The new smolt recirculation unit at Lochailort will be built on a site that has a long history in aquaculture as it was where the first farmed salmon was grown in the early 1970s.
The 150,000 sq ft building will provide Atlantic salmon smolts that are then transferred to Marine Harvest sites across Scotland to grow into full sized salmon.
More than 100 people will be employed during construction. Given the area’s environmental sensitivity, particular attention will be paid to minimising disruption during construction.
Robertson regional managing director Frank Reid for said: “Scottish salmon is one of the country’s greatest modern day success stories and we are delighted that we have been chosen to build this impressive new facility. We have the same passion for delivering high quality as Marine Harvest and look forward to working in partnership with them to deliver this project.”
The new building is part of Marine Harvest’s planned expansion in Scotland to increase production by 50%. Managing director Alan Sutherland said: “We are investing a total of £16m in this new facility as part of a major expansion in Scotland to meet demand. Scottish salmon is sought after all over the world and new markets, such as China, are emerging all the time. We need to increase production to meet the needs of customers who recognise the high quality of the salmon we produce. “Lochailort is the birthplace of fish farming in Scotland so it is fitting that this is the location for our new smolt facility,” he said
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