SCOTTISH SHELLFISH CONFERENCE ALL SET TO GET UNDERWAY

Scottish shellfish conference all set to get underway in Oban Tomorrow (4th October 2018)

The Association of Shellfish Growers (ASSG) two-day annual conference will get underway in Oban later this week with a wide range of topics up for discussion.

The event will be opened by Scottish Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham and will include presentations on shellfish and the health of the nation and the environmental benefits of native oyster production.

There will also an international perspective with presentations on Swedish mussel production, and shellfish cultivation in Spain and Australia.

The second day of the conference will include a focus on shellfish production and ecosystem services and the management of Irish mussel seed stocks.

According to the most recent Scottish Government figures, in 2017, 8,232 tonnes of mussels were produced for the table market, the highest level of mussel production recorded in Scotland.

Mussel and Pacific oyster remain the main species produced in terms of value and tonnage with production tonnage increasing by 6% and 42% respectively during 2017.

During 2017, over 3.8 million Pacific oyster shells were produced for on-growing showing that markets both home and abroad are well established.

There has been an increase in both queen scallop production (155,000 to 273,000 shells) and scallop production (35,000 to 47,000 shells) since 2016.

There was a small decrease in the production of native oysters from 201,000 to 200,000 shells in 2017. The sector continues to target a strong niche market.

Employment levels increased by 4% from the previous year, with 328 full, part-time and casual staff being employed during 2017.

The Scottish shellfish farming industry is estimated to be worth approximately £12.4 million at first sale value, an increase of 6%.

Full details of the ASSG conference at www.assg.org.uk