Chamber and committees

Scottish Government welcomes the publication of the Scottish Shellfish Farm Production Survey for 2016, which was published earlier today. These new figures show welcome continued growth in the industry with 6% increases in production of mussels and 31% increases in Pacific oyster shells over the year.

The report provides clear evidence of the continued sustainable growth of the sector, and reaffirms the level of optimism and confidence that was evident at the Scottish Farmed Shellfish Summit which I chaired late last year.

Shellfish growing is a significant food and drink success story and the farmed shellfish industry generates significant social and economic benefits to Scotland, now worth £11.7 million at first sale value.

In 2016, the farmed shellfish sector was awarded £3,784,489.58 in European and Maritime Fisheries Fund funding, with a further £1,777,725.20 awarded so far in 2017, which will continue to support the industry in future and drive growth this year and beyond. This includes £562,000 towards the establishing the shellfish hatchery stepping stone project supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre. This project is testing the commercial feasibility of mussel spat production in Scotland – a project which aims to secure Scotland’s future production.

Scottish Government continues to work closely with Scotland’s shellfish growers and their key partners such as the banks, including through the Aquaculture Industry Leadership Group, to deliver further sustainable growth.