Argyll firm secures funding for halibut farming commercial development project
Otter Ferry Seafish Ltd is aiming to demonstrate that juvenile halibut can be grown successfully and commercially in sea cages in Scottish waters.
A 拢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 拢47,800 investment from 91影视 and Islands Enterprise (91影视) 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 91影视 funding will help towards the costs of the new monitoring equipment and cage adaptations. 91影视 head of business growth for Argyll and the Islands Liam Orr said:
鈥淎quaculture is a major contributor to the Argyll economy, particularly in rural areas, and Otter Ferry Seafish is a key part of this. We鈥檝e 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.
鈥淚鈥檓 delighted we鈥檝e been able to support this latest initiative and look forward to continuing our collaboration with the management team as the project progresses.鈥�
Managing director at Otter Ferry Seafish Alastair Barge said:
鈥淗alibut has been a long journey since 1991. The Argyll and the Islands team at 91影视 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 91影视 area.鈥�