Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch used First Minister's Questions on Thursday the 21st of January to ask the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, if she will be providing any assistance to the folk affected by the potential 100 job losses in the coming months at Marine Harvest Scotland, the bulk of which will fall in the Highlands and Islands.

Mr Thompson said, "Marine Harvest Scotland is the largest fish farming company in Scotland and employs many in the Highlands and Islands, particularly in in Skye, Wester Ross, and Lochaber.

"I am glad the First Minister recognises the importance of the sector and is committed to engaging with Marine Harvest Scotland to ameliorate the impact of any future job losses and to discuss other job opportunities for those affected in our remote communities".

Note:

Dave's question will be available from approximately 4.30pm on Thursday 21 January at the following link:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/ReportSelectPage.aspx?type=plenary&year=2016&page=0&meeting=-1

Notes on Marine Harvest (Scotland) Ltd below

Marin Harvest (Scotland) Ltd is the largest salmon farming company in Scotland, producing more than 50,000 tonnes in 2015.

Marine Harvest was the first company in Scotland to farm Atlantic salmon and celebrated its 50th anniversary last year.

The company has four hatcheries, five freshwater loch sites and 48 sea farms, situated in the Western Isles, Skye, Argyll, Wester Ross, Inverness-shire and Lochaber. Live fish are harvested at Mallaig and processed at the Blar Mhor processing plant in Fort William. There are offices at Fort William and Rosyth.

In 2014, a new Marine Harvest salmon processing plant at Rosyth opened, producing a range of value added salmon products for the consumer market.

Marine Harvest holds the Royal Warrant for the supply of fresh farmed salmon to Her Majesty the Queen.

The company has held the prestigious Label Rouge quality accreditation in France since 1992.

The main markets for Marine Harvest fresh salmon are the UK, France, USA, Poland and China.

All Marine Harvest Farms, their harvest station and processing plant are audited and approved under the RSPCA Assured animal welfare scheme.

In 2015, Marine Harvest's Loch Leven salmon farm became the first in the UK to be accredited by the ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council).