The Scottish Government’s 2023 Fish Farm Production Survey reveals 2023 as a challenging year for Scotland’s salmon sector.
The results of the survey, released on Wednesday, show decreased production volumes, lower smolt output, and reduced productivity per worker.
Despite continued demand and Scotland’s strong position in global markets, the findings highlight ongoing environmental and operational hurdles affecting the industry.
Total Atlantic salmon production in 2023 declined to 150,949 tonnes, down from 169,194 tonnes in 2022—a drop of over 18,000 tonnes.
Key Statistics in 2023 Salmon Production
Metric | 2022 | 2023 | Change |
---|---|---|---|
Total Production (tonnes) | 169,194 | 150,949 | -18,245 |
0-Year Fish Production (tonnes) | 135 | 90 | -45 |
Grilse Production (tonnes) | 65,163 | 64,854 | -309 |
Pre-Salmon Production (tonnes) | 52,738 | 31,073 | -21,665 |
Year 2 Salmon Production (tonnes) | 51,158 | 54,932 | +3,774 |
Mean Weight (Year 2 Salmon) (kg) | 5.2 | 5.9 | +0.7 |
Average harvest weights increased across multiple age groups, including year 0, grilse, and year 2 salmon, yet overall productivity per worker fell to 102 tonnes, compared to 112.2 tonnes per person in 2022. Employment within the production segment declined by 28 positions, reflecting tightened operations amid difficult conditions.
At the hatchery and smolt stages, output metrics were similarly mixed. Ova production rose to 56 million, but total smolt production fell by 3.6 million to 51.5 million, contributing to the overall reduction in harvest volumes.
Hatchery and Smolt Production
Metric | 2022 | 2023 | Change |
---|---|---|---|
Ova Produced (millions) | 53.2 | 56.0 | +2.8 |
Smolts Produced (millions) | 55.1 | 51.5 | -3.6 |
Ova Laid Down to Hatch (millions) | 78.5 | 74.7 | -3.8 |
Ova Imported (millions) | 43.9 | 40.6 | -3.3 |
Staff Employed | 295 | 305 | +10 |
Mean Productivity (000’s smolts/person) | 186.6 | 168.9 | -17.7 |
A slight increase in workforce at the hatchery level helped manage ova outputs, though productivity fell to 168.9 thousand smolts per person, down from 186.6 thousand in 2022.
The number of ova laid down to hatch also saw a decrease.