'Chris was a very decent go-to person and a friend to many. He will be greatly missed.'

Chris Hempleman, a veteran of the Scottish fish farming industry, passed away shortly before Christmas after a brief stay in hospital, it has been reported.

Hempleman, who worked for Otter Ferry Seafish, based in Tighnabruaich, Argyll, was on the point of retirement.

Otter Ferry Seafish chief Alastair Barge said in an obituary published on Fish Farmer website that Hempleman would be fondly remembered by many.

Having studied fresh water fisheries, Chris joined Glenkens Fish Farming Ltd, before moving to Otter Ferry Salmon for the first of three spells with the company.

Between 2008 and 2018, he worked for salmon farmer Scottish Sea Farms as a production biologist, heading up the use of cleaner fish for the control of lice.

In 2018, he re-joined Otter Ferry Seafish as production director, overseeing the production of both lumpfish and wrasse for the salmon industry.

'Privileged to have Chris'

“We at Otter Ferry were very privileged to have Chris working with us for more than 50% of his career,” wrote Barge.

“He was part of the team that oversaw the development of Otter Ferry, including land-based salmon, the broodstock programme, and sale of salmon eggs at home and abroad, the development of fresh water cages for salmon smolts, the early days of halibut culture, the development of cultivated wrasse and lumpfish, the teaming up with Agritech UK, and finally, the sale of the company to Amar Seafoods.

“Chris’s attributes were many, and, underpinned by his attention to detail and his awareness of both fish and human welfare, his final role of compliance advisor played to all his strengths.

“Above all, Chris was a very decent go-to person and a friend to many. He will be greatly missed.

“We remember his wife, Julie, and their families at this time.”

A service of thanksgiving will be held at Strachur Parish Church, Argyll, on Thursday, January 15, at 12.30pm.