The survey, carried out by Marine Scotland Science (MSS) - formerly Fisheries Research Services - which collates annual production data from registered Scottish fish farm sites, showed that the production tonnage of salmon in sea water decreased by one per cent in 2008. The total production of Atlantic salmon during 2008 was 128,606 tonnes, a decrease of 1,324 tonnes.
According to Fishfarmingexpert.com, this was due mainly to a decrease in the mean weight and number of year one fish being harvested. This slight decrease in production shows that the industry continues to consolidate and stabilise at a manageable production level, the report stated.
Smolt production in 2008 decreased by over 1.6 million, a decrease of 4.4 per cent compared to 2007.
The number of companies registered and actively producing salmon in 2008 was 26, a decrease of two on the 2007 figure.
Nine companies remained active and registered, although not producing salmon for harvest in 2008. This continued the trend of salmon production being concentrated within fewer companies.
These 35 companies have 257 registered active sites, although not all active sites may have produced fish for harvest in 2008.
Production Tonnage Down One Per Cent in 2008
UK - The annual production survey of fish farms in Scotland for 2008 has been released.
