Economic Value
Vital to local communities, major contributor to national economy
Scotland is already the largest aquaculture producer in the EU, with value at first point in excess of £400m in 2010.
The growth and sustainability of the industry has helped to maintain fragile economies in remote, rural locations throughout the Highlands and Islands. The 2010 industry survey highlighted some tremendous benefits for Scotland:
§ Scotland’s salmon farmers injected over £500m into the economy in 2009
§ 234 new jobs were created by SSPO member companies in 2009
§ £29.5m capital investment was made in 2009, bringing the total over the last four years to £113.5m
§ The vast majority of capital investments (92%) have been made in the Highlands and Islands, mainly: Shetland (37%), Argyll & Bute (23%), Highland (20%), Western Isles (8%) and Orkney (4%)
§ £43.5m was paid in salaries in 2009
§ Economic benefits gained from direct salaries totalled over £199m, an increase of 55% when compared with 2006 / 07
§ Total expenditure on suppliers and services was over £296m in 2009 (80% in Scotland)