An assessment of the benefits to Scotland of aquaculture

Scottish aquaculture production is a pillar of rural industry in Scotland, and provides considerable benefit for fragile economic areas. Further, through its supply chain providing demand for feed, research, engineering, and downstream logistics and processing opportunities, it provides employment and revenue for a diverse range of sectors throughout Scotland. This assessment, commissioned by Marine Scotland and Highlands and Islands Enterprise between July-December 2013, describes these benefits through the industry’s economic contribution including social, environmental, human, financial and physical capital.

Analysis was split into four work packages: a macro-level industry assessment; a Market Systems Approach analysing the whole market; a Sustainable Livelihoods Approach using a combination of interviews and questionnaires to investigate sustainability and benefits to communities; and a Value Matrix to summarise all available benefits provided by the aquaculture industry.