Salmon farming anchors many rural communities, survey concludes
Minister backs findings of report commissioned by industry body
The important role that salmon farming plays in sustaining small rural and coastal communities has been highlighted in a report commissioned by trade body Salmon Scotland and presented to the Scottish Government’s agriculture, marine, and islands minister Jim Fairlie.
Analysis from AECOM of the role of salmon farming in Scotland’s communities found it significantly supports the economic and social fabric of the country’s rural, coastal and island communities.
The report found salmon farming helped sustain school rolls, teaching posts, and local shops and businesses.
The study involved interviews with community representatives, a survey of salmon farmers and supply chain organisations. Four of Scotland’s five salmon producers – Mowi, Bakkafrost, Scottish Sea Farms, and Cooke, which between them produced 97% of Scotland’s salmon last year – responded to the survey, although only 20% of suppliers responded.
Five communities
A total of five communities were selected as case studies, chosen for their rural or coastal location to achieve a good geographical spread and their degree of integration with salmon farming activity. The case study communities were: Unst and Yell (Shetland); Muck (Inner Hebrides); Drimnin (Highlands); Uist (Na h-Eileanan Siar / Western Isles); Eday and Westray (Orkney).
Salmon farming acts as key anchor industry in many remote and island communities, particularly in places where year round employment is scarce.
AECOM researchers said: “Salmon farming acts as key anchor industry in many remote and island communities, particularly in places where year round employment is scarce.”
More than 350 employees were recruited locally by salmon farmers in 2025, and 139 apprenticeships were delivered.
On the Isle of Muck, salmon farming has swelled the population to 35, and directly employs a third of the people, which the report found helps to “sustain year-round local services and economic activity”.
Sustaining schools
Interviewees in island communities such as Uist and Westray in Orkney stressed the importance of salmon farming in “sustaining schools, attracting younger families and supporting long term viability”.
At least 20 pupils at the primary school in Westray are children of salmon farm workers, and teaching posts have been added in Orkney due to increased demand.
All surveyed salmon farming companies operate community benefit funds. Collectively, these funds distributed between approximately £383,000 and £784,000 per year across Scotland between 2020 and 2025, supporting community halls, sports clubs, schools, cultural events and essential infrastructure.
The report found investment by salmon farmers has had a “transformative impact” on rural communities such as Drimnin, on the Morvern peninsula in the Highlands, where broadband funding has improved community resilience, enabled locals to work from home and helped local businesses to prosper, including the local distillery.
One local community member in the village told researchers: “Without Scottish Sea Farms, the 50-60 households who rely on the internet would not be getting this service.”
'The lifeblood of communities'
Salmon Scotland chief executive Tavish Scott said: “This report shows that farm-raised salmon is the lifeblood of many of Scotland’s coastal, rural, and island communities, supporting thousands of well-paid jobs, and sustaining a supply chain in local areas and across the country.”
Fairlie, who was given the report while visiting Scottish Sea Farms’ processing facility in Gremista, Shetland, said: “Seeing first-hand the skill, dedication, and innovation across the industry reinforces just how important it is that we continue to back this sector. Apprenticeships and training opportunities are helping to build a skilled workforce rooted in our island and coastal communities.
“It's not just about economic growth, it's about giving people in our rural and island communities the opportunity to build careers and futures where they live.”
A visible presence matters
Dr Eva Kleinert, social and equality impacts lead at AECOM, said: “Drawing on interviews, survey evidence and case studies, this research found that many communities view salmon farming as an important source of employment, investment and support for local services.
“The findings highlight the significant role the sector can play in helping remote and island communities remain economically and socially resilient.”
AECOM’s report highlighted that community confidence in the sector is strongest where there is visible presence, long-standing local management and local employment, evidenced in rural areas such as Orkney.
But more can be done by the sector to publicise the benefits it provides.
Some community representatives were not aware of investment in local transport infrastructure by the local salmon farmers, suggesting this funding could be more widely publicised
“Salmon farmers publish a wide range of granular data and information on fish health, environmental performance, and regulatory compliance, on publicly available online sources,” wrote AECOM. “In some cases, community members were not aware of this, and therefore, additional promotion and communication from the industry on how local people can access environmental information would be beneficial.”
Helping people move
The same was true of transport-related support provided by salmon farmers to local communities in 2025, particularly in highland and island areas during periods of severe weather. Support included road and ferry infrastructure, emergency and community transport, logistics assistance and use of company vehicles.
“Some community representatives were not aware of investment in local transport infrastructure by the local salmon farmers, suggesting this funding could be more widely publicised,” reported AECOM.
Pay rates
The survey also looked at pay in the industry.
According to the report, the average industry salary in 2024 was £44,539, around 16% above the Scottish median, and more than 90% of the industry pays all staff at least the UK Real Living Wage, which is £13.45 per hour for 2025/26.
According to responses to the AECOM survey analysis, current pay for farm staff ranges from £26,000 to £39,000 per year, while farm managers are paid between £45,000 and £65,000.
Those working in environment and fish health earn between £35,000 and £50,000, while those in processing and logistics are paid between £26,000 and £45,000 p.a.
Technical and engineering jobs pay between £41,000 and £55,000, and roles in support and administration pay £45,000 to £48,000.
Sector employees tend to stay in their jobs, with long-term average tenure ranging from 6.5 to 9.5 years for salmon farmers, and 4.5 to 12 years for suppliers. The sector has a low staff turnover of 14–26%.
