SCOTTISH FARMED SHELLFISH SECTOR LOOKS TO FUTURE WITH CONFIDENCE

Scottish farmed shellfish sector looks to future with confidence. The figures revealed in the recently published Scottish Shellfish Farm Production Survey 2023 underlines the resilience of the sector post Covid and its capacity to increase output, according to Dr Nick Lake, CEO of the Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers.
He told Fish Focus that the situation with mussels was especially encouraging – production up by 13% to 10,311 tonnes in 2023 to the highest level ever recorded in Scotland.
He said:
“Mussels are an internationally sought after seafood due to their sustainable production and health and nutritional benefits. Consumer demand has increased in both the UK and Europe and the Scottish industry has been able to grow outputs accordingly. This recognises the longer-term growth plans of the sector and continuing investment by producers and processors.”
For oysters, during 2023, 3.9 million Pacific oyster shells were produced for the table market, a decrease of 4% from the 2022 total.
Dr Lake commented:
“Oyster production continues to develop at a slower pace with outputs focused predominantly on local sales. The quality of products has always sustained the shellfish producers and with dining out and tourism growth in Scotland, the Rock oyster sector is well placed for further expansion given the investment in stock in the water. The Native oyster has been subject to wild stock conservation efforts with commercial producers assisting through production of part grown stock. However, for a range of reasons hatchery supply of seed has been constrained and outputs for the table reduced. This is in the process of being remedied.”
Overall estimated first sale value for all shellfish species was calculated to be approximately £14.1 million in 2023, a 36% increase on the 2022 value. Employment decreased by 4% from 2022, with 246 full-time, part-time and casual staff being employed in 2023.
Dr Lake concluded:
“Overall our sector is making great progress despite the challenges of recent years. Lower employment figures indicate that production efficiencies are constantly improving through investment in equipment and the increased unit value of our shellfish recognises the ever-increasing consumer demands for both fresh and meal ready products. We very much look forward to these trends continuing in the coming years.”