Planners Approve Orkney Salmon Farm

Chief Executive of Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation (SSPO) said the move will be a major boost for the Orkney economy.

Scott Landsburgh, Chief Executive of SSPO, said: "This is great news for the Orkney economy as the approval of the new site will lead to a sustainable increase in production, significant further investment in the islands and give the local job market a boost, not to mention increased expenditure in the many support services."

Salmon farming already makes a significant contribution to the Orkney economy. The direct employment provided by salmon farming companies has risen from 56 in 2008 to 77 in 2010.

Between 2006 and 2009 Orkney’s salmon farmers injected almost £4.2million into local wage packets, which generated £19.2million of economic benefits as money earned locally is spent locally. Over the last four years (2006 - 2009) SSPO member companies have also made £4.4million capital investments in Orkney.

Salmon production in Orkney peaked at 10,740 tonnes in 2003, but it fell to 3,724 tonnes in 2006. It has steadily increased year-on-year since then and Scottish Government statistics forecast production to have reached 7,510 tonnes in 2010 once official data is confirmed. SSPO believes these positive trends are likely to continue.

"The recent positive trends of responsible, sustainable increases in salmon production and increasing benefits generated in the Orkney economy are set to continue as confidence is high and market conditions are the best they have ever been," said Mr Landsburgh.

"Orkney has some of the best marine environments in the world to grow salmon and there is an increasing global appetite for high quality salmon products from regions with a strong provenance story to tell."

"All of the new salmon production will be promoted as produce from Orkney, which will further enhance the reputation of Orkney as a centre for high quality food," he added.