UK Fisheries Minister visits Shetland to see salmon farming's economic impact

The newly-appointed UK Fisheries Minister Daniel Zeichner recently visited Shetland to observe salmon farming's impact on the local economy at firsthand.

During his tour of Scottish Sea Farms' Vidlin salmon farm and processing facility in Lerwick, Zeichner praised the sector for providing well-paid, year-round jobs across the islands and emphasized the importance of aquaculture in strengthening the UK's food security.

Accompanied by Tavish Scott, CEO of Salmon Scotland, and senior representatives from Scottish Sea Farms, Zeichner spoke with local workers and discussed the role of farm-raised salmon in supporting coastal communities in the Shetland Islands.

The minister reaffirmed the recently-elected Labour government's commitment to collaborating with the aquaculture industry to ensure a sustainable and economically viable future for the sector.

“It has been insightful to see firsthand the work of our dedicated salmon farmers and hear their views for a sustainable future for this iconic Scottish product. Only by engaging with industry can we create more secure, sustainable, and economically successful fishing and aquaculture sectors that will in-turn support local communities," Zeichner said.

“From boosting fishing opportunities to knocking down obstructive trade barriers, this government will work to support the UK’s great fisheries and aquaculture businesses, including those in the Shetland Islands and across Scotland." 

"Food security is national security, and working with our seafood sector is key to achieving that," he added.

Scottish salmon is currently the UK's largest food export, with exports from Shetland alone reaching £153 million in the past year, supporting 470 local jobs. Nationally, the farm-raised salmon sector employs over 2,500 people directly and supports an additional 10,000 jobs indirectly, according to figures from trade body Salmon Scotland.

Zeichner, who was appointed as a Defra minister in July, underscored the government's efforts to enhance fishing opportunities, reduce trade barriers, and promote the UK's seafood industry through initiatives like "Brand Scotland."

“We welcome the new UK Government’s commitment to growing the economy and securing a new trade arrangement with the EU which would be very important for salmon exports and all of the seafood industry," said Salmon Scotland Chief Executive, Tavish Scott, in a press release.

“I am particularly pleased that Daniel has taken time this week to meet skilled local fish farmers to see for himself their dedication to the salmon in their care. We look forward to working with Daniel and his UK Government colleagues to export even more Scottish salmon and bring additional wealth to the country," Scott added.

Scottish Sea Farms' regional manager for Shetland, Richard Darbyshire, echoed this sentiment. “Nothing beats seeing firsthand the investments being made in our infrastructure and fish husbandry practices, and the quality of salmon being produced from Shetland’s waters," Darbyshire said. “It’s results like these that give us, as a regional team and as a company, the drive to grow our operations further — and, hopefully, give stakeholders even more reason to champion this low-impact food source.”