Scottish Shellfish Farm Production Survey 2014

This report is based on the returns of an annual survey questionnaire sent to all active authorised shellfish farming businesses in Scotland.


// PRODUCTION

The survey indicates that the shellfish species cultivated in Scottish waters in 2014 were:

Mussel: Mytilus spp.
Pacific oyster: Crassostrea gigas
Native oyster: Ostrea edulis
Queen scallop: Aequipecten opercularis
Scallop: Pecten maximus

Production was dominated by mussel and Pacific oyster, although small quantities of scallop, queen scallop (queen) and native oyster were also produced. The 2014 production data for each species by region are given in Table 1.

TABLE 1 SCOTTISH SHELLFISH PRODUCTION BY REGION, 2014.

Region Businesses Mussel Pacific oyster Native oyster Queen Scallop
(tonnes) (000s) (000s) (000s) (000s)
Tonnes Table Tonnes on-growing 000s Table 000s on-growing 000s Table 000s on-growing 000s Table 000s on-growing 000s Table 000s on-growing
Highland 48 531 30 1,413 3,930 1 74 1 0 38 136
Orkney 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Shetland 26 5,919 1,133 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Strathclyde 49 822 80 1,953 2,862 241 675 17 500 10 0
Western Isles 18 411 20 26 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
All Scotland 144 7,683 1,263 3,392 6,792 242 749 18 500 48 136
Weight (Tonnes) 7,683 1,263 271 19 1 6

NB: THIS REPORT LISTS REGIONS WITH ACTIVE SHELLFISH FARMS OPERATED BY AUTHORISED AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION BUSINESSES.

CONVERSION TO WEIGHT USED THE FOLLOWING ASSUMPTIONS (BASED ON INDUSTRY FIGURES): INDIVIDUAL OYSTERS AVERAGED 80g; INDIVIDUAL SCALLOPS AVERAGED 120g; INDIVIDUAL QUEENS AVERAGED 40g.

TABLE = SALES DIRECTLY FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION;
ON-GROWING = SALES TO OTHER BUSINESSES FOR ON-GROWING.

Table production by species is illustrated in Figure 1 ( see page 4), while trends in production for the table market and on-growing in Scotland are presented in Table 2.

TABLE 2 TRENDS IN PRODUCTION DATA FOR THE TABLE AND ON-GROWING 2005-2014.

For the table 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 %change 13-14
Pacific oyster (000s) 3,070 3,138 2,603 3,093 2,900 3,008 3,136 2,706 1,891 3,392 79
Native oyster (000s) 162 300 273 250 490 350 350 317 260 242 -7
Queen (000s) 1,441 1,510 384 687 138 184 27 9 33 18 -45
Scallop (000s) 100 87 15 15 35 64 78 58 40 48 20
Mussel (tonnes) 4,135 4,219 4,806 5,869 6,302 7,199 6,996 6,277 6,757 7,683 14

 

For on-growing 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Pacific oyster (000s) 1,467 1,685 945 26 45 1,633 1,400 3,190 6,216 6,792
Native oyster (000s) 0 0 10 0 0 300 1 677 1,015 749
Queen (000s) 0 0 0 0 30 0 0 0 1,490 500
Scallop (000s) 382 287 45 0 0 0 104 16 1,470 136
Mussel (tonnes) 20 68 44 30 391 175 282 309 1,281 1,263

Mussel production, for the table, increased by 14% in 2014 ( see figure 1) to 7,683 tonnes. This is the highest level of mussel production ever recorded in Scotland. The greatest contribution in regional mussel production was from Shetland, accounting for 5,919 tonnes or 77% of Scotland's total. Pacific oyster production increased by 79% from 2013. Following a drop in production in 2013, production has returned to a similar level as seen in previous years. This is mainly due to one of the largest pacific oyster producers developing new markets domestically and outwith Great Britain. The Strathclyde region produced 58% of Scotland's farmed Pacific oysters. Queen scallop production fell by 45% since 2013, a contributing factor was reported as poor spat settlement, while the production of farmed scallops increased by 20%. Both these sectors continue to target small niche markets. Production of native oysters decreased by 7% from 2013. Native oyster production accounts for a small percentage of total oyster production, however, demand for this species continues to be high.

FIGURE 1 Table production by species 2005-2014

FIGURE 1 TABLE PRODUCTION BY SPECIES 2005-2014.

Prices of farmed shellfish fluctuated throughout the year. Their value at first sale was estimated from the following figures (supplied by industry these vary with demand, level of production and geographical area of origin). The average price of Pacific oyster was £0.33 per shell; native oyster, £0.60 per shell; scallop, £1.29 per shell; queen scallop, £0.15 per shell and mussels £1200 per tonne. The value of the table trade is estimated from the production figures shown in Table 1 ( see page 2).

Mussel: £9.2 million
Pacific oyster: £1.1 million
Native oyster: £0.15 million
Scallop: £0.06 million
Queen: £0.003 million

The 2014 total value, at first sale for all species, was estimated at approximately £10.5 million, increase from £8.9 million in 2013.

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