"This new farm has been developed with fish health and welfare at front of mind," said Ben Hadfield, COO Farming at Mowi Scotland.
Photo: Mowi Scotland.
Celebrating its 60th anniversary last April, Mowi Scotland announced that its plans for 2025 included establishing a new high-energy offshore farm at South Uist in Stulaigh South. Now, the Scottish salmon producer has completed all the work carried out over the past year and, at the end of May, reached a new milestone when the first salmon were stocked at the site.
Following the granting of planning permission in December 2024, the team has been working intensively to prepare Stulaigh South to receive those first salmon, which have been distributed across six 200-metre circumference pens.
The new farm operates in a high-energy marine environment, meaning it is located in an area of the ocean characterized by strong currents, higher wave activity, and good water exchange, creating conditions that are optimal for fish health.
Mowi Scotland highlighted that, in addition to improved water quality and enhanced fish health and growth, these conditions also create a more dynamic environment for salmon and offer several advantages, including improved sustainability and larger production capacity.
Seven staff members, including three new apprentices, will support the facility, which will have a maximum biomass capacity of 3,000 tonnes, representing a significant addition to Mowi's operations in the Western Isles of Scotland.
Mowi Scotland apprentices in Uist (left to right): Amelia, Alasdair and Nicola.
Photo: Mowi Scotland.
Although this is an operational milestone, what Mowi Scotland has emphasized most in its statement about the first salmon stocked at Stulaigh South has been the importance of aquaculture for local employment, especially in coastal communities in remote areas.
"This new farm has been developed with fish health and welfare at front of mind, and we also hope it will play a key part in local employment and community development, helping to strengthen the local economy of the Outer Hebrides," said Ben Hadfield, COO Farming at Mowi Scotland.
"Mowi operates in some very remote and often fragile communities across the Western Isles, and it's vital that we have committed and passionate staff at our farms," he continued. "I'd like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has worked so hard to get Stulaigh South up and running, helping us supply more healthy and nutritious salmon for the nation," Hadfield added.
As mentioned above, among the workers who will support the new site are three apprentices working towards their National Progression Awards in Aquaculture and Modern Apprenticeship qualifications, and who, according to the release, have been an essential part of the team bringing Stulaigh South into operation.
Mowi explained that they have been gaining practical experience in all stages of the salmon life cycle, obtaining accreditations for commercial vessels and developing long-term professional careers in aquaculture.
The company concluded its statement by announcing that, for those interested in pursuing a career in salmon farming, there is a final position to complete the team of seven at Stulaigh South, which will be open for applications soon on its website.
