In the face of severe shortages, the industry needs to have more options' Farmed haddock viability trials supported by M&S Marks and Spencer is backing a ground-breaking project to test the commercial viability of farming haddock. The £630,000 three-year project will develop production techniques and deliver 50 tonnes of cultivated haddock for market trials. Led by the Sea Fish Industry Authority (Seafish), the impetus for this multi-partner programme came initially from the fish processing sector in the north east of Scotland, which is facing severe shortages of locally landed fish. The project is part-funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise with supporting funding and in-kind contributions by M&S, Fisher Foods, and EWOS and Aquascot. Malcolm Gillespie, head of Seafish Aquaculture, said: "Declining wild stocks, rising prices and reduced quotas mean the cultivation of haddock has become a more attractive commercial prospect. "We consume over 52,000 tonnes of haddock in the UK each year, the majority of which is imported. If successful, this project will pave the way for farmers to complement the domestic fishery with a home-grown product." HIE Chief Executive Sandy Cumming said: "The industry needs to have more options, which is why we've been supporting research into rearing alternative species such as haddock, halibut and cod. "A project such as this is crucial in demonstrating the true commercial potential of a new species." Steve Foster, procurement director at Fisher Foods, which processes 25% of the UK's North Sea haddock quota, said: "This is a good example of a total supply chain partnership involving processor, supplier and customer." The haddock project builds on the success of earlier pioneering work by Seafish in halibut and cod cultivation. A successful three-year pilot project, with funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, M&S and seafood industry partners including Aquascot, resulted in the first 10 tonnes of UK farmed cod going on sale in January 2000 with a further 40 tonnes due to be produced this year. {{M/E MEAT }}

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