Study to enhance salmon sustainability

Wide-ranging assessment of the industry’s sustainability
Incorporates waste, energy use, carbon emissions and socio-economic benefits
Will inform long-term sustainable development of salmon farming in Scotland

The Scottish salmon farming industry is to embark on the first-ever industry-wide assessment of the sector’s sustainability.

Entitled ‘Sustainability in Scottish salmon aquaculture: key components and drivers’, independent experts from the fields of the environment, energy, economic and social impact, and aquaculture are to identify challenges facing the industry and recommend solutions to enhance the sector’s performance.

Commissioned by the industry’s trade body Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation (SSPO), in partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), the study will cover waste generated within the production cycle, energy utilisation, carbon emissions and the socio-economic benefits of the industry.

An Aquaculture Sustainability Working Group is to be established to assist the development of the study, comprising representatives from regulatory bodies, environmental NGOs, enterprise agencies and industry.

Focusing on the farming element of the business, the study will incorporate primary research, a literature review and a desk study. An assessment of how the Scottish salmon farming sector compares with other food producing businesses will also be included.

Sid Patten, Chief Executive of SSPO, describes the study as “a wide-ranging assessment of the industry’s sustainability” and “integral to its on-going development.”

Patten said: “We are seeking to identify the issues included within the three pillars of sustainability – social, economic and the environment – to further enhance the sector’s environmental performance and socio-economic contribution.

“Salmon farming is already a significant social and economic contributor to rural areas, where businesses sustain many small, remote communities,” Patten said.

“And as a result of investment in research and development, the introduction of environmental management systems and the adoption of new technologies, the industry continues to make progress in improving efficiencies of production which also brings considerable environmental benefits,” he added.

Mark Taylor, Thistle Environmental, the lead consultants on the project, said: “Whilst many companies and public sector organisations are now undertaking sustainability assessments, this project is unusual because it considers the sector as a whole. This is a proactive, forward looking and valuable project.”

Sandy Cumming, Chief Executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, commented: “The Scottish salmon farming industry has always sought to minimise any environmental impacts. It is now clear that this industry which has sustained many remote communities over the last 30 years must also consider the wider environmental consequences of operating a global business with internationally sourced raw materials and overseas consumers.

“Scottish salmon as a product has an enviable reputation with consumers. This can be enhanced still further by identifying ways that it can be produced using methods that are as environmentally sustainable as possible. This study confirms HIE's commitment to work towards improving the region's record of sustainable development in every sphere of business,” he added.

It is anticipated that the outputs will inform current salmon farming practice, assist in the preparation of environmental impact assessments, inform customers and give background for communication with the public on the sustainability of the Scottish salmon farming sector. In addition, it is also highly likely that the study will identify areas for further research and development.

Notes to editors:

1. Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation is the trade organisation for the Scottish salmon farming industry. For the first time, industry members from mainland Scotland, Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland have joined together to ensure that the industry’s contribution to Scotland’s social, economic and commercial landscape is promoted, recognised and rewarded by its stakeholders.

2. Thistle Environmental are an independent consultancy. They undertake a wide variety of work on sustainable development, environmental management systems, waste management, environmental training, environmental auditing and related areas. A large proportion of their work is in aquaculture where Mark Taylor and Robert Kelly are well known throughout Scotland. They have teamed up with economists Steve Westbrook and Brian Burns. Both Steve and Brian have worked extensively across the Highlands and Islands and other parts of Scotland undertaking socio-economic assessments and sustainability appraisals of industry and communities. Enviros completes the team. Enviros are a multi-disciplinary environmental consultancy with considerable expertise in sustainability from extensive work with industry and government throughout the UK.

3. The Highlands and Islands of Scotland has around 19,000 businesses, more than 440,000 individuals with skills and potential of their own - and more than 8,000 voluntary and community groups. The task of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) network is to unlock that potential and help create a strong, diverse and sustainable economy. HIE's activities include: provision of business support services, delivery of training and learning programmes, assistance for community and cultural projects and measures for environmental renewal.

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For further information contact Ken Hughes, Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation, +44 (0)1738 587006 or 07974 173739

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