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THE burgeoning salmon industry could deliver a major jobs boost to the islands of the Minch thanks to a £40million expansion programme by Marine Harvest.
Demand for Scottish salmon is growing by eight per cent per annum, and is set to increase even more thanks to a historic trade agreement with China permitting imports of the fish.
And with an estimated 190,000 tonne undersupply recorded for 2010, the need for expansion is growing.
Some 15 open seawater sites in the Minch are currently being assessed by Marine Harvest as part of a the programme, designed to up production by 20,000 tonnes per annum.
Already, two locations have been identified as preferred locations, at Hellisay and South Uist, with planning applications submitted.
The isles of Muck and Canna have been marked as having suitable conditions for a farm, while Coll and Barra could also be prime sites for developments.
Business support manager at Marine Harvest, Steve Bracken, said: ‘The demand is there and it is global. There’s no doubt about it - the Chinese market is huge.
‘The plan would be that by the end of next year, we’d have all the permissions in place. It’s quite a lengthy process though.
‘We’ve identified 15 potential locations and for a while now we’ve been going out and monitoring these sites for suitability.
‘Now it’s a case of whittling the list down to see which sites are best.
‘The expansion will increase our output from 40,000 tonnes per year to 60,000.’
Representatives from Marine Harvest visited Coll this month to give a presentation to the community council on the potential benefits of a farm on the north east of the island.
They say a farm on the island could create six full time and two part time jobs, bringing at least £250,000 in wages to the island economy alone.
The farm would ideally have an shore base on the island, while there could be potential for an island smokehouse or other associated business, while services required by the farm will be met by local enterprise.
A community fund could also be established with an annual donation from the company, while regular visits to the island from Marine Harvest employees, auditors etcetera would increase the number of visitors to the island that require accommodation, such as bed and breakfasts.
The company will return to the island in May to deliver an update.
The secretary of the community council, Alex Maclean-Bristol, said: ‘The jobs would be fantastic for the island and the farm would be pretty much out of sight, north east of Arnigour. That’s also where two lobster boats fish though, so they may have concerns but it’s too early to say what will happen.’
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