Poll shows local support for Scottish salmon sector
A majority of people who live near salmon farms in Scotland support the sector, with the provision of local jobs seen as its most important contribution, according to a phone poll by independent pollster Ipsos Scotland.
The poll of 1,000 adults spread among Scotland’s five salmon farming areas showed that 54% of those with at least some knowledge of the sector - which was 847 of those polled - were “favourable” towards it.
Another 23% had a neutral view of the industry, while 14% said their view was mainly unfavourable and 9% said they had a very unfavourable view of the industry.
53% support and 17% oppose
The poll, commissioned by salmon industry trade body Salmon Scotland, was carried out during the first 11 days of February and sought the views of adults in Argyll and Bute, north-west Highlands, Orkney, Shetland, and the Western Isles.
In Argyll and Bute and north-west Highland, the survey sample included only those living within a 10-mile distance from a salmon farm. In Orkney, Shetland, and the Western Isles all postcodes were eligible.
Four in five (83%) said they knew at least a little about the sector, including 42% who said they knew a great deal or a fair amount.
The survey also found that 53% either strongly supported or tended to support salmon farms being located in their local area, with 30% neutral on the issue, while 17% either tended to oppose or strongly opposed the farms.
‘Earning trust’
Salmon Scotland chief executive Tavish Scott said: “This poll shows that most people living near salmon farms in rural Scotland are supportive of salmon farming and appreciate the jobs this provides,” adding that the sector supports around 10,000 jobs.
“We conducted this independent research among our neighbours as it’s important that we listen to local communities, and this confirms that local people are supportive of salmon farming.
“Salmon farmers work hard to earn and keep the trust of the local communities they live and work in. I’m confident that the farm-raised salmon sector will continue to grow responsibly and sustainably in the regions we operate in in Scotland, providing vital jobs for the local economy.”
Shetland support
People in Shetland were most in favour of the salmon industry, with 70% tending to support farms being located in their area, 24% neutral on the subject and 5% tending to oppose their presence. The percentage of surveyed people tending to oppose salmon farms being located in their area rose to 14% in Orkney, 16% in the Western isles, 23% in Argyll and Bute and 24% in the North West Highlands.
Richard Darbyshire, currently in charge of Shetland and Orkney farming for Scotland’s second largest salmon producer, Scottish Sea Farms, said the poll results showed salmon farmers were getting it right in both areas.
Referring to Shetland, he said: “The majority of Shetlanders either rely on the sea for their own livelihood or have close family members or friends who are reliant on marine-related activities, making good stewardship of our waters as instinctive as it is vital.
“These new poll results suggest that salmon farmers’ ongoing drive to farm responsibly is increasingly acknowledged and respected, which is hugely reassuring to see and serves as further motivation to keep pushing the boundaries as to what more we can do with regards to sustainable practices.”
Engaging with communities
Darbyshire added that the poll results for Orkney indicated “that more and more Orcadians are becoming aware of salmon farming – still a relatively new farming sector by Orkney’s standards – and its increasing importance both to local communities here on the islands and to wider food security”.
He continued: “Coming shortly after our inaugural Open Door Event, the results also underline the value of engaging with the communities in which we live and work in order to share details of how we farm, where we farm, and just as importantly why we farm.”
Long-term jobs
Colin Blair, managing director of Cooke Aquaculture Scotland, one of Scotland’s four high-volume salmon producers, said: “Our seawater sites are located exclusively in Orkney and Shetland and we are one of the Northern Isles’ largest employers. As a responsible salmon farmer we work hard to create long-term, well-paid coastal jobs and share prosperity in the island communities we live and work in.”
See the results of the survey below, and read more detail, including what groups are most likely oppose salmon farms and why, here.
Q: How much, if anything, would you say you know about salmon farming?
- A great deal: 13%
- A fair amount: 29%
- Just a little: 41%
- Nothing at all but have heard of it: 15%
- Haven’t heard of it: 1%
Q: Bearing in mind all that you know or have heard about it, how favourable or unfavourable are your views and opinions about salmon farming? (Base: All who know at least a little about salmon farming = 847)
- Very favourable: 21%
- Mainly favourable: 34%
- Neither favourable nor unfavourable: 23%
- Mainly unfavourable: 14%
- Very unfavourable: 9%
- Net favourable (rounded): 54%
- Net unfavourable: 23%
Q: To what extent do you support or oppose these salmon farms being located in your local area, or do you have no views either way?
- Strongly support: 27%
- Tend to support: 26%
- No views either way: 30%
- Tend to oppose: 8%
- Strongly oppose: 8%
- Don’t know: 1%
Q: What are the main reasons you support salmon farms? (Base: All those who support salmon farming = 538)
- Provide jobs for local people: 87%
- Help to improve the local economy: 38%
- Provide a high-quality product that Scotland can be proud of: 20%
- Create jobs which will bring more people to this local area: 19%
- Provide easy to access / economical food: 5%
