The farmgate value of farmed salmon was £537 million last year. The rise in production of 2.7 per cent from 2011 continues the increases over recent years.
The Environment and Climate Change Minister Paul Wheelhouse said: “Scotland is world renowned for delicious, high quality and healthy farmed fish and shellfish products. We are recognised around the world for best practice in aquaculture. Salmon is our largest food export and I am pleased with the continued growth in production in 2012.
“The number of people working in the aquaculture industry has also increased by five per cent with over 1,500 people across Scotland being employed, many of which are located in remote and rural communities.
“The Scottish Government fully supports the sustainable growth of the sector with due regard to the marine environment – as demonstrated in our Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2013. This will enable Scotland to deliver on 2020 aquaculture sustainable growth targets as set out in the recent Marine Plan Consultation document. I look forward to engaging further with the sector and key stakeholders on the development of the sector through the Ministerial Group on Sustainable Aquaculture.”
