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The place of fish farming in the highlands and islands of Scotland
Author(s) -
McCunn A. E.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
journal of applied ichthyology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.392
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1439-0426
pISSN - 0175-8659
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0426.1989.tb00494.x
Subject(s) - aquaculture , agriculture , fish farming , fishery , population , production (economics) , fish <actinopterygii> , geography , agricultural economics , agricultural science , biology , ecology , economics , demography , macroeconomics , sociology
Summary The population of the Scottish Highlands and Islands had been in a steady decline because of a lack in employment opportunities. Under strong encouragement by the Highlands and Islands Development Board, salmon farming has been a significant factor in reversing this decline. In 1988, aquaculture development in Scotland exceeded 20,000 tonnes of salmon, and provided about 1,600 jobs in fish farming, 120 jobs in feed production, and another 1,800 jobs in processing; it is estimated that over 5,000 people are employed in activities serving aquaculture. The spin‐off effects of this development are analyzed in detail. Aquaculture production is compared to the “hands on” value of other industries in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland; worth over £ 80,000,000 at the farm gate, salmon farming ranks alongside beef production and white fish in economic value. A salmon production of 60,000 tonnes is predicted for 1990. Taking the expansion of the salmon industry and other aquaculture activities into account, the calculated impact zone covers about 480 ha only and will occupy only about 0.01 % of national scenic areas. Future prospects in the industry as well as user‐conflicts are discussed.