Aquaculture

Aquaculture produces Scotland's most valuable food export. It involves the farming or culturing of fish, molluscs, crustaceans or algae. The industry in Scotland is dominated by farming of Atlantic salmon but also has significant rainbow trout and mussel production. It is also important because of its capacity to produce food rich in omega-3 oils that help to promote health. Although much of the production is exported, aquaculture also makes an important contribution to food security.

Scotland is one of the three largest producers of farmed Atlantic salmon in the world along with Norway and Chile, and the largest in the EU.

Detailed statistics can be found in the ‘Scottish Fish Farms and Shellfish Farms, Annual Production Surveys’

Aquaculture is the world’s fastest growing food-producing sector - 17 % of global population’s intake of protein. UNFAO estimate aquaculture will provide 2/3 global food fish consumption by 2030 as wild catches level off and demand increases substantially; and the EU has committed to pursuing significant growth of the aquaculture sector to address food security challenges and support rural and coastal communities. EU Member States are required to have a Multi-Annual National Plan for Aquaculture. The UK plan and Scotland’s National Marine Plan include industry sustainable production targets to grow 210,000 tonnes marine finfish and 13,000 tonnes shellfish by 2020.