Salmon Industry: Records record growth in 2011. Pic: © SSPO
Scotland’s salmon industry saw record levels of investment in 2011, according to new figures.
A new report from the Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation highlights a record £47.6m capital investment last year.
The bumper year saw the creation of 272 new jobs and a 23% growth in total gross pay, according to the Scottish Salmon Farming – Industry Research Report.
Scott Landsburgh, SSPO chief executive, said: “The new economic report shows that salmon farming continues to be an expanding part of our economy, supporting more than 2124 direct jobs which is a 13% rise on the previous year.
“At a time of slow growth in the global economy, the Scottish salmon sector continues to be a source of major capital investment and new opportunities.”
The survey found that 86% of companies registered with SSPO plan to increase staff numbers over the next five years.
The salmon industry has seen £92m capital investment in Scotland over the last two years, with the vast majority being concentrated in the Highlands.
Around 96% of that money was injected into the Highlands, Western Isles, Shetland, Orkney and Argyll & Bute.
SSPO member companies have signed up to the RSPCA’s Freedom Food scheme, promoting welfare standards to farmed animals.
In the nine years since the standards were introduced, it has managed to achieve 60-70% Freedom Food approval for farmed Atlantic salmon at any one time.
Professor Phil Thomas, SSPO chairman, said: “Scotland has relatively few world-class industries, but its salmon farming is in that category.
“By international standards our farms are small and our commitment to high standards of husbandry and management incurs added costs. Scotland seeks to produce the best and we are immensely proud of our history and tradition.”
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Record investment in Scotland’s salmon industry