Scottish Fish Farm Production Survey 2017
16th October 2018
Marine Scotland Science today published the Scottish Fish Farm Production Survey 2017. The publication details statistics on the employment and production from Scottish fish farms. It is structured to follow industry trends within the farmed Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout and other species sectors. Some statistics are given for the 21-year period 1997-2017.
The main findings are;
In 2017, production of Atlantic salmon increased by 26,890 tonnes (16.5%) to 189,707 tonnes. This is the highest ever level of production recorded in Scotland.
Production tonnage of rainbow trout decreased by 6% in 2017 to 7,637 tonnes.
Brown trout/sea trout production increased from 41 tonnes in 2016 to 61 tonnes in 2017. During 2017 there was also an increase in the production of cleaner fish (lumpsucker and wrasse) which are used as biological controls for parasites.
The full statistical publication can be accessed at: www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/Fish-Shellfish/FHI/surveys
This report is based on the returns of an annual survey questionnaire sent to all active authorised fish farming businesses in Scotland.
In 2017, freshwater salmon production was undertaken by 24 businesses at 79 sites. The number of businesses operating decreased by two and the number of active sites decreased by eight compared with 2016.
The total number of smolts produced in 2017 increased by 3,258,000 (6%) to 46.2 million. The number of ova laid down to hatch increased by 2.2% to 65.7 million with the majority of these (90%) being derived from foreign sources. In 2017, 339,000 ova were exported.
The total number of staff employed in freshwater production during 2017 decreased by three from the 2016 figure with 291 persons employed, 250 full time and 41 part time.
In 2017, marine salmon production was undertaken by 12 businesses farming 226 active sites. This is a decrease of three business and 27 active site compared with 2016.
Total production during 2017 was 189,707 tonnes, representing an increase of 26,890 tonnes (16.5%) on the 2016 figure. This is the highest ever level of production recorded in Scotland.
The total number of staff in marine salmon production in 2017 decreased by 55 to 1,431. Full time staff decreased by 17 to 1,362 and part time staff decreased by 38 to 69.
In 2017, rainbow trout production was carried out by 23 businesses operating 44 active sites. Total production of rainbow trout in 2017 decreased by 459 tonnes (6%) to 7,637 tonnes.
The number of ova laid down to hatch decreased by 2,893,000 (29%) on the 2016 figure to 7,041,000. The proportion of ova from GB broodstock increased to 8.1% of the total sourced. The number of fish imported to Scotland from outwith GB was 486,000 representing a decrease of 106,000 compared with 2016.
The number of staff employed in 2017 increased by 11 to 132 persons. The number of full time staff increased by 10 whilst part time staff increased by one. Productivity, measured as tonnes produced per person, decreased by 13.5% to 57.9.
There has been a continued interest in the diversification of aquaculture. In 2017, brown/sea trout production increased by 20 tonnes to 61 tonnes.There was also production of halibut during 2017 but this figure cannot be shown without revealing the production of an individual business.
In 2017, lumpsucker and various species of wrasse were cultured for use as a biological control for parasites in the marine Atlantic salmon industry, with 925,000 lumpsuckers and 58,000 wrasse produced and 1.3 million and 2.9 million ova being laid down to hatch respectively.
The number of staff employed in other species production in 2017 decreased by one to 62 persons.
Further comments -
The Scottish Fish Farm Production Survey for 2017, produced by Marine Scotland Science, reports that 189,707 tonnes were harvested, the sector's highest ever output.
The official annual statistical bulletin also reports increases of just over three million smolts put to sea as well other measures of productivity. The level of survival on farms has also improved to 79.1% compared to 73.3% in the previous year.
Charlotte Wright, chief executive of HIE, said:"These figures are good news for Scottish aquaculture. They show the significant social contributions the industry makes to remote rural, island and coastal areas by supporting high-skilled jobs, and diversifying and protecting communities.
“Salmon farming is a major contributor to the Highlands and Islands economy and brings additional business opportunities to the area. We have supported the aquaculture industry since its inception and as a vital sector that provides many valuable jobs for rural communities."
Gilpin Bradley, chairman of the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO), said:“2017 was a successful year for Scottish salmon farmers. Volumes were strong and exports reached an all-time high with sales of £600m to more than 50 countries worldwide. This is testament to the hard work and commitment of so many dedicated salmon farmers in the Highlands and Islands and the global recognition of Scottish salmon’s enviable premium market position.
“Demand for quality Scottish salmon continues to outstrip supply and the sector aspires to grow to meet demand, but we also recognise the importance of steady, sustainable development. These new figures, alongside the investment in tackling emerging challenges give us great confidence in the sector’s ability for sustainable growth over the coming years.”
Salmon farming is significant to Scotland’s economy and it is in some of the most remote parts of the country where its value is truly felt. Highlands and Islands Enterprise recently reported that employment in the industry and the wider supply chain topped 10,000 full time equivalent jobs.
Like other farming sectors, salmon farmers must plan for and respond to environmental challenges like warmer sea water temperatures. Ahead of an anticipated dip in production in 2018 because of gill health issues during autumn 2017, which affected salmon due for harvest in 2018, the sector is putting investment in place to help smooth fluctuations in production. There is an increased move towards the use of recirculated aquaculture systems to ensure the growth of more robust smolts, along with the installation of continuous environmental monitoring and other camera technology to closely monitor fish behaviour once at sea.
Mr. Bradley added:“Salmon farmers have invested more than £60m in new technologies and improved farming techniques, research projects and cleanerfish to remove naturally occurring sea lice which thrive in the warmer temperatures. Farmers continue to work hard to improve fish health and salmon survival and we are seeing benefits coming from the new innovations. It is encouraging to see that the report confirms an improvement in the industry’s survival figures as a result of the ongoing investment in this area. Farmers are leading contributors to the Scottish Government’s Farmed Fish Health Framework, the 10-year strategy for continued improvement in fish health and to encourage collaboration between industry, regulators and scientists”.
These investments signal optimism in a strong long-term future for farmed Scottish salmon, cemented by wider investments in the sector’s supply chain such as the £105m investment at Kyleakin, Skye where a 170,000 tonne fish feed facility and visitor centre is planned for build in 2019.
The industry’s commitment to continued improvement is evident in the newly established farm-by-farm reporting of sea lice levels which has shown that, on the whole, lice levels during 2018 have been the lowest they have been for 5 years.
