Upgrading and modernising marine farms and shore bases, introducing more effective predator netting, adopting a unique-to-Shetland water monitoring system, and overhauling biosecurity protocols have all contributed to a significant upturn in the region’s performance.
And key to the improvement are colleagues themselves, said Shetland Regional Production Manager Richard Darbyshire.
‘One of the first things we did was establish a new management structure with two additional Area Managers and weekly meetings with all Farm Managers, to improve focus and communication.
‘Farm Managers are accountable not only for biological performance but minimising production costs too, which was new to those joining from Grieg.
‘But the teams have more than risen to the challenge. Not only have production costs reduced, but we have better survival, better growth, a lower feed conversion rate, larger average harvest weights, and happier people.’
Among the best performing farms was Coledeep in the Gonfirth area, with an average live weight increasing from 4.99kg to 5.5kg between 2022 and 2024.
‘Coledeep has never performed as well,’ said Farm Manager Laurie Manson, previously with Grieg for 12 years.
‘What’s made the biggest difference is the closer connection between the management, farm managers and health teams. The company sees where it is and where it wants to be, and has an action plan to get to that point.’
This has involved consolidating the estate; expanding some farms while resting others; investing in new pens, moorings and sinker tubes; and introducing a bespoke double netting system that has reduced seal-related fish deaths and is due to be rolled out region-wide by mid-2025.
Also upgraded is the net station, relocated to Scalloway with a new forklift, net drum and lifting beam to handle the larger nets.
Shetland Engineering Manager Keith Fraser said: ‘We now have a team of four at the purpose-built station and have been able to reduce third party expenditure and improve productivity.
‘There has also been investment in the fleet, with every boat and barge being brought up to Scottish Sea Farms standards.’
Shore bases have been upgraded too. Langa Farm Manager David Geddes and team are the proud occupants of a new base on Trondra, near Scalloway, that has made life immeasurably more comfortable.
‘It’s luxury in comparison. Even the outside which was like a bog has been drained and a new septic tank has been installed.’
Geddes, who was with Grieg for nearly 11 years, welcomes the added responsibility: ‘It’s a better way of operating, like being given the keys to your own business.’
From his shore base, he can now feed his own fish as, in another new initiative, the ex-Grieg feeding regime has been decentralised from a main hub in Lerwick, giving farm managers more control over their stocks.
Several innovations inherited from Grieg have been retained however, including the water analysis laboratory in Lerwick that collects daily samples from farms and monitors them for phytoplankton and micro jellyfish.
‘Their daily report provides an invaluable early warning system,’ said Darbyshire.
Shetland has also pioneered new biosecurity checks now being deployed cross-company.
‘With the help of Fish Health & Welfare Manager Rhanna Turberville and IT colleagues, we devised a digital table which farm managers have to complete, ensuring every boat and all equipment is properly disinfected.’
Other advances include the introduction of cleaner fish and a move to freshwater treatments for AGD and sea lice.
Area Support Manager John Blance credited the ‘knowledge exchange’ following the integration of the two companies for transforming farming operations.
‘With freshwater treatments, used first by Grieg, Scottish Sea Farms has made advances, such as investing in wellboats with reverse osmosis and fitting FLS delousing systems that halve treatment times and costs.’
Said Darbyshire: ‘There’s always room for improvement but we’ve come a long way, and the two teams are working as one to deliver some of the region’s – and company’s – best results yet.’