Whalsay Fish Factory has only four months time to turn its dwindling fortunes round to help it bring out two new products which could help secure its long-term future. The factory is known for producing frozen salmon mainly for the European market, was mothballed after salmon supplies effectively ran out following a very cold winter in northern Europe and outbreaks of infectious salmon anaemia (ISA).
According to the company there is great hope on new products based on raw material to bring it back to prosperity before the market for frozen salmon shows signs of recovery. Council’s economic development unit has given Whalsay Fish a loan of £725,000 in July last year. Some repayments have been made to the council but the firm, owned by four fishing industry figures including Framgord’s Frank Johnson, still has over £500,000 outstanding.
Whalsay councillor Josie Simpson said the firm had been given until October to come up with a positive plan for the future. he added that as far as the Whalsay Fish Factory are concerned, we have given them breathing space of four months so Mr Johnson can put his plans into operation.
