The recently revived Western Isles Aquaculture Association (WIAA) received widespread support from leading players in the fish farming industry at a seminar in Stornoway on 18 June.

Speakers welcomed the relaunch of the association at the seminar in the Cabarfeidh Hotel, and said it would have an important role to play in the development of policy on the regional and national stage.

And delegates at the WIAA-organised meeting also heard how the development of 'new species' farming for fish such as cod, haddock and halibut is set to form a major economic boost for the Western Isles economy, creating many new job opportunities.

Richard Slaski, executive director of the British Marine Finfish Association (BMFA), said: "We welcome the commitment and enthusiasm shown by the aquaculture industry in the Western Isles to set up the WIAA, which will help ensure that debate on the future strategy for aquaculture is intelligent and informed.

"There are huge opportunities for the development of aquaculture in the Western Isles and the rest of Scotland. The BMFA has developed a carefully modelled 10-year target for growth in Scotland which predicts a first sale
production value of £100m for farmed marine fish such as cod and haddock by the end of the period, employing 600 people in high quality full-time jobs."

A key plank to the expansion strategy lies in the sustainable development of the sector and the BMFA says its members recognise that environmental protection is a priority and are currently producing a code of practice.

Brian Simpson, chief executive of Scottish Quality Salmon, said there were still good opportunities for the development of salmon farming and underlined the major economic benefits the sector brought to Scotland.

Donal Maguire of the Irish Sea Fisheries Board told the seminar: "The time is right for the Western Isles Aquaculture Association to come of age. We need strong regional representation to develop the groundswell of support from the local community which desperately needs aquaculture."

In his introductory presentation, WIAA chairman Donnie Morrison said the Association had been formed in 1992 to represent fish farming and related businesses in the Western Isles, but its activities lapsed in the mid-1990s before being formally re-established again in September 2001.

"The more people we have on board, the greater the benefits will be for everyone," he said.