Awards scheme launched for salmon farmers

A new awards scheme recognising innovation and best practice in Scottish salmon farming, one of the nation’s flagship industries, has been launched by The Crown Estate.

Six categories in the Scottish Salmon Farmer Awards will showcase an industry which Ian Pritchard from The Crown Estate said was producing a first-class product. “It is vitally important to Scotland and its rural communities, but does not always get the recognition it deserves,” he added.

The awards will be presented by Deputy Minister for the Environment and Rural Development, Rhona Brankin MSP, at a ceremony and dinner, supported by EnviroCentre, at The Town House, Inverness, on Thursday 1st June. They will reward salmon farm operators who employ the highest standards of salmon husbandry; demonstrate entrepreneurial initiative; support local communities, and farm with a high level of environmental awareness

To reflect the range of company sizes within the industry, from the small niche player to the larger multi-nationals, the top title of Salmon Farming Company of the Year will be awarded in two categories. The Bank of Scotland is sponsoring the small-to-medium category, with Fusion Marine supporting the other for medium-to-large firms (4,000 tonnes and over per annum).

Open to all companies farming salmon in Scotland, and free to enter, the scheme is sponsored by Special Publications, publishers of the trade magazine Fish Update. The winners’ shortlist will be announced at the Aquaculture Today 2006 conference in March.

The judges are Carolyn Heeps (Chair), Head of Offshore and Environment at The Crown Estate; Philip Thorn, ex-Managing Director of Strathaird Salmon Limited and ex-Chair of the Scottish Salmon Growers Association; Dennis Overton, Managing Director of Aquascot; Peter Dryburgh, Director of North Atlantic Fisheries College, and Bob Kennedy, Senior Editor of Special Publications, publishers of Fish Update.

For further information please contact Glenda Johnson or Jenny MacPherson at Platform PR on 01463 783018 or 07900 917143.