Representative body Salmon Scotland has expanded its membership to include partners from the sector’s supply chain, including feed suppliers, service vessel designers, and textile firms.
In a press release, Salmon Scotland said the move is the next step in its evolution and follows on from its name change in 2021 from the Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation (SSPO). Its new partner members are AKVA Group Scotland, Aquascot, Aquaship (UK), Benchmark Genetics, DFDS, Garware, Inverlussa, Morenot Scotland, MSD Animal Health, Pharmaq Ltd/Zoetis, Scale AQ, and W&J Knox.
While salmon are only raised in five key geographical locations in rural Scotland – Shetland, Orkney, the northwest Highlands, the Western Isles, and Argyll and Bute – the expansion means that Salmon Scotland will now represent organizations working in every part of the country.
“Our role is to speak for and champion the interests of people and businesses across Scotland’s farm-raised salmon sector,” Salmon Scotland Chief Executive Tavish Scott said. “At the heart of our sector are farmers who care for their fish and produce a healthy, nutritious product that is increasingly popular around the world. But our responsible growth would not be possible without the dedication and hard work of thousands of people in the wider supply chain. Together, we deliver more than 10,000 jobs in every part of Scotland and generate millions for the local economy, with everyone in the sector working hard to deliver a sustainable and low-carbon future for Scottish salmon.”
Scotland’s salmon farming sector directly employs 2,500 people and supports more than 3,600 suppliers, with 10,000 jobs dependent on farm-raised salmon.
Overseas sales of Scottish salmon exceeded GBP 600 million (USD 781.3 million, EUR 724 million) last year, while GBP 372 million (USD 484.4 million, EUR 448.9 million) worth of salmon went to the U.K. market.
Photo courtesy of Salmon Scotland
