Triumph in the face of adversity
The company's Q1 report, released yesterday, reveals that harvest volumes in Q1 2015 were 6,261 tonnes – up from 6,004 for the same quarter in 2014, despite a jellyfish outbreak and losing 12 days to storms at the company’s northern sites.
Following the publication of the results, Managing Director, Craig Anderson, told Fish Farming Expert: “We take all adverse weather conditions very seriously and have rigorous plans in place to ensure we continue to operate ensuring maximum attention to the health and wellbeing of our fish, continuity of supply and minimise any weather-related impacts.
EBIT before fair value biomass adjustment was £0.75/kg – double that experienced during Q4 2014 and higher than the £0.68/kg achieved in Q1 2014.
This is in spite of a number of logistical issues involving wellboats and biological challenges during the quarter. There were particular challenges at one of the company’s northern sites as a result of a Pelagia noctiluca (mauve stinger) event.
As Anderson observes: “The occurrences of jellyfish and other sea life that can negatively impact our fish are very sporadic and difficult to predict. We have an excellent animal husbandry record and put strict health management practices at the forefront of our efforts for rearing high quality salmon to address any of these environmental impacts should they occur. We closely monitor our sites on a daily basis where comprehensive visual, mechanical and technical checks are carried out.”
Following the £9.1m spent in 2014, capital investment in Q1 2015 has focused on building the infrastructure to support new sites. The company has invested £2.5m, of a total of £4m, in three new feed barges and preparations are underway for new sites, off Harris, to become operational in the course of the year, meaning that production volumes are likely to continue increasing, much to Anderson’s delight.
“We continually invest and innovate across our business to improve and develop the methods of rearing, farming and marketing our salmon both locally and internationally. By adopting industry leading animal husbandry and rearing techniques, as well as implementing extensive staff training programmes we can maximise our strength and grow our business sustainably in our existing areas, as well as looking at potential new sites in Scotland,” he explains.
Another reason to be cheerful is offered by the company’s increasingly international outlook, helped by their presence at numerous trade shows including, most recently ,Seafood Expo Global in Brussels.
“We continue to focus on building strong customer relationships with a greater focus this year on raising the profile through trade exhibitions, of which Brussels is absolutely key. The interest and feedback in Brussels was very positive,” he reflects.
