Cooke nets £374k help from Marine Fund for waterborne feeding trial
A trial of a waterborne feeding system by salmon farmer Cooke Scotland is among 67 projects receiving financial support from Marine Fund Scotland, the Scottish Government revealed today.
This year’s awards total £14 million, First Minister John Swinney announced in Shetland, where this morning he will tour Lerwick’s daily electronic fish auction and meet the Shetland Fishermen’s Association before attending the Convention of the Highlands and Islands.
Swinney is also expected to visit Scottish Sea Farms’ salmon processing facilities later before meeting Lerwick Port Authority leadership.
The Marine Fund Scotland awards include seven to Shetland-based projects, one of which is Cooke’s trial. Cooke has been given £374,000 towards the £1.25 million cost of the trial. There is also a £641,000 grant to Blueshell Mussels in Brae towards the cost of a £1.3m project to enhance its mussel-growing process.
Feed lower down
David Brown, Shetland regional manager at Cooke Scotland, said: “We are grateful for the grant assistance which will enable us to trial and develop a new waterborne feed delivery method where rural communities such as Shetland can continue feeding the world with premium Scottish salmon.
“The health and welfare of our fish is a top priority, and the project aims to enhance their wellbeing by encouraging the salmon to feed lower down in the pens, minimising the impact from environmental challenges and wildlife, as well as reducing our energy consumption and ensuring the durability of our feed pipes.”
Wide range of projects
Swinney said: “Our island and coastal communities and the marine industries based here make a huge contribution to Scotland – not just to our economy but also to our efforts to drive innovation and sustainability.
“I’m very pleased therefore to be here in Shetland to confirm these awards to a wide range of projects, all of which have demonstrated that they will help to drive innovation in the marine sector and help sustain coastal communities.
“Over the last four years, Marine Fund Scotland has supported hundreds of pioneering projects that are already contributing to building prosperity whilst at the same time protecting the planet.”
