489

0 14,114

0 17,770

Shetland Western Isles

22 20

4,239 4,493

3,459 2,315

2,905 2,695

3,962 2,173

1,760 2,475

3,240 1,770

West East and South

59 5

4 2

24,766 45

25,421 0

16,063 1,055

17,489 988

14,114 946

17,770 1,000

Western Isles All Scotland

20 264

2 31

4,493 72,795

2,315 78,538

2,695 51,198

2,173 55,057

2,475 47,068

1,770 56,564

East 5 2 and west 45 were 0 988 ova were 946laid down 1,000 In 2 0 and 2 2 ,South the northwest the main1,055 areas where to hatch. T he northwest and west were also the main smolt producing areas. T he 18 All Scotland 264 31 72,795 78,538 51,198 55,057 47,068 56,564 greatest number of sta were employed in the northwest region.

Above: Salmon smolts Below: Salmon ova

36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 52

28/11/2023 15:46:44

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 53

µ µ

! ! !!

F i g ure tw o: reg i on a l d i s tri buti on of a cti v e A tla n ti c s a lmon s molt s i tes i n 2 0 2 2

Sh et lan d !

Ork n ey ! !

! !

W es t ern I s les

! ! !

! !

N o rt h W es t

! !

!!! !

!! !! ! ! !

! ! !!

! !

! ! !

N o rt h

! !

! !!

E as t &

! !!

W es t

! !

! !!

So u t h

! !

! !! ! ! !! !! !!!

E as t

! ! ! !

! !

W es t

! ! !

! 20

4 0

6 0

8 0

Miles 100

So u t h Figure 2: The regional distribution of active atlantic salmon smolt sites in 2022 36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 53 28/11/2023 15:47:15 !

International Trade Scotland has a high health status with regard to the listed diseases. Imports of Atlantic salmon must originate from a source that is of equal 54 FISH FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2022 or higher health status and consignments must be accompanied by a health certificate issued by the competent authority confirming that all I requirements N T E R N A T I have ON A been L T R met. A D E Exportshas areasubject to the health conditions placed by theImports importing Scotland high health status with regard to the listed diseases. of Atlantic country. Potential should the competent salmon must originateexporters from a source that isascertain of equal orfrom higher health status and consignments be accompanied by a any health certificate issuedtesting by the competent authority in must the importing country specific health authority confirming all be re uirements have met.and obtain a copy of requirements thatthat may a condition ofbeen import E xports are subj ect to certificate. the health conditions placed by the importing country. P otential the required health The Fish Health Inspectorate will provide exporters should ascertain the site competent authority in the importing country any advice on whether thefrom source can fulfil the export requirements. specific health testing re uirements that may be a condition of import and obtain a copy of the re uired health certificate. The Fish ealth nspectorate will provide advice on whether and the source site can fulfil the e port re uirements. Imports Exports Table 22a: Source and number (000’s) of salmon ova, fry, parr and smolts

I imported M P OR T during S A N D 2013-2022 E X P OR T derived S from health certificates

T a ble 2 2 a : s ource a n d n umber ( 0 0 0 s ) of s a lmon ov a , f ry, pa rr a n d s molts imported from 20 to 2022 deri ed from health certiﬁcates Ova

Fry, Parr and Smolts

Import Year

Iceland

Norway

Republic of Ireland

Total

2013

2,719

35,044

10,700

48,463

2014

3,813

49,831

5,218

58,862

1,748

1,602

3,350

2015

8,978

45,926

4,815

59,719

365

2,118

2,483

2016

5,324

38,602

5,444

49,370

1,956

2017

13,883

37,025

7,000

57,908

2,012

2018

10,116

48,430

7,250

65,796

1,700

2019

26,352

23,673

10,184

60,209

297

2020

41,756

220

15,296

57,272

1,130

2021

31,276

160

19,260

50,696

300

2022

23,370

175

20,367

43,912

Norway

Republic of Ireland

Total

The numbers of ova imported decreased by in . uring no fry, parr or smolts were imported. The numbers of ova(000’s) imported decreased 2022. During 2022 no Table 22b: Number of salmon ova, by fry,13% parrinand smolts exported T fry, a ble 2 2013-2022 2 b: umberderived ( 0 0 0 imported. s ) from of s a lmon a , f ry, pa rr a n d s molts ex ported parr or n smolts were during healthovcertificates from 20 to 2022 deri ed from health certiﬁcates Export year

Farmed origin ova

Fry, Parr and Smolts

2013

650

404

2014

259

2015

2016

358

173

2017

339

206

2018

2019

21 0

263

2020

389

2021

371

2022

SCOTLAND HAS A HIGH HEALTH STATUS WITH REGARD TO THE LISTED DISEASES

n , no ova, fry, parr or smolts were e ported. In 2022, no ova, fry, parr or smolts were exported.

Vaccines Table 23: Number of sites using vaccines and number (millions) of fish vaccinated during 2013-2022 Year

2013

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

63 56 No. ofFarm sites 36_Scottish Fish Survey_converted.indd 5455

2014

28/11/2023 15:47:43

2020

389

2021

371

2022

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 55

In 2022, no ova, fry, parr or smolts were exported.

Vaccines

V Table A C C 23: I N Number E S of sites using vaccines and number (millions) of fish

a le 2 num er 2013-2022 of sites using accines and num er millions of ﬁsh vaccinated during v a cci n a ted f rom 2 0 1 3 to 2 0 2 2 Year

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

No. of sites

No. of fish (millions) vaccinated

47.5

44.7

48.0

42.6

58.4

51.0

52.4

59.2

54.9

56.2

Vaccines were used to provide protection against furunculosis, infectious Vaccines were used protection against furunculosis, pancreatic necrosis (IP to N ) ,provide E R M , vibriosis and salmonid alphavirus (SAV)infectious . pancreatic (IPN), ERM, vibriosis and salmonid alphavirus The ma oritynecrosis of fish were vaccinated against furunculosis, and S , (SAV). with numbers fish vaccinated being vaccinated against and vibriosis. The smaller majority of fish of were against furunculosis, IPN and SAV, totalsmaller of . numbers million fishofwere across against sites. ERM and vibriosis. with fishvaccinated being vaccinated A total of 56.2 million fish were vaccinated across 40 sites.

Opposite from top: Imports and exports; salmon fry; salmon smolts; smolts in hatchery Below: Salmon smolt vaccination

Escapes In 2022, there were no reported escapes from sites rearing freshwater Atlantic salmon.

E SC A P E S n

, there were no reported escapes from sites rearing freshwater tlantic salmon.

36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 55

28/11/2023 15:48:09

56 FISH FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2022

/ / 3 . At l a nt i c s a l m o n – P ro d u ct i o n

AProduction tla n ti c s a lmon

PProduction R OD U C T survey I ON information was collected from all 10 companies

in Atlanticwas salmon production, 210 actively active sites. Pactively roductioninvolved survey information collected from all 1 farming 0 companies This figure theproduction, entire industry Scotland. involved in represents tlantic salmon farmingoperating activeinsites. This ﬁgure represents the entire industry operating in Scotland. Table 24: Annual production of salmon (tonnes) 2002-2022 and projected Tproduction a ble 2 4 : a n inn 2023 ua l prod ucti on of s a lmon ( ton n es ) f rom 2 0 0 2 to 2 0 2 2 a n d proj ected prod ucti on i n 2 0 2 3 Year

Tonnes

Percentage difference

Year

Tonnes

Percentage difference

2002

144,589

2013

163,234

2003

169,736

2014

179,022

2004

158,099

-7

2015

171,722

-4

2005

129,588

-18

2016

162,817

-5

2006

131,847

2017

189,707

2007

129,930

-1

2018

156,025

-18

2008

128,606

-1

2019

203,881

2009

144,247

2020

192,129

-6

2010

154,164

2021

205,393

2011

158,018

2022

169,194

-18

2012

162,223

2023

187,725*

of of projected tonnage based on stocks currently being on-grown. **industry Industryestimate estimate proj ected tonnage based on stock s currently being ongrown. T he total production of Atlantic salmon during 2 0 2 2 was 1 6 9 ,1 9 4 tonnes, The total production of Atlantic 2022 was 169,194 tonnes, a decrease of 3 6 ,1 9 9 tonnes (1 8 % ) salmon on the 2 during 0 2 1 total. a decrease of 36,199 tonnes (18%) on the 2021 total.

36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 56

THE TOTAL PRODUCTION OF ATLANTIC SALMON DURING 2022 WAS 169,194 TONNES Above: Salmon farm in Scotland

28/11/2023 15:48:38

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 57

Table 25: Number (000’s), production (tonnes) of salmon harvested and

T mean a ble 2 5 fish : n umber ( 0 0 0 (kg) s ) , prod on ( class ton n es during ) of s a lmon h a rv es ted a n d weight peructi year 2013-2022 mean ﬁsh weight g per year class from 20 to 2022

Harvest in year 0 (i.e. in year of input)

Harvest in year 1

Harvest in year 2

Year of smolt input

Year of harvest

Number (000’s)

Production (tonnes)

Mean weight at harvest (kg)

2013

2014

286

720

2.5

2015

223

626

2.8

2016

114

333

2.9

2017

2018

247

2.9

2019

319

931

2.9

2020

323

1,208

3.7

2021

2.1

2022

135

1.7

2012

2013

21,264

106,161

5.0

2013

2014

20,316

101,997

5.0

2014

2015

24,038

114,112

4.7

2015

2016

24,633

111,163

4.5

2016

2017

25,596

126,445

4.9

2017

2018

21,825

110,554

5.1

2018

2019

26,324

132,090

5.0

2019

2020

28,529

141,775

5.0

2020

2021

29,697

144,695

4.9

2021

2022

25,777

117,901

4.6

2011

2013

11,283

57,073

5.1

2012

2014

13,712

76,305

5.6

2013

2015

10,910

56,984

5.2

2014

2016

10,940

51,321

4.7

2015

2017

11,094

63,262

5.7

2016

2018

7,165

45,224

6.3

2017

2019

12,212

70,860

5.8

2018

2020

8,883

49,146

5.5

2019

2021

10,602

60,664

5.7

2020

2022

9,796

51,158

5.2

36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 57

28/11/2023 15:49:05

Table 26: Number (000’s) and production (tonnes) of grilse and presalmon harvested during 2013-2022 58 FISH FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2022 Grilse (January-August)

Pre-salmon (September-December)

9,618 47,496 4.9 Grilse (January-August) 9,048 46,686 5.2

11,646 58,665 5.0 Pre-salmon (September-December) 11,268 55,311 4.9 Average 12,795 60,182 4.7 Number Tonnes weight 11,170 51,310 4.6 (kg)

Table 26: Number (000’s) and production (tonnes) of grilse and preYear Average T salmon a ble 2 6 harvested : Number n umber ( 0during 0 Tonnes 0 s ) a 2013-2022 n d prod ucti on ( tonNumber n es ) of g ri lsTonnes e a n d pre- Average s a lmon weight (kg) weight (kg) h a rv es ted f rom 2 0 1 3 to 2 0 2 2 2013

2014 Year 2015 2016 2013 2017

11,243 Number 13,463 9,618 13,523

53,930 Tonnes 59,853 47,496 68,116

Average 4.8 weight (kg) 4.4 4.9 5.0

2016 2020 2017 2021

13,463 17,855 13,523 18,512

59,853 85,543 68,116 93,346

4.4 4.8 5.0 5.0

2014 2018 2015 2019

2018 2022 2019

9,048 10,815 11,243 14,495

10,815 14,784 14,495

46,686 53,244 53,930 72,243

5.2 4.9 4.8 5.0

53,244 65,163 72,243

11,646 12,073 11,268 11,010

58,665 58,329 55,311 57,310

5.0 4.8 4.9 5.2

12,073 11,185 11,010 10,993

58,329 51,349 57,310 52,738

4.8 4.6 5.2 4.8

12,795 11,829 11,170 10,674

4.9 4.4 5.0

60,182 59,847 51,310 56,232

11,829

4.7 5.1 4.6 5.3

59,847

5.1

2020

17,855

85,543

4.8

10,674

56,232

5.3

2021

18,512

93,346

5.0

11,185

51,349

4.6

2022

14,784

65,163

4.4

10,993

52,738

4.8

Table 27: Percentage (by weight) of annual production by growth stage T harvested a ble 2 7 : percen ta 2013-2022 g e ( by w ei g h t) of a n n ua l prod ucti on by g row th s ta g e during h a rv es ted f rom 2 0 1 3 to 2 0 2 2 Year

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Table 27: Percentage (by weight) of annual production by growth stage Growth stage harvested during 2013-2022 Input year fish

Grilse 29 26 31 37 36 34 35 45 45 39 Year 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Pre-salmon 36 31 35 31 31 36 29 29 25 31 Growth stage Year 2 salmon 35 42 33 31 33 29 35 26 30 30 Input year fish 0 <1 <1 <1 0 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Grilse

Pre-salmon

Year 2 salmon

10 COMPANIES ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN ATLANTIC SALMON PRODUCTION, FARMING 210 ACTIVE SITES This page from top: Salmon on ice; harvesting salmon; salmon farming

36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 58

28/11/2023 15:49:42

Harvest year 0

36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 59

319

323

2018 45,513

2019 52,990

2020 52,492

2021 51,131

114

2016 42,957

2017 46,116

135

247

333

626

1.7

2.1

3.7

2.9

2.8

2.5

2.4

0.1

0.03

0.6

0.2

0.3

0.5

0.6

0.3

0.2

0.3

0.06

0.3

25,777

29,697

28,529

26,324

21,825

25,596

24,633

24,038

20,316

21,264

21,502

18,694

18,266

16,338

13,011

13,787

14,036

15,075

19,596

117,901

144,695

141,775

132,090

110,554

126,445

111,163

114,112

101,997

106,161

97,744

91,105

85,826

77,621

54,759

60,890

64,099

67,738

85,792

4.6

4.9

5.0

5.1

4.9

4.5

4.7

5.0

4.5

4.9

4.7

4.2

4.4

4.6

4.5

4.4

50.4

56.6

53.8

57.8

47.3

59.6

54.2

50.0

49.6

51.7

50.3

48.6

47.4

44.6

34.4

33.5

37.8

38.6

45.5

Weight (tonnes)

45,224

49,146

9,796

51,158

10,602 60,664

8,883

12,212 70,860

7,165

11,094 63,262

10,940 51,321

10,910 56,984

13,712 76,305

11,283 57,073

13,053 64,178

13,772 66,606

13,666 68,070

14,133 66,448

15,881 73,631

14,999 69,000

14,237 67,537

13,920 61,850

Number (000’s)

5.2

5.7

5.5

5.8

6.3

5.7

4.7

5.2

5.6

5.1

4.9

4.8

5.0

4.7

4.6

4.7

4.4

18.7

20.0

19.5

26.5

16.7

24.4

22.7

26.7

33.4

26.4

33.9

35.7

37.3

38.6

40.3

36.5

32.3

harvest

75.9

74.4

77.5

73.8

76.6

79.1

73.3

76.3

85.4

77.0

82.8

83.3

82.2

71.8

72.5

78.1

75.5

78.0

(survival)

Total % of year class harvested

197,061

203,370

181,483

181,414

172,002

175,051

166,153

158,981

182,767

155,124

155,551

152,610

145,907

121,247

134,732

133,099

135,594

147,918

Year class weight (tonnes)

3.75

3.84

3.99

3.93

4.00

3.85

3.45

3.88

4.45

3.63

4.04

3.96

3.98

3.20

3.28

3.58

3.47

3.43

smolt (kg)

per

Yield

SM OL T Y E A R

2022 55,261

931

1,208

223

2015 45,465

720

286

301

2013 40,936

127

2012 41,094

2.8

2.1

2.2

1.9

1.7

1.8

0.4

0.2

harvest

Mean weight (kg)

I N

307

268

178

216

211

1.9

3.4

Weight (tonnes)

Harvest year 2

P R OD U C T I ON

2014 48,112

109

2011 42,733

116

2008 36,662

2007 37,853

128

115

2006 41,091

2010 38,490

2005 37,168

276

319

Number (000’s)

Mean weight (kg)

Harvest year 1

SU R V I V A L A N D

2009 38,548

168

Mean % Number Weight weight (000’s) (tonnes) harvest (kg)

2004 39,041

Smolt input (000’s)

2003 43,083

Year of smolt input

Table 28: Survival and production in smolt year classes during 2003-2022

Survival and Production in Smolt Year Classes

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 59

T a ble 2 8 : s urv i v a l a n d prod ucti on i n s molt yea r cla s s es f rom 2 0 0 3 to 2 0 2 2

C L A SSE S

28/11/2023 15:51:05

In 2020, the last year for which survival can be calculated, the survival 60 FISH FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2022 rate from smolt input to harvest increased to 75.9%. Of the 2021 year class, 50.4% of the input has been harvested, 6.8% lower than the In 2 0 2 0 , the last year for which survival caninput be calculated, the year survival rateIn from average harvest of fish one year after in the 2020 class. smolt input to harvest increased to 7 5 . 9 % . Of the 2 0 2 1 year class, 5 0 . 4 % of 2022, 0.1% of the fish were harvested from the 2022 input. This was an the input has been harvested, . lower than the average harvest of fish one increase compared with the proportion of fish harvested from the same year after input in the year class. n , . of the fish were harvested year class in 2021. from the input. This was an increase compared with the proportion of fish harvested from the same year class in 2 0 2 1 .

Smolts to Sea

Table 29: Number (000’s) and origin of smolts put to sea during 20132022 T a ble 2 9 : n umber ( 0 0 0 s ) a n d ori g i n of s molts put to s ea f rom 2 0 1 3 to 2 0 2 2

SM OL T S T O SE A

Scottish Origin

English Origin

Other Origin

(000’s)

40,936

1,169

142

48,112

893

2,072

45,465

938

1,082

20,905

42,957

1,048

611

25,490

20,626

46,116

976

300

2018

21,767

23,746

45,513

1,318

364

2019

24,525

28,465

52,990

751

297

2020

24,809

27,683

52,492

1,070

1,130

2021

29,421

21,396

314

51,131

1,016

300

2022

28,698

26,563

55,261

997

Year

Smolts put to sea (000’s) S½

S1½

2013

19,262

21,534

140

2014

23,758

24,212

2015

22,886

22,569

2016

22,052

2017

Total (000’s)

T he total number of smolts put to sea in 2 0 2 2 was j ust under 5 5 . 3 million. T his smolt inputnumber comprised S½s (5 2 put % ) to andsea S1 sin(4 2022 8 % ) . was N o S1 just ½ s under were produced in The total of smolts 55.3 2 million. 0 2 2 . T wo persmolt cent ofinput the smolts stock ed to (52%) Scottish salmon farms were sourced This comprised S½s and S1s (48%). No S1½s from Scotland and Two no smolts coming from sources outwithtoGB in 2 0 2 2 . wereoutwith produced in 2022. percent of the smolts stocked Scottish T salmon his wasfarms a decrease 1 % compared with the Scotland proportionand observed in 2 0 coming 2 1 . wereofsourced from outwith no smolts from sources outwith GB in 2022. This was a decrease of 1% compared with the proportion observed in 2021.

36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 60

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SMOLTS PUT TO SEA IN 2022 WAS JUST UNDER 55.3 MILLION This page: Salmon smolts

28/11/2023 15:51:46

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 61

SUSurvival R V I V A and L A N Production D P R OD U C in T I Smolt ON I N Year SM OLClasses T Y E A by R C Production L A SSE S Area B Table Y P R 30: OD Number U C T I ON(000’s) A R E ofA smolts put to sea and year class survival by area T during a ble 3 0 2011-2022 : n umber ( 0 0 0 s ) of s molts put to s ea a n d yea r cla s s s urv i v a l by a rea f rom 2 0 1 1 to 2 0 2 2 Region

North West

Orkney

Shetland

South West

Western Isles

Smolts put to sea (000’s) Year No

Harvest in year 0

Harvest in year 1

Harvest in year 2

Year

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

12,605 11,588 10,975 17,543 8,646 14,534 9,527 15,177 15,071 19,075 13,868 18,130 2,718 2,727 2,104 2,829 3,266 3,050 3,524 3,616 4,670 4,578 4,469 5,217 11,206 11,389 9,956 11,309 9,040 10,640 8,539 11,312 7,613 10,072 10,090 10,571 7,493 7,363 7,801 6,981 11,156 8,093 11,106 7,177 11,100 9,485 10,013 10,152

53 127 0 191 223 114 0 84 205 126 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 49 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 114 84 0 0 0 0 0 95 0 0 0 0 0 112 0 79

0.4 1.1 0 1.1 2.6 0.8 0 0.6 1.4 0.7 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.5 0.8 0 0 0 0 0 1.4 0 0 0 0 0 1.2 0 0.8

2012 7,937 63.0 2013 7,179 62.0 2014 6,549 59.7 2015 9,649 55.0 2016 6,122 70.8 2017 9,711 66.8 2018 3,809 40.0 2019 10,947 72.1 2020 7,838 52.0 2021 12,443 65.2 2022 7,256 52.3

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

1,744 2,623 1,695 3,768 1,695 1,882 1,739 1,852 1,976 3,350

13.8 22.6 15.4 21.5 19.6 12.9 18.3 12.2 13.1 17.6

9,734 9,929 8,244 13,608 8,040 11,707 5,548 12,883 10,019 15,919

77.2 85.7 75.1 77.6 93.0 80.5 58.2 84.9 66.5 83.5

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

1,203 1,422 1,023 1,412 1,580 1,184 1,699 2,068 2,230 2,162 1,640

44.3 52.1 48.6 49.9 48.4 38.8 48.2 57.2 47.8 47.2 36.7

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

765 1,167 512 1,244 1,521 1,571 835 1,382 1,970 1,487

28.1 42.8 24.3 44.0 46.6 51.5 23.7 38.2 42.2 32.5

1,968 2,589 1,535 2,656 3,101 2,755 2,534 3,450 4,200 3,649

72.4 94.9 72.9 93.9 95.0 90.3 71.9 95.4 89.9 79.7

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

4,911 4,995 4,289 5,042 5,322 6,012 4,579 4,430 4,241 5,246 4,850

43.8 43.9 43.1 44.6 58.9 56.5 53.6 39.2 55.7 52.1 48.1

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

2,709 4,022 3,034 2,663 1,592 1,723 2,005 2,527 2,186 2,735

24.2 35.3 30.5 23.5 17.6 16.2 23.5 22.3 28.7 27.2

7,669 9,017 7,323 7,705 6,914 7,735 6,584 6,957 6,541 8,065

68.4 79.2 73.6 68.1 76.5 72.7 77.1 61.5 85.9 80.1

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

2,673 2,841 3,202 3,771 4,944 4,643 5,330 4,799 6,126 5,248 5,743

35.7 38.6 41.0 54.0 44.3 57.4 48.0 66.9 55.2 55.3 57.4

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

3,706 3,863 3,564 2,023 3,643 1,622 3,648 1,150 2,094 1,143

49.4 52.5 45.7 29.0 32.7 20.0 32.8 16.0 18.9 12.1

6,379 6,704 6,766 5,889 8,587 6,265 8,978 5,949 8,220 6,503

85.1 91.1 86.7 84.4 77.0 77.4 80.8 82.9 74.1 68.6

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

8,711 8,027 10,100 9,451 13,357 6,640 13,420 8,231 14,536 9,282 12,691 11,190

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0

0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 <0.1 0

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

4,778 4,827 5,254 4,164 6,665 4,046 6,408 4,080 8,094 4,599 6,289

54.9 60.1 52.0 44.1 49.9 60.9 47.7 49.6 55.7 49.5 49.6

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

2,358 2,037 2,105 1,242 2,643 367 3,985 1,972 2,377 1,082

27.1 25.4 20.8 13.1 19.8 5.5 29.7 24.0 16.4 11.7

7,143 6,864 7,359 5,406 9,308 4,413 10,393 6,052 10,471 5,681

82.0 85.5 72.8 57.2 69.7 66.4 77.4 73.5 72.0 61.2

Total Harvest

smolts to sea oneinregion and subsequently moving them to another sea water T The he practice practiceofofputting putting smolts toinsea one region and subsequently moving site into another region for harvest to anregion overestimation of survival in some regions and underthem another seawater sitecan in lead another for harvest can lead to an estimation in others. overestimation of survival in some regions and 28 underestimation in others.

36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 61

28/11/2023 15:52:12

62 FISH FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2022

µ µ

F i g ure th ree: th e reg i on a l d i s tri buti on of a cti v e A tla n ti c s a lmon prod ucti on s i tes i n 2 0 2 2

Sh et lan d

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4 0

6 0

8 0

Miles 100

! production sites in 2022 Figure 3: The regional distribution of active !atlantic!!salmon !

36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 62

So u t h

28/11/2023 15:52:39

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 63

Staffing

Table 31: Number of staff employed in the production of salmon during

Staffing

2013-2022 ST A F 31: F I N Number G Table of staff employed in the production of salmon during

a le Full-time num Full-time er of sta Total employed in producing salmon from to 2022 Part-time Part-time Total Total 20Productivity 2013-2022 Year Male Female Full-time Male Female Part-time Full-time Full-time Total Part-time Part-time Total Male Female Full-time Male Female Part-time 2013 997 84 1,081 74 25 99

Staff Total Staff 1,180

(tonnes/person) Productivity (tonnes/person) 138.3

2014 2013 2015 2014 2016 2015 2017 2016 2018 2017 2019 2018 2020 2019 2021 2020 2022 2021

1,082 997 1,125 1,082 1,182 1,125 1,175 1,182 1,273 1,175 1,425 1,273 1,412 1,425 1,308 1,412 1,260 1,308

109 84 131 109 197 131 145 197 142 145 166 142 145 166 133 145 166 133

1,191 1,081 1,256 1,191 1,379 1,256 1,320 1,379 1,415 1,320 1,591 1,415 1,557 1,591 1,441 1,557 1,426 1,441

98 74 70 98 67 70 59 67 35 59 35 35 45 35 27 45 47 27

36 25 37 36 40 37 10 40 16 10 25 16 28 25 27 28 35 27

134 99 107 134 107 107 69 107 51 69 60 51 73 60 54 73 82 54

1,325 1,180 1,363 1,325 1,486 1,363 1,389 1,486 1,466 1,389 1,651 1,466 1,630 1,651 1,495 1,630 1,508 1,495

135.1 138.3 126.0 135.1 109.6 126.0 136.6 109.6 106.4 136.6 123.5 106.4 117.9 123.5 137.4 117.9 112.2 137.4

2022

1,260

166

1,426

1,508

112.2

Year

In 2022, the total number of staff employed in salmon production was n ,an theincrease total number sta employed salmon was , , 1,508, of 13ofcompared with in 2021. Theproduction staffing figures In 2022, the numberwith of staff employed in fi salmon production was an increase of total compared . The sta ng gures collected collected refer specifically to the production of Atlantic salmonrefer and 1,508,cally an increase of 13 compared with 2021. The staffing figures specifi to thefigures production of tlantic salmon andprocessing do not include figures do not include for staff involved with or marketing collected refer specifically to the production of Atlantic salmondecreased and for sta involved with processing or marketing activities. roductivity activities. Productivity decreased from 137.4 to 112.2 tonnes produced do not include figures forproduced staff involved with processing or marketing from . to . tonnes per person. per person. activities. Productivity decreased from 137.4 to 112.2 tonnes produced P per R ODperson. U C T I ON M E T H OD S

Production Methods

Table and average stocking a le 32: 2 Production production methods, methods,capacity, capacity,tonnage tonnage and a erage stoc ing Production Methods densities g m3 during from 2020 to 2022 densities (kg/m³) 2020-2022 Table 32: Production methods, capacity, tonnage and average stocking Total capacity Number of sites Production (tonnes) densities (kg/m³) during 2020-2022 (000’s cubic metres) Method

1 2020

1 2021

1 2022

Total capacity 2020 2021 2022 (000’s cubic metres) 5.1 5.6 5.6 2020 2021 2022

Seawater tanks pens 231 1

212 1

209 1

22,818 22,187 25,089 5.1 5.6 5.6

192,111 205,379 169,177 18 14 17

For pen sites: of production (kg) to 22,818 pen capacity (m3) 25,089 212 209 22,187 Seawater pensratio 231

8.4 9.3 6.7 192,111 205,379 169,177

Method Seawater tanks

2020 2021 2022 Number of sites

2020 2021(tonnes) 2022 Production 18 2020

14 2021

17 2022

8.4 There 9.3 ) For production to pen capacityin (mseawater n pen sites: , theratio ma of ority of fish (kg) were produced pens. were 6.7 In 2022, the majority of fish were produced in seawater pens. There tonnes of production from seawater tank sites in . This re ects the high were 17 tonnes of production frominseawater tank sitestank in 2022. This installation andmajority running costs incurred operating systems. In 2022, the of fish were produced inseawater seawater pens. There reflects the high installation and running costsfor incurred in operating ost seawater tank capacity has been redeployed the production of were 17 tonnes of production from seawater tank sites in 2022. This seawater tank systems. seawater tank capacity has been reother species of marine finfiMost sh orand salmon broodstock. reflects the high installation running costs incurred in operating deployed for the increased production of, other species of marine finfish or salmon Sea pen capacity by , m during number seawater tank systems. Most seawater tank capacity and has the been re- of sea broodstock. pen sites in production decreased by three. roduction e ciency in sea pens, deployed for the production of other species of marine finfish or salmon measured as the ratio of fish weight in kilograms produced per cubic metre, broodstock. decreased from . kg m in to . kg m in . 3

30 30

36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 63

IN 2022, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF STAFF EMPLOYED IN SALMON PRODUCTION WAS 1,508 Above from top: Salmon farm worker; Scottish salmon farm

28/11/2023 15:53:04

64 FISH FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2022

Sea pen capacity increased by 2,902,000 m3 during 2022 and the number of sea pen sites in production decreased by three. Production efficiency in sea pens, measured as the ratio of fish weight in kilograms produced per cubic metre, decreased from 9,3 kg/m3 in 2021 to 6.7 kg/m3 in 2022.

SC A L EofOFProduction P R OD U C by T I ON Scale Site B Y

SI T E

Table T a ble 33: 3 3 : Number n umber of of sites s i tes shown s h ow n in i n relation rela ti on to totheir th ei rproduction prod ucti on grouping and percentage sharetaofg e production 2013-2022 g roupi n g a n d percen s h a re of prod ucti on f rom 2 0 1 3 to 2 0 2 2 Total

Production grouping (tonnes)

1-500

5011,000

1,0012,000

20013,000

30014,000

>4,000

2013

112

Sites*

Tonnes

257

163,234

2014

117

260

179,022

2015

115

254

171,722

2016

117

253

162,817

2017

226

189,707

2018

100

221

156,025

2019

226

203,881

2020

101

232

192,129

2021

213

205,393

2022

210

169,194 -

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

farms but having no production. * *Includes Includes farms stockstocked ed but having no production.

In 2 0 2 2 , the number of sites with no production increased by 1 4 and the number In 2022, the sitesdecreased with no production 14producing and producing onenumber to 1 ,0 0 0 of tonnes by two. T heincreased number of by sites 1 ,0 0 number 0 to 4 ,0 0 0 producing tonnes decreased by 1 tonnes 4 and sites producing ,0 0 0 the 1 to 1,000 decreased bymore two.than The 4 number tonnes by1,000 one. T to he 4,000 trend towards larger sitessites continued, of sitesdecreased producing tonnes production decreasedinby 14 and with 8 6 % ofover production derived from sites producing over 1 towards ,0 0 0 tonnes. producing 4,000 being tonnes decreased by one. The trend production in larger sites continued, with 86% of production being derived from sites producing over 1,000 tonnes. 36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 64

OVERALL, PRODUCTION WAS DOMINATED BY TWO COMPANIES IN 2022

28/11/2023 15:53:45

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 65

C OM P A N Productivity Y P R OD U C T I V I T Y Company

a le34: Number num erofofcompanies companies grouped y production tonnes sta Table grouped by production (tonnes), staff ,and a n d prod ucti(tonnes v i ty ( tonper n esperson) per pers on ) 2021-2022 in 2 0 2 1 a n d 2 0 2 2 productivity during 0-1,000

1,0015,000

5,00110,000

10,00130,000

>30,000

Total

2021

2022

2021

5,213

6,149

43,388

150,629

205,393

2022

3,772

5,686

58,398

101,321

169,194

2021

466

845

1,495

2022

481

862

1,508

Productivity 2021 (tonnes/person) 2022

0.9

178

137

0.9

121

118

112

Total Tonnage No. of companies No. of tonnes

Staff (total)

T he greatest productivity of 1 2 1 tonnes per person was achieved in the companies The greatest productivity of 121 person was achieved the producing between 1 0 ,0 0 1 and 3 0 ,0 0 tonnes 0 tonnes.per T he least productivity of 0 in . 9 tonnes per companies producing over 10,001-30,000 The least productivity person was from the companies producing up totonnes. 1 ,0 0 0 tonnes. Compared with 2 0 of 2 1 , 0.9 tonnes per person was fromdecreased the companies between 0-1,000 the average company productivity from 1 3 producing 7 to 1 1 2 tonnes per person. tonnes. In comparison with 2021, company Overall, production was dominated bythe twoaverage companies in 2 0 2 2 , productivity which between them decreased from to 112 tonnes person. Overall, production was accounted for 6 0 % 137 of Scotland’s farmedper Atlantic salmon production.

dominated by two companies in 2022 which between them accounted for 60% of Scotland’s farmed Atlantic salmon production.

From the top: Salmon farm in Scotland; smoked salmon dish; salmon farming

36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 65

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66 FISH FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2022

ST A F Fand A N Production D P R OD U C T by I ONProduction B Y P R OD Area U C T I ON Staff

A R E A

Table Staffand andproduction productiontonnes (tonnes) yby area 2013-2022 and projected a le 35: sta area from 20 to 2022 and pro ected production production in 2023 in 202 Staff Region

Year

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 North 2018 west 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Orkney 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2013 2014 2015 Shetland 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2013 2014 2015 2016 South 2017 West 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Western 2018 2019 Isles 2020 2021 2022 2023 2013 2014 2015 2016 Scotland 2017 Total 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Year of input

F/T

P/T

350 348 382 538 437 453 662 546 442 422

48 46 66 30 11 17 32 19 18 23

86 90 93 102 108 93 110 138 136 169

3 6 1 8 9 0 1 13 3 19

210 224 228 200 207 206 227 280 276 270

14 24 19 23 12 3 6 12 10 18

251 279 302 305 316 375 338 331 340 330

19 29 12 26 18 14 7 17 7 14

184 250 251 234 252 288 254 262 247 235

15 29 9 20 19 17 14 12 16 8

1,081 1,191 1,256 1,379 1,320 1,415 1,591 1,557 1,441 1,426

99 134 107 107 69 51 60 73 54 82

Annual Productivity Production (t/person)

43,320 50,873 54,741 46,917 55,690 30,948 66,633 48,762 70,062 48,800 65,749* 11,479 13,029 11,074 14,752 16,756 20,956 17,758 21,612 24,407 18,786 18,448* 36,694 46,369 42,786 37,464 38,908 35,947 36,141 40,749 43,770 39,258 38,376* 34,924 34,976 35,911 31,022 44,575 37,506 44,881 36,367 36,085 31,236 34,210* 36,817 33,775 27,210 32,662 33,778 30,668 38,468 44,639 31,069 31,114 30,942* 163,234 179,022 171,722 162,817 189,707 156,025 203,881 192,129 205,393 169,194 187,725*

Grilse

Pre-salmon

Year 2 Salmon

Mean Tonnes weight (kg)

Tonnes

Mean weight (kg)

109 129 122 83 124 66 96 86 156 110

0 511 626 333 0 247 472 539 21 0

2.7 2.8 2.9 2.9 2.3 4.2 2.2 -

17,937 26,440 18,046 21,576 32,113 11,899 35,020 24,065 42,463 16,775

4.9 5.3 4.8 4.7 5.1 4.9 5.0 4.7 5.0 4.2

16,417 8,731 26,897 7,515 14,920 7,780 21,873 13,852 17,151 14,441

4.7 5.5 4.6 5.0 4.4 5.6 5.5 5.2 4.3 4.4

8,966 15,191 9,172 17,493 8,657 11,022 9,268 10,306 10,427 17,584

5.1 5.8 5.4 4.6 5.1 5.9 5.3 5.7 5.3 5.2

129 136 118 134 143 225 160 143 176 100

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

3,191 980 1,386 3,491 3,215 2,808 6,393 4,383 3,565 3,879

5.1 5.5 5.0 4.6 5.3 5.2 5.9 5.8 5.4 6.3

4,491 5,045 6,129 4,668 3,823 6,906 5,952 8,875 8,066 6,615

5.7 6.0 5.4 5.7 6.6 6.0 6.1 6.0 5.4 6.5

3,797 7,004 3,559 6,593 9,718 11,242 5,413 8,354 12,776 8,292

5.0 6.0 6.9 5.3 6.4 7.2 6.5 6.0 6.5 5.6

164 187 173 168 178 172 155 140 148 136

0 0 0 0 0 0 459 356 0 0

4.0 4.2 -

5,822 6,196 11,134 11,844 14,132 12,741 11,478 13,970 15,644 11,908

4.5 5.7 5.4 4.4 4.6 5.4 5.2 5.7 5.7 4.8

18,121 17,604 14,939 12,906 15,284 12,835 12,451 11,167 14,074 13,423

4.9 5.5 5.0 4.9 5.2 5.8 5.6 6.3 5.6 5.7

12,751 22,569 16,713 12,714 9,492 10,371 11,753 15,256 14,052 13,927

4.7 5.6 5.5 4.8 6.0 6.0 5.9 6.0 6.4 5.1

129 114 114 94 133 96 130 105 104 91

0 209 0 0 0 0 0 313 0 135

2.2 2.8 1.7

5,847 4,278 10,356 12,349 11,206 9,690 8,071 16,394 18,830 16,337

4.8 5.1 4.7 4.3 5.7 5.1 5.4 4.9 5.3 4.3

9,111 10,476 6,686 9,246 12,903 17,246 13,846 13,519 5,965 8,906

5.6 4.4 4.3 4.4 4.8 5.0 4.2 4.8 3.5 4.6

19,966 20,013 18,869 9,427 20,466 10,570 22,964 6,141 11,290 5,858

5.4 5.2 5.3 4.7 5.6 6.5 6.3 5.3 5.1 5.1

185 121 105 129 125 101 144 163 118 128

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 0

2.1 -

14,699 8,792 13,008 10,593 7,450 16,106 11,281 26,731 12,844 16,264

5.2 4.5 4.4 4.2 4.7 4.5 4.1 4.3 5.0 4.2

10,525 13,455 5,531 16,975 11,399 12,543 5,725 8,819 6,093 9,353

5.2 4.1 4.5 4.1 4.6 4.4 4.2 4.6 4.6 3.9

11,593 11,528 8,671 5,094 14,929 2,019 21,462 9,089 12,119 5,497

4.9 5.7 4.1 4.1 5.6 5.5 5.4 4.6 5.1 5.1

138 135 126 110 137 106 124 118 137 112

0 720 626 333 0 247 931 1,208 34 135

2.5 2.8 2.9 2.9 2.9 3.7 2.1 1.7

47,496 46,686 53,930 59,853 68,116 53,244 72,243 88,025 93,346 65,163

4.9 5.2 4.8 4.4 5.0 4.9 5.0 4.8 5.0 4.4

58,665 55,311 60,182 51,310 58,329 57,310 59,847 57,808 51,349 52,738

5.0 4.9 4.7 4.6 4.8 5.2 5.1 5.3 4.6 4.8

57,073 76,305 56,984 51,321 63,262 45,224 70,860 45,088 60,664 51,158

5.1 5.6 5.2 4.7 5.7 6.3 5.8 5.5 5.7 5.2

*Estimated production * E stimated production forfor 2 0 2 2023. 3 .

36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 66

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THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 67

Company and Site Data Table 36: Number of companies and sites engaged in the production of Atlantic salmon during 2013-2022

Company and Site Data

C Table OM P 36: A N Number Y A Number N D ofSIcompanies E D A T A and sites engaged Number ofT companies of sites in the production of Year

T Atlantic a ble 3 6 Producing : n umber ofNon-producing compa n i es a n Total d s i tes Producing en g a g ed i n Non-producing th e prod ucti onTotal of salmon during 2013-2022 A tla n ti c s a lmon f rom 2 0 1 63 to 2 0 2 2 21 2013 15 145 112 257 2014 Year 2015

11 Number of companies 7 18 143 260 Number 117 of sites 10 6 16 139 115 254 Producing Non-producing Total Producing Non-producing Total 2016 10 5 15 136 117 253 2013 15 6 21 145 112 257 2017 8 4 12 133 93 226 2014 11 7 18 143 117 260 2018 8 4 12 121 100 221 2015 10 6 16 139 115 254 2019 8 3 11 146 80 226 2016 10 5 15 136 117 253 2020 8 3 11 131 101 232 2017 8 4 12 133 93 226 2021 10 2 12 140 73 213 2018 8 4 12 121 100 221 2022 8 2 10 123 87 210 2019 8 3 11 146 80 226 2020 8 3 11 131 101 232 The number10of companies authorised and actively producing Atlantic213 2021 2 12 140 73 salmon was eight, than in 2021. 2022 in 2022 8 2 two less 10 123 Two companies 87 210

and authorised, although producing T remained he numberactive of companies authorised and actively not producing Atlanticsalmon salmon for in 2 0 2 2 harvest in 2022. These companies hadremained 210 registered active sites, The number of and actively producing Atlantic was eight, two lesscompanies than in 2 10 0 2 1 authorised . T wo companies active and authorised, although all was these sitestwo produced in 2022. had 2 1 0 although not producing salmon, for harvest infish 2 0 in 2 for 2 . 2021. T harvest hese Two 1 0 companies salmon innot 2022 eight, less than companies

registered sites, although not all these sites produced ﬁsh for salmon harvest infor . remainedactive active and authorised, although not producing Fallowing harvest in 2022. These 10 companies had 210 registered active sites, Table 37: not of seawater pen sites a fallow period sites produced fishemploying for harvest in 2022. F although A L L OW Number I N all G these during 2013-2022 T a ble 3 7 : s ea w a ter pen s i tes w i th a f a llow peri od f rom 2 0 1 3 to 2 0 2 2

209 SEAWATER PEN SITES RECORDED AS BEING ACTIVE IN 2022

This page: Salmon farm worker; salmon farm; feeding salmon pellets

Fallowing

Fallow Table 37: Number of seawater penPeriod sites(weeks) employing a fallow period Year Total during 2013-2022 0 <4 4-8 9-26 27-51 52 2013

2014 Year 2015

45 0 47 51

6 <4 5 4

41 4-8 27 31

37 47 57 40

12 5 8 9

31 27 33 21

2016 2013 2017 2014 2018 2015 2019 2016

2020 2017 2021 2018

2022 2019

40 48 46 45

29 46 33 37

9 4 5 6

11 5 15 12

31 92 Fallow 36 Period (weeks) 89

21 36 32 41

32 32 34 31

253

84 9-26 88 92

27 27-51 32 35

47 52 49 43

257 Total 250

85 88 74 88

22 32 14 24

37 49 45 40

88 89 76 84

85 76 68 85

24 29 26 27

29 26 30 22

40 51 32 47

26 32 29 37

248 253 222 257

217 250 224 248

231 222 212 217

209 224

Of the 2 0 9 seawater pen 8 sites recorded as being active 14 in 2 0 2 2 , 2 45 9 sites were 2020 57 33 74 231 fallow for the entire year, while 1 4 7 sites were fallow for a variable period. 2021 29 11 32 85 29 26 212 T here were 3 3 sites that did not fallow in 2 0 2 2 . T he normal production cycle in 2022 33 15 34 68 30 29 209 seawater varies in length between 1 2 months and two years. A fallow period at the end of production can break the cycle of disease or parasitic infections.

34 36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 67

28/11/2023 15:55:07

period. Therefor were sites thatwhilst did not fallow 2022. The normal were fallow the 33 entire year 147 sitesin were fallow for a variable production cycle in seawater varies in length between 12 months and period. There were 33 sites that did not fallow in 2022. The normal two years. A fallow period at varies the endinof production can12 break the cycle production cycle in seawater length between months and of disease or parasitic infections. two years. A fallow period at the end of production can break the cycle of

disease or parasitic infections. 68 FISH FARM PRODUCTION Broodstock Sites SURVEY 2022 Table 38: Number of sites holding Atlantic salmon broodstock during Broodstock Sites 2013-2022

38: Number of sites holding Atlantic salmon broodstock during BTable R OOD ST OC K SI T E S

2013-2022 T a ble 3 8 : s i tes h old2014 i n g A 2015 tla n ti c2016 s a lmon brood s tock2019 f rom 2 0 1 3 2021 to 2 0 2022 2 2 Year 2013 2017 2018 2020 Broodstock Year sites Broodstock sites

2013 8

2014 8

2015 4

2016 3

2017 4

2018 4

2019 3

2020 4

2021 4

2022 4

In 2022, the number of freshwater and seawater sites holding broodstock In 2 0 2 2 , theatnumber of freshwater and seawater sites holding broodstock remained sites. total of 3,166 fish were stripped, yielding 53.2 In 2022, the four number of A freshwater and seawater sites holding broodstock remained at four sites. total of yield , ﬁof sh 16,804 were stripped, yielding . million million ova, an average ovastripped, per fish. yielding remained at giving four sites. A total of 3,166 fish were 53.2 ova, giving an average yield of , ova per ﬁsh. million ova, giving an average yield of 16,804 ova per fish.

Organic Production

OR G A 39: N I Production C P R ODproduction U C T I ON of Atlantic salmon during 2013-2022 Table Organic Organic

TTable a ble 39: 3 9 : Organic org a n i c production prod ucti on of of Atlantic A tla n ti csalmon s a lmon during f rom 2 2013-2022 0 1 3 to 2 0 2 2 Year

Year 2013 2014 2013 2015 2014

Number of active pen sites Number of active pen 253 sites 257 253

2016 2015 2017 2016

250 257 248 250 222 248

Number of pen sites certified as organic Number of pen sites certified 8 as organic 8 8 5 8 5 5 5 5

Production (tonnes) Production 5,207 (tonnes) 3,588 5,207 2,382 3,588 3,903 2,382 4,644 3,903 4,219 4,644

2018 2017 2019 2018 2020 2019 2021 2020 2022 2021

217 222 224 217 231 224 212 231 209 212

5 5 4 5 9 4 12 9 9 12

4,462 4,219 12,528 4,462 18,285 12,528 17,768 18,285

2022

209

17,768

Of salmon seawater pen sites were certiﬁ ed Of the the 209active activetlantic Atlantic salmon seawater pen in sites in, nine 2022, nine were as organic,asproducing , tonnes. certified organic, producing 17,768 tonnes. Of the 209 active Atlantic salmon seawater pen sites in 2022, nine were certified as organic, producing 17,768 tonnes.

E Escapes SC A P E S

There involving the loss fish from seawater tlantic Therewere weretwo twoincidents incidents involving the of loss ,of 52,463 fish from seawater Escapes salmon sites in sites . There were There si additional incidents reported where reported the Atlantic salmon in 2022. were six incidents There were two incidents involving the loss ofadditional 52,463 fish from seawater companies confi rmed there was no loss of fiwas sh. no loss of fish. where the companies confirmed there Atlantic salmon sites in 2022. There were six additional incidents reported where the companies confirmed there was no loss of fish.

Photo: SSPO

IN 2022, THE NUMBER OF STAFF EMPLOYED IN THE PRODUCTION OF OTHER SPECIES INCREASED TO 42

36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 68

28/11/2023 15:55:35

// 4 . Ot her Species THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 69 The Scottish aquaculture industry has continued to farm other species of fish during 2022. The production of brown/sea trout (Salmo trutta) showed a small decrease, with the majority of production being for OT angling H E R SP restocking E C I E S market. In 2022 there was production of halibut the (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) figuretocannot be published without The Scottish a uaculture industrybut hasthe continued farm other species of fish during revealing the production from an individual company. 2 0 2 2 . T he production of brown/ sea trout (Salmo trutta ) showed aLumpsucker small decrease, (Cyclopterus lumpus) and several species of wrasse (Labridae) with the ma ority of production being for the angling restocking market. nwere , halibut ( ippoglossus hippoglossus) was produced but the figureand cannot be published also produced in 2022. The production of lumpsucker wrasse are without revealing production fromsalmon an individual company. umpsucker targeted at the the marine Atlantic industry where they are Cyclopterus used as ) and several species of wrasse (Lumpsucker abridae) wereand also wrasse producedfigures in 2 0 2 2 . were T he alumpus biological control for parasites. production of lumpsucker and wrasse arefish targeted at the as marine tlanticpublication salmon amalgamated into a single cleaner category separate industry, where they arewould used as a biological control for parasites. umpsucker and of lumpsucker data reveal the production of an individual wrasse figures were amalgamated into a single cleaner fish category as separate company. publication of lumpsucker data would reveal the production of an individual company.

Company, Site and Production Data

C OM 40: P A NNumber Y , SI T ofE companies A N D P R ODandU sites C T I ON D A T A other species in Table producing T2022, a ble 4 annual 0 : n umber of compa n i es a n d s i tes prod uci n g during oth er s peci es i n production of other species (tonnes) 2019-2022 and 2 0 2 2 , a n n ua l prod ucti on of oth er s peci es ( ton n es ) f rom 2 0 1 9 to 2 0 2 2 projected production in 2023 a n d proj ected prod ucti on i n 2 0 2 3 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 No. of No. of Production Production Production Production Production companies sites tonnage tonnage tonnage tonnage tonnage*

Species Brown/sea trout

Halibut

†

‡

Cleaner fish▲

* Industry estimatesbased based stocks currently on-grown. ndustry estimates onon stocks currently beingbeing on grown. † Production occurred cannot be shown without revealing for an roduction occurred butbut thisthis cannot be shown without revealing the figurethe for figure an individual individual company. company. ‡Staffing Estimate provided cannot be shown without revealing the for an company. individual stimate provided butbut cannot be shown without revealing the figure forfigure an individual malgamated lumpsucker and wrasse figures eincluding larvalother stage fispecies sh). Table 41: Number of staff employed farming during 2013company.

2022 ▲Amalgamated lumpsucker and wrasse figures (excluding larval stage fish)

a le

sta employed in farming other species from 20

to 2022

Year

Full-time Male

Full-time Female

Total Full-time

Part-time Male

Part-time Female

Total Part-time

Total Staff

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

26 25 33 38 37 37 32 19 22 23

3 4 2 5 8 8 6 3 6 5

29 29 35 43 45 45 38 22 28 28

17 17 11 14 13 11 10 9 11 11

4 3 4 6 4 4 5 4 2 3

21 20 15 20 17 15 15 13 13 14

50 49 50 63 62 60 53 35 41 42

Opposite from top: Broodstock salmon; salmon swimming; salmon farm workers This page from top: Juvenile halibut; lumpsucker fish; brown trout smolt; halibut; wrasse

n , the overall number of sta employed in the production of other species increased by one to 4 2 number . In 2022, the overall of staff employed in the production of other 36 species increased by one, to 42.

Production of Cleaner fish Table 42: Number (000’s) of cleaner fish (lumpsucker and wrasse) produced during 2015-2022 Number of fish produced (000’s)

Species

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

Cleaner fish▲

310

380

983

656

719

576

689

647

▲Amalgamated lumpsucker and wrasse figures (excluding larval stage fish)

36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 69

28/11/2023 15:56:04

70 FISH FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2022

Staffing Table 41: Number of staff employed in farming other species during 20132022 Year

Full-time Male

Full-time Female

Total Full-time

Part-time Male

Part-time Female

Total Part-time

Total Staff

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

26 25 33 38 37 37 32 19 22 23

3 4 2 5 8 8 6 3 6 5

29 29 35 43 45 45 38 22 28 28

17 17 11 14 13 11 10 9 11 11

4 3 4 6 4 4 5 4 2 3

21 20 15 20 17 15 15 13 13 14

50 49 50 63 62 60 53 35 41 42

In 2022, the overall number of staff employed in the production of other species increased by one, to 42.

Production of Cleaner fish

P Table R OD 42: U C Number T I ON (000’s) OF C L of E A cleaner N E R F fish I SH (lumpsucker and wrasse)

a le 2 during num er 000s of cleaner ﬁsh lumpsuc er and wrasse produced 2015-2022 produced from 20 to 2022 Number of fish produced (000’s)

Species

2015

2016

2021

2022

Cleaner fish▲ 310 380 983 656 719 576 689 ▲Amalgamated lumpsuckerand andwrasse wrasseﬁgures figurese(excluding larval stage fish) malgamated lumpsucker cluding larval stage ﬁsh).

2017

2018

2019

2020

647

n recent years, lumpsucker and wrasse spp. have been produced for use as recent years lumpsucker and wrasse spp.tlantic have salmon been produced aInbiological control for parasites in the marine industry. for atause as a biological for parasites inbeen the marine industry. on the number ofcontrol fish produced has only collectedAtlantic since salmon . These fiData gureson dothe notnumber include production of larvalhas stage cleaner sh, which may of fish produced only beenficollected sincebe2015. traded on growing facilities outside of of Scotland after hatching. These for figures do not at include production larvalshortly stage cleaner fish which may be traded for on-growing at facilities outside of Scotland, shortly after hatching.

Ova Laid Down to Hatch Table 43: Survey_converted.indd Source of ova from other species laid down to hatch during 2022 36_Scottish Fish Farm 70

28/11/2023 15:56:33

In recent years lumpsucker and wrasse spp. have been produced for use as a biological control for parasites in the marine Atlantic salmon industry. Data on the number of fish produced has only been collected since 2015. These figures do not include production of larval stageTHE cleaner fish which YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 71 may be traded for on-growing at facilities outside of Scotland, shortly after hatching.

OV A Laid L A I D Down D OW to N Hatch T OH A T C H Ova

T Table a ble 4 43: 3 : Source s ource of of ova ov a from f rom other oth er species s peci es laid la i d down d ow n to to hatch h a tch during d uri n g 2022 2 0 2 2 Speci es

Source of ova laid down to hatch (000’s)

Species

Brown/sea trout Halibut Cleaner fish▲

Own broodstock

Other GB broodstock

Imported ova

105

2,500

900

§ Own broodstock ova was laid down to hatch but this cannot be shown without revealing lumpsucker andcompany. wrasse ﬁgures. themalgamated figure for an individual ▲Amalgamated lumpsucker Trade in Small Fish and wrasse figures the figure for an individual company.

TTable R A D 44: E I Trade N SM inA small L L F I fish SH of other 37 species in 2022 a le Species

trade in small ﬁsh of other species in 2022 Bought (000’s)

Sold (000’s)

Brown/sea trout

Halibut

Cleaner fish▲

530

7,350

▲Amalgamated lumpsucker and wrasse malgamated lumpsucker and wrasse figures. figures. uring , there was trade of small halibut but figures cannot be shown without revealing the #gure During there was trade of small halibut but figures cannot be shown fi for an2022 individual company. without revealing theamount figure for an individual company. There was also a small of production of brook charr Salvelinus fontinalis) and

tiger trout Salmo trutta Salvelinus fontinalis). owever, due to the small number of There wasinalso a smallit amount of production ofthese brook charr (Salvelinus companies production, is not possible to summarise data without revealing the production of tiger individual companies. fontinalis) and trout (Salmo trutta x Salvelinus fontinalis). However, due to the small number of companies in production, it is not possible to summarise revealing the production of individual OR G A N I C P these R OD data U C T without I ON companies. Of the sites recorded as producing other species in , no organic production was reported.

Organic Production

sites recorded as producing other species in 2022, no organic EOfSCthe A P 16E S production was reported. There were no reported escapes from sites rearing other species during

Escapes

THERE WAS ALSO A SMALL AMOUNT OF PRODUCTION OF BROOK CHARR AND TIGER TROUT

There were no reported escapes from sites rearing other species during 2022. Above from top: Halibut farm; brown trout; sea trout Opposite from top: Lumpsucker fish; wrasse

36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 71

28/11/2023 15:57:00

Scotland’s seas. The creation of a National Marine Plan, as required by the Act, sets the wider context for planning within Scotland including what should be considered when creating regional marine plans. Eleven Scottish Marine Regions have been created under the Act (see Figure 4) 72 FISH FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2022 which cover sea areas extending out to 12 nautical miles.

Scotti s h ma ri n e reg i on s

M arine (Scotland) Act 2 0 1 of 0 introduces integrated management Scotland’s To supportT hethe development Regional Marine Plansofby Regional Marine seas. T he creation of a N ational M arine P lan, as required by the Act, sets the Planning Partnerships, tonnages and financial values of annual finfish wider context for planning within Scotland, including what should be considered production have been calculated the regions when creating regional marine plans.for E leven Scottish marinedefined regions have been created under the ct see figure four below), which cover sea areas e tending under theout Act. These regional data are presented in Appendix 3. In order to 1 2 nautical miles. T o support the development of regional marine plans by to maintainegional commercial confidentiality salmon production figures for arine lanning artnerships, tonnages and financial values of annual finfish production have been calculated for the regions defined under the ct. Argyll & Clyde and the North Coast & West Highlands have been merged. T hese regional data are presented in appendix three. Other finfish species including brown/sea trout, rainbow trout, To maintain commercial confidentiality, salmon production figures for rgyll and cod, Clyde and the north coast and est ighlands have been merged. Other finfish halibut and cleaner fish were produced, however these figures cannot be species including brown sea trout, rainbow trout, cod, halibut and cleaner fish attributedwere to Scottish Marine due to commercial confidentiality. produced however, theseRegions figures cannot be attributed to Scottish marine regions due to commercial confidentiality.

F i g ure f our: Scottish marine regions

ELEVEN SCOTTISH MARINE REGIONS HAVE BEEN CREATED UNDER THE ACT

Figure 4: Scottish marine regions 36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 72

28/11/2023 15:57:34

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36_Scottish Fish Farm Survey_converted.indd 73

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74 SHELLFISH PRODUCTION SURVEY 2022

Scottish Shellfish Farm Survey 2022

74_Scottish Shellfish Farm Survey_converted.indd 74

28/11/2023 15:13:11

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 75

OV E R V I E W

H IS report is based on the returns of an annual survey questionnaire sent by M arine Scotland Science to all active authorised shellfish farming businesses in Scotland. Of the 1 1 3 businesses authorised at the end of 2 0 2 2 , recorded sales during that year. These authorised businesses farmed active sites, of which ) placed shellfish on the market. n , , tonnes of mussels were produced for the table market. This is the highest level of mussel production recorded in Scotland. ussel and acific oyster remain the main species produced in terms of value and tonnage. ussel production increased by but acific oyster production decreased by during . uring , . million acific oyster shells were produced for on growing. There was a small amount of ueen scallop production, with the biggest producer ceasing to trade during . There was an increase in scallop production from , to 3 9 ,0 0 0 shells since 2 0 2 1 . There was an increase in the production of native oyster from , to , shells in . The number of mussel producing sites with su cient spat settlement for production purposes increased from to . mployment levels decreased by from the previous year, with full time, part time and casual sta being employed during . The Scottish shellfish farming industry is estimated to be worth appro imately . m at first sale value, an increase of on the figure.

THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN SCALLOP PRODUCTION FROM 27,000 TO 39,000 SHELLS SINCE 2021

This page from left: Oyster; cockles; scallop Left: Mussels

74_Scottish Shellfish Farm Survey_converted.indd 75

28/11/2023 15:13:49

// P r o d u ct i o n

/ / The P ro d uc ti o that n the shellfish species cultivated in Scottish waters in survey reports 76 SHELLFISH PRODUCTION SURVEY 2022 2022 were:

The survey that the shellfish species cultivated in Scottish waters in P R OD U C reports T I ON

Mussel:

Mytilus spp.

survey reports that the shellﬁsh species cultivated in Scottish waters in 2022 were: Pacific oyster: Crassostrea gigas1 were

Native oyster: Queen scallop: Mussel: Scallop:

Ostrea edulis Aequipecten opercularis Mytilus spp. Pecten maximus

Pacific oyster: Crassostrea gigas1 Native oyster: Ostrea edulis Production was dominated by mussel and Pacific oyster, although small Queen scallop: Aequipecten opercularis quantities of scallop, queen scallop (queen) and native oyster were also Scallop: Pecten maximus produced. The 2022 production data for each species by region are given in roduction was dominated by mussel and aciﬁc oysters, although small Table 1.

uantities of scallop, ueen scallop and native oyster were also produced. The production data for each species by region are given in table one below.

Production Table 1 was dominated by mussel and Pacific oyster, although small T A B L E ONofE shellfish Scottish by region, quantities scallop, production queen scallop (queen)2022. and native oyster were also cottish shellﬁsh production y region, 2022 produced. The 2022 production data for each species by region are given in Region Mussel Pacific oyster Native oyster Queen Scallop (tonnes) (000s) (000s) (000s) (000s) Table 1. OnTable growing Highland 707 75 Orkney 0 0 Shetland 7,164 2,431 Strathclyde 501 0 Western Isles Mussel 720 0 Region All Scotland 9,092 2,506 (tonnes) Weight 9,092 On2,506 (Tonnes) Table

OnOnOnOnTable growing Table growing Table growing Table growing 1,817 2,015 0 0 0.6 0 37 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,980 1,385 109 8 0 0 2 0 286 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pacific oyster Native 0oyster Queen 4,087(000s) 3,400 109 8 0.6 0 39 0 (000s) (000s)

Table 1 Scottish shellfish production by region, 2022.

Scallop (000s) 327 9 <1 5 OnOnOnOngrowing Table growing Table growing Table growing Table growing This report lists regions with active shellﬁsh farms operated by authorised NB: This report707 lists regions75 with1,817 active shellfish farms operated by authorised Highland 2,015 0 0 0.6 aquaculture 0 37 0 a uaculture production businesses. production businesses. Orkney 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Conversion to 7,164 weight used2,431 the following assumptions Shetland 1 0based on0industry ﬁgures) 0 0 0 0 0 Conversion to weight used the followingscallops assumptions (basedg on industry figures): individual individual oysters averaged g individual averaged individual Strathclyde 501 0 1,980 1,385 109 8 0 0 2 0 oysters averaged 80g; ueens averaged g. individual scallops averaged 120g; individual queens averaged 40g. Western Isles 720 0 286 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Table = sales human consumption. Table salesdirectly directlyforfor human consumption; All Scotland 9,092 2,506 4,087 3,400 109 8 0.6 0 39 0 On growing =sales businesses for for on-growing. On-growing salestotoother other businesses Weight on growing. 9,092 2,506 327 9 <1 5 (Tonnes)

Table production by species is illustrated in ﬁgure one, while trends in production NB: This report lists regions with active shellfish farms operated by authorised aquaculture for the table market and on growing in production businesses. are presented in table ¹Scotland A proposed name change to two. Magallana gigas remains controversial (Bayne et al. 2017, Journal of Shellfish Research. 36, 545-547)

Conversion to weight used the following assumptions (based on industry figures): individual 2 oysters averaged 80g; individual scallops averaged 120g; individual queens averaged 40g. Table = sales directly for human consumption; On-growing = sales to other businesses for on-growing. 74_Scottish Shellfish Farm Survey_converted.indd 76

28/11/2023 15:14:22

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 77

Table production by species is illustrated in Figure 1 (see page 4), while trends in production for the table market and on-growing in Scotland are presented in Table 2.

Table 2 T A B L E inT W production O Trends data for the table and on-growing 2013-2022. T ren d s i n prod ucti on d a ta f or th e ta ble a n d on - g row i n g 2 0 1 3 - 2 0 2 2 For the table

% 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 change 21-22

Pacific oyster (000s)

1,891 3,392 2,693 3,534 5,034 4,031 4,393 2,863 4,853 4,087

Native oyster (000s)

260

242

200

201

200

142

103

109

-16 >100

Queen (000s)

155

273

0.5

0.6

Scallop (000s)

Mussel (tonnes)

6,757 7,683 7,270 7,732 8,232 6,874 6,699 5,661 8,590 9,092

For ongrowing

% 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 change 21-22

Pacific oyster (000s)

6,216 6,792 5,864 4,584 3,849 4,240 2,405 1,663 3,528 3,400

-4

Native oyster (000s)

1,015

749

323

481

344

327

-81

Queen (000s)

1,490

500

900

300

Scallop (000s) 1,470

136

Mussel (tonnes) 1,281 1,263 1,841 2,619 4,437 2,137 3,493 4,127 3,253 2,506

-23

ussel production for the table increased by in see figure one) to , tonnes. This is the highest level of mussel production recorded in Scotland. The greatest regional to musselby production was (see fromfigure Shetland, Mussel production, for contribution the table, increased 6% in 2022 1) to accounting , is the tonnes ) of Scotland s total. acific oyster production 9,092 tonnes.for This highest level of mussel production recorded in decreased by from . The production of farmed scallops increased by Scotland. The greatest regional contribution to mussel production was from , while production of native oysters increased by more than . There Shetland, for 7,164 tonnes (79%) of Scotland’s oyster was onlyaccounting a small amount of ueen scallop production duringtotal. Pacific as the main production decreased by during 16% from 2021. The production of farmed scallops producer ceased trading . istorical data for all shellfi sh species show increased by 44%levels whilevary production of native oysters increased by over that production year on year. This can be due to a number of di100%. erent factors such asapoor fall,amount algal toofins, poor scallop growth,production adverse weather, There was only veryspat small queen during pandemic restrictions and uctuations in market prices. 2022 as the main producer ceased trading during 2022. Historical data for all shellfish species show that production levels vary year on year. This can be due to a number of different factors such as poor spat fall, algal toxins, poor growth, adverse weather, pandemic restrictions and fluctuations in market 74_Scottish Shellfish Farm Survey_converted.indd 77 prices.

THE PRODUCTION OF FARMED SCALLOPS INCREASED BY 44% WHILE PRODUCTION OF NATIVE OYSTERS INCREASED BY MORE THAN 100%

Above: Mussels on the sea floor Opposite from top: Oyster; scallops

28/11/2023 15:15:18

78 SHELLFISH PRODUCTION SURVEY 2022

10,000

Tonnes

8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 0 6,000

Mussel (tonnes)

'13

'15

'16

'17

'18

'19

'20

'21

'22

Pacific oyster (000s) Queen (000s) Native oyster (000s) Scallop (000s)

5,000 Number (000s)

'14

4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 0

'13

'14

'15

'16

'17

Figure 1 Table production by species 2013-2022.

'18

'19

'20

'21

'22

F I G U R E ON E T a ble prod ucti on by s peci es 2 0 1 3 - 2 0 2 2 Prices ofrices farmed shellfish throughout theTheir year. Their value of farmed shellﬁshfluctuated uctuated throughout the year. value at ﬁrst sale at

IN 2022, 167 SITES PRODUCED SHELLFISH FOR SALE, AN INCREASE OF 1% FROM 2021

estimated from the following figures obtained from the shellfish farming first salewas was estimated from the following figures obtained from the industry. These vary with demand, level of production and geographical area shellfishoffarming industry. These vary with demand, level of production and origin. The average price of acific oyster was . per shell native oyster, geographical area origin. The average price of Pacific oyster was £0.41 per . per shellofscallop, . per shell ueen scallop, . per shell and mussel per tonne. The value of the table trade is estimated from the shell; native oyster, £0.50 per shell; scallop, £1.79 per shell; queen scallop, production figures shown in table one. £0.13 per shell and mussel £950 per tonne. The value of the table trade is . million c oyster . million estimatedussel from the production figures acifi shown in Table 1 (see page 2). ati e oyster 0.0 million Q ueen : > £ 0 . 0 0 0 1 mi lli on

callop

0.0 million

Mussel: £8.6 million Pacific oyster: £1.7 million n , the total value at ﬁrst sale for all Native oyster: £0.05 million Scallop: £0.07 million species was calculated at appro imately Queen: > £0.0001 million . million, an increase of from the in .

. million estimated

In 2022, the total value at first sale for all species was calculated at approximately £10.4 million, an increase of 6% from the £9.8 million estimated in 2021. 74_Scottish Shellfish Farm Survey_converted.indd 78

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THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 79

// Bus in e s s e s a n d s i t e s // Bu s in e s s e s a n d s i t e s

The numbers of authorised, active businesses and sites in operation are presented in Tables 3 and 4. There are many sites that held stock The numbers of authorised, active businesses and sites in operation not yet ready for market, others were fallow, and some were located in are presented in Tables 3 and 4. There are many sites that held stock remote areas where cost-effective production and marketing of shellfish not yet ready forSmarket, were fallow, and some were located in B U difficult. SI N E SSE N D SI 167 T others E S sites proved In A 2022, produced shellfish for sale, an Above: Oyster farm H E number of authorised, active businesses and sites in operation are of shellfish remote areas where cost-effective production and marketing increase of 1% from 2021, 57% of are these located in Shetland. worker presented in tables threewith and four. T here manysites sites that held stock proved difficult. In for 2022, 167 sites shellfish for sale, anOpposite from not yet ready mark et, others wereproduced fallow and some were located in top: Oysters on remote e ective production marketing of shellﬁ sh proved increase ofareas 1% where fromcost 2021, with 57% ofand these sites located in Shetland.

di cult. n

sites produced shellﬁsh for sale, an increase of

from

Table 3 , with of these sites located in Shetland. Authorised and active businesses 2013-2022. Table 3 T A B L E T H Rand E E active businesses 2013-2022. Authorised Number of Businesses A uth ori s ed a n d a cti v e bus i n es s es 2 0 1 3 - 2 0 2 2 2016

2013

2014

2015

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

Active

142 2013

144 2014

Businesses 144 Number 138 of 132 130 2015 2016 2017 2018

129 2019

125 2020

120 2021

113 2022

Active

142

144

129

125

120

113

138

2017

ice; mussels

132

130

Table 4 T A B and L E F OUproducing R Active farm sites by region 2022. A cti v e a n d prod uci n g f a rm s i tes by reg i on 2 0 2 2 Table 4 Region Active and producing farm sites by region 2022. Sites Active Sites Producing

Highland

Orkney

Shetland Region

Strathclyde

Western Isles

All Scotland

Highland 62

Orkney 5

Shetland 143

Strathclyde 49

Western Isles 41

All Scotland 300

29 1 95 26 16 167 Active 62 5 143 49 41 300 ctive means farms in29 a production growing cycle,95 which may contain Producing 1 26 stock or be 16 167 Activefallow. = Farms in a production growing cycle which or be fallow. roducing means placing on the market for the may table contain and or onstock growing. produce more than species and in more thanstock one region. Producing =business placing on the market for theone table and/or on-growing. Active = Farms in amay production growing cycle which may contain or be fallow.

NB: A business may produce more than onetable species andon-growing. in more than one region. Producing = placing on the market for the and/or NB: A business may produce more than one species and in more than one region. 74_Scottish Shellfish Farm Survey_converted.indd 79

28/11/2023 15:16:26

80 SHELLFISH PRODUCTION SURVEY 2022 Figure 2

F I G Regional U R E T W distribution O of active shellfish sites in 2022 (number producing given in brackets) egional distri ution of acti e shellﬁsh sites in 2022 num er producing gi en in and number of producing businesses by region/species. rac ets and num er of producing usinesses y region species.

Shetland 143 (95)

Active shellfish site Several Order

Producing businessess by region/species

Orkney 5 (1) !

! ! ! ! ! !! ! !! !! ! !! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! !!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! !! ! ! !! ! !! !! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

! ! !

Shetland

! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! !!!

! ! !

! ! ! ! ! ! !

! ! !

!# !! ! ! # #

! !

Western Isles 41 (16)

! ! ! ! ! !

Highland 62 (29)

Western Isles

! ! !

! ! !! # !! # ! ! !!

Highland

! !! ! ! ! !! !! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! !! !! ! ! ! ! !!! !! ! !! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

! ! !

Strathclyde

! ! !!

! !

Orkney !

Strathclyde 49 (26)

Pacific oyster Native oyster Scallop Queen Mussel

Several Order

Active Shellfish Sites 2022

Miles 100

There were five Several Orders in place for scallop fisheries in 2022 (see Fig. 2)

There were ﬁve Several Orders in place for scallop ﬁsheries in all ofin which are inregion. the Highland region. located the ighland

see ﬁgure two), all of which are

74_Scottish Shellfish Farm Survey_converted.indd 80

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Table 5 Number THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 81 Table 5 of businesses by region and by species 2022. Number of businesses by region and by species 2022. T a) A Production B L E 5F I V E for the table Table N Number umber ofof bus i n es s es by i on a and n d by peci es 2 2022. 0 2 2 businesses byreg region bys species a) Production for the table Highland a) Production for the tableOrkney

Region Shetland Region Shetland 1 Region 0 1 Shetland 0 0

Western Isles Western 2 Isles 0 2 Western 0 Isles 0 0 2 0

All Scotland All 28 Scotland 1 28 All 3 Scotland 1 1 28 3

5 0 0 7 0 5

32 1 1 65 3 32

0 7 5

1 65 32

17 23 b)Total Production for 17 on-growing1to other producers

All Scotland All 6 Scotland 1 6 All 0 Scotland 1 0 6 0 14 1 0 21 0 14

a) P roduction for the table Orkney Highland Pacific oyster

Native Pacific oyster oyster Scallop Native oyster Queen Pacific oyster Scallop

0 7 Highland 2 0 1 7 2

0 1 Orkney 0 0 0 1 0

Mussel Native Queen oyster Total Scallop Mussel

7 0 1 17 2 7

0 0 1 0 0

0 1 0 16 0 0 17 0 16

Queen Total Mussel

1 17 7

0 1 0

0 17 16

Strathclyde Strathclyde 17 1 17 Strathclyde 1 1 0 17 1 4 1 0 23 1 4 0 23

Above: Scallops Below: Mussels

b) Production for on-growing to other producers

b) P roduction for on- growing to other Region producers

Highland Orkney Shetland Strathclyde b) Production for on-growing to other producers Region Pacific oyster

Highland 2

Orkney 0

Native Pacific oyster oyster Scallop Native oyster

0 2 Highland 0 0

0 0 Orkney 0 0

Pacific oyster Queen Scallop Mussel Native Queen oyster

0 2 0 2 0 0

0 0 0 0

Total Scallop Mussel Queen Total

4 0 2 0 4

0 0 0 0

Mussel

Shetland 0 Region 0 0 Shetland 0 0

Strathclyde 4 1 4 Strathclyde 0 1

Western Isles Western 0 Isles 0 0 Western 0 Isles 0

0 0 12 0 0 12 0 12

0 4 0 0 1 0

0 0 0 0

5 0 0 0 5

0 0 0 0

0 21 14

2 9 Strathclyde 1 2 0 9 1

Western Isles Western 2 Isles 0 2 Western 0 Isles 0 0 2 0

All Scotland All 22 Scotland 8 22 All 6 Scotland 8 2 22 6

5 2 0 17 1 5

3 0 0 5 0 3

24 8 2 62 6 24

0 17

0 5

2 62

0 12 12

4 0 12fallow c)Total No production, actively on-growing or

c) N o production, actively on- growing or fallow

c) No production, actively on-growing or fallow Region Highland

Orkney

Shetland

Strathclyde

Highland 10

Orkney 1

Strathclyde 9

4 10 Highland 5 4 2 10 5

2 1 Orkney 0 2 0 1 0

Shetland 0 Region 0 0 Shetland 0 0

11 4 2 32 5 11

1 2 0 4 0 1

0 0 4 0 0 4 0 4

2 32

0 4

Region c) No production, actively on-growing or fallow Pacific oyster Native Pacific oyster oyster Scallop Native oyster Queen Pacific oyster Scallop Mussel Native Queen oyster Total Scallop Mussel Queen Total

THERE WERE SIX BUSINESSES THAT PRODUCED MORE THAN 200,000 PACIFIC OYSTERS

Table five depicts the a) shows Mussel 11 number of 1 businesses 4 by region5and species 3 24 production for the table, b) shows ongrowing production and c) shows no 62 Total 32 4 4 17 5 production. any businesses cultivate more than one species on site, a practice made possible by similar cultivation techni ues. For e ample, scallop can be grown together with ueen, acific oyster7with native oyster and mussel with acific oyster. The highest proportion of acific oyster businesses are located in 7 mussel businesses are in Shetland. Strathclyde, while the highest proportion of usiness production levels by species are shown in table si . There were 7 businesses producing more than tonnes of mussels, an increase of one business from . These businesses produced of the total mussel production in Scotland. There were si businesses that produced more than , acific oysters. The production from these businesses accounted for of the Scottish acific oyster total.

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of one business from 2021. These 12 businesses produced 86% of the total mussel production in Scotland. There were six businesses that produced more than 200,000 Pacific oysters. The production from these businesses accounted for 81% of the Scottish Pacific oyster total.

82 SHELLFISH PRODUCTION SURVEY 2022

Table T A B L E 6SI X Business production levels by species 2022. B us i n es s prod ucti on lev els by s peci es 2 0 2 2 1-

11-

2130

3140

4150

5160

6170

7180

8190

91- 101>200 Total 100 200

/ / S pSpecies a t s e t t l e me 10 nt 20 Pacific oyster (000s)

Following anecdotal industry and mortality Native oyster (000s) 0 0 reports 0 0of poor 0 0spat0settlement 0 0 0 1 0 1 in 2010, Marine Scotland a questionnaire Scallop (000s) 1 developed 2 0 0 0 0 0 which 0 0 was0 sent 0 to 0 3 Queen (000s) 1 production 0 0 0 businesses 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 all authorised aquaculture farming mussels. This 0 Mussel (tonnes) indicated 4 2 that 1 poor 1 spat 1 settlement 2 3 1 and 1 mortality 1 3 were 12 32 2011 investigation not widespread in Scottish waters, although they had major impacts on SP A T SE T T L E M E N T certain individual producers. As a result of talks between the Association of OLLOWIN G anecdotal industry reports of poor spat settlement and mortality Scottish Shellfish and Marine Scotland a spat collection question in 2 0 1 0 ,Growers M arine Scotland developed a questionnaire, which was sent to all authorised aquaculture production businesses farming T his was introduced to the 2013 survey. This question focused on mussels. mussel spat 2 0 1 1 and investigation indicated spat mortalitysite; wereifnot collection was presented in that twopoor parts: is settlement this a spatand collection yes, widespread in Scottish waters, although they had maj or impacts on certain was spat settlement sufficient for production purposes? individual producers. As a result of talk s between the Association of Scottish Shellﬁsh Growers and arine Scotland, a spat collection uestion was introduced Responses from 220 (100%) sitesspat authorised to thewere 2 0 1 3 received survey. T his question focusedof onthe mussel collection for and was presented in two parts: is this a spat collection site? If yes, was spatcollection settlement mussel production in 2022. Ninety-eight (45%) of these were spat su cient for production purposes sites, 88 (90%) of which reported that they had sufficient spat settlement R esponses were received from 2 2 0 (1 0 0 % ) of the sites authorised for mussel for production purposes. Insufficient sites may require production in 2 0 2 2 . Of these, 9 8 (4 spat 5 % ) settlement of these wereon spat collection sites, 8 8 movement of to thatthat sitethey which the settlement risk of introduction or ) ofmussels which reported hadincreases su cient spat for production nsu cient spat settlement on sites may re uire movement of mussels spreadpurposes. of diseases. to that site, which increases the risk of introduction or spread of diseases.

Table 7 8 T A B L E SE V E responses N Spat settlement 2013 - 2022.

Spa t s ettlemen t res pon s es 2 0 1 3 - 2 0 2 2 Year

Number mussel production sites surveyed

Number of responder sites

Number of sites classed as spat collection sites

Number of sites with spat settlement sufficient for production purposes

2013

246

176

2014

259

218

105

2015

249

111

2016

248

108

2017

234

104

2018

232

136

2019

235

128

2020

227

123

2021

219

112

2022

220

E M P L OY M E N T

H E industry employed 1 2 5 full- time and 1 3 0 part- time and casual work ers during . The number of sta reduced across all categories in , except part- time females, which remained the same as 2 0 2 1 . T he regional break down of employment is given in table eight. T he number of people employed by the shellﬁsh farming industry in Scotland decreased by from the 2 0 2 1 total of 3 0 3 .

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during 2022. The number of staff reduced across all the categories in 2022, except part-time females which remained the same as 2021. The regional breakdown of employment is given in Table 8. The number of people employed by the shellfish farming industry in Scotland decreased by 16% from the 2021 total of 303. THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 83

Table 8 T A B L E employment E I G H T Regional 2022. R eg i on a l employmen t 2 0 2 2 Staff Businesses

Fulltime Male

Fulltime Female

Parttime Male

Parttime Female

Casual Male

Casual Female

Total

Highland

Orkney

Shetland

Strathclyde Western Isles Scotland

114

255

SC OT T I SH

M A R I N E R E G I ON S

Region

H E M arine (Scotland) Act 2 0 1 0 introduced integrated management of Scotland’s seas. T he creation of a N ational M arine P lan, as required by the Act, sets the wider context for planning within Scotland, including what should be considered when creating regional marine plans. E leven Scottish M arine R egions have been created under the Act, which cover sea areas extending out to 1 2 nautical miles. T o support the development of R egional M arine P lans by R egional M arine lanning artnerships, tonnages shell numbers and financial values of annual shellfish production for mussels and acific oysters have been calculated for the regions defined under the ct. To maintain commercial confidentiality, mussel production figures for rgyll and Clyde, the West H ighlands, M oray Firth and the north coast were merged. Similarly, acific oyster production for the est ighlands and the north coast, and Ork ney Islands and Shetland Islands were also required to be merged. Other shellfish species including native oyster rgyll and Solway), scallop rgyll and West H ighlands) and queen scallop (Clyde and West H ighlands) were produced; however, these figures cannot be attributed to Scottish arine egions due to commercial confidentiality.

H E A L T H

I N F L U E N C E S ON

T H E I N D U ST R Y

risk based surveillance programme targeting shellﬁsh site inspections was undertak en during 2 0 2 2 . On these visits, facilities, stock health, biosecurity measures plans, movement records and details required for

74_Scottish Shellfish Farm Survey_converted.indd 83

Opposite from top: Oysters growing on rock; mussels; scallop Above: Oyster farm

THE INDUSTRY EMPLOYED 125 FULL-TIME AND 130 PART-TIME

28/11/2023 15:18:31

84 SHELLFISH PRODUCTION SURVEY 2022

authorisation were check ed. R ecords were check ed remotely for six sites. M ost of the reported mortalities during 2 0 2 2 were attributed to: predation from wild ducks, starfish, crabs, urchins and oystercatchers fouling by sea s uirts adverse weather conditions including storms and temperature e tremes damage due to grading and handling, and from natural causes. It is the responsibility of shellfish farmers to inform arine Scotland of any abnormal or une plained shellfish mortality on their sites. Approved z one status for bonamiasis, marteiliasis and Ostreid H erpes Virus- 1 M icrovariant (OsH V- 1 µ var) continued to protect the health of both wild and farmed susceptible shellfish stocks in Scotland s waters www.gov.scot policies fish health inspectorate movement restrictions on fish and shellfish). T he whole coastline of Great Britain is recognised as free from infection with M arteilia refringens, although there are movement restrictions in place on the R iver T amar in Cornwall and D evon. T he whole coastline of Great Britain is recognised as being free from infection with Bonamia ostreae except the following areas, which are covered by movement restrictions: • L och Sun a rt i n th e H i g h la n d reg i on ; • D orn och F i rth i n th e H i g h la n d reg i on ; • W

es t L och T a rbert i n th e Stra th clyd e reg i on ;

Top: Freshly farmed oysters Above: Pearl oysters hang below a pier Opposite from top: Oyster shucking; mussel farm

• L yn n of L orn e, L och C rera n a n d L och E ti v e i n Stra th clyd e reg i on ; • th e s outh coa s t of C orn w a ll f rom L i z a rd to Sta rt P oi n t; • th e coa s t of D ors et, H a mps h i re a n d Sus s ex f rom P ortla n d B i ll to Sels ey B i ll; • th e a rea a lon g th e coa s t of N orth K en t a n d E s s ex f rom N orth F orela n d to F eli x s tow e;

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THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 85 • th e a rea a lon g th e coa s t i n s outh w es t W a les f rom St A n n ’ s H ea d to L i n n ey H ea d , i n clud i n g M i lf ord H a v en a n d th e ti d a l w a ters of th e E a s t a n d W es t C led d a u ri v er; a n d • M en a i Stra i t. The whole coastline of Great ritain is recognised as free from Os for the following areas: Esse , ent and u ol Feli stowe to amsgate

var e cept

utley ree , u ol • P oole H a rbour i n D ors et; a n d the i er eign in e on. ovements and imports of shellfish species susceptible to infection by arteilia refringens, onamia ostreae and Os var into the Great ritain health one must originate from another one or country recognised as free of that disease and are re uired to be accompanied by a health certificate. ovements are allowed from disease free areas to non approved areas, as well as those for direct human consumption without reimmersion in any other sea water areas. n , there was a continued demand for acific oyster spat in Scotland. The industry should be aware, arine Scotland Science warns, of the increased disease risk with the introduction, movement and deposit of stock on site and the importance of ensuring good biosecurity practices when sourcing shellfish from other areas.

IN 2022, THERE WAS A CONTINUED DEMAND FOR PACIFIC OYSTER SPAT IN SCOTLAND

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86 SHELLFISH PRODUCTION SURVEY 2022

SU M M A R Y

• In 2 0 2 2 , 9 ,0 9 2 tonnes of mussels were produced for the table mark et. T his is the highest level of mussel production recorded in Scotland. ussel and aciﬁc oyster remain the main species produced in terms of value and tonnage. ussel production increased by but aciﬁc oyster production decreased by during . uring

, . million aciﬁc oyster shells were produced for on growing.

• T here was a small amount of queen scallop production, with the biggest producer ceasing to trade during 2 0 2 2 . T here was an increase in scallop production from , to , shells since . There was an increase in the production of native oyster from , , shells in .

The number of mussel producing sites with su cient spat settlement for production purposes increased from to . mployment levels decreased by from the previous year, with full time, part time and casual sta being employed during . The Scottish shellfish farming industry is estimated to be worth appro imately . m at first sale value, an increase of on the figure. For shellfish health purposes, out of sites were inspected during as part of a risk based surveillance programme. Further details can be found at www. gov. scot/ policies fish health inspectorate surveillance programme. • M ovement restrictions remain in place for the presence of Bonamia ostreae at Loch Sunart and the D ornoch Firth in the ighland region, est och Tarbert and ynn of orne, och Creran and och tive in the Strathclyde region.

DURING 2022, 3.4 MILLION PACIFIC OYSTER SHELLS WERE PRODUCED FOR ON-GROWING

Great ritain maintained disease free status with regard to bonamiasis, marteiliasis and Os var, with the e ception of specific compartments under movement restrictions. mmediate notification of increased mortality on farm sites must be reported to arine Scotland Science, the fish health inspectorate.

Opposite from top: Shellfish farm; mussels growing on chain; scallop harvest Left: Oyster farm worker

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THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 87

THE SCOTTISH SHELLFISH FARMING INDUSTRY IS ESTIMATED TO BE WORTH £10.4M

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88 NEWS REVIEW – SEAFOOD BUSINESS

SEAFOOD

BUSINESS High prices offset a softening in demand across many seafood markets in 2023

Ja n ua ry, th e N orw eg i a n Sea f ood C oun ci l relea s ed ﬁgures for the country s ex ports i n 2 0 2 2 . P oland and D enmark , which both have large salmon processing sectors, continued to be the largest mark ets for N orwegian salmon. Seafood sales to the U K , which traditionally buys a great deal of N orwegian cod and haddock , increased by 2 7 % to N OK 7 . 8 bn (£ 6 5 0 m) in 2 0 2 2 . Sales of N orwegian seafood to the U S showed the most dramatic rise at 4 6 % , with much of it salmon, while sales to China rose by 4 5 % despite some large cities facing Covid lock downs. N orwegian seafood exports reached N OK 1 5 1 . 4 bn (£ 1 2 . 6 bn) , a record value, in 2 0 2 2 .

88_Seafood business_converted.indd 88

abobank s predictions for the first half of , published in F ebrua ry, presented a mixed picture, with demand for salmon expected to remain resilient, while the shrimp mark et continued to face softer demand carrying on from the previous year. R abobank analyst Gorj an N ik olik said: “ Softer demand for shrimp and high supply have generated a low- price scenario that will persist in . M eanwhile, a long- term forecast for the rainbow trout mark et was bullish. M ark et researchers Fact. M R said the mark et was expected to grow by an average of 5 . 2 % annually over the next 1 0 years, reaching U S $ 7 bn . bn) by the end of . And in the U S, the D epartment of J ustice closed its investigation into allegations that the big five salmon companies had colluded on price fi ing, following an out- of- court settlement reached in the autumn of 2 0 2 2 . T here has been no news this year regarding the parallel investigation by the E uropean Commission into the issue. In M a rch , we reported that salmon prices had hit a new record at N OK 1 1 9 . 4 8 a k ilo (£ 9 . 4 5 ) , despite widespread expectations of a downward correction. T hroughout the year, N orway’s seafood exports saw high values but reduced volumes, with record numbers in financial terms attributed by the orwegian Seafood Council to a weak ening k rone rather than increasing demand for seafood. The statistics re ected a year in which E uropean consumers faced rising food prices across the board. In A pri l, we reported that Iceland’s aquaculturerelated exports had also reached record levels in 2 0 2 2 at SK bn m). The figure was up compared with the previous year.

28/11/2023 15:24:42

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 89

A report carried out by Boston Consulting Group for the Icelandic government suggested that aquaculture production in the country could grow from 5 1 ,0 0 0 tonnes in 2 0 2 2 to 4 2 8 ,0 0 0 tonnes by 2 0 3 2 . As 2 0 2 3 approached its close, R abobank – with K ontali and the Global Seafood Alliance – published predictions for the coming year. T he bank ’s analysts expected a modest uptick in production of 1 . 8 % for the world s five key farmed finfish species/ groups – carp, tilapia, pangasius and catfish, salmonids, and sea bass and sea bream – reaching around 3 9 . 6 tonnes during 2 0 2 4 . Global shrimp production is forecast to recover in 2 0 2 4 , albeit

“European

consumers faced rising food prices across the board” at a lower rate than the 1 0 - year historical average. T he R abobank survey forecasts year- on- year shrimp production growth of 4 . 8 % in 2 0 2 4 , surpassing 2 0 2 2 ’s peak volumes, after an expected modest decline of 0 . 4 % in 2 0 2 3 .

Clockwise from top left: Salmon at Bergen market; Norwegian salmon; Sri Lanka shrimp; Iceland

88_Seafood business_converted.indd 89

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90 NEWS REVIEW – TECHNOLOGY

TECHNOLOGY Once again, science has been helping us to manage and protect what lies beneath the ocean’s surface

A R L Y i n 2 0 2 3 , th e C en tre f or I n n ov a ti on E x cellen ce i n L i v es tock ( C I E L ) a n n oun ced f our s eed f un d i n g proj ects i n a q ua culture, cov eri n g s ea w eed culti ation, cleaner ﬁsh life cycle a s s es s men t a n d th e ca rbon f ootpri n t of pa n g a s i us prod ucti on . They are the ﬁrst a uaculture pro ects to be funded by C , which was set up by the UK Government as one of four gri Tech Centres. C works in partnership with many of the UK s leading livestock research institutions and a network of industry members. artin Sutcli e, C s a uaculture specialist, said C works collaboratively across the agrifood sector, encouraging knowledge e change while utilising the academic e pertise that underpins the centre s network. ringing agrifood and a uaculture together is one of the main goals of this work. These are seed pro ects designed to be developed further in the future, helping to drive the industry forward. n A pri l, we reported that ce uatec had developed a humane

90_Technology_converted.indd 90

stunner for farmed prawns to allow farmers to carry out cruelty free slaughter. The portable umane Stunner Universal SU) for prawns was launched in oston at the Seafood po orth merica trade show. The stunner has been trialled successfully on aciﬁc white shrimp itopenaeus vannamei) with eomar, F rde Garnelen and Crusta ova in Germany. n M a y, we featured a pro ect aimed at improving our knowledge of what lies below the surface of the ocean.

28/11/2023 11:57:03

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 91

T he SE A- AI research proj ect being led by the Scottish Association of M arine Science (SAM S) aims to enable the collection of high- quality seabed imagery and its rapid, cost e ective analysis. T he primary funder for the proj ect is the Sustainable uaculture nnovation Centre. In identifying P riority M arine Features (P M Fs) , which is required when applying for a new ﬁsh farming permit, video footage of the seabed

90_Technology_converted.indd 91

is manually reviewed, sometimes frame- by- frame, a task which is time- consuming, costly and subj ect to analyst bias. The new process involves training a computer on annotated images in which the targeted Fs have been identiﬁed, then letting it attempt to identify those same P M Fs in new images not seen by the machine. y then either conﬁrming or re ecting the computer’s conclusions, the machine is able to learn and apply increasingly accurate j udgements as to what it is looking at. T he study is due to complete in une . r Tom ilding, a benthic ecologist and statistical modeller with SAM S, said e are looking at footage gathered by SE P A, Scottish Sea Farms and Bak k afrost Scotland [ formerly the Scottish Salmon Company] and extracting relevant imagery. The aim is to identify key species. In Jun e, we reported that the global mark et for underwater robots is expected to reach a value of US . bn . bn) in and US . bn . bn) by the end of , growing at a compound annual growth rate of . . T hat is the conclusion of a mark et report by research business Fact. . T he report suggests that growth in the sector is currently being held back by a world shortage of semiconductors, which are needed for the manufacture of unmanned underwater vehicles and remote operated vehicles like the Saab Seaeye e rov pictured). In July, salmon producer Cermaq said it is now pressing ahead with the fourth version of its iFarm pro ect in

THESE ARE ‘SEED’ PROJECTS DESIGNED TO BE DEVELOPED FURTHER

Opposite from top: The OSIL buoy; Martin Sutcliffe This page from top: Cold-water coral; Dr Tom Wilding; Saab Seaeye eWrov; Ace Aquatec’s humane stunner for prawns

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92 NEWS REVIEW – TECHNOLOGY

Vesterå len, N ordland County in N orway. It is the same location where version two was carried out. iFarm is a concept based on artiﬁcial intelligence and machine learning, with state of the art monitoring technology. The company said the reason for the iFarm s long overdue development process has been to allow time for e periences and learning along the way, which will contribute to improvements for the ne t phase. The aim is for the pro ect to be able to test out an improved version of iFarm in each phase. In A ug us t, we covered a study into the impact of a robot net cleaner in salmon pens. The study was funded by T, an industrial programme for northern orway, and e amined the probotic net

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cleaner, comparing its operation with traditional high pressure water cleaning methods. esearchers found that ﬁsh health and appetites were una ected by the robot s presence. The programme was carried out in collaboration with kvaplan niva, allangen S farm and Cerma . In September, we reported that the driven biomass estimation solution from nnovasea, iomass ro, is now available for use with tlantic salmon. ecent ﬁeld trials in ritish Columbia, the company said, have shown its algorithm for tlantic salmon to be highly e ective at estimating the si e and weight of that species in real time.

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THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 93

In October, we featured a multidisciplinary data buoy platform manufactured by Ocean Scientific International Ltd (OSIL) , which has been installed in D ublin Bay as part of the P R E D ICT multidisciplinary proj ect. T his proj ect will provide coastal ocean observations that will be used to validate, calibrate and extract as much information as possible from satellite earth observation data. T he aim is to generate AI models that can be used to predict environmental change. T he 1 . 9 m OSIL Fulmar buoy is recording and transmitting a variety of environmental parameters including salinity, temperature, pH , partial pressure of CO2 , turbidity, dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll. In N ov ember, Chilean fish farmer Salmones Camanchaca said it has achieved a verified gender classification accuracy e ceeding 9 7 % – and no increase in mortality

“The

aim is to identify key rates – using the SOR T pro system from Aquaticode. M anual ultrasound currently sort around 1 0 0 species” operators million ﬁsh annually in Chile. ale Opposite from top: Cermaq iFarm; SORTPro from Aquaticode; Probotic MAST study Above: Innovasea BiomassPro camera

and female batches each grow faster in single- sex groups compared to mixed groups. By automating this procedure, Aquaticode not only enhances e ibility, e ciency and accuracy but also extends gender sorting capabilities to regions where high labour costs previously prohibited such practices.

Nutritional Analytical Service A commercial analytical service providing advice and analysis to the aquaculture and food and drink sectors across the world. We are recognised as a centre of excellence for nutritional analysis and offer a wide range of analytical parameters. Please contact us for a full list of analytical tests offered. James Dick: j.r.dick@stir.ac.uk Fiona Strachan: fiona.strachan@stir.ac.uk

BE THE DIFFERENCE

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28/11/2023 14:01:41

94 NEWS REVIEW – FEED

FEED F

Explosions, hemp harvests and feed from fungi added up to an intriguing year

E E D represents a hugely significant cost for the a uaculture sector and there were continued challenges on this front in 202 as well as further inno ati e ideas aimed at finding alternati e sources. In Ja n ua ry, we quoted R abobank ’s Global Animal P rotein Outlook for 2 0 2 3 , which reported that global grain and oilseed prices nearly doubled between M ay 2 0 2 0 and M ay 2 0 2 2 , thank s to “ stronger demand, lingering supply concerns and growing geopolitical uncertainty” . ith a large proportion of a uafeed for farmed fish such as salmon now plant- based, this has led directly to higher costs for aquaculture operators. In arch, it emerged that international feed producer lltech had oined with Finnish fish farmer Finnforel to buy the aisioa ua fish feed production facility from R aisio, also based in Finland.

94_Feed_converted.indd 94

T he deal, paid for in the form of shares, was worth € 7 m (£ 6 . 1 m) . R aisioaqua is Finland’s only leading aquafeed manufacturer and prides itself on producing environmentally friendly feed, suitable for northern E uropean conditions. T he R aisioqua acquisition is part of a vertical integration strategy on the part of Finnforel, which produces rainbow trout in R AS farms. Finland was in the news again in M a y with the announcement that eniferBio, a biotech start- up from Finland, had secured funding to develop its fungus- based protein for animal and aquafeed. eniferBio raised € 1 1 m (£ 9 . 7 m) in a capital-

28/11/2023 12:05:41

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 95

Opposite: The Raisioaqua fish feed facility Above: The Eidsvaag Pioner supply ship Right: Rare Earth Global hemp

raising exercise led by aquaculture investment ﬁrm ua Spark. T he funds will be used to scale up the production of the company s K O mycoprotein powder from a fungus that is grown using sidestreams from the country s pulp and paper industry. In July, we reported on an aquafeed vessel that had completed a nautical mile, fully autonomous voyage to an o shore ﬁsh farm in orway. T he E idsvaag P ioner supply ship is one of two craft specially e uipped with a range of K ongsberg M aritime technologies with a remote operation systems as part of utoship, a four year pro ect funded by the uropean Union s ori on research programme.

“Raisioaqua is Finland’s only leading aquafeed manufacturer”

94_Feed_converted.indd 95

The hour voyage involved the autonomous departure of the E idsvaag P ioner from the port of ver y, followed by a remotely controlled round voyage to the ﬁsh farm o orway s northwest coast near Kristiansund. The vessel not only undocked automatically but sailed out of the harbour autonomously, before manoeuvring into open sea and delivering ﬁsh feed to Ocean Farm , owned by Sal ar, one of the world s largest producers of farmed salmon. T he trial, which involved the University of Strathclyde, was initiated, managed and monitored by personnel at Kongsberg s emote

28/11/2023 14:02:57

96 NEWS REVIEW – FEED

94_Feed_converted.indd 96

Centre, which hopes this could help to unlock new Scottish supply chains for natural and sustainable feeds in aquaculture and agriculture. In N ov ember, an explosion seriously damaged a M owi feed factory in N orway, causing considerable damage to the top of the building. Fortunately, no- one was in ured and the site was safely evacuated. The incident took place in the Ø rland municipality in the T rø ndelag region. Fire service spokesman Gunnar Sundli told local news site VG. no that the incident was the result of a dust gas e plosion in a silo where our had been stored. owi said the plant was soon back in operation.

Above: Algae under a microscope Below: The Mowi plant, Ørdland

Photo: Ørland Kommune

Operating Centre in Å lesund. A study in Scotland suggests that hemp seed could be a viable source of protein for salmon feed. In A ug us t, we reported that the ﬁrst stage of a pro ect looking at hemp had proved successful, researchers say. T he trials have now entered a second stage to ﬁnd out how salmon perform in the long term when fed on the ingredient. R are E arth Global, the company behind the initiative and growers of industrial hemp for a range of sustainable products, received more than £ 2 6 0 ,0 0 0 in funding from the U K Seafood Innovation Fund for a full- scale research and development pro ect, which will include a two month feed assessment. M eanwhile, another research pro ect based in dinburgh, Scotland has been investigating the potential for lab- grown algae as a viable alternative protein source for aquafeed and other uses. E xperts in animal nutrition from Biosimetrics and Abrimar, both based in dinburgh, have been working alongside researchers at the Scottish Association of M arine Science to explore the optimum conditions required for growing algae as a novel feed ingredient. The pro ect has been funded by the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation

THE FIRST STAGE OF A PROJECT LOOKING AT HEMP… PROVED SUCCESSFUL

28/11/2023 12:07:06

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01778 392014 27/11/2023 15:32:42

98 NEWS REVIEW – FISH HEALTH & WELFARE

FISH HEALTH and sea lice Despite some good news, this was a difficult year for fish health in a world of warming temperatures

Above: Barcaldine smolt Right: Salmon smolts Opposite: Hydrozoan or “micro-jellyfish”

C OT L A N D ’ S s a lmon i n d us try h a d to d ef en d i ts elf a g a i n s t cri ti ci s m ea rly i n th e yea r after go ernment figures showed that the num er of salmon deaths on fish farms n ea rly d oubled i n 2 0 2 2 . As we reported in F ebrua ry, figures from the Fish ealth nspectorate showed that for the months between anuary and ovember , around . million salmon mortalities were recorded, compared with . million recorded for the whole of and ust . million for the year before that. The high mortality levels for were blamed by

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THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 99

the industry on a spik e around September, link ed with a high number of ellyfish blooms in the early autumn. Observers around the Scottish coast noted a higher than usual number of ellyfish last year, but it is the hydro oans or micro ellyfish that present the biggest threat to fish health. ydro oans are not a parasite for salmonids but can seriously damage their gills, sometimes fatally. T avish Scott, Chief E xecutive of Salmon Scotland, said: “ Wild Atlantic salmon has a survival rate of only around 1 % to 2 % , compared to around 8 5 % for a farm- raised salmon. “ T hroughout the year, there will be di erent environmental pressures that a ect survival rates. Farm raised Scottish salmon typically face the biggest challenges in the autumn when seawater temperatures peak . “ D ata we voluntarily publish shows

98_Fish health & sea lice_converted.indd 99

survival of farm- raised salmon was consistently high during 2 0 2 2 until September, when ellyfish blooms reduced survival to 9 5 . 3 % that month; 2 . 4 points down on the past four- year average of 9 7 . 7 % . ” e added Salmon farmers look after their fish daily and do everything they can to provide world- leading animal health and welfare standards so it’s devastating when the fish in their care fall to naturally occurring challenges. ” iological issues hit both profits and harvest volumes for Scotland’s salmon farmers during 2 0 2 2 and into 2 0 2 3 . eanwhile, in orway, fish farmer N orcod was told it would have to slaughter its cod stock early because the fish were reaching se ual maturation too early. Indications from a sample suggested that the latest batch would be lik ely to spawn ahead of the scheduled harvest. F ebrua ry also saw what was to

THERE ARE STILL TOO MANY FISH GETTING SICK AND TOO MANY DYING

28/11/2023 14:04:12

100 NEWS REVIEW – FISH HEALTH & WELFARE

be the first of a series of suspected infectious salmon anaemia S ) incidents along the orwegian coast. n this incident, it was a Sal ar farm in Finnmark that was a ected. Jun e also meant a number of reported cases, mainly in estland and ogaland, a ecting a range of producers including Grieg, owi and Seashore S o. S is not harmful to humans, but is highly infectious and capable of devastating fish populations if not brought under control. n September, Grieg reported that serious ongoing biological issues, including S and spiro caused by the parasite Spironucleus salmonicida) were causing reduced harvests and profits, especially in the company s Finnmark operations. n A pri l, we reported on the orwegian eterinary nstitute s annual report on fish health, which did not mince its words in describing a situation it saw as worse rather than better. orway s then Fisheries inister, rnar Sk aeran, said There are still too many fish getting sick and too many dying we have to do something about this. ounds, gill problems and bacterial disease were among the main issues identified, contributing to . mortality for salmon in the sea phase and . for rainbow trout. eart health is another problem for farmed salmon and in M a y, orway s U eterinary College published

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the ﬁndings of a study that suggests reduced growth intensity at the hatchery stage can lead to better heart shape and function for the ﬁsh.

28/11/2023 12:16:06

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 101

T he research showed that slower production at lower temperatures produced salmon with hearts closer in shape to the wild salmon heart and with fewer instances of abnormal heart morphology. In Jun e, the Scottish E nvironment P rotection Agency (SE P A) published a risk map setting out the coastal z ones where it think s sea lice pose the greatest threat to migrating wild salmon. SE P A has set out a network of wild salmon protection z ones in migration bottleneck s in coastal waters on the West Coast and Western Isles, such as sea lochs and sounds. SE P A says the proposed z ones would not be no go areas for fish farms, but for farmers operating within them, all proposals for new finfish farms or increases in fish numbers at existing farms that could a ect protection ones will be subj ect to risk assessment and appropriate permit conditions. Farms in the areas identified could also be subj ect to tighter controls regarding sea lice monitoring, with

98_Fish health & sea lice_converted.indd 101

Opposite from top Grieg farm, Finnmark; SEPA wild salmon protection zones Top: Salmon Above: Sea lice

stricter thresholds compared with other areas. P eter P ollard, H ead of E cology at SE P A, said: “ T he science is clear that Scotland’s wild Atlantic salmon populations have seriously declined over the last few decades and are now at crisis point. Safeguarding the future of Scotland s king of ﬁsh requires co- ordinated action and a broad range of interests work ing together to manage all the pressures they face in rivers and coastal waters, from climate change to migration barriers and sea lice… our modelling of wild salmon protection z ones, built on international best practice, uses cutting- edge science to triage risk and speciﬁcally builds

“Safeguarding the future

of Scotland’s king of fish requires co-ordinated action”

28/11/2023 14:04:49

102 NEWS REVIEW – FISH HEALTH & WELFARE

in opportunities for additional modelling, monitoring, engagement and adaption. It does not lock in or out development in any area. What it might mean is farms in higher- risk areas implementing tighter but achievable levels of sea lice control, with the sector having a good track record in innovating and adapting. ” celand also su ered from mortality issues. n Jun e, we reported that Ice Fish Farm had been unable to slaughter any fish during the first uarter of , partly due to winter wounds following exceptionally cold temperatures and an outbreak of disease caused by the P arvicapsula parasite. T here was a severe marine heatwave reported around the U K and Irish coasts in July. Findings by the E uropean Space Agency indicated temperatures up to 4 ° C above normal for the time of year. D r Lynne Falconer, a R esearch Fellow at the University of Stirling s nstitute of uaculture, has been researching marine heatwave phenomena. She commented: “ I haven’t seen an event of this scale before in these waters. T his a clear departure from typical conditions and in many ways, this is an unprecedented event for the area. ” In A ug us t, Seafood N orway highlighted winter wounds as a significant problem that re uired special attention. CE O Geir Ove Y stmark said the organisation plans to strengthen cooperation with the relevant professional authorities. inter wounds or sores a ect salmon skin and as

98_Fish health & sea lice_converted.indd 102

the name suggests, are most prevalent in the colder months. Seafood N orway believes that much of the problem can be link ed to the handling of salmon lice and the increasing use of treatment methods. P reventive measures have therefore been implemented to reduce the need for handling the fish, including of these is the use of laser technology to k ill lice. T here was better news for Scottish fish farmers to report in October. Survival rates for the previous month were above 9 6 . 5 % compared with the . recorded in September . D r Iain Berrill, H ead of T echnical at Salmon Scotland, said: “ September is usually one of the most challenging months for survival, but interim figures suggest that monthly survival in September is expected to be above 9 6 . 5 % , compared to . in the same month last year. There is no uestion that has been a challenging year, but the ongoing hard work by our farmers has provided good conditions

28/11/2023 12:17:30

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 103

“Hard work by

for their salmon, despite record- break ing seawater temperatures here in the U K and globally. “ H owever, while there is always a level of fallen stock in any farming operation, the numbers this year are not where any farmer would want them to be. It is utterly devastating to the farmers caring for those animals when any ﬁsh are lost. Also in October, we reported that M owi had agreed a deal to trial H arbor Fence, a new technology aimed at k eeping sea lice out of salmon pens. T he system, developed by N orwegian company H arbor, uses low voltage electricity to deter the lice without harming ﬁsh. Finally, in N ov ember, we learned

that Scotland’s salmon farming companies had dramatically reduced antibiotic medicine use by more than half in the space of a year, according to UK Government ﬁgures. T he Veterinary M edicines D irectorate’s Veterinary Antimicrobial R esistance and Sales Surveillance report shows that 2 0 2 2 usage of antibiotics in salmon was 1 8 . 6 mg/ k g, down 2 4 . 5 mg/ k g since 2 0 2 1 . T he amount of antibiotics used last year for farmed salmon was only slightly more (by j ust under 3 % ) than when this information was ﬁrst recorded in . Farmed trout, however, recorded a big increase of 3 5 . 2 mg/ k g to 4 4 . 1 mg/ k g.

our farmers has provided good conditions for their salmon”

98_Fish health & sea lice_converted.indd 103

Opposite: Geir Ove Ystmark Below: Ice Fish Farm boat

28/11/2023 14:05:22

104 NEWS REVIEW – CAGES, NETS AND PREDATOR PROTECTION

CONTAINMENT Fish farming at sea is entering new territory

H E tren d to la rg er pen s a t s ea f or s a lmon prod ucers con ti n ued i n 2 0 2 3 . I n Ja n ua ry, w e reported th a t Scotti s h Sea F a rms h a d i n s ta lled f our 1 6 0 m pen s , i ts bi g g es t to d a te, a t F i s h n i s h o ull. he mo e was aimed at impro ing fish health and welfare, employee s a f ety, a n d opera ti on a l e ciency. Where previously Fishnish had 1 0 1 0 0 m pens, there are now j ust four 1 6 0 m pens capable of supporting the same biomass and delivering several key benefits in the process, said Farm M anager Alastair Fraser. H e added: “ T he new £ 1 . 3 m setup promises more room for the fish, better water ow and better o ygen, all of which will help the salmon thrive. D ealing with four pens instead of 1 0 also gives us more time as a farm team to focus on fish health and biological control. “ We can carry out any treatments faster, as it’s often the number of pens that tak es time, as opposed to the number of fish. T he pens were supplied by ScaleAQ , complete with moorings and H D P E M idgard k notted nets designed to deter seals.

104_Cages, nets & predator protection_converted.indd 104

Another area of interest but one which has seen more research than implementation so far is semi- closed containment. In this approach, the pens are still placed in the sea but with an impermeable membrane so that the ﬁsh are protected from sea lice and pathogens. Waste can also be collected rather than falling to the seabed. In arch, Loch Long Salmon announced that it would be appealing against the refusal of planning permission for its proposed semi- closed farm at Loch Long in the Loch Lomond and the T rossachs N ational P ark to the west of Scotland. M anaging D irector Stewart H awthorn argued that the decision tak en by the national park authority was tak en on the basis of a lack of understanding of the technology Loch Long Salmon planned to deploy. M eanwhile, the company has pressed ahead with plans for an alternative site near Lurignish on Loch Linnhe, a less sheltered location that already hosts ﬁsh farming. t hosted consultation sessions with the local community in September and October – however, here too it look s set to meet opposition from campaigners.

28/11/2023 12:32:04

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 105

Opposite from top: Alastair Fraser; Stewart Hawthorn; proposed farm at Loch Long This page from top: FiiZK semi-closed cage in Norway; Ocean Farm 1; farms need to deter seal attacks

In M a y, we reported that the orwegian irectorate of Fisheries had opened a new consultation to assess views on the potential impact of o shore a uaculture. O shore farming, in locations much further out from the coast than conventional ﬁsh farming in sheltered lochs and f ords, o ers many potential advantages such as the reduced impact of waste and sea lice – but it also comes with challenges. The cages need to be engineered to withstand high energy seas and the sites are likely to be unreachable during periods of severe weather, so they need to be automated and low maintenance.

“The cages need to be

engineered to withstand high-energy seas” 104_Cages, nets & predator protection_converted.indd 105

T he D irectorate has proposed three possible areas for initial development: one in the north, one o central orway and a third in the south. ight other sites initially proposed have been set aside. A number of companies including Sal ar, ordlaks and ovundlaks have expressed an interest in farming o shore. In Jun e, aquaculture support business Gael Force Group has named its partners in a proj ect aimed at developing a ground breaking, semi- closed containment solution.

28/11/2023 14:08:36

106 NEWS REVIEW – CAGES, NETS AND PREDATOR PROTECTION

Gael Force’s SeaQ ureFarm is a semi- closed cage structure, which aims to keep ﬁsh safe from pathogens and predators, and allows for the collection of waste while at sea. T he Scottish- based company will be work ing with Cunningham Covers, a orthern rish manufacturer specialising in protective covers and containment, and with Italy’s Serge Ferrari, a global leader in e ible composite materials, which will be a supply partner. T he SeaQ ureWell, an integral element in the SeaQ ureFarm, is an arrangement where seawater is pumped and pushed into a oating enclosed well with its oating collar at the sea surface. The collar supports the well and its pumping arrangements, which lifts deeper coastal water into the well, creating an in- well temperature proﬁle that is warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

104_Cages, nets & predator protection_converted.indd 106

Gael Force Group M anaging D irector Stewart Graham commented y announcing this ne t ma or step forward in the development of Sea ureFarm, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to the continual improvement of a greener, carbon friendly way to

“This is an

important step forward in realising the potential of offshore aquaculture” 28/11/2023 12:33:40

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 107

Opposite from top: Semi-closed salmon farm; Stewart Graham; salmon farm in storm This page from top: Fishnish farm pens; protection from aerial predators

sustainably produce a healthy, nutritious food protein. ” In October, SalM ar celebrated approval of the location for Smart Fish Farm in the N orwegian Sea. It will be operated by M ariculture AS, who is wholly owned by SalM ar Ak er Ocean AS, which itself is j ointly

owned by seafood giant SalM ar and marine engineering business Ak er. CE O R oy R eite said: “ T his is an important step forward in realising the potential of o shore a uaculture. T he next important milestones for us are the clariﬁcations related to ground rent tax and the regulatory framework for o shore a uaculture.

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28/11/2023 14:09:13

108 NEWS REVIEW – BOATS AND BARGES

Boats and barges

Clean energy, deals and safety were key themes this year

N E of th e bi g q ues ti on s a t th e s ta rt of 2 0 2 3 con cern ed th e f a te of F rø y, th e w ellboa t a n d a q ua culture s erv i ces bus i n es s th a t h a d been a cq ui red by Sa lM a r a s pa rt of i ts ta k eov er of th e N T S G roup. In F ebrua ry, we reported that N orwegian businessman H elge Gå sø , Frø y’s original founder, was interested in buying his old company back . SalM ar had tak en on 7 2 % ownership of Frø y but said it was undertak ing a “ strategic assessment” of its place in the group to maximise value to shareholders.

108_Boats_converted.indd 108

M eanwhile, in Ja n ua ry, Frø y had entered into an agreement to buy 1 0 0 % of the shares in another support business, M arinus Aquaservice AS, in a deal worth around N OK 1 0 1 m (£ 8 . 4 m) , adding to Frø y’s presence in southwest N orway. As it turned out, it was international investment group Goldman Sachs Asset M anagement that came away with the Frø y deal. T he sale was announced in Jun e, ending months of speculation. T he announcement said a price had been agreed of N OK 7 6 . 5 0 (around £ 5 . 3 ) per share, which entailed a total consideration for all the shares in Frø y of approximately N OK 6 . 6 billion (£ 4 8 2 m) . Goldman Sachs paid a total of N OK 4 . 8 billion (£ 3 5 0 . 8 m) for SalM ar’s shares in Frø y. In A pri l, we reported that a proj ect on the island of Arran to build and test two prototype electric work boats

28/11/2023 12:46:58

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 109

has secured up to £ 1 6 3 ,1 3 0 investment from H ighlands and Islands E nterprise (H IE ) . Arran Work boats Limited (AWL) supplies petrol- and diesel- powered work boats to many operators of Scotland s or so ﬁsh farms and to companies in other marine industries. T he company now wants to develop electric versions of its two work boat models in a move that could help the country’s transition to net- z ero emissions. In M a y, the world’s largest and probably most environmentally friendly dedicated power plant for wellboats was o cially opened on the island of H itra near T rondheim in N orway. T he ceremony also mark ed the inauguration of two new wellboats for the Lerø y Seafood Group’s M idt operation, which has a nearby salmon plant. T he power plant means that vessels can discharge their ﬁsh

Clockwise from top left: Frøy wellboat; Arran Workboats vessel; Frøy’s Gåsø Hovding

for slaughter without the engines running, hugely reducing CO2 emissions. T he Frø y supplied vessels are named K ristiansund and Gå sø

“It was Goldman Sachs Asset

Management that came away with the Frøy deal”

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108_Boats_converted.indd 109

28/11/2023 14:10:12

110 NEWS REVIEW – BOATS AND BARGES

H ø vding, with the latter, which is equipped with several new solutions, thought to be the world’s largest. T he proj ect is the result of a close collaboration between Lerø y M idt, Frø y ASA and N T E . Also in M a y, M owi Scotland was ﬁned , over the death of one of the company’s employees, Clive H endry, who was crushed to death in a work boat accident. T he company pled guilty to a number of health and safety breaches at the Sheri Court in Inverness. Last year, a damning report from the M arine Accident Investigation Branch found that M owi had failed to make a suitable and su cient risk assessment or maintain systems of work for the health and safety of employees when transferring from a vessel to a structure such as a feed barge. P reliminary hearings for a Fatal Accident Inquiry into the tragedy began in N ov ember. In July, we reported on a fatal accident in N orway when a man died, following an explosion on a salmon feed barge at a H ofseth Aqua ﬁsh farm. The others on the barge are not believed to have been hurt. T he company said it was work ing with the emergency services and an investigation was underway. In A ug us t, Salmon producer Bak k afrost Scotland took delivery of a new 2 4 m work boat from acdu Shipyards. T he vessel has been named T uras a’ Bhradain, meaning “ the salmon’s j ourney” in Gaelic. An internal

competition was launched to name the new work boat and the winner was six- year- old Chloe M acdonald from the Isle of Lewis. Bak k afrost Scotland commissioned the . m vessel from the acdu Shipyards in Aberdeenshire. It is the ﬁrst of two bespoke vessels being built by the yard for the business. T uras a’ Bhradain will operate across Bak k afrost Scotland’s sites

This page from top: The Turas a’ Bhradain; the Patagon X1; Frøy service vessel; Clive Hendry

“The world’s largest… dedicated power plant for wellboats was officially opened”

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28/11/2023 12:48:34

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Damen.indd 111

27/11/2023 15:33:45

112 NEWS REVIEW – BOATS AND BARGES

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largest fish transport on the West Coast and H ebrides, and heavier mooring equipment. T he was delivered following a year- long vessel has been fitted out with more period. powerful cranes and full SH M deck ship ever construction Also in A ug us t, the largest fish equipment, including deck winches transport ship ever built in Chile, incorporated load cells. built in the world’s second- largest salmon with T he vessel has been built with four farming country, has set sail for the en- suite cabins along with a large messroom and separate galley to Chile… firstT hetime. improve living conditions onboard. P atagon X 1 is also the largest sh carrier in both orth and atin It also complies with low emissions has set fiAmerica. notation from , achieved with tier three engines in addition to a anufactured by the S hybrid battery pack . shipyard in aldivia, it sail” national Charlie K night is the fourth hybrid measures 7 9 . 8 0 m long overall,

This page from top: Lerøy wellboat at Hitra near Trondheim; Inverlussa’s Charlie Knight

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has a width of 1 7 . 2 0 m and reaches up to 2 6 . 6 m in height. T he shipbuilders said this was vital so that the ship could pass under a tilting structure of the Caucau bridge on the way out. In October, Inverlussa M arine Services took delivery of Charlie K night, an 1 8 . 5 m by 1 2 m CoastCat service catamaran, built by Salthammer shipyard in orway. Charlie K night is a state- ofthe- art D P 0 hybrid diesel- electric service vessel, fully classed to the world s leading maritime classiﬁcation body), with a strong focus on lowering emissions and increasing crew safety, especially when work ing with increasingly

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27/11/2023 15:34:56

114 NEWS REVIEW – INTERNATIONAL

GLOBAL ISSUES Around the world, fish farming has been called on to argue the case for its own future

This page from top: Cooke Aquaculture; Barramundi Group’s Australian farm Opposite from top: Cone Bay Ocean barramundi; James Kwan; Bente E Torstensen, Nofima; Erik-Jan Lock

H I S yea r s a w th e con ti n ua ti on of th e row s i n th e U S a n d C a n a d a ov er the future of fish farming on the acific coast. In Ja n ua ry, Cook e Aquaculture and the J amestown S’K lallam T ribe each announced they will be appealing over the decision to end net- pen fish farming in the US state of Washington. H ilary Franz , the state’s Commissioner of ublic ands, had announced that the leases for these sites would not be renewed. few days later, she followed that up with an announcement that net pen fish farming would be banned altogether. As in Canada, the move to end net pen farming had been welcomed by some environmentalists but

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vehemently opposed by the ﬁsh farmers and others whose living depends on the industry. M eanwhile in Australia, the Barramundi Group announced that it had entered into a strategic partnership with Wild Ocean Australia (WOA) , which it said would enable it to expand its ambitious plans to develop up to 1 3 sites in Western Australia. T he Barramundi Group is based

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THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 115 115

in Singapore, Cone Bay in Australia and runei, farming the fish of the same name. D uring 2 0 2 2 , its Western ustralia pro ect had hit financial di culties. M ore details of the deal emerged in M a rch . WOA was to tak e 7 5 % of the equity of Barramundi’s Australian subsidiary, M arine P roduce Australia (M P A) , while Barramundi took up 3 4 % of WOA’s shares. CE O of the Barramundi Group J ames K wan said: “ T his is indeed a significant milestone, as arramundi Group’s 3 4 % stak e in Wild Ocean allows the company to retain an e ective . economic interest in M P A. It allows us to have a meaningful participation in the value creation generated from our application of these 1 3 new lease sites. ” In M a y, however, was placed into administration after O failed to raise su cient capital for its acquisition. ventually, in ugust, Barramundi’s Australian arm was rescued through a takeover by salmon producer T assal, which itself had been acquitted by Cook e Aquaculture last year. In F ebrua ry, N orway’s Fisheries D irectorate reported that cod was the main culprit in fish escapes during 2 0 2 2 , thank s mainly to a maj or incident at a farm ran by Gadus (since renamed Ode) , which saw an estimated 8 7 ,0 0 0 cod escape. n all, incidents involving farmed fish had been reported, of which 4 0 had resulted in escapes. lso in orway, ofima, the orwegian research and development organisation for the food industry, announced two senior appointments.

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Bente E T orstensen was named as the organisation s new Chief ecutive, while E rik - J an Lock was appointed as R esearch D irector for N utrition and Feed T echnology. Torstensen previously worked at ofima as ivision irector for uaculture and is also currently P resident of the E uropean Aquaculture Society. Lock was formerly H ead of R esearch for Food and N utrition at the Institute of M arine R esearch, N orway. In M a rch , M owi signalled it was ready to take legal action if the Canadian government goes ahead with its threat not to renew salmon farming licences around the iscovery Islands in British Columbia. Fisheries M inister J oyce M urray said in F ebrua ry that the licences held by larger companies in the region, also k nown as the Laich- k wil- tach and K lahoose First N ations territories, would not be renewed. Canada’s Federal Court last year ordered that the decision by J oyce M urray’s predecessor, Bernadette J ordan, to rescind all finfish farming licences in the iscovery slands region should be set aside and the question should be reconsidered. M urray decided, following this process, to rea rm the original order.

“In May, however, MPA was placed into administration” 28/11/2023 14:33:13

116 NEWS REVIEW – INTERNATIONAL

M eanwhile, N orway’s M å sø val E iendom announced it had entered into a strategic partnership with the family- owned celandic ﬁshing company Í sfé lag Vestmannaeyj a to run M å sø val’s Iceland- based salmon operation, Ice Fish Farm. A separate holding company, Austur, was created to manage the j oint ownership. In A pri l, we ventured into the world of showbiz with the story that streaming giant et i is to feature a new drama about the trials of life on a orwegian ﬁsh farm. Called Salmon Island, it will feature the rivalry between two families engaged in salmon farming. T he creatives behind the proj ect are writers Anne Bj ø rnstad and E ilif Sk odvin, with the production company R ubicon. Bj ø rnstad and Sk odvin said: “ In Salmon Island, we meet two families in a small coastal community in N orway, who are sworn enemies in the global salmon industry. T he series, which taps into the contemporary z eitgeist, delivers a funny as well as dramatic portrait of

the fish farming business. On a more serious note, there was disappointment as the N orwegian Government, led by P rime M inister J onas Gahr Stø re and Finance M inister T rygve Slagsvold Vedum, o ered minimal concessions to the aquaculture industry over the new salmon ta . The proposed rate came down from the original 4 0 % to 3 5 % . T he move means salmon companies, which already pay corporation ta at , e pect to be paying on profits. T he government said: “ T he [ 3 5 % ] rate will be based on the mark et value of fish at the end of the

NETFLIX IS TO FEATURE A NEW DRAMA ABOUT THE TRIALS OF LIFE ON A NORWEGIAN FISH FARM

This page from top: Joyce Murray; Netflix Salmon Island writers Anne Bjørnstad and Eilif Skodvin; Discovery Islands Opposite from top: Atlantic cod; Ice Fish Farm, farm; Norwegian Parliament

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THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 117

cage [ production cycle] , which the companies themselves set for 2 0 2 3 . From 2 0 2 4 , we aim to establish an independent price council. “ A minimum deduction [ tax- free threshold] of N OK 7 0 m (£ 5 . 5 m) means that only companies with significant profits will pay the basic interest tax. ” The orwegian arliament finally passed the new tax on 3 1 M ay after a lengthy and often fractious five hour debate. T he vote was passed by 9 3 to 7 6 votes. M eanwhile in the U nited States, the lobby group Stronger America T hrough Seafood launched a concerted e ort to win over legislators to support an increased funding pack age to back the country’s undeveloped aquaculture sector. In M a y, the east coast of Canada was in focus, as Cook e Aquaculture urged the N ova Scotia provincial legislature to move ahead with its plans for aquaculture development. T he governing P rogressive

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Conservatives had mooted to introduce coastal mapping for finfish a uaculture, e ectively introducing a orwegian style tra c light system, which would rate sites depending on their suitability for fish farming. Last month, the provincial government imposed what many e ectively see as a moratorium on further fish farm development with the e ception of shellfish and seaweed) until the process of classifying coastal areas is complete. But that could tak e three years or more and many in the industry believe that is too long. In Jun e, the government of the Faroe Islands also brought in a new ta regime covering fish farming, with a complex sliding scale of tax rates depending on a formula involving the cost of production and the mark et price. N orwegian farmers hailed this as a more work able measure, but those in the Faroes have been less enthusiastic. On the other side of the Atlantic, aquatech business Innovasea helped to win government approval for the first ocean based fish farm. The farm, which initially has permission for a biomass of 3 ,0 0 0 tonnes, will be located eight kilometres o the coast of ruba and will make use

28/11/2023 14:34:16

118 NEWS REVIEW – INTERNATIONAL

of Innovasea’s submersible SeaStation cage design. T he farm will be operated by P etros Aquaculture. T he farm will raise northern red snapper, a high- value species with strong demand in the U S, but which has a limited and seasonal supply that comes entirely from the ﬁshing industry. In July, controversy over N orway’s salmon tax continued with a dispute over the independent council the government proposes to set up to assess the price to be used as a basis for the tax. T he aquaculture industry argued that the tax should be based on the price actually achieved by each producer. In T asmania, a report from consultants D eloitte concluded that the salmon farming industry generated more than AU D $ 7 7 0 m (£ 6 0 6 m) in 2 0 2 2 alone, supporting more than 5 ,1 0 0 j obs. Canadian P rime M inister J ustin

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Trudeau s ugust reshu e meant oyce urray leaving the post of M inister of Fisheries and Oceans, to be replaced by D iane Lebouthillier. urray had been a controversial figure, having spearheaded a drive to scrap net- pen farming in British Columbia. She had also indicated that she would not be seek ing re- election after the current parliamentary term. In Iceland, M owi- owned Arctic Fish secured a ma or refinancing package worth m to help fund its expansion plans in the Westfj ords region. T he syndicated loan involved D N B, D ansk e Bank , N ordea and R abobank . In September, N orway’s M å sø val announced that it had cancelled its investment in an innovative semi submersible fish farm pro ect, citing the country’s new salmon tax as the reason. T he

28/11/2023 14:34:57

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 119

Opposite from top: From left: Bjørnar Skjæran, Olve Grotle and Geir Ove Ystmark ar Aqua Nor 2023, Trondheim; Diane Lebouthillier; Frode Arntsen; red snapper This page from top: Icelandic parliament; Svandís Svavarsdóttir; Cecilie Myrseth

Aqua Semi was a cage designed to operate at sea, with a closed roof, the aim of which was protecting the ﬁsh against lice and disease. SalM ar was more bullish, however, announcing plans to increase its production by more than a third. C O Frode rntsen said that organic growth would create the potential to produce 3 6 2 ,0 0 0 tonnes in the foreseeable future. In October, we reported that the Icelandic government had called a temporary halt to issuing new salmon farming permits, pending a review of the country’s aquaculture regime. Food and Fisheries inister Svand s Svavarsdó ttir suggested it was time to draw breath. T he following month, a draft policy was published, including the proposal that ﬁsh

ALTHOUGH HE HAD NOT ALWAYS SEEN EYE TO EYE WITH THE INDUSTRY, THE REACTION WAS LARGELY ONE OF DISMAY 114_International_converted.indd 119

farming should be limited to one company per fj ord, as well as mooting maj or changes to the ta and licensing system. T he move comes amid a growing national debate over aquaculture in the wak e of various incidents including escapes, such as the mass escape reported by rctic Fish in a fj ord in September – which became the sub ect of an o cial problem. Iceland’s capital R eyk j avik has also seen protests against salmon farming on the part of environmentalists and sports ﬁshing enthusiasts. n Canada, it was announced that hearings into Cooke s application for two new farm sites in N ova Scotia would be held in February. In N ov ember, we reported reaction to the surprise dismissal of orway s Fisheries inister, rnar Sk ran. lthough he had not always seen eye to eye with the industry, the reaction was largely one of dismay. is replacement is another abour parliamentarian, Cecilie yrseth. And in T asmania, an argument was underway following suggestions that salmon farming operations in ac uarie arbour should shut down to save the M augean sk ate a rare atﬁsh.

28/11/2023 14:35:33

120 NEWS REVIEW – LAND-BASED FARMING AND HATCHERIES

RAS ROUNDUP Despite several setbacks, invest in land-based farming continues apace

Ja n ua ry, th e E uropea n I n v es tmen t B a n k ( E I B ) commi tted 5 3 0 m Sw ed i s h k ron er ( £ 4 2 m) to bui ld a “ s uper g reen ” la n d - ba s ed s a lmon f a rm i n Sw ed en . T he company behind the proj ect is R E : OCE AN , which is planning to produce 1 0 ,0 0 0 tonnes of salmon a year by 2 0 2 6 . T he plan is also back ed by Sweden’s three leading food wholesale companies: Axfood, Coop and ICA.

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T he N orwegian government, however, announced a halt on further applications for landbased ﬁsh farm developments until a framework could be developed paralleling the regulations that cover ﬁsh farming at sea. In F ebrua ry, we reported that M owi Scotland was planning to invest in a new bespok e broodstock and egg facility in the northwest of Scotland. T he development will be located at Ardessie on the shores of Little Loch Broom. When complete, the company said, it will o er eight to 1 0 direct new j obs and supply chain opportunities to the region.

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THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 121

P roximar Seafood’s recirculating aquaculture system (R AS) salmon farm in J apan announced that its first batch of uveniles had started tak ing feed. October mark ed the end of construction work at the site near ount Fu i. This was also the point at which P roximar Ltd, the company s apanese subsidiary, took up full ownership of the facility. The first transfer of fish to the tanks from the nursery building was e pected to tak e place towards the end of 2 0 2 3 . In M a rch , Bak k afrost Scotland started consultation on a proposed R AS facility at the H unterston P ort site in Ayrshire, Scotland. H unterston is one of Scotland’s largest deepwater ports, formerly serving the coal- powered electricity sector and the H unterston B nuclear power station. A N orwegian company, Smart Salmon, was also consulting on plans for an R AS farm, in this case on

the coast of Brittany, France with a proposed capacity of 8 ,0 0 0 tonnes. In M aine, U SA, meanwhile, two former ordic uafarms e ecutives unveiled plans for an S salmon farm in illinocket, enobscot County. E rik H eim and M arianne N aess set up their own company, celerate ua, last year, but the aine pro ect is being developed through K atahdin Salmon. In A pri l, N orway’s Gigante Salmon said it had started drawing on a £ 1 6 m loan facility for its development at d y in the N ordland region. The Kingfish Company was celebrating its first harvest of D utch yellowtail produced in M aine, northeastern U SA. The first small batch of fish was distributed to the restaurant trade, even though the company s full scale S facility there had yet to be built. Throughout , Kingfish successfully beat o a series of legal challenges over its planning application. t remains confident work will start in 2 0 2 4 .

Opposite from top: Proximar tanks under construction; Smart Salmon French plan This page from top: Marianne Naess and Erik Heim; Millinocket site; Bakkafrost Scotland’s proposed RAS facility at the Hunterston Port; Gigante Salmon proposed site; Kingfish Maine site

“Hunterston is one of Scotland’s largest deep-water ports”

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28/11/2023 14:11:35

122 NEWS REVIEW – LAND-BASED FARMING AND HATCHERIES

In M a y, Salmon E volution reported mortality issues at its hybrid ow through plant at Indre H arø y, orway. Gill health, caused by external pathogens, appeared to be the problem. The company added that it was taking e tra precautions to treat intake water, as well as using freshwater treatment on the ﬁsh a ected. Later in the summer, Salmon volution announced that contracts had been signed with contractors rtec ua and T for the design and build of phase two at ndre ar y. In Jun e, the backers of a proposed S salmon farm in Grimsby, on ngland s east coast, were meeting locals to outline the plan ahead of a decision. espite some vocal opposition to the proposed R AS farm, in one of the UK s biggest seafood processing centres, the company uacultured Seafood received a favourable report from the orth ast incolnshire lanning Committee in ovember. t hopes to receive formal approval from the council shortly.

120_Land-based farming_converted.indd 122

Salmon producer Salf ord secured approval in July for a land based farm in the ordm re region of western orway. The permit allows for a biomass of , tonnes, with an annual output of , tonnes. lso in orway, ndf ord Salmon raised the e uivalent of m through a private share placing to help ﬁnance phase two its land based farm at Kvalnes. The following month, ndf ord hailed a remarkable ﬁrst harvest at Kvalnes, with a . survival rate and superior uality. In A ug us t, celandic seafood group Samher i responded to criticism that its planned land based farm at eyk anes might threaten the supply and uality of water in the area. Samher i said that its phased approach the farm is planned in three phases of

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THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 123

1 0 ,0 0 0 , 2 0 ,0 0 0 and 4 0 ,0 0 0 tonnes – means any problem can be identiﬁed in good time. A public inquiry, complete with placard- carrying protesters, into a proposed R AS farm in Boulogne concluded. Local Ocean was hopeful that its plans for “ M ade in Boulogne” salmon would be approved in the next few months. In September, Swiss Blue Salmon announced it had signed a contract with N orway’s VAQ for the design and build of its R AS farm in the Alps. T he farm aims for an output of 3 ,4 0 0 tonnes initially. M eanwhile, the tribulations of U Sbased Atlantic Sapphire continued. Losses had more than tripled at its Florida S salmon farm in the ﬁrst half of 2 0 2 3 , leaving the company in breach of its loan terms. Also, higher temperatures than expected in

120_Land-based farming_converted.indd 123

Florida meant the harvest for H 2 of this year was expected to be lower than previously forecast. T he following month, Atlantic Sapphire raised $ 6 5 m (£ 5 2 . 7 m) with a new share issue, providing capital and a cash bu er. In October, we reported that R AS technology group AquaM aof had appointed a new CE O, E li Amar, succeeding D avid H az ut, who became Chairman. In N ov ember, Kingfish M aine’s former Operations M anager M egan Sorby said that her new venture, ine sland edfish, would be based in Florida. T he landbased proj ect will involve raising red drum, also known as redfish.

Opposite from top: Andfjord Salmon Kvalnes phase two; Bluehouse salmon Atlantic Sapphire This page: Red drum fish

KINGFISH SUCCESSFULLY BEAT OFF A SERIES OF LEGAL CHALLENGES

28/11/2023 14:12:11

124 NEWS REVIEW – SEAWEED

Growth potential Seaweed may be a small sector now but its opportunities are huge

“Now

we’re looking forward at what comes next”

E A W E E D ma y s ti ll repres en t a mi n or elemen t i n a q ua culture, a t lea s t outs i d e of A s i a , but i n teres t i n w h ere th i s s ector could g o i s s tron g . In F ebrua ry, we reported that Seaweed Generation, a start- up company set up to develop seaweedbased poultry feed, was among the seed proj ects being supported by the ﬁrst round of a uaculture funding from the Centre for Innovation E xcellence in Livestock . omen in Scottish uaculture presented marine biologist E liz abeth Cottier- Cook with an Outstanding Contribution award to recognise her teaching in a uaculture and her research contribution to the global seaweed industry in M a rch .

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Salmon farmer Cerma announced that it had teamed up with a specialist producer, Folla Alger AS, on an innovative farm site that combines salmon and k elp farming. T he sea site is located in Steigen municipality in the N ordland region of N orway. It is designed as a traditional salmon farming facility with 2 4 cages but with special solutions for growing k elp in the middle cages and salmon

This page from top: CEO of Seaweed Enterprises Pete Higgins at his first harvest on the coast of Fife; kelp forest Opposite from top: Folla Alger farm; Elizabeth Cottier-Cook; Gillian Martin and Rhianna Rees

28/11/2023 14:24:53

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 125

in the outermost cages on each side. Folla Alger is collaborating with Cermaq on the salmon farming at the sea site, while research institute SIN T E F Ocean is producing the ﬁrst kelp delivery for stocking at sea. In M a y, we reported on a study that o ered up the prospect that seaweed grown in Scotland could be used to meet the demand for lithium- ion batteries. Tailored alginates, a naturally occurring material found in brown seaweed, has the potential to be combined with silicon as an alternative to graphite in lithium ion batteries. team from the University of Glasgow s School of Chemistry and private sector ﬁrm arine iopolymers recently received funding from the ndustrial iotechnology nnovation Centre for the research. In July, news broke that ara Seaweed, an award winning Scottish seaweed harvesting and food products business, had been placed in the hands of administrators F dvisory. Founded in as the Celtic Sea Spice Company, the Glenrothes- based business had rebranded as M ara Seaweed in 2 0 1 3 , producing a range of seaweedbased seasonings.

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In A ug us t, M ara’s assets were bought out of administration by a new company, Seaweed nterprises, which was established by C O ete iggins, along with rnie Sathiy and Clare ean, formerly of ara. In September, the fund supported by Scotland s salmon industry included a kelp restoration initiative among the grant announcements for 2 0 2 3 . T he Wild Fisheries Fund awarded £ 4 3 ,1 0 2 to Atlantic M ariculture, which farms seaweed at Ardtoe on the Ardnamurchan eninsula to deploy wild kelp shelters for wild salmon and sea trout. In N ov ember, the Scottish Seaweed ndustry ssociation SS ) held its ﬁrst conference since the Covid pandemic. The conference attracted delegates over three days in Oban. Keynote speeches came from Scotland s inister for nergy and the nvironment, Gillian artin who said: “ Our sustainable seaweed sector is a vital part of our Scottish aquaculture sector, not j ust right now, but more importantly, for Scotland s future and lavur Gregersen, CE O of Faroes- based Ocean R ainforest. R hianna R ees, Business evelopment anager with the SS , said e re looking forward at what comes next. H ow do we foster cross country collaboration ow do we promote Scotland s provenance nd most importantly, how do we scale and scale responsibly

28/11/2023 14:25:36

126 NEWS REVIEW – PROCESSING

PROCESSING It was a busy time for deals in the sector, including some that didn’t quite come off

“The story had one more twist to come, however”

Ja n ua ry, w e h a d s ome g ood n ew s to report – th e old es t s mok ed s a lmon bus i n es s i n th e N eth erla n d s h a d been s a v ed f rom clos ure by a competi tor. In D ecember, the Z almhuys Group, based in U rk , took over the activities of smok ehouse H . van Wij nen at two locations in the N etherlands. Van Wij nen bv had been declared bank rupt, due mainly to the very high prices for salmon earlier in the spring. Z almhuys Group director H arm ten N apel decided to act quick ly and moved to rescue the business, describing it as an opportunity. M ost of the 1 3 0 work ers were

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immediately o ered new obs, while its activities have been continued under the leadership of the existing management team. M eanwhile, Iceland Seafood International (ISI) was hopeful that it had found a potential new buyer

This page from top: Staff at Blar Mhor Mowi; Blar Mhor new wing under construction Opposite from top: Holmes Seafood coldstore; Bjarni Ármannsson; Glenn Cooke and Kim Gorton

28/11/2023 13:12:29

THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’ 127

for its Grimsby seafood factory, where more than 1 5 0 j obs were at stak e. A previous unnamed bidder pulled out of a deal in D ecember, but ISI said it had since signed a letter of intent with a new suitor, described as a “ respected industry player” . Both sides said they hope to cement the transaction by 1 7 February. H owever, this round of talk s also collapsed and in F ebrua ry, we reported that ISI had decided to continue operating in the U K after all. T he ISI directors said that the performance of the U K operations had improved since the closure announcement back in N ovember last year. T he story had one more twist to come, however. In September, we reported that ISI was, after all, selling its U K business to the D anish seafood group E spersen. T he deal included a sale and leaseback arrangement, whereby an ISI subsidiary will lease equipment and machinery to the U K arm. In October, ISI’s CE O Bj arni Á rmannsson announced he was stepping down, to be replaced in the top j ob by Æ gir P á ll Frið bertsson. Also in F ebrua ry came news of more deals, with U K based H olmes Seafood being sold to P ortuguese group Brasmar and N orway’s Coast Seafood acquiring D anish fish processor ega Salmon. M eanwhile, U K supermark et chain T esco announced that it was to close its last remaining specialist counters, including its fish counters. ts seafood is now all sold in aisles only. In M a rch came news that M owi Scotland had secured £ 2 m in grant funding from the U K Seafood Fund. T he investment is part of a wider proj ect to expand and modernise owi s fish processing facility. The

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proj ect aims to increase throughput from 6 5 ,0 0 0 tonnes to at least 9 5 ,0 0 0 tonnes per year; reduce the number of single- use polystyrene boxes by 4 0 % by 2 0 2 6 ; and introduce automation to reduce manual labour. T he award to M owi was part of a much larger multi- million pound tranche of funding for a number of seafood and ﬁshing companies from the U K Government’s £ 1 0 0 m Seafood Fund, including a £ 2 . 4 m grant for Grimsby salmon processor J CS Fish Ltd to develop a state- ofthe- art 2 ,0 0 0 m2 processing factory with integrated smok ehouse. In A pri l, we reported that the Cook e seafood group had entered an agreement to acquire Slade Gorton, based in M aryland, U SA, which currently o ers more than premium seafood products. Slade Gorton CE O K im Gorton added: “ T here could be no better ﬁt than Glenn Cook e and the incredible global company his team is building. We are excited to j oin forces with the Cook e family of companies to tak e the Gorton family’s legacy forward. ” Another Cook e saga began in M a y, with the news that the group was in talk s to tak e over Spanish seafood giant N ueva P escanova, which was under the ownership of the Abanca bank ing group.

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128 NEWS REVIEW – PROCESSING

Abanca, it seemed, was a reluctant owner – it had only tak en its controlling equity stak e after the original escanova group was in financial di culties. ueva P escanova is involved with aquaculture – including a controversial plan for an octopus farm fishing, processing and marketing seafood. After a long period during which the talk s appeared to be o then on again, on October banca confirmed that the deal had fallen through. nstead, the bank said, it would focus on developing ueva escanova s business for the future.

n Jun e, we reported that owi s secondary processing plant in County onegal, reland was facing redundancies following a review of the group s international operations. M owi has decided not to continue with secondary processing in reland, although primary processing will continue. n October, it was conﬁrmed that obs were lost. J obs were also at risk in July with the news that one of the oung s Seafood sites in Grimsby had been

“Mowi decided not to continue with secondary processing in Ireland”

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slated for lik ely closure. Around 2 8 5 obs were a ected. The company said it had decided to move whitefish processing to another of its sites in Grimsby and smoked processing to Fraserburgh in Scotland. The closure was confirmed in A ug us t. In N orway, N orcod announced that it was buying a slaughterhouse business, Kr k y Slakteri, as part of a drive to vertical integration. The purchase price, in a mi ture of shares and cash, was not disclosed. Kr k y Slakteri reported OK m m) in revenue in its last financial year. eanwhile, UK industry authority Seafish launched a five year plan for the country s seafood sector, including measures to encourage trade, ensure a safer and better trained workforce and help the industry to respond to climate change. In A ug us t, food processing machinery specialist announced its acquisition of software business myde , which it described as an international leader in the provision of scalable manufacturing e ecution systems. myde was founded in reland and has grown into an international business serving food processing customers in Canada, ustralia, ew ealand and South frica. In September, Icelandic seafood technology company Skaginn said it was closing its base in the

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celandic port of saf rd, with a loss of obs. ts operations were transferred to the Skaginn site at Ak ranes. In October, a new salmon processing plant opened in ergen, orway. The company behind the pro ect was First Seafood, which is part of the larger nsula Group and, until recently, had been used by that group to produce fish cakes. nsula s parent company is Kverva, the investment vehicle set up by Sal ar Chairman Gustav it oe. First Seafood anaging irector ndreas Sundnes said e see a significant increase in demand in the e port market for salmon fillet products and this factory will form part of an already established structure in First Seafood for the purchase, production and sale of salmon products. In N ov ember, it was reported that owi had entered a consultation period with sta following a decision to permanently close its ingwall processing site, formerly known as ester oss Fisheries. The company has said all sta will be o ered similar or other employment with owi and processing would be moved to other owi sites in Scotland.

Opposite from top Tesco salmon; Hendricks smoked salmon This page from top: Emydex; processing fish; Bergen location of new salmon processing plant

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130 EVENTS

2024 EVENTS Aquaculture events and conferences for the coming year

AQUAFARM International conference and trade show – the only expo in Italy dedicated to a uaculture, algaculture and the ﬁshing industry.

Pordenone, Italy, 14 & 15 February 2024 www.aquafarmexpo.it

AQUACULTURE AMERICA Aquaculture America 2 0 2 4 returns to a favourite tourist spot for the only ma or national a uaculture conference and e position held in the US .

San Antonio, Texas, USA, 18-21 February 2024 www.was.org/meeting

AQUACULTURE UK Aviemore once more hosts this biennial trade fair, the most important a uaculture e hibition and conference in the UK.

Aviemore, Scotland, 14 & 15 May 2024 aquacultureuk.com

SEAWORK Southampton marina is the venue for E urope’s largest on- water commercial marine and workboat e hibition.

Southampton, UK, 11-13 June 2024 www.seawork.com

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SEAGRICULTURE EU T his year, the seaweed sector’s leading E uropean conference is coming to the Faroe Islands.

Tórshavn, Faroe Islands, 18-20 June 2024 www.seagriculture.eu

ASIAN PACIFIC AQUACULTURE N ew dates have been set for the 2 0 2 4 event, which has the theme “ D riving the blue economy” .

Surabaya, Indonesia, 2-5 July 2024 www.was.org

AQUA 2024/AQUACULTURE EUROPE T he World Aquaculture Society and the E uropean Aquaculture Society come together in one conference with the theme “ Blue food, green solutions” .

Copenhagen, Denmark, 26 to 30 August 2024 www.aquaeas.org/www.was.org

SEAGRICULTURE USA T he leading conference for the seaweed sector in the U nited States comes to Alask a.

Ketchikan, Alaska, USA, 11 & 12 September 2024 www.seagriculture-usa.com

LATIN AMERICAN & CARIBBEAN AQUACULTURE Colombia will host aquaculture producers and suppliers from around the world at this maj or trade show for the region.

Medellin, Colombia, 24-27 September 2024 www.was.org

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132 SAGB

Finding a voice Fish Farmer talks to David Jarrad, Chief Executive of the Shellfish Association of Great Britain (SAGB)

OL L OW I N G th e A s s oci a ti on of Scotti s h hellfish rowers annual conference in Octo er, Fish Farmer caught up with a id Jarrad, hief E ecuti e of the hellfish Association of reat ritain. H e spok e at the conference, talk ing about some of the k ey issues the shellfish sector is facing across the UK threats to water uality from sewage out ows and the need to clarify the di erent classifications for water uality trade barriers following re it the uestion over whether or not growth in farming acific oysters

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(Gigas) should be permitted and the role of the recently created the All- P arty P arliamentary Group (AP P G) for Shellﬁsh uaculture in the UK P arliament.

Fish Farmer ow is the water uality campaign going a id Jarrad T he short answer is that we are not much further forward. ater uality has always

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spills by . ell, that s not very aspirational and it does not help our industry much at all.

been a di cult thing for us to lobby about it doesn t e actly encourage the consumer e have always had this level of water pollution. t is only in the last few years under the ater Framework irective an U directive that has been incorporated into nglish law that we have had a re uirement to have telemetry on point source discharges so that they can tell how much has been discharged or at least how long for and when. The press has been reporting this as a new thing, but it s been going on for years. Our message is that our shellﬁsh are lovely, but it s costing our industry dearly in terms of the work that we have to put in to depurate and cleanse them to make them ﬁt for human consumption. e as an organisation have been pushing for some level of compensation for the industry for the problems it has to endure thanks to regular pollution spills. The stated aim of government is to achieve a reduction in

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F F : A n d th i s a ls o i n tera cts w i th th e i mpli ca ti on s of B rex i t? D J: That s absolutely correct, we can currently only e port to the U from class waters or shellfish from class waters that are purified. That has driven a coach and horses through the well established trade, which has been taking place for many decades from orth ales to olland for e ample. Ten years ago there were about , tonnes going from the enai Strait through to olland, five years ago there were about , tonnes and the most recent data, , shows a grand total of five tonnes. That is the impact of re it. F F : I s th e U K n ot i n v es ti n g i n i ts ow n d epura ti on f a ci li ti es ? D J: o, because that entirely misses the point. The market generated over the last years is for undepurated product that can be depurated and processed in

“There is an awful lot more to do”

Opposite: Mussel harvesting Above: David Jarrad, SAGB at the ASSG Conference, Oban Below: Harvesting oysters

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134 SAGB

H olland, close to the mark etplace. So, once a product is depurated it cannot be rewatered. It has to be consumed with 2 4 to 4 8 hours, so our producers’ customers are the big bulk purifiers and sellers. They won t be interested in purified mussels. ot only would we have to purify them but we would also have to set up a new mark et, competing against our current customers. ven shellfish from class waters have to pass through the inspection point at oulogne. They are still getting stopped at the border and facing delays of five, or hours, which is not what you want, because you are losing uality all the time. F F : I n your ta lk a t th e A SSG C on f eren ce, you men ti on ed th e potential opportunities o ered by th e con cept of “ n a tura l ca pi ta l” – w h a t a re th es e? D J: otentially, using mussel and oyster beds for carbon credits and as nitrogen sink s could be a game changer as far as the industry is concerned. t s known that bivalve shellfish se uester carbon and also absorb nitrogen,

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reducing greenhouse gases. The uaculture dvisory Council of urope has recently recommended to the uropean Commission that it should consider paying cash to growers on the basis of what they produce, because of the nitrogen sink ” impact. That would be a massive benefit to the industry. nvestment in shellfish beds could be used for carbon credits and carbon o setting, which could certainly make shellfish cheaper for the consumer. ou d be providing an ecosystem benefit and you d also have a nutritious product at the end of it. The government needs to reconsider its view that the best thing for the marine environment is to create areas where you don t do anything at all. FF he A for hellfish A q ua culture w a s s et up i n F ebrua ry la s t yea r, curren tly ch a i red by A n th on y M a n g n a ll M P a s C h a i r. H a s i t h a d a n i mpa ct s o f a r? D J: I think it has – engagement with the Food Standards gency

I AM WORRIED THAT THERE ARE NOT PEOPLE COMING INTO THE INDUSTRY Above: Shellfish farming Opposite from top: Oysters; mussel farm

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(FSA) on the part of the AP P G has helped and there have been some minor gains with FSA on the issue of classification of waters in ngland and Wales. But there is an awful lot more to do. I think the AP P G’s biggest role is to get shellfish farming recognised as an important coastal industry that has huge potential for growth and for the lik es of D efra [ the epartment for nvironment, Food and ural airs to facilitate the growth of the industry rather than j ust trying to constrain it. We are told by D efra that what they want to see is industry- led growth, but what is constraining the industry cannot be led by the industry. t s issues such as the classification of waters, water uality, pollution, the use of Gigas in a uaculture and marine protected areas. We cannot “ lead” on any of these. It’s really frustrating. I am worried that there are not people coming into the industry and those who are in it are all getting older. A lot needs to change. So much of our coastline is so conducive for shellfish a uaculture and we have a fantastic opportunity. n the UK, we produce less than of the oyster production in France, but we have nearly three times the coastline. We have got the coastline and fertile waters that could produce healthy proteins and deliver tremendous ecosystem benefits what’s not to lik e?

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136 NEWS REVIEW – SHELLFISH

Shellfish roundup Awards, court cases and the common octopus all featured in our shellfish coverage this year

S w e reported i n January, ﬁgures from the Food and Agriculture Organization show that, while world mussel production rose in the decade to 2020, it was falling in Europe. In 2 0 2 0 , around 2 . 2 m tonnes of mussels entered the global food chain, primarily from aquaculture. This ﬁgure rose by between 2 0 1 1 and 2 0 2 0 . With a couple of exceptions, however, urostat data shows that overall U production has

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e perienced a downward trend of over the past 1 0 years, particularly in Italy, Ireland and Germany. The ovember uropean arket Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture P roducts report on mussels in the U shows that the U total production in was , tonnes, with Spain accounting for of the total, followed by France at . The UK no longer features in U data, but o cial ﬁgures put total production in ngland, reland and ales at , tonnes in , down from and down on the production high of , tonnes in . In F ebrua ry, the news broke that Cadman Capital Group had ac uired uoddy Savour Seafood, a Canadian landbased seafood farming and processing business. T he Q uoddy site has the capacity to raise and hold

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“Cadman had also acquired a strategic equity stake in Urchinomics”

Opposite: Scotland Pavilion, Barcelona This page from top: Urchins; Tom Haward, Director of Richard Haward’s Oysters; Giles Cadman and Brian Takeda; Richard Haward Oysters; mussel farm

lobsters and urchins, as well as other key local ﬁsh species. t is based in ennﬁeld, ew runswick in eastern Canada and situated on a acre site ne t to the ay of Fundy, part of the golden triangle of the seafood industry in northeast Canada. The facility provides access to the key seafood markets of ew ork, oston, ontreal and the wider orth merican ast Coast. The ac uisition followed the announcement that Cadman had also ac uired a strategic e uity stake in Urchinomics, a pioneering a uaculture venture that aims to turn a plague of sea urchins into valuable seafood. The company, founded by C O rian Tsuyoshi Takeda, aims to save kelp forests from overgra ing by removing the urchins and raising them in land based a uaculture facilities. n A pri l, we reported on a court case brought by the arine Conservation Society, ichard award s Oysters and environmental activist and passionate surfer ugo Tagholm, together with support from the Good aw ro ect, a surfer and an oyster farmer against the UK Government, over the state of coastal waters in ngland and ales. The government s storm over ows discharge reduction plan re uires water companies to deliver a bn capital investment plan over years. t gives them up to to improve storm over ows discharging into or near designated bathing waters and to improve of

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over ows discharging to high priority nature sites, such as Sites of Special Scientific nterest, Special reas of Conservation and chalk streams. t also gives them until to improve any remaining storm over ows and put a stop to their industrial scale sewage dumping. Crucially for the shellfish community, the plan all but e cluded coastal waters from protection, giving farmers little confidence in its ability to make a di erence to them. n September, the campaigners were partially successful, winning a ruling that coastal and estuarine waters will need to be included in the plan. lso in A pri l, the UK shellfish sector was well represented at Seafood po Global in arcelona at the Scottish, elsh and UK pavilions. n Jun e, we reported on the ongoing controversy surrounding Spanish seafood group ueva escanova and its plan to farm common octopus Octopus vulgaris) on a commercial scale. The company aims to grow one million animals a year but animal rights groups

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“In September, the

campaigners were partially successful”

say this is not a species that can be farmed without serious welfare issues. In July, the Scottish Government launched its Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture, which included recognition of the important place held by shellﬁsh farming. The paper pledges the government, among other things, to support improved water quality for areas where shellﬁsh are farmed, improving productivity in the sector and helping

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Left: London Oyster Championships – from left is Chris Leftwich, Nicki Holmyard, Tristan Hugh-Jones and Federico Fiorillo Below: Scottish Shellfish Award winners – from left is Angus Vajk, Caledonian Oysters; Douglas Wilson, Inverlussa Mussels; Iain MacKay; Judith Vajk, Caledonian Oysters; Craig Archibald, Islay Oysters; John Barrington, Creran Oysters

to expand the domestic supply of shellfish spat. Ireland hosted the World Oyster Opening Championship in September, as part of the Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival. The winner was Federico Fiorillo of Bentley’s Oyster Bar and Gill, who was also the winner earlier of the London Oyster Championships. In October, the Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers held their annual conference in Oban. Speakers from across the Scotland, the whole of the UK and further afield shared updates and insights on the state of the sector. The Scottish Shellfish Awards recognised excellence in the three categories of rock oysters (Gigas), native oysters and mussels.

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THE YEARBOOK ‘THE FISH FARMER 2023 REVIEW’