9 January 2007

THE SCOTTISH Shellfish Marketing Group (SSMG) has appointed Shetland mussel farmer Michael Laurenson as their new chairman.

Mr Laurenson’s company Blueshell Mussels, has helped provide a £500,000 boost for SSMG farmers with the recent installation of new production facilities.

The marketing group worked hard to get a foothold on the £60m European market.

Mr Laurenson said: “I take up the position of chairman at a very exciting time for Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group. Demand for Scottish mussels, scallops and oysters has never been stronger, especially over the festive season.

“Our new ranges of international recipes are making a huge impact in every major UK supermarket. All this is due to the exceptional quality of produce offered by our farmers and the dedication of the workforce in our processing plants. I look forward to driving ahead the remarkable growth we have experienced in the last year.”

Mr Laurenson was previously vice chairman of SSMG and he succeeds Walter Speirs.

Mr Speirs spent 14 years as chairman and will still remain as a director for SSMG. Roger Thwaites takes up the position as elected Vice Chairman in the interim.

The Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group supplies supermarkets, wholesalers and restaurants with mussels, oysters and scallops farmed in the West coast of Scotland and Shetland.