| THE SCOTTISH SALMON COMPANY HOSTS ENVIRONMENT MINISTER |
 The Scottish Salmon Company has welcomed a visit by Stewart Stevenson MSP, Minister for Environment and Climate Change to its Hebridean facilities. As part of a three-day tour of the aquaculture industry in the Hebrides, Mr Stevenson was taken to The Scottish Salmon Company’s state-of-the –art processing facility at Marybank, Stornoway on Wednesday August 3. On Thursday, August 4 he visited West Loch Roag to learn about the company’s award-winning ‘single generation, single loch, synchronised fallow’ system and was also taken to the Geocrab salmon hatchery for a comprehensive view of the Company’s sustainable and innovative supply chain. Scottish Salmon Company’s Chief Operating Officer Stewart McLelland and Sales and Communications Director Su Cox hosted Mr Stevenson, explained to him the importance of the aquaculture industry in the Hebrides and discussed the contribution it makes to a sustainable rural economy. Stewart McLelland said: “We were delighted the Minister used his summer tour to visit the Hebrides and learn more about this dynamic and growing sector and the role it plays in rural communities. “He had the opportunity to see at first-hand key facilities in our sustainable, integrated supply chain in the Hebrides and gain insights into the vital role that salmon farming plays in the Islands’ economies. “Overall the visit was an excellent chance for Mr Stevenson to see first-hand some of the opportunities and challenges facing the salmon farming industry in the west of Scotland and I am confident that Mr Stevenson found it most beneficial.” The Scottish Salmon Company accounts for around 20% of the Scottish salmon industry and employs over 300 people. Scotland-based and operated it is committed to developing its business within the rural communities in which it operates. Stewart Stevenson MSP said: “Across Scotland the aquaculture industry is growing and, particularly in remote rural communities, it is making an important local contribution, both economic and social. That’s certainly the case in the Hebrides where it has a key role to play, as I have discovered over the past few days. “Scotland has a well-deserved reputation for producing high quality farmed salmon and last year the industry accounted for some 40 per cent of all our food exports – worth over £400 million. Other markets, such as mussels, have great potential and the clean waters off the West Coast of Scotland are perfect for this fast-growing industry. “My visits in Lewis and Harris have been highly rewarding and informative and have emphasised the importance of balancing growth of the aquaculture industry with the need to safeguard the wider marine environment.” 5th August 2011 |