The archipelago accounted for 88 percent of Scotland's mussel production in 2024 © Aquasens
The number of common mussel producing sites with sufficient spat settlement for production purposes increased by 80 percent: from 54 to 97. And the greatest regional contribution to mussel production was from Shetland, accounting for 10,234 tonnes (88 percent) of Scotland’s total.
However, Pacific oyster harvests fell by 38 percent, to 2.4 million shells, while native oyster production increased by 53 percent - from 111,000 to 170,000 shells.
King scallop production decreased by 4 percent year on year, from 24,000 to 23,000 shells.
Revenue and jobs
Overall, the Scottish shellfish farming sector is estimated to be worth approximately £14 million at first sale value, a decrease of 1 percent on the 2023 value; Employment levels decreased by 2 percent from the previous year, with 241 full-time, part-time and casual staff being employed during 2024;
In terms of shellfish health, 120 out of 283 sites were inspected during 2024 as part of a risk based surveillance programme. Further details can be found at Marine Directorate, Fish Health Inspectorate, Surveillance Programme - gov.scot (www.gov.scot);
Movement restrictions remain in place for the presence of Bonamia ostreae at Loch Sunart and the Dornoch Firth in Highland region, West Loch Tarbert and Lynn of Lorne, Loch Creran and Loch Etive in Strathclyde region.
Otherwise, Great Britain maintained disease-free status with regard to Bonamia ostreae, Marteilia refringens and ostreid herpesvirus-1 microvariant (OsHV-1 µvar), with the exception of specific compartments under movement restrictions. Immediate notification of increased unexplained mortality on farm sites must be reported to Marine Directorate, Fish Health Inspectorate.
