SSF’S £48m salmon hatchery aims to raise farming standards

A new £48million freshwater salmon hatchery is set to open near Oban, with the intention of raising fish-farming standards in Scotland.

Salmon farming company Scottish Sea Farms (SSF) will supply smolts to 40 farms across the west coast, Orkney and Shetland.

SSF has received £1.28million from Scottish Enterprise to help realise the project and the initiative is expected to create a minimum of 10 new jobs.

The centre will also feature a research and development centre, focusing on issues concerning fish farming, including pest infestations and environmental impact.

Jim Gallagher, managing director of SSF, said: “Researching and developing new approaches and technologies is key to ensuring that we continue raising the healthiest fish in the most responsible but also the most environmentally sustainable way, and this latest £48million investment aims to advance our work in both areas. The £1.28million grant from Scottish Enterprise means that we will be able to do more of this planned R&D even sooner, accelerating both the innovation and the anticipated benefits for fish health and welfare and for the environment.” A game dinner and auction, with meat sourced from the glens and fields of Angus, has raised £5,443 for Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance.

The event was organised by the Angus Glens Moorland Group, whose efforts in providing game for care and homelessness charities, in partnership with Grampian Moorland Group, led to a Working with Communities award earlier in 2018.

Attendees enjoyed cured venison tartar, poached rabbit and pheasant breast and were given a Game for Giving goodie bag and recipe cards, so they could play Masterchef at home.

Anglers are hopeful about the effects of the project on wild fish stocks