October 8, 2014

Scotland's salmon production hits a ten-year high

Production of Scottish farmed salmon, at 163,234 tonnes, is at its highest level in a decade, according to new statistics released by the Scottish Government.

The Scottish Fish Farm Production Survey 2013 report reveals that production of Atlantic salmon increased by 1,011 tonnes in 2013 to 163,234 tonnes, a record since 2003. This result follows on from a 2.7% increase in 2012.

The farmgate value of farmed salmon was GBP677 million last year, an increase of 26% compared to the previous year.

Apart from salmon, the report also indicates that production tonnage of rainbow trout decreased by 1% in 2013 to 5,611 tonnes.

"Scotland's aquaculture sector is now estimated to be worth GBP 1.75 billion to the Scottish economy overall. If sustained, the sector, is well on its way to generating over GBP 2 billion annually for the Scottish economy and supporting 10,000 jobs by 2020, many of which are in some of Scotland's most remote and rural communities," said the Environment and Climate Change Minister Paul Wheelhouse.

"This success is underpinned by a robust regulatory framework in Scotland that is appropriate and strikes the right balance between growing the aquaculture sector and protecting the marine environment, enhanced by the Aquaculture & Fisheries Act (of Scotland), which commenced in September 2013."Sourced from  www.agrihq.co.nz

GBP 1 = US$1.61

Source: www.fis.com