News / Cooke swallows last independent salmon farms
COOKE Aquaculture has acquired the last independently-owned salmon farming operation in Shetland.
One of Scotland’s leading aquaculture companies, Cooke Aquaculture has bought over Balta Island Seafare Ltd., which has salmon farms around the islands of Yell and Unst.
Following the acquisition of Yell-based Thompson Bros. Salmon Ltd. in August 2015, it gives Cooke Aquaculture a monopoly on the management of farmed salmon in the North Isles.
The three farm sites encompass over 1,000 tonnes of salmon production, and a Cooke spokesman said the company was pleased to have taken over the Baltasound-based firm.
“Balta operates in a separate management area to Unst and Yell, which will help Cooke reduce biological risks as well as provide the company with flexibility and synergies in production,” the spokesman said.
“This additional production will protect jobs in the area and support investments in other aspects of the business, including processing.”
The spokesman said the purchase was “consistent with Cooke Aquaculture’s focus on vertical integration and diversification in terms of geography, products and markets”.
He added: “Cooke’s strategy has been to achieve growth through acquisitions and organic growth that is both sustainable and responsibly managed to meet a growing global demand for healthy, fresh seafood.”
Balta Island Seafare has been producing fish since 1987 and from 1998 worked with the Skaw Smolts hatchery to produce organically-certified salmon.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.