The largest sector in the Western Isles economy is launching a major drive to attract more young people into a wide range of careers.

This is being spearheaded by a video and a series of special introductory days for school pupils to show them the range of skills and activities involved in aquaculture.

Mandy Macleod, general manager of the Western Isles Aquaculture Association (WIAA), said that people whose views on the industry had been formed during the initial period of fish-farming 20 years ago, often did not realise the range of skills now required and job opportunities within the industry.

Aquaculture provides jobs that involve the chance of working in other countries such as Norway and Chile.  It has a career structure from farm operatives to managing director level and it is a vital part of the Western Isles economy generating £60 million a year and supporting at least 700 jobs according to industry research.

The companies involved in the promotion include Marine Harvest, WISCO and Hebridean Fishery in Lewis, Stolt in Harris and West Minch Salmon and Marine Harvest in Uist.

A special study is being carried out by economic consultants to estimate the current contribution to the economy. In some areas of the Islands, like Harris, as many as 25 per cent of local jobs depend on aquaculture.

The first of the special open days for school pupils took place on Wednesday 4th June when 15 third year pupils from The Nicolson Institute, accompanied by teachers, spent a day on the West Side of Lewis.  They visited the hatchery and factory at Kirkibost on Great Bernera and were then taken out to salmon, mussel and halibut farms throughout Loch Roag.

They then took part in a special quiz at the Bernera community hall where lunch was provided.  Similar events are being planned for Harris and for Uist. The overall cost of the promotion is about £5,050 of which £1,000 has come from the WIAA, in addition to its work in helping arrange the event along with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's Education Department.  The remainder of the money has come from Western Isles Enterprise (WIE) and from Careers Scotland.

Included in the scheme is the creation of a visual presentation which, along with the video, will form part of a continuing drive to attract people into the industry.  They will be played at promotional events and also used by schools guidance staff, careers advisors and by aquaculture industry staff as well.

Mandy Macleod said: "Nowadays even the fish feeding element of the industry is highly sophisticated with the use of computers and biological skills.  However there is a range of other jobs available, from accountancy to truck driving, and there is a career structure which means that entrants can progress on to a variety of roles.

"The opportunities opened up by the multi-national ownership of the industry - the major companies were part of Norwegian or Dutch groups - are considerable.  There is also a number of smaller, locally owned firms still operating."

Mandy added: "Despite recent layoffs there is a skills shortage within the industry which has sometimes had to be met by employing people from the mainland, while local people perceived there were too few jobs available."

Mr Donnie Macaulay, chief executive of WIE noted the global nature of the aquaculture industry, which is encountering cyclic periods, such as the recent restructuring announcement by Marine Harvest Scotland.  He said: "Maintaining and developing aquaculture as a continued contributor to the Western Isles economy is vital.  It is very important that pupils and parents have a chance to see the variety of work available and the opportunities it affords."

The Western Isles Aquaculture Association (WIAA) serves the collective needs of aquaculture producers and related businesses in the Western Isles.  Its membership includes a number of large and small aquaculture producers who collectively grow at least 70 per cent of the total aquaculture product of the Western Isles, both finfish and shellfish.
 
Salmon production currently constitutes the major activity but halibut and other marine species are likely to be an increasing area of development in the near future. Shellfish farming is also on the increase.