Scottish Fish Farm Production Survey 2014
This report is based on the returns of an annual survey questionnaire sent to all active authorised fish farming businesses in Scotland.
2. Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) - Ova and Smolts
Production survey information was collected from all 26 companies actively involved in the freshwater production of Atlantic salmon, farming 96 active sites. This figure represents the entire freshwater industry operating in Scotland.
Company and Site Data
Table 12: Number of companies and sites in production during 2005-2014
Year | No. of companies | No. of sites |
---|---|---|
2005 | 41 | 148 |
2006 | 39 | 135 |
2007 | 37 | 135 |
2008 | 38 | 130 |
2009 | 30 | 105 |
2010 | 31 | 104 |
2011 | 28 | 98 |
2012 | 28 | 100 |
2013 | 27 | 102 |
2014 | 26 | 96 |
In 2014 the number of companies authorised by the Scottish Government for freshwater production of Atlantic salmon decreased by one to 26. A total of 96 sites were actively engaged in commercial production, a decrease of six sites from the 2013 figure.
Production and Staffing
Table 13: Number (000's) of smolts produced, staff employed and smolt productivity during 2004-2014
Year | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Number (000's) of smolts produced | 39,999 | 36,326 | 40,827 | 38,125 | 36,450 | 36,868 | 36,872 | 43,626 | 44,324 | 40,457 | 45,004 | |
Staffing | Full-time | 259 | 200 | 209 | 217 | 209 | 216 | 233 | 225 | 235 | 237 | 244 |
Part-time | 60 | 74 | 62 | 62 | 54 | 54 | 56 | 68 | 93 | 48 | 65 | |
Total | 319 | 274 | 271 | 279 | 263 | 270 | 289 | 293 | 328 | 285 | 309 | |
Productivity, 000's of smolts per person | 125.4 | 132.6 | 150.6 | 136.6 | 138.6 | 136.5 | 127.6 | 148.9 | 135.1 | 142.0 | 145.6 |
Smolt production in 2014 increased by 11.2% compared to 2013. The number of staff employed in 2014 increased by 24 and productivity increased by 2.5% to a figure of 145,600 smolts produced per person. Data for staffing and productivity in 2013 are shown, however, there are uncertainties with these data due to consolidation within the industry.
Smolts by Age Group
Table 14: Number of smolts (000's) produced by type during 2002-2014
Year | S½ | S1 | S1½ | S2 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2002 | 15,791 | 30,527 | 843 | 0 | 47,161 |
2003 | 14,907 | 28,836 | 671 | 0 | 44,414 |
2004 | 14,428 | 24,862 | 709 | 0 | 39,999 |
2005 | 12,639 | 22,197 | 1,489 | 1 | 36,326 |
2006 | 16,953 | 23,172 | 698 | 4 | 40,827 |
2007 | 15,431 | 22,694 | 0 | 0 | 38,125 |
2008 | 12,431 | 24,019 | 0 | 0 | 36,450 |
2009 | 13,837 | 23,031 | 0 | 0 | 36,868 |
2010 | 14,116 | 22,756 | 0 | 0 | 36,872 |
2011 | 17,233 | 26,393 | 0 | 0 | 43,626 |
2012 | 18,795 | 25,239 | 290 | 0 | 44,324 |
2013 | 19,024 | 21,279 | 154 | 0 | 40,457 |
2014 | 22,367 | 22,473 | 164 | 0 | 45,004 |
In 2014, there was an increase in the number of S1 (5.6%) and S½ (17.6%) smolts produced. A small amount of S1½ smolts were produced while there was no production of S2 smolts.
Production Systems
Table 15: Number and capacity of production systems during 2010-2014
System | No. of sites with system | Total capacity, 000's cubic metres | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 |
Cages | 45 | 44 | 43 | 44 | 41 | 401 | 325 | 349 | 372 | 351 |
Tanks and Raceways | 59 | 54 | 57 | 58 | 55 | 38 | 49 | 51 | 64 | 65 |
Total | 104 | 98 | 100 | 102 | 96 | 439 | 374 | 400 | 436 | 416 |
The principal types of facility used for the production of smolts in fresh water are cages or tanks and raceways. In 2014, the number of farms using cages decreased by three and the number of farms using tanks and raceways also decreased by three. In terms of volume, cage capacity decreased by 21,000 m³ and tank and raceway capacity increased by 1,000 m³. This resulted in a net decrease in volume of 20,000 m³ available for the production of smolts in Scotland during 2014.
Table 16: Number (000's) of smolts produced and stocking densities by production system during 2010-2014
Year | Number of smolts produced (000's) | Stocking densities (smolts/m 3) | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | |
Cages | 20,333 | 23,135 | 26,882 | 20,910 | 22,816 | 51 | 71 | 77 | 56 | 65 |
All others | 16,539 | 20,491 | 17,442 | 19,547 | 22,188 | 435 | 418 | 342 | 305 | 341 |
Total | 36,872 | 43,626 | 44,324 | 40,457 | 45,004 | - | - | - | - | - |
The average stocking densities of cages increased from 56 to 65 fish per m³ in 2014 compared to 2013 while densities in tanks and raceways increased from 305 to 341 fish per m³.
Ova Production
Table 17: Number (000's) of salmon ova produced during 2007-2014
Year | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. of ova | 83,822 | 135,230 | 91,964 | 91,655 | 78,208 | 57,489 | 56,904 | 33,450 |
In 2014, nearly 33.5 million ova were stripped, a decrease of 41% from the number of ova produced in 2013.
Table 18: Source, number (000's) and previous year's estimate of ova laid down to hatch during 2003-2015
Year | In-house broodstock | Out-sourced GB broodstock | GB wild broodstock | Foreign ova | Total | Previous year's estimate |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2003 | 38,766 | 21,138 | 0 | 20,822 | 80,726 | 73,193 |
2004 | 31,390 | 20,024 | 27 | 19,138 | 70,579 | 74,464 |
2005 | 43,261 | 22,465 | 71 | 9,896 | 75,693 | 65,741 |
2006 | 19,063 | 17,768 | 63 | 27,157 | 64,051 | 58,385 |
2007 | 18,837 | 14,366 | 78 | 42,022 | 75,303 | 68,032 |
2008 | 19,831 | 14,261 | 171 | 26,409 | 60,672 | 75,302 |
2009 | 17,148 | 20,158 | 65 | 30,200 | 67,571 | 64,693 |
2010 | 13,744 | 26,220 | 0 | 29,657 | 69,621 | 61,011 |
2011 | 15,664 | 14,630 | 0 | 34,322 | 64,616 | 54,526 |
2012 | 18,556 | 9,981 | 0 | 34,700 | 63,237 | 55,723 |
2013 | 16,996 | 8,263 | 0 | 41,315 | 66,573 | 49,249 |
2014 | 14,418 | 2,725 | 10 | 53,684 | 70,837 | 48,149 |
2015 | 65,284 |
The number of ova laid down to hatch was 70.8 million, an increase of over four million (6.4%) on the 2013 figure. The majority of the ova (75.8%) were derived from foreign sources, this being an increase of 12.4 million (29.9%) on the 2013 figure. Supplies derived from GB broodstock decreased by 8.1 million this being a 32.1% decrease on the 2013 figure. 10,000 ova from GB wild broodstock were laid down in 2014, however, the ova derived from wild stocks are generally held and hatched for wild stock enhancement by the aquaculture industry in cooperation with wild fisheries managers.
Smolts Produced and Put to Sea
Table 19: Actual and projected smolt production and smolts put to sea (millions) during 2005-2016
2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Actual smolts put to sea | 37.2 | 41.1 | 37.8 | 36.6 | 38.5 | 38.5 | 42.7 | 41.1 | 40.9 | 48.1 | ||
Smolts produced | 36.3 | 40.8 | 38.1 | 36.4 | 36.9 | 36.9 | 43.6 | 44.3 | 40.5 | 45.0 | ||
Estimated production | 36.2 | 33.2 | 41.2 | 34.9 | 32.6 | 28.7 | 35.9 | 31.3 | 28.1 | 39.9 | 43.4 | 49.2 |
Ratio of ova laid down to smolts produced | 2.1 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 1.6 |
The figure for the number of smolts put to sea includes smolts produced in England and fish imported from elsewhere, whereas smolt production data relate only to those produced in Scotland. Farmers estimate putting 43.4 million smolts to sea in 2015. The ratio of ova laid down to hatch to smolts produced in 2014 remained the same as in 2013.
Scale of Production
Table 20: Smolt-producing sites grouped by numbers (000's) of smolts produced during 2001‑2014
Year | Scale of production | No. of sites in production | Total smolts produced | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1-10 | 11-25 | 26-50 | 51-100 | 101-250 | 251-500 | 501-1,000 | >1,000 | |||
2001 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 19 | 30 | 26 | 13 | 14 | 110 | 47,546 |
2002 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 17 | 29 | 34 | 17 | 10 | 120 | 47,161 |
2003 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 20 | 32 | 31 | 12 | 10 | 114 | 44,414 |
2004 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 14 | 31 | 22 | 18 | 7 | 107 | 39,999 |
2005 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 15 | 25 | 22 | 21 | 4 | 94 | 36,326 |
2006 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 19 | 21 | 18 | 10 | 84 | 40,827 |
2007 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 21 | 21 | 14 | 11 | 82 | 38,125 |
2008 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 21 | 20 | 15 | 9 | 81 | 36,450 |
2009 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 18 | 10 | 12 | 64 | 36,868 |
2010 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 16 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 64 | 36,872 |
2011 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 14 | 9 | 17 | 61 | 43,626 |
2012 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 19 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 61 | 44,324 |
2013 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 14 | 58 | 40,457 |
2014 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 13 | 50 | 45,004 |
Note: These data refer only to sites producing smolts. The sites holding only ova, fry or parr are excluded.
The number of sites producing smolts in 2014 was 50. The number of sites producing less than 101,000 smolts has decreased by six and there has also been a decrease of one in the number of sites producing between 101,000 and one million smolts. The number of sites producing in excess of one million smolts per year also decreased by one.
Production of Ova and Smolt by Production Area
Table 21: Staffing in 2014, ova laid down to hatch in 2013-2014, smolt production in 2013-2014 and estimated production in 2015-2016 by region
Region | Number of staff employed in 2014 | Ova laid down to hatch (000's) | Smolt production (000's) | Estimated smolt production (000's) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F/T | P/T | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | |
North West | 116 | 34 | 34,090 | 35,737 | 24,451 | 29,060 | 20,970 | 23,546 |
Orkney | 2 | 1 | 55 | 105 | 142 | 142 | 185 | 140 |
Shetland | 37 | 15 | 3,683 | 7,172 | 1,468 | 1,272 | 5,465 | 6,190 |
West | 53 | 11 | 16,906 | 16,712 | 7,628 | 9,264 | 10,797 | 10,700 |
Western Isles | 23 | 3 | 6,200 | 4,535 | 5,866 | 3,655 | 4,028 | 3,170 |
East and South | 13 | 1 | 5,640 | 6,576 | 902 | 1,611 | 1,920 | 5,475 |
All Scotland | 244 | 65 | 66,574 | 70,837 | 40,457 | 45,004 | 43,365 | 49,221 |
Figure 2: The distribution of active Atlantic salmon smolt sites in 2014
In 2014, the North West and the West were the main areas where ova were laid down to hatch. The North West, the West and the Western Isles were the main smolt producing areas. The greatest number of staff were employed in the North West region.
International Trade in Ova
Since the introduction of the EU single market on 1 st January 1993 and the associated Fish Health Regulations common to all EU member states, a trade in live salmon and ova has been established. In addition, the European Economic Area ( EEA) agreement allows trade between the EU and the member states of the European Free Trade Association ( EFTA). Trade is based on the same rules as are established within the EU regarding compartments and zones declared free from listed diseases.
Trade with Third Countries has also been established, but only from sites that have met the same health standards as are established within the EU regarding the approval of farms and zones for listed diseases. Exports to countries outside the EU are subject to the health conditions placed by the importing country. Marine Scotland Science advises potential exporters to ascertain with the importing country any specific health testing requirements that may be a condition of import.
Imports and Exports
Table 22a: Source and number (000's) of salmon ova, parr and smolts imported during 2002-2014 derived from health certificates
Import Year | Ova | Parr and Smolts | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EU Member States | EFTA | Third Countries | Total | EU Member States | EFTA - Norway | |||
Iceland | Norway | Australia | USA | |||||
2002 | 8,650 | 11,623 | 0 | 1,800 | 500 | 22,573 | 2,879 | 0 |
2003 | 7,820 | 9,518 | 2,900 | 550 | 400 | 21,188 | 2,570 | 0 |
2004 | 4,450 | 3,475 | 6,750 | 1,860 | 450 | 16,985 | 824 | 0 |
2005 | 2,610 | 570 | 13,210 | 0 | 450 | 16,840 | 150 | 0 |
2006 | 11,575 | 300 | 15,940 | 2,400 | 0 | 30,215 | 375 | 0 |
2007 | 10,511 | 0 | 33,555 | 0 | 0 | 44,066 | 420 | 0 |
2008 | 5,600 | 0 | 22,703 | 0 | 0 | 28,303 | 519 | 0 |
2009 | 5,460 | 0 | 29,938 | 0 | 0 | 35,398 | 328 | 0 |
2010 | 2,150 | 0 | 26,533 | 0 | 0 | 28,683 | 452 | 0 |
2011 | 3,400 | 0 | 35,851 | 0 | 0 | 39,251 | 800 | 0 |
2012 | 10,134 | 0 | 23,849 | 0 | 0 | 33,983 | 0 | 0 |
2013 | 10,700 | 2,719 | 35,044 | 0 | 0 | 48,463 | 55 | 0 |
2014 | 5,218 | 3,813 | 49,831 | 0 | 0 | 58,862 | 1,602 | 1,748 |
The numbers of ova imported increased by 21.5%. The number of parr and smolts imported also increased from that observed in 2013, with 1.6 million parr and smolts imported from EU member states and an additional 1.7 million from Norway.
Table 22b: Destination and number (000's) of salmon ova, parr and smolts exported during 2003-2014 derived from health certificates
Export year | Farmed origin | Total | Parr and Smolts | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chile | EU | Norway | Others | |||
2003 | 0 | 2,171 | 0 | 0 | 2,171 | 941 |
2004 | 2,215 | 3,699 | 0 | 0 | 5,914 | 1,488 |
2005 | 8,560 | 3,130 | 0 | 1,566 | 13,256 | 1,362 |
2006 | 26,930 | 4,312 | 0 | 0 | 31,242 | 998 |
2007 | 32,150 | 164 | 0 | 0 | 32,314 | 2,169 |
2008 | 62,185 | 130 | 0 | 15 | 62,330 | 551 |
2009 | 7,181 | 317 | 0 | 0 | 7,498 | 89 |
2010 | 0 | 189 | 600 | 0 | 789 | 130 |
2011 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 820 | 820 | 183 |
2012 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 55 |
2013 | 0 | 650 | 0 | 0 | 650 | 404 |
2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 259 |
In 2014, no ova were exported. Parr and smolt exports decreased by 35.9% on the 2013 figure.
Vaccines
Table 23: Number of sites using vaccines and number (millions) of fish vaccinated during 2006-2014
Year | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. of sites | 79 | 73 | 80 | 68 | 70 | 67 | 63 | 63 | 56 |
No. of fish (millions) vaccinated | 43.5 | 41.0 | 36.7 | 39.6 | 42.6 | 49.2 | 48.1 | 47.5 | 44.7 |
Vaccines were used to provide protection against furunculosis, infectious pancreatic necrosis ( IPN), ERM, vibriosis and salmonid alphavirus ( SAV). The majority of fish were vaccinated against furunculosis and IPN, with smaller numbers of fish being vaccinated against ERM, vibriosis and SAV. A total of 44.7 million fish were vaccinated across 56 sites.
Escapes
There was one incident involving the loss of one freshwater farmed Atlantic salmon in 2014.
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