Scallop Ranching in NW Highlands

Good luck with your venture. Anything that reduces dredging can't be bad, so it has my vote.
I used to know the chap who farmed scallops in Crinan bay. A sad tale. I'm sure he used to get his stock from Ireland. They grew well, but he was hit by a pollution ban a few times. He used to take me out on his sea truck for a pick your own session, as long as I brought back more starfish than scallops.
 
Sorry if I've missed this somewhere on your website or the previous couple of pages of posts. What do you want the money for? To get the initial investment so that you can kick-start the process using the Norwegian hatchery, or to set up your own hatchery on the west coast of Scotland? The latter would be a bigger plan but much more desirable in the long-term so that more people can be employed in this country. It may help your bid if you're more specific with what the money would be used for (just tell me I'm an idiot and accept my apologies if I missed something obvious).
Anything that can create west coast employment without filling the sea or land with effluent gets my vote. Whatever you're looking to invest the money in, good luck.
 
Sorry if I've missed this somewhere on your website or the previous couple of pages of posts. What do you want the money for? To get the initial investment so that you can kick-start the process using the Norwegian hatchery, or to set up your own hatchery on the west coast of Scotland? The latter would be a bigger plan but much more desirable in the long-term so that more people can be employed in this country. It may help your bid if you're more specific with what the money would be used for (just tell me I'm an idiot and accept my apologies if I missed something obvious).
Anything that can create west coast employment without filling the sea or land with effluent gets my vote. Whatever you're looking to invest the money in, good luck.

Hi Feugh, We currently use the Norwegian hatchery as it's the only one in the world but the Marine Biologist who runs it wants to move the operation over here as we just recently acquired the use of an ex Marine Scotland research facility in the loch which will become our Hatchery facility in Scotland (assuming we get the funding for electricity and wages), which will give us the ability to get some much needed jobs up here. Don't worry about asking any questions bud as yourself and others have shown us that our current promotional video could use a bit of tweaking to give a bit more info on how we see the project progressing into the future.
 
Hi Feugh, We currently use the Norwegian hatchery as it's the only one in the world but the Marine Biologist who runs it wants to move the operation over here as we just recently acquired the use of an ex Marine Scotland research facility in the loch which will become our Hatchery facility in Scotland (assuming we get the funding for electricity and wages), which will give us the ability to get some much needed jobs up here. Don't worry about asking any questions bud as yourself and others have shown us that our current promotional video could use a bit of tweaking to give a bit more info on how we see the project progressing into the future.

If you're looking at tweaking the video, then can I perhaps suggest you include something more about the benefits of the scheme? Of course there are the delicious scallops, but those are going to be sold for a profit, so perhaps something about the creation of local employment, the cleaning of the seabed, sustainability, etc.

Some of the other projects I looked at were more focused on benefitting the community, so if you're not careful yours might seem like just a commercial venture - in which case the argument used against you could be "go to the bank or find commercial backers".

I didn't research it, but do they outline the criteria that they're looking for in finding the winner?

Just a thought.
 
there was a hatchery set up at Ardtoe ,a few years back , that ran into problems and closed , the Norwegians have snapped up salmon licences in shetland to allow them to expand there salmon industry , and shell fish licences have been turned over to fin fish farming , the Norwegians are great lads and know there marine stuff , there are no fly's on them when it comes to rounding up licencing the amount of money they offer melts hearts of stone,nevertheless they are a main employer in Shetland from salmon hatchery through to packed fish .So the set up of a hatchery on the west coast for scallops could grow into a big thing for you ,or Norway
 
I love scallops , dont eat them enough ...& I've seen the damage traveling them does ...
Really hope this flys for you all

Paul
 
Hi Folks, Thanks for all of your support it's been great and you have really helped us on our way to realising our dream. There's only a couple of days of voting left and if you know of anyone else who would like to vote please pass it on. Over the last week we have been not only been canvassing for the PitchtoRich but carrying on operations on the Longlines by changing out the lanterns we use to hold the young scallops so I thought some of you might like to see a couple of pics of what we've been up too.

Many thanks,

Phil
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Just been & voted, watched the great vid, ...Just wish this sort of thing had been around years ago when I was diving at least six days a week. P.A.D.I. Divemaster / R.Y.A. power boat Adv L2.
 
Just been & voted, watched the great vid, ...Just wish this sort of thing had been around years ago when I was diving at least six days a week. P.A.D.I. Divemaster / R.Y.A. power boat Adv L2.

Sorry to hijack the thread but is a PADI accepted now as a competent diver ? It was just coming in as I packed up diving and back then no one would dive with a padi qualified buddy. The qualification was rushed through and you could be a padi diver in a couple of weeks, they didn't allow time for gaining experience.
 
You have my wholehearted wish for success with your venture. My vote is cast and should you require any product tasters please don't hesitate to contact me.
 
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