December 9, 2009

Scotland's Grieg Seafood receives four grant packages

Shetland's largest salmon farming company, Grieg Seafood Hjaltland, has announced that it will benefit from four substantial grant packages to support improving sustainable best farming practices.

Grieg Seafood Hjaltland's farming aquaculture company Hjaltland Seafarms will receive GBP615,218 (US$1 million) from the European Fisheries Fund (EEF) and GBP26,475 (US$43,102) from Shetland Islands Council. The grants will be allocated towards the following projects:

    a)    Equipment for new site (Bomlo), upgrading equipment.

    b)    Pilot project to improve the accuracy of determining biomass calculations within salmon cages.

    c)    Seal predation protection project.

    d)    Pilot project to evaluate different feed formulations within the Scottish environment.

Grieg Seafood Hjaltland's managing director, Michael Stark, said, “We are delighted to have been awarded this money which will make a significant contribution to enhance sustainable best farming practices and working conditions for our employees. 

The grants will also help improve all aspects associated with the farming of Atlantic salmon, strengthening Hjaltland's position as the leading producer of high quality sustainable salmon from Shetland, Stark said.

Grieg Seafood Hjaltland is the largest private sector employer in Shetland.