Salmon Scotland now has 33 members following continued growth in the sector and a revamp reflecting its huge contribution to the wider economy through the supply chain.
New members include fish health experts, the world’s largest wellboat operator, and hybrid energy specialists to help ensure that the farm-raised salmon sector continues to deliver sustainable growth and creates thousands of well-paid local jobs.
Many of the new members are leaders in technological advances, underlining the body’s commitment to a low-carbon future, while achieving key targets in fish health and welfare, and maintaining the highest food quality standards.
Read also: Salmon Scotland adds two new directors to its board
The move comes at an important time for the sector following the first meeting of the new Scottish Aquaculture Council in June.
“The continuing expansion of our membership is a vote of confidence in the long-term future of Scotland’s farm-raised salmon sector, which continues to grow responsibly,” Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, said.
“With the Scottish Aquaculture Council shaping the vision for sustainable growth for the next 50 years and beyond, it’s never been more important to have a strong voice speaking on behalf of the sector,” he added.
Salmon Scotland also recently welcomed Ben Wilson, managing director of Mull-based Inverlussa Marine Services, Jarl van den Berg, general manager of Hendrix Genetics, and director of Skye’s Organic Sea Harvest, Alex MacInnes, to its expanded board.
Salmon Scotland changed its name from the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation in November 2021 and opened its membership to supply chain companies, announcing 12 new members in April 2022.
Read also: Salmon Scotland warns Prime Minister against putting UK “on a collision course with Europe”
While Scottish salmon is farm-raised in Shetland, Orkney, the north-west Highlands, the Western Isles and Argyll and Bute, the latest expansion includes Scottish, UK and international firms, cementing the sector’s international reach and reputation for excellence.
The sector directly employs 2,500 people in coastal communities in rural Scotland, with a further 10,000 Scottish jobs dependent on the sector. Scottish salmon is the UK’s biggest fresh food export, with overseas sales increasing to £614million in 2021, while sales in UK shops soared to £1.1 billion last year as consumers increased their consumption of the protein-rich fish.
