Future lies in bigger, offshore sites
Salmon farmers give MSPs insight into how industry works
THERE is now a strong case for accelerating the relocation of older, sheltered Sco sh fish farms to larger and more open coastal locations. That was one of the main developments when the Sco sh parliament’s Rural Economy and Connectivity (REC) committee inquiry into salmon farming heard evidence from salmon farmers on May 2.
The two-hour long hearing, mainly upbeat in tone, also brought a firm commitment to sustainable long term growth and an acceptance that biological issues remain the main challenges. The committee debated a range of subjects, including sea lice, diseases, escapes and the lack of suitable housing for staff.
There was also agreement that although companies were working closer together to tackle many of the problems, more collaboration was needed and that the hand of collaboration should be extended to wild fish interests.
The industry was represented by a strong line up of Scott Landsburgh, former chief executive of the Sco sh Salmon Producers’ Organisation Ben Hadfield, managing director of Marine Harvest Scotland Craig Anderson, chief executive of the Sco sh Salmon Company Grant Cumming, managing director of Grieg Seafood Shetland and Stewart Graham, group managing director of Gael Force Group.
The convenor, Highlands and Islands MSP Edward Mountain (Con), said that Sco sh fish farming had made tremendous progress and gained much knowledge since its early foundations, and asked if there was now a case for relocating some of the original farm sites to less environmentally sensitive areas.
Grant Cumming replied that such a transition was already underway, adding Where we once had 33 sites, that number has now been reduced to 17. Technology has moved on, which means we are now able to move into more open waters, and bigger, cleaner areas, which is proving to be beneficial.’
Craig Anderson said his company had been formed from several small operators, with miniscule’ 700 to 800 tonne sites. The company was closing some of these down and moving to more exposed sites.
And Ben Hadfield agreed, saying the trend to have fewer, larger farms in areas that are less sensitive could help to reduce potential con icts.
A startling fact is that Norway produces about 1.2 million tonnes of salmon and has 250 active farms, while we Scotland produce 170,000 tonnes, give or take, and have 207 active farms. Our farms are fundamentally smaller Sepa policy has kept farms small. We have farms that produce 2,500 tonnes that could sustain 5,000 or 6,000 tonnes.’
Stewart Graham cautioned that offshore could be a hostile environment to work in, challenging for fish and salmon farmers, and any relocation must be a progressive process, moving slowly forward’.
In reply to Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson (SNP), Hadfield said fish farming had brought significant economic benefits to Scotland. Marine Harvest Scotland had an annual wage bill of £47 million and employed 1,200 staff. He pointed out that the development of new technology within the industry had also led to a structured career path and steady wage progression.
Anderson said his company’s annual wage bill was £16 million and had also led to improved training and education.
We feel that while taking out, it is very important to put something back,’ he added.
Landsburgh said the SSPO had contributed more than £1 million to local community organisations, with those groups being invited to bid for support.
West Scotland MSP Jamie Greene (Con) was met with a confident and united response when he asked if Sco sh salmon stood out against the competition.
Cumming said Yes, there is a premium for Sco sh salmon and our standards are very high.’
Anderson pointed out that Scotland was noted for the pure quality of its salmon and Hadfield added We have the highest welfare standards Sco sh salmon trades at between 50 and 60 pence a kilo over Norwegian salmon. It is of very high quality and very desirable.’
Landsburgh said that at a poll at the Brussels seafood show, seven out of 14 judges voted Sco sh salmon to be the best in the world.
The panel spoke of the large number of accreditations within the industry, on top of those demanded by the retail sector. But they all had one thing in common maintaining high standards.
The companies agreed the recent mortality rate was too high, but said it was much lower than that of some sections of agriculture, where the issue was hardly raised. But mortality levels were being brought down. In similar vein, the panel said the industry was working hard to reduce the number of fish escapes, stressing there have already been some notable successes.
Hadfield, who has a science background, told the committee on at least two occasions that some of the claims made against the salmon farming industry were not supported by sound scientific evidence. He said the industry in Scotland had very good regulations and it was frustrating to listen to comments that we don’t have that because we do’.
Cumming said sea lice was a huge problem right across Europe, but pointed out that it was worse in the south of England and in countries like France than in the salmon farms of Scotland or Norway.
Hadfield thought that while there were issues, the effect of lice on wild fish had been overstated.
Seal culling
The threat by the United States to ban seafood imports from countries that supported shooting seals was raised by MSP Gail Ross. This met with the unified response from the panel that their companies were working hard to reduce the number of shootings to ero. They said the gun was being replaced by physical (ne ng) barriers and acoustic deterrents. Cumming said the change was not just because of the US threat, but because his company felt it was the right thing to do.
We have farms that produce 2,500 tonnes that could sustain 5,000 or 6,000 tonnes”