“

They have also produced faster growing oysters that make aquaculture

ve” more attracti

These are also of benefit to the farmers and a similar pattern can be found all down the east coast, where restoration drives aquaculture by providing at least the initial source of seed.

So the question is, what comes first, hatchery development or aquaculture? If one looks to agriculture this is a no brainer since without hatcheries the genetic improvements that have been vital to agriculture (and which are already being demonstrated in aquaculture) are not possible.

The real question is who pays. The Crown EstateIMASTS commissioned a study by a scientist from the Cawthron Institute in New Realand, Dr Henry Kaspar, to look into the need for a multi-species shellfish hatchery in Scotland to assist the development of the industry and the restoration of native oyster reefs.

The report, published in late 2014, highlights all the complexities of hatchery development, not least this need for long-term financial support since the benefits of a hatchery operation, particularly when breeding improved stock, take years not months.

So the planned establishment of a pilot scale mussel hatchery in Scalloway, with funding from the Scottish government, HIE and SAIC, is to be welcomed.

And so is the recent development by Ardtoe’s Viking Fish Farms, with their major investment in new and improved facilities for their shellfish hatchery and associated research facilities, funded internally by Benchmark Holdings.

Maybe these ventures will illuminate the conundrum, but one hopes that both will aid the development of the shellfish industry here.

But maybe what both are lacking is the additional funding that might be possible if greater attention was given to the value of restoration work in the UK. THERE is another aspect of shellfish culture that is very different in the US. That is the role of the dedicated extension services of many of their universities, which provide a real link between research and business.

If you want to see just how much help is provided,