Argyll firm secures funding for halibut farming commercial development project

A £97,400 aquaculture research and development project in Argyll, is aiming to demonstrate that juvenile halibut can be grown successfully and commercially in sea cages in Scottish waters.

The project is being led by Otter Ferry Seafish Ltd, which has secured up to £47,800 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) towards total project costs.

The project will see a population of 45000 halibut, which have been reared at Otterferry  on land for two years to an average weight of 1kg, being transferred to specially adapted  cages in Loch Melfort for  the second half of their life cycle to harvest after18 months.

Beyond the very early delicate larval stages Halibut is a particularly robust species and well suited to marine farming.

Otter Ferry Seafish Ltd, under the new ownership of Amar Seafoods, has increased its production of juvenile halibut over the past year after developing its hatchery facilities, including new tanks and more advanced controls, lighting, and improved water filtration.

Through this new 24-month project the company will retain fish in tanks at Otter Ferry and monitor and compare the growth and survival parameters of the corresponding fish   in the cages at Loch Melfort. In addition, the project will help develop and test specialist equipment and monitoring systems, and apply practical knowledge needed to address technical challenges under real operating conditions.

The HIE funding will help towards the costs of the new monitoring equipment and cage adaptations. HIE head of business growth for Argyll and the Islands Liam Orr said:

“Aquaculture is a major contributor to the Argyll economy, particularly in rural areas, and Otter Ferry Seafish is a key part of this. We’ve worked with the company for some time now during which it has progressed strongly and shown strong potential for further growth through innovation and research, which will also benefit the wider industry.

“I’m delighted we’ve been able to support this latest initiative and look forward to continuing our collaboration with the management team as the project progresses.”

Managing director at Otter Ferry Seafish Alastair Barge said:

“Halibut has been a long journey since 1991. The Argyll and the Islands team at HIE have accompanied us and supported us along the way. With the added help of new owners Amar, this project represents major traction in the development of the sustainable production of Halibut in the HIE area.”