Demand for talks on fish farm job cuts

UK - Highland Council's vice-convener Michael Foxley has called for a top-level meeting between a council delegation and the chief executive of salmon farming giant Marine Harvest, Hans den Bieman, to discuss the way ahead for the industry in the Highlands and Islands.

This follows the merger of Nutreco's fish farming business with Stolt-Neilsen's salmon farming interests to create the new Marine Harvest, which will control 24% of the world farmed salmon market.

Marine Harvest announced last week that it was cutting 25% of its workforce of 550 in the Highlands and Islands, following the completion of the merger of Nutreco and Stolt Sea Farms' aquaculture operations, to make the new company more cost-effective.

Stolt's salmon processing factory in Scalpay has closed with the loss of 50 jobs and 15 more are due to go in the Western Isles as both companies' farm sites are rationalised.

That leaves another 75 jobs to be cut on the Highland mainland.

Source: ThisIsNorthScotland