New jobs at Walls mussel firm

UP TO seven new jobs in the mussel farming industry are to be created in a remote part of Shetland thanks to an investment of almost £600,000 from the islands’ council.

Earlier this week, the council’s development committee approved a £582,530 loan to Walls based North Atlantic Shellfish to invest into the latest production and harvesting technology.

The investment comes on top of an upgrade to the family owned company’s processing factory, which has just been completed.

Managing director Richard Tait said the council loan would help the company increase production of mussels in response to strong market demand.

Mussel farming has grown into a significant player in the aquaculture scene in Shetland over the last ten years with more than half of the overall Scottish production coming from the isles.

Mr Tait said: “Our mussels are very well received and this investment enables us to service the strong demand we are seeing for our Shetland mussels.

“Our operation is based in Walls where we have built an excellent team who are dedicated to producing quality mussels.”

Development committee chairman Josie Simpson added: “This project is in line with our priority to produce top quality seafood products with the Shetland brand and to encourage sustainable growth in Shetland’s aquaculture industry.

“The business is strengthening the community of Walls through the creation of seven new jobs, which is additional to the 17 jobs that it already provides.“

North Atlantic Shellfish sells its mussels through the Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group, a marketing co-operative based at Bellshill, Lanarkshire