Harris organic salmon hatchery expands

A Harris based aquaculture business is expanding its operations in order to increase production of organic salmon in the Outer Hebrides.

With financial backing from HIE Innse Gall as well as with his own resources, Paul Finnegan who has operated Meavag Fish Farming Ltd for the past year is investing in upgraded facilities and new equipment for his salmon hatchery business.

Paul has over 20 years experience in aquaculture and recently moved to the Isle of Scalpay, Harris from Uist in order to dedicate time to develop his business growing Atlantic salmon fry at his base in Meavag, South Harris.

The largest independent organic salmon growing company in the Outer Hebrides - West Minch Salmon Ltd - has approached Paul with a plan to use its hatchery facilities and services in Harris for initial incubation development.

West Minch Salmon Ltd was established in 1985 as a fish farm on the Isle of Benbecula by Angus Macmillan, a native of Uist. The organic salmon farming company currently produces around 1,200 tonnes of fish annually and is a major employer in the Outer Hebrides employing 65 people throughout the islands.

Work has begun on the hatchery facility at Meavag which was developed on an existing redundant hatchery infrastructure and has been upgraded with a polytunnel type building and installation of a back-up generator, providing the site with emergency power. Additional equipment consisting of a recirculation unit and an automated monitoring system is required to improve efficiency of the end product, following egg incubation.

Extending and upgrading the premises at Meavag will meet West Minch Salmon's increased market demand for their products since the company propose to increase organic production of salmon to 1,800 tonnes per annum.

Paul Finnegan said: "Expanding the premises in Meavag will help the business meet the needs of its primary customer's increase in their market and I am grateful for the funding HIE Innse Gall has provided to help make this development possible."

Angus Macmillan of West Minch Salmon said: "The organic salmon sector is a niche marketing opportunity for West Minch Salmon and the Hebrides. These specialist facilities give the additional control of the early production cycle of organic salmon and we are please that HIE Innse Gall have assisted this project."

Donnie Macaulay, area director for HIE Innse Gall said: "Maintaining and developing aquaculture as a major contributor to the Outer Hebrides economy is vital. Salmon markets are buoyant currently and this development in Harris will help the sector in the Outer Hebrides continue to operate in a sustainable manner - maintaining employment in remote areas and expanding the market."