Hans J Marter

24 July, 2007

THE CONCENTRATION of Shetland's salmon industry into the hands of a few large companies is continuing with the isles' largest producer buying up organic salmon farming interests on the islands' west side.

The £3.8 million sale of the world's largest organic salmon farm North Atlantic Sea Farms, owned by Watt & Goodlad, to Norwegian-owned Hjaltland Seafarms was finalised last month. All 7 full time and 5 part time jobs are secured with new Hjaltland Seafarms.

The company itself switched owners three months ago when it was bought by Grieg Seafoods ASA for £41 million.

North Atlantic Sea Farms, owned by John and Wilma Goodlad, is a 100 per cent subsidiary of Watt and Goodlad, which owns salmon licences at Sanda Stour, Score Holm, Clift Sound and Papa.

The move makes Hjaltland's market position in the isles even stronger. The company already produces one third of all Shetland's salmon and processes around 19,000 tonnes annually, about 50 per cent of local production.

North Atlantic Sea Farms rose from the ashes of Mr Goodlad's previous salmon farming company Crø Lax, which went into receivership during the height of the salmon farming crisis, three years ago.

Today North Atlantic Sea Farms produces 2,000 tonnes of organic salmon, and is the world's largest organic fish farm, according to Mr Goodlad.

The company has been principle supplier of organic salmon to a number of outlets, including the Waitrose supermarket chain.

Grieg Seafood said the acquisition would enable them to develop into profitable European niche markets, such as Germany, the UK and Switzerland.

Mr Goodlad said yesterday that he had not retired, only "downsized" his business activities.

"I will still continue to produce around 600 tonnes of organic salmon per year from a separate company called Simmer Dim. I have retained two smaller salmon sites allowing me to continue this level of annual production into the future."