‘World class’ Marine Harvest facility
Marine Harvest is building a new ‘world class’ smolt hatchery in Lochailort, Scotland, which is expected to be finished next year.
The development will be one of the biggest facilities of its kind in the world.
Scottish Environment Minister, Paul Wheelhouse visited the site this week and said that he is pleased that Marine Harvest is demonstrating its high environmental standards through plans for this facility.
"The aquaculture industry makes an important economic contribution, particularly in remote communities such as the Fort William area, bringing investment and jobs to rural Scotland. Indeed, Marine Harvest employed 367 people in Scotland last year,” he said.
"Businesses like Marine Harvest deliver high quality seafood products that are highly sought after around the world. New markets are opening up, particularly in the Far East, as demonstrated by this visit from a Chinese delegation.
"I want fish farming to have a long-term future in Scotland, with companies continuing to invest. That’s one of the reasons for the introduction of the Aquaculture and Fisheries Bill [introduced to the Scottish Parliament on 3 October]. The Bill will support the aquaculture industry’s ambitions for sustainable growth, with due regard to the marine environment."