The latest figures for shellfish farming from 2007 show that 5,199

tonnes of mussels, oysters and scallops were produced with a

first-sale value of £5.1m. The industry hopes that the Government

strategy will help them expand production at least twenty-fold.

Doug McLeod, chairman of the Association of Scottish Shellfish

Growers, said: "This strategy is an important initiative which we

expect to encourage the more effective utilisation of Scotland's

inshore marine resources, particularly in the sector of shellfish

cultivation. That will benefit the economic and social future of

rural and coastal communities, where shellfish farming provides a

perfect fit with crofting and other economic activities. That will

help to keep people in these areas."

A study carried out by Government scientists estimated that Scottish

coastal waters could produce 100,000 tonnes of farmed shellfish

annually without causing any environmental problems, such as have been

seen by intensive shellfish production in France especially. Doug

McLeod said: "Shellfish cultivation, which in Scotland means mussels,

oysters and scallops, has long been regarded as the 'Cinderella' of

the Scottish aquaculture sector. This pejorative view is not

reflected in many other countries, both within the European Community

and elsewhere, where shellfish farming is given significant Government

support. In light of the natural fecundity of Scottish waters, which

have an estimated potential annual output of 100,000 tonnes of

cultivated molluscs, combined with the relative absence of pollution

in the optimal growing areas, we hope that this 'poor relation'

perception will be corrected by the creation of a relevant,

appropriate and focussed Strategic Framework."

The ASSG has emphasised to the Scottish Government that the industry

will have little or no impact on the coastal environment. Doug McLeod

said: "The lack of environmental impact of shellfish cultivation, the

absence of both inputs to the marine environment and impacting

discharges, makes this activity a 'natural' for the relatively

unpolluted waters of Scotland's coasts. We hope the development of

the industry will be strongly encouraged under the aegis of the

renewed Strategic Framework."

The ASSG has already contributed to the pre-consultation discussions,

identifying issues which constrain the development of the industry.

These include a lack of depuration and processing facilities near to

the point of production, problems with transport costs from the remote

production areas, and help to market what the ASSG regards as a prime

product.

The ASSG is optimistic that the period of public consultation will

confirm the potential of the industry and that it will reveal the

necessity of Government support for the industry to realise its

potential. Doug McLeod said: "Strong market demand, combined with

improved availability of production sites and the support of

development funds through the European Fisheries Fund, operating

within a positive Strategic Framework of policies, should create a

winning formula for an expanding and profitable shellfish farming

industry in Scotland."

www.fishupdate.com is published by Special Publications. Special Publications also publish Fish Farmer, the Fish Industry Yearbook, the Scottish Seafood Processors Federation Diary, the Fish Farmer Handbook and a range of wallplanners.

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