SCOTTISH SEA FARMS DELIVERS £170M BOOST TO ECONOMY

Scottish Sea Farms delivers £170m boost to economy. Scottish Sea Farms invested nearly £170 million in the local supply chain last year, supporting 573 Scottish businesses across the four regions where the company operates.

The figures for 2025 show an increase in Scottish Sea Farms’ economic contribution, up to more than £167.8 million from £167.3 million in 2024, and reflect an ongoing commitment to
sustainable growth in the salmon sector.

A breakdown of the company’s annual expenditure has revealed the scale of not just the local spend but also the level of employment in salmon farming in each region, as well as the championing of community projects and charities.

In total, Scottish Sea Farms employed 642 people last year with salary costs of around £33.8 million. The highest wages bill was in Shetland, with more than £15 million paid to nearly 300 staff. The company is Shetland’s largest private employer, providing much needed rural jobs, including around 160 in marine roles across 20 active marine farms. Shetland also saw a total of £27.1 million spent in the supply chain, benefiting 124 island firms and contractors.

In Argyll, meanwhile, local investment amounted to £13.5 million, supporting 77 suppliers, and the company’s salary costs were £8.2 million with 193 direct jobs.

Spending in the Highlands supply chain totalled more than £10.9 million, among 82 local suppliers, while Scottish Sea Farms salary costs were £3.3 million for the 55-strong workforce. And in Orkney, more than £1.4 million was spent on 65 suppliers, and the company’s salary costs were £3.8 million, with 73 direct jobs across nine marine farms.

“Salmon farming is embedded in some of Scotland’s most remote areas, bringing valuable employment opportunities and an economic lifeline to rural
communities,” said Scottish Sea Farms Managing Director Jim Gallagher.

“Our farming operations depend on many other businesses and, as these figures show, Scottish Sea Farms invests in an extensive supply chain, from Shetland and Orkney to the west coast
of Scotland As we continue to grow our output, with Shetland’s £7.5 million new Billy Baa site coming on line this spring and development plans approved for Fish Holm, we will help retain and create more skilled jobs and contribute even further to the Scottish economy in the years ahead.”

Modern apprentices

Last year, the company invested in the future workforce, employing 61 Modern Apprentices and dedicating 186.5 hours to 32 careers-focused events and site visits in all its farming regions. More than 200 local causes benefited from Scottish Sea Farms’ Heart of the Community fund, which donated a total of £147,353 in 2025, bringing the total since the initiative was established in 2011 to more than £2 million.

Data for the year also showed that marine survival was at 89.1%, and that 387 audits (internal and external) were conducted. Compliance with Environmental Quality standards (for seabed at
pen edge, 2020-2024) was 96%. In all, Scottish Sea Farms sites occupy around 0.021% (5.57km2) of marine inshore waters in Scotland.

Continued growth

The company’s new farm at Billy Baa, which has biomass consent of 4,091 tonnes, and the Fish Holm development, with biomass consent of 6,000 tonnes, are part of the strategy to develop larger farms in better locations, with deeper waters and faster currents.

Local suppliers have welcomed the developments. Colin Leask, Director of Ocean Farm Services, said the continued focus on fewer but larger modern sites supported a more sustainable long term model for Scottish aquaculture:

“With Ocean Farm Services operating a team of around 70 employees, all from communities across Scotland, we are proud to support Scottish Sea Farms’ operations through our ROV net
washing and wellboat services, operating in Shetland, Orkney and the west coast of Scotland.

“We look forward to servicing the new sites with our vessels and crews, contributing to a more efficient, resilient and responsible future for the Scottish aquaculture sector.”

Northwards Commercial Director Neil Leslie said the new farms are important in safeguarding Shetland’s transport links and the employment that depends on them:

“We are continually investing in and developing our own infrastructure to support the salmon sector’s growth plans but, additionally, it is the wider supply chain that is equally vital. From feed deliveries to the handling and processing of by-products, the industry underpins other key areas of island infrastructure.”

Image: Scottish Sea Farms