Scottish Sea Farms’ Fishnish A site off Mull has achieved record results following a switch to larger pens and upgraded infrastructure.
The site replaced ten 100-meter pens with four 160-meter pens, reporting an average harvest weight of 6.8kg and improved fish welfare alongside reduced seal predation.
The £3 million investment included Midgard HDPE knotted nets, a new winch system, and a smart feeding regime. Farm Manager Alastair Fraser highlighted the operational improvements, stating: “It was night and day compared to the previous set-up: so simple, less labour-intensive, with less manual handling.”
The new winch system, operated remotely from a dedicated workboat, enhanced net control and staff safety. According to Fraser, dealing with three pens instead of ten allowed the team to complete treatments faster and maintain focus.
The combined tonnage for Fishnish A and B exceeded 4,000 tonnes, achieved despite challenges such as micro jellyfish, which impacted the sector in 2022-2023. Fraser credited the success to the larger pens, which provided lower stocking densities, improved water flow, and better oxygen levels, alongside the motorized smart feeders that ensured consistent feeding.
With the fish harvested over the summer, the team is preparing for the next cycle, aiming to roll out similar upgrades at Fishnish B and adjust the ratio of wrasse to enhance sea lice management. Fraser noted the team’s morale improved with the new approach, describing the infrastructure as transformative.
