It is informed that the outbreak of Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA) in Shetland has marred the development for small and mid-sized fish farming companies. It is intended that some of the money will be used to compensate QA Fish, a small independent Shetland company, after its healthy fish were caught up in movement restrictions imposed to allow the control and eradication of ISA from Shetland.
According to the local news agency the European Fisheries Fund resources will also be made available to other small and medium-sized enterprises which have been affected, for example those which were due to sell smolts into the south-west of Shetland but now can’t because of the need for a fallow period. The details of this scheme will be announced shortly.
It is informed that the Shetland Islands Council will also continue to work with the Scottish Government to financially assist affected Shetland businesses. The total value of the package is approximately £1.5 million. Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham said that salmon farming is a vital part of the economy in many remote and rural communities in Scotland. The industry supports about 5,000 direct and indirect jobs in Scotland, including those in salmon processing, and its output has a value of about £324 million.
She also told that the package of financial support we have announced today will help the affected businesses stay on their feet, which is particularly important in the current economic climate. Shetland Island Council Development Committee Chairman Josie Simpson said that the aquaculture industry is a very important part of the Shetland economy and we will work with the Scottish Government to support the businesses which operate in Shetland.
