3 March, 2007

SALMON farms generate almost £150 million a year for firms in the Highlands and Islands, according to a new industry survey.

A survey of salmon producers has revealed that the industry also contributes £50 million to the UK economy and £5 million overseas.

The Highlands and Islands area also has the highest amount of supply businesses for the salmon farm industry with 77 per cent of all suppliers based in the region.

The knock-on effect on Scotland's overall economy was highlighted at a meeting of business leaders, local authority representatives and MSPs in Inverness yesterday.

In his speech to the delegates chief executive of Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation (SSPO) Sid Patten said: "The indirect benefits of salmon farming are extensive

"Businesses in the Highlands and Islands such as ice suppliers, net makers, fish vets and hauliers net nearly £3 million every week from the industry.

"Salmon farming is an incubator for a supporting infrastructure, as there are many growing, sustainable Scottish businesses which have been established solely to supply the sector.

"Their increases in staffing levels and investments of millions of pounds in necessary infrastructure are directly attributable to salmon farming."

The benefits of the salmon industry on the economies of Scotland, the UK and overseas was also pointed out by the Highlands & Islands Area chairman of Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) Joe Moore.

Mr Moore said: "All the economic effects, direct and indirect, give rise to further benefits as a result of the spending of profits and wages generated by the salmon supply chain. The overall benefits to the Highlands and Islands, Scotland and further afield are therefore even greater."

Meanwhile, the secretary of the SSPO, David Sandison, added that the 'first sale' value of the region's salmon farming industry was worth an impressive £350 million.