The survey shows a growing workforce and increased production per head. The promising results come as Marine Harvest announce further employment in the Western Isles, confirming aquaculture as one of Scotland’s economic success stories. It is said that Marine Harvest will work with Job Centre Plus to fund and deliver pre-employment fish farm training to fill over 40 vacancies in the Western Isles once sites have been confirmed.
Experts informed that under the government led initiative, Local Employment Partnership, Job Centre Plus will help unemployed residents within the local community gain the necessary skills to apply for these jobs. Last year result shows that aquaculture continues to demonstrate a firm foundation for growth and development despite the economic backdrop.
Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham said that this is further proof that Scotland’s aquaculture is in prime position to develop and grow even further. The total level of European Fisheries Fund (EFF) investment for 2009 is over £25 million. The money is used to strengthen Scotland’s processing sector, secure jobs in remote areas, trial new technologies, improve the efficiency of the fishing industry, and enhance the nation’s reputation as a land of food and drink.
