Farm Diversification

The markets for shellfish are variable, but King scallops have the best prospects, both in the UK and Europe.

Growth areas have been in the catering sector and recipe dishes. there is still relatively low consumption in the UK (partly due to lack of familiarity in how to prepare and cook them).

Most of the exports go to Europe with France being the largest market for Scallops and fresh adn frozen produce being exported to Holland, Italy, Belgium, Spain and Germany. Can sell direct to wholesalers or fishmongers or directly to hotels and restaurants.

Food processors and manufacturers may also purchase shellfish - but consistency and quantity of supply is essential.

It is important that people contemplating a shellfish venture are aware of the significant lead time necessary for site research and for growing mollusc to market size.

The following must be considered when selecting a suitable site location - water temperature and quality; salinity (especially scallops); tidal flows; phytoplankton availability; shelter from wind and wave; predators; seabed depth (especially shore-based operations); ease of access and availability of landing sites; free from industrial and waste contamination. Spat Source.

Equipment - dependent on shellfish and system being used.

• Mussels - the most common method in Scotland is suspended culture from rafts or longlines. Growing period approximately 2 - 3 years.
• Scallops - suspended culture either in the traditional system of pearl nets and lantern or ear hanging is now being used for King scallops over 40 mm in shell height. Growing period approximately 3 - 5 years (Kings), 2 - 2.5 years (Queens) and 18 months (Princesses).
• Oysters - either on the shore or submerged. They are contained in plastic trays or bags. Growing period approximately 2 - 4 years.
• Labour - dependent on level of mechanisation and scale of enterprise can be worked on a part-time basis.

Very variable.

Mussels - rafts or longlines, moorings, mussel ropes, boat, lifting gear, declumper and grader. Small-scale, 5(100m double) headlines or 5 rafts: £34,000 - £38,000.

Scallops - longlines, moorings, spat collectors, pearl nets and lanterns. Small-scale 4(200m) longlines for Kings and Princesses: £30,400 - £34,000.

Oysters - Intertidal unit: trestles and bags, seed and part-grown stock. Small-scale 50,000 per annum: £22,500. Midwater unit: stands and trays, boat, seed and part-grown stock. Small-scale 50,000 per annum: £28,000.

Sea-bed lease from Crown Estate:
oysters: £1.50 - £3.00 per 1,000
mussels: £8 - £16 per tonne

Labour
oysters: 1.5 - 2 man days per 1,000 / annum
mussels: ~8 man days per tonne produced / annum

See oysters 10g seed @ £48 per 1,000 or 12mm seed @ £25 per 1,000 Also fuel, repairs, mussel nets, etc.

Mussels: about 2 kg per metre mussel rope after 2-3 years @ £700 - £1,300/tonne (depends if wholesale or retail)

Oysters: about 880 oysters from 1,000 10g seed after 1.5 to 3.5 years (or 700 from 1,000 12mm seed after 3-5 years) @ 15 - 25p each.

Scallops 50p each.

Queens 60p each.

The profitability of mussel and oyster production varies widely between different businesses. As mentioned above, the poor market conditions have reduced the number of profitable mussel businesses to a few of the lower cost businesses.

Oyster production has shown steadier profitability, but all shellfish production is relatively labour intensive and even profitable ventures do not generally show a high level of return for the total labour input.

Several legal requirements to be considered:

• Consent from the Crown Estate Commission to farm or harvest oysters, mussels and several other shellfish, and sea bed and sea shore leases are required for the areas you intend to use.
• A works licence from the local authority if you are in Shetland, and in much of Orkney.
• All shellfish farms must register with the Scottish Government under The Registration of Fish Farming and Shellfish Farming Businesses Amendment (Scotland) Order 2002 Onshore developments may require planning permission from the Local Authority.
• Production and sales of live bivalve mussels will come under EC legislation w.e.f. 1/1/93.

The site is all-important and if poor growth is obtained there is little point in persevering. A trial is recommended.

SAC Aberdeen - MSc / Dip. in Aquaculture Business Management Barony College, Parkgate, Dumfries DG1 3NE Tel: 01387 861251 Fax: 01387 860395 (HND, HNC, Cert. in Fisheries Studies, SVQ level 2 Fish Husbandry, Short Courses).

Stirling University - Institute of Aquaculture (MSc Aquaculture, MSc Aquatic Pathobiology, MSc Aquatic Vet Studies, BSc (hons) Aquaculture, short courses, specialist technical training).

Inverness College / Seafield Centre, Kishorn, Strathcarron, Ross-shire IV54 8XD, Tel: 01520 733 300, Fax: 01520 733262 (HNC Fish Farm Production Management, NC Fish Farming, SVQ II Fish Husbandry - distance learning, SVQ III Fish Husbandry, IT computing courses, short courses).

Institute of Fisheries Management, 31 Ferndene, Bradley Stoke, Bristol BS12 9DG, Tel: 01454 624367, Fax: 01454 624033, (Certificates in: Fish Farming, Fisheries Management, Diploma, all by correspondence).

North Atlantic Fisheries College, Port Arthur, Scalloway, Shetland ZE1 0UN Tel: 01595 880328 Fax: 01595 880549 e-mail admin@nafc.ac.uk (MSc/ PGDip Practical Mariculutre, MSc/PGDip. Fisheries Science & Technology, MSc/PGDip. Seafood Science & Technology, HNC Fish Farm Production Management, HNC Fisheries Science & Technology, Modern Apprenticeship in Fish Farming, SVQ Level II Fin Fish Husbandry, SVQ Level II-IV Fishing, NC Marine Science & Technology, Boatmaster's Licence).

Scottish Aquaculture Training Association, contact Mr. John Haig, Old Schoolhouse, Kishorn, Wester Ross, IV54 8XA Tel: 01520 733 452 Fax: 01520 733 452. The SSATA was formed in the early 1990s with the objective of improving the standards and relevance of training provision to the aquaculture industry. With support from the trade associations they aim to ensure that all levels of the industry are aware of the training opportunities which exist, and the resulting benefits. Several courses are co-ordinated by SATA, and others can be arranged. SATA undertake training needs evaluations and provide advice on specific training requirements, especially with regard to Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs).

Through the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2007-2013 funding is now available for rural businesses throughout Scotland for diversification and renewable energy projects. Specifically, support is delivered through Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities which was launched in April 2008. For further information about what support is available see the Section on Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities.