New aquaculture agreement reached in Western Isles - 18-02-2008

All sites in Loch Roag to be simultaneously fallowed for the first time in 25 years
New agreement hailed as a model for the west coast and the northern isles
Environmental considerations bring benefits for all marine users  
To increase potential profitability, essential for future economic sustainability

A new agreement has been struck between members of the aquaculture industry which will bring environmental benefits and new opportunities for the sustainable development of shellfish and salmon to the Western Isles.

Two Scottish aquaculture companies are behind the deal that will see all sites in Loch Roag simultaneously fallowed for the first time in 25 years.  This new regime is to introduce an extended fallow period which will be repeated at the end of every production cycle.  Salmon farms are to be relocated to deeper sites with stronger tides, further away from river mouths. 

Lighthouse Caledonia Ltd and Hebridean Salmon Co. Ltd are to exchange sites, to ensure the optimum utilisation of each location.  Lighthouse Caledonia Ltd will thus transfer three farms to Hebridean Salmon Co. Ltd for growing shellfish, receiving in return three salmon sites.  Of these, one will be retained and two smaller sites converted into a larger unit.  The total production in the area will now be maintained in fewer sites.

The agreement has been supported by the Scottish Government fish farm relocation scheme, which funded environmental assessments and seabed surveys for site applications. 

OddGeir Oddsen, Managing Director of Lighthouse Caledonia Ltd, said:  “The Loch Roag system will become the envy of the aquaculture industry, stakeholders and environmentalists, and a model for the west coast and the northern isles.  The deal goes beyond the objectives of the local Area Management Agreement. 

“We will operate an all fish in, all fish out policy, stocking all of our farms in the loch at the same time.  Co-ordinated sea lice treatments and synchronised fallowing will bring further environmental benefits.

“We employ a similar regime in Loch Fyne which has been very successful.  We hope to build on this valuable experience,” he added.

Welcoming the new agreement, Sid Patten, Chief Executive of Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation, said:  “This innovative solution is a win-win situation for both parties as it will afford new opportunities for the sustainable development of aquaculture in Loch Roag.  It is a great example of different stakeholders working together to generate benefits for the entire loch system. 

“With fewer sites now in use, it allows the operators to make improvements in environmental and production performance which has not been possible previously.  It will also increase the potential profitability which is essential for the future economic sustainability of the industry,” he added.

Salmon farming injects over £16 million directly into local pay packets in the Western Isles and Highland regions.

As with land based farming when crops are rotated, fallowing in the marine environment has a similar restorative effect on the seabed.

Notes to editors:

1. An Area Management Agreement (AMA) between salmon farmers and wild fish interests for Loch Roag was signed in August 2006.  The Loch Roag agreement was the fifteenth to be signed as a result of the Tripartite Working Group, which is funded by the Scottish Government.  AMAs aim to promote better working relationships at local level between salmon farmers and fishery boards and trusts throughout the west coast and Western Isles. 
2. Area Management Agreements are being developed between local industry and wild fisheries interests throughout the west coast and Western Isles. These cover a range of objectives, including where possible:  single year-class stocking, co-ordinated sea lice treatments, synchronised fallowing of farm sites, possibility of using wrasse as a biological control for sea lice in the future, vaccination of smolts against furunculosis, preparation of containment and contingency plans to minimise escapes, adherence to industry Codes of Practice, regular monitoring and information exchange between AMA partners, preparation of catchment management plans and adherence to disease control mechanisms in wild fisheries.
3. Lighthouse Caledonia Ltd was formed in November 2007 by combining the former Pan Fish Scotland, Fjord Seafood Scotland and selected assets of Marine Harvest Scotland.  It is a fully-integrated company farming Atlantic salmon at all stages of production, from smolts (young fish) through to harvesting, processing, smoking, packing and sale.  The company is to produce an estimated annual production of 22,000 tonnes in 2008.  It is one of the largest private employers in the Western Isles.
4. Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation aims to represent salmon farming in regulatory and political matters. For the first time, industry members from mainland Scotland, Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland have joined together to ensure that the industry’s contribution to Scotland’s social, economic and commercial landscape is promoted, recognised and rewarded by its stakeholders.

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For further information, contact either:

Ken Hughes, Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation, 01738 587006 or 07974 173 739

Su Cox, Lighthouse Caledonia Ltd, 07917 038 862