True source of support

M&S and Scottish Sea Farms are producing ‘some-fin’ special on Scotland’s West Coast, writes

This year has been a challenging one for the farming and fishing communities, but throughout it M&S has continued to reinforce its commitment to Scottish producers.

Among them is Mull-based Scottish Sea Farms salmon farmer Andrew MacLeannan.

Andrew is one of the 10,000 suppliers from all across the country used by the retailer and this seasonM&S are shining the spotlight on him.

The retailer has partnered Scottish Sea Farms for more than 14 years and together they are dedicated to providing customers with premium quality, fresh farmed salmon.

Andrew is responsible for rearing 440,000 M&S Scottish salmon a year in the waters of the Sound of Mull, on Scotland’s west coast.

The farm, which sits just off the Isle of Mull, is the same size as 40 Olympic swimming pools and is 28 metres deep.

There are strong north Atlantic currents for the salmon to swim against and they are reared in deep pens at a stocking density of 1.5% fish to 98.5% water to

ensure plenty of room for them to swim and shoal.

Andrew said: “M&S’s commitment to Scottish farming is more relevant than ever and we’re proud of our partnership with them.

“The challenges of the last few months in particular have meant adapting to ensure we can continue to help feed the nation – and we’ve been working extremely closely with M&S to make sure customers will be able to enjoy our fresh Scottish salmon.”

Both the salmon farm and M&S continually work together on their shared goals of food safety and quality, animal welfare and environmental protection, in order to deliver the fish consumers will know as M&S Lochmuir salmon in the most responsible way possible.

Scottish Sea Farms supplies more than 10,000 tonnes of delicious, nutritious salmon per year to M&S.

Recently Andrew invested in a new freshwater hatchery at Barcaldine near Oban.

The hatchery creates the perfect controlled environment for the farm to grow bigger, stronger smolts (young salmon) before they are ready to be moved into seawater.

The company is also passionate about providing the highest quality product and has worked to strict sector standards to establish their reputation worldwide.

David Bates, M&S head of region for the west of Scotland, said: “Our family of 4,500 Scottish farmers has enabled us to deliver fantastic quality for our customers throughout these last few challenging months, and they continue to do so as we move forward together.

“We are committed to supporting our suppliers and Scottish Sea Farms is a fantastic example of a local business helping to feed the nation.

“We hope that families around the nation will enjoy their fresh Scottish salmon this season.”

100% of M&S farmed salmon is Scottish and all M&S fish is always responsibly sourced.

Mull-based salmon farmer Andrew MacLeannan.