Salmon industry to invest £400k in research & development

Range of environmental, technology and husbandry initiatives to be supported
Announcement comes in the same week as the inaugural Aquaculture 2008 conference

Salmon farming is to benefit from £400,000 investment in research and development projects over the next three years to help secure the long-term socio-economic and environmental sustainability of the industry.

Sid Patten, Chief Executive of Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation (SSPO), said: “This project will be highly significant in the development of new farming practices in the Scottish industry. It is hoped that the information generated will enhance sustainability, while improving both environmental performance and reducing the cost of production.

“To be successful, it must report good quality, robust scientific evidence. By working closely with stakeholders, the initiatives address many of the current challenges and they will help the industry to achieve its full potential,” he added.

The announcement comes in the same week as the inaugural Aquaculture 2008, which is to be officially opened by the Minister for Environment Michael Russell MSP.

Welcoming the investment, Mr Russell said: “This is excellent news for the Scottish salmon farming industry, particularly in the same week as Aquaculture UK 2008. The farmed fish sector is of great value to Scotland and we need to ensure its sustainable economic growth for the future. I am pleased that the Scottish Government has been able to provide significant financial support to this initiative.”

A range of initiatives has been identified, including a scientific environmental modelling project and the adoption of new technology and husbandry practices on farms.

An enhanced monitoring programme has been commissioned to develop the accuracy of predicting environmental performance of marine farms. A second initiative is to look at economic modelling of production to determine optimum sustainable farming conditions.

Projects addressing alternative sea lice management strategies, the application of new technology in freshwater farms and further development of acoustic devices to deter predators are under consideration.

The initiative is being managed and part funded by SSPO under the auspices of the new ‘Demonstration Project’, with financial and in-kind support from the Scottish Government, salmon farmers, businesses that supply the industry, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, The Crown Estate, Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum and regulators.

Exhibitors from over ten countries are to attend the exhibition and conference, with hundreds of visitors expected from all over the world.

Notes to Editors:

1. The ‘Demonstration Project’ is a programme of scientific research and development initiatives, incorporating the recently publicised trial of a new net material reported to be the ‘world’s strongest fibre’ to further improve performance on containment in the aquaculture industry.

2. Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation aims to represent salmon farming in regulatory and political matters. 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.

3. Aquaculture 2008 is to be held between 21st – 22nd May in Aviemore. Organised by Tain-based Ascomber Ltd, exhibitors will represent a cross-sector of the aquaculture industry. Further details can be found at www.aquacultureUK2008.co.uk.

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For further information, contact Ken Hughes, Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation, 07974 173 739.

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