And delegates at the WIAA-organised meeting also heard how
the farming of ‘new species’ such as cod, haddock and
halibut is set to form a major economic boost for the
Western Isles economy, creating many new job opportunities.
British Marine Finfish
Association (BMFA), executive director Richard Slaski
praised the commitment and enthusiasm shown by the
aquaculture industry to set up the WIAA, which he said would
help ensure that debate on the future strategy for
aquaculture was intelligent and informed.
Mr Slaski added: “There are
huge opportunities for the development of aquaculture in the
Western Isles and the rest of Scotland. The BMFA has
developed a carefully modelled 10-year target for growth in
Scotland which predicts a first sale production value of GBP
100 million for farmed marine fish such as cod and haddock
by the end of the period, employing 600 people in high
quality full-time jobs.”
Sustainable development of
the sector is a key plank of the expansion strategy. The
BMFA is currently producing a code of practice for its
members which it claims recognise “environmental protection
is a priority”.
Scottish Quality Salmon
chief executive Brian Simpson said there were still good
opportunities for the development of salmon farming and
underlined the major economic benefits the sector brought to
Scotland.
Donal Maguire of the Irish
Sea Fisheries Board (BIM) told the seminar: “The time is
right for the Western Isles Aquaculture Association to come
of age. We need strong regional representation to develop
the groundswell of support from the local community which
desperately needs aquaculture.”
In his introductory
presentation, WIAA chairman Donnie Morrison, who also
chaired the seminar, said the Association as formally
re-established in September 2001 after its activities lapsed
in the mid-1990s. It had been formed in 1992 to represent
fish farming and related businesses in the Western Isles.
“The more people we have on
board, the greater the benefits will be for everyone,” he
said
The seminar also heard
several key facts about the Western Isles industry:
Aquaculture is one of the
largest employers in the production sector of the Western
Isles Economy
Estimated value of the
industry including processing is approximately GBP 60
million
Production for 2000 included:
19,882 tonnes salmon (15.4 per cent of Scottish total) and
198 tonnes mussels (increasing to c1000 tonnes in 2002).
About 154 people (25 per
cent) of the Harris population are employed in aquaculture. |
