Marine Harvest already has farms located in the surrounding area. With the Lewis Salmon being located on the East coast of the Outer Hebrides, the takeover will also help Marine Harvest have greater control over the management of the health of salmon at its nearby sites.
Alan Sutherland, Managing Director of Marine Harvest Scotland explained, a major reason for the purchase is to maintain fish health: “We operate a very strict regime on our farms to avoid the risk of spreading infection or sea lice. For this to be effective, it’s best if we can manage all the farms within a particular loch. By purchasing Lewis Salmon we can grow the fish and fallow sites in a way which protects fish welfare and maintains the high quality of the salmon."
Mr Sutherland continued: "Amongst the assets which have been purchased for an undisclosed sum, are two fish farm sites at Loch Leurbost, including Crown Estate leases and SEPA discharge consents. The pens, nets, vehicles and other equipment were also included in the sale together with the fish, which have since been harvested."
The farm is now to lie fallow for a while before being restocked at a later time to fit in with the other farms in the area. The site currently produces around 600 tons.
The purchase of the site will also help secure existing jobs in the area.
Mr Sutherland added: “We’ve been salmon farmers in the Outer Hebrides for a long time now and we’re proud to grow our salmon in such pristine waters and also to employ local people in what are often fragile, rural economies. The purchase of Lewis salmon will help to secure existing jobs in the area and allow us to continue to grow salmon of outstanding quality.”
