February 19, 2008

Scottish aquaculture companies sign fallowing agreement
 

Scotland's aquaculture industry has signed a new agreement, which could possibly bring new opportunities for the sustainable development of shellfish and salmon to the West Isles.

Under the agreement that is supported by the Scottish government, all sites in Loch Roag will be fallowed simultaneously as an extended fallow period is introduced, and will be repeated at the end of every production cycle. Salmon farms will be relocated to sites that are further away from river mouths.

As with land based farming when crops are rotated, fallowing in the marine environment has a similar restorative effect on the seabed.

Lighthouse Caledonia Ltd and Hebridean Salmon Co. Ltd will exchange sites to ensure maximum utilization of each location.

Lighthouse Caledonia will transfer three shellfish farms to Hebridean Salmon, receiving three salmon farms in return. Of these, one site will be retained while the two smaller sites will be converted into a larger unit, leading to total production being maintained in fewer sites.

Salmon farming earns over US$31.2 million for the Western Isles and Highland regions.

Lighthouse Caledonia is a fully integrated company engaged in Atlantic salmon farming, with all of its operations in Scotland.