Scotland had record salmon harvest last year
Volume was slightly above previous high in 2019 but mortality rate also increased
The volume of Atlantic salmon harvested in Scotland last year was a record-high 205,393 tonnes (live weight), according to newly published statistics from the Scottish Government.
That volume was 13,264 tonnes (7%) more than in 2020, and 1,512 tonnes more than the previous volume record of 203,881 tonnes achieved in 2019. This year’s volume is predicted to be lower, at 189,693 tonnes.
The figures in the Scottish Fish Farm Production Survey 2021 also showed that the smolt survival rate for the 2019 input year class decreased to 74.4%, down from 77.5% for the 2018 input year class.
More smolts
The total number of smolts produced in 2021 increased by 0.7 million (1%) to 51.2 million. Projections for 2022 suggest that more smolts will be produced than was seen in 2021, followed by a further increase in 2023.
Last year 60% of ova were supplied from foreign sources with remaining 40% being derived from Great Britain broodstock, an increase of 199% on the 2020 figure.
The total number of staff employed in marine salmon production during 2021 decreased by 135 to 1,495 staff, and mean productivity increased from 117.9 tonnes to 137.4 tonnes per person.
One escape
There was one salmon escape resulting in the loss of 19,686 fish. Although the survey does not identify companies, this corresponds to the escape from Mowi Scotland’s exposed Hellisay site, Barra, during storms in February last year.
Production tonnage of rainbow trout increased by 8% in 2021 to 8,156 tonnes, the second highest level of rainbow trout production recorded in Scotland.
Brown and sea trout production decreased from 24 tonnes in 2020 to 23 tonnes in 2021.
