Trip to salmon farm has given me much deeper understanding, says MSP
Visit to Cooke site 'essential to appreciating the scale, diversity and potential of the sector'
A Highlands and Islands MSP says she has a greater understanding of the challenges facing salmon farming and the opportunities it creates after visiting a Shetland salmon farm and talking with the people who work there.
Morven-May MacCallum visited Cooke Scotland’s Burrastow farm off Shetland’s west mainland with Liberal Democrat colleague Alistair Carmichael, MP for Orkney and Shetland and chair of Westminster’s Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee.
Cooke’s local site team welcomed the politicians on to the pens to take a closer look at the day-to-day work involved in producing Scottish salmon in the Northern Isles.
The company said it was also an opportunity to discuss the future of aquaculture in Shetland, including the importance of attracting and retaining skilled people and continuing to invest in technology and farming practices to prioritise fish health and welfare.
Salmon farming contributes £91 million a year to the Shetland economy, supporting around 1,000 jobs across the Northern Isles.
MacCallum said: “Visiting the farm with Cooke and speaking directly with the people who work here has given me a much deeper understanding of both the challenges facing salmon farming and the opportunities it creates.”
The MSP, who is a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Social Justice, Housing and Local Government Committee, added: “It was particularly interesting to hear of the investment in innovation and changes to equipment which are making job roles more accessible, and it was encouraging to see how more women and people from different backgrounds are entering the industry.
“These visits are essential to appreciating the scale, diversity and potential of the sector, as well as its importance to jobs and communities across Shetland.”
A chance to talk
Burrastow site manager Erik MacMillan led the visit last Saturday alongside Cooke’s Shetland regional manager David Brown.
“It was a pleasure to welcome Alistair and Morven-May to Burrastow, show them around the farm and introduce them to the vital work our team carries out every day,” said MacMillan.
“Visits like this create a valuable opportunity for open conversation where we can explain what we do, answer questions, and demonstrate the care and professionalism involved in looking after our fish.”
