FOUR leading Argyll and Bute aquaculture companies have been short-listed for the prestigious 2007 Aquaculture Today - Fit for the Future Awards, which will be announced in Edinburgh, in April.

Scottish Sea Farms, Kames Marine Fish Farm, Caledonian Oyster Company and Loch Striven Mussel Farm have all been recognised for their leading roles in the aquaculture industry.

Nominated in the Finfish category, South Shian-based Scottish Sea Farms was recognised for its high standards in fish farm husbandry and production technique. The company uses the latest equipment and technology to farm salmon in an environmentally responsible manner.

Commenting, Jim Gallagher, Managing Director of Scottish Sea Farms, said: “This recognition reflects our continued passion to produce a superior quality healthy salmon that exceeds the exacting standards of today’s knowledge conscious consumer.

“This would not be possible without the unrelenting efforts and contributions from all the team at SSF.”

Also nominated in the Finfish category was Kilmelford-based Kames Marine Fish Farm. Around £500,000 worth of damage was caused, and 15,000 halibut were released from their cages during a raid on the farm, which was allegedly carried out by animal rights activists, last September. Despite this major setback, Kames has vowed to continue producing halibut in a sustainable manner using a welfare-friendly method.

Owner Stuart Cannon said: “We are delighted and very pleased that we have been nominated and would like to share it with all our staff – it’s a great morale boost to them.

“We all try very hard, particularly in the face of adverse conditions and events that seem to work against us. This nomination boosts morale enormously and we hope we are successful.”

Connel-based Caledonian Oyster Company has been short-listed in the Shellfish category. As one of the biggest oyster farms in Scotland, it is credited with significantly increasing the market for Scottish oysters.

The company is owned and personally run by Hugo and Judith Vajk, who farmed oysters in France and the Channel Isles before returning to Scotland in 1995.

Commenting, Hugo Vajk said that after 20 years in business they are still “always passionate about oysters”.

Jim McLachlan, owner of Loch Striven Mussel Farm, based near Dunoon, was also short-listed for his contribution to the shellfish sector. An engineer and toolmaker by trade, Mr McLachlan also owns Xplora, a manufacturer of mussel farming equipment. He has developed a mussel ladder system which is easier to install and harvest than conventional ropes and his farm has significantly increased its production since changing to the new design.

Commenting, Mr McLachlan said: “It’s great to be nominated for this award. It’s an exciting time for the shellfish industry and it’s a real pleasure to be part of it.

“Over the past seven years we have designed and implemented a brand new type of mussel ladder system as well as developing a new netting system to protect from eider ducks. Both have been proven to give fantastic results, not just on our own farm, but for many other farms in Scotland and also in Norway. We have also received high levels of interest from as far away as Chile, Canada and Denmark.”

The awards cover four categories: Finfish (supported by Landcatch Natural Selection); Shellfish (supported by The Sea Fish Industry Authority); Innovation (supported by FISHupdate) and Contribution to Aquaculture (supported by Fish Farmer).

Commenting, Aquaculture Today chairman Bob Kennedy said: “The response to our awards has been tremendous and is a graphic illustration of both the diversity and increasing maturity of the aquaculture sector. The nominees are an impressive representation of an industry that is going places.”

The winners will be announced at a special gala industry awards dinner at the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa on April 18. At this special event, the Crown Estate will also announce its annual salmon fish farming awards shortlist. Aquaculture Today 2007 runs from April 17-19 and is the UK’s leading aquaculture conference.

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