Faroe Islands-based salmon processing major Bakkafrost is considering the closure of two sites in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides.
The shuttering of facilities at Marybank and Arnish would impact around 80 jobs.
Bakkafrost said the proposed move is due to the majority of its fish being harvested in the first part of the year.
In a statement sent to Just Food, a spokesperson for Bakkafrost Scotland said: “I can confirm we are considering a temporary, but extended, closure of our facilities at Marybank and Arnish in Stornoway, affecting around 80 jobs.
“As our communicated plans, the business has harvested the majority of our production in the first part of the year and there will be minimal harvesting activity over the next 18 months in the north. This is due to stocking timing and locations.
“Our board has been forced to consider extremely difficult scenarios in order to future-proof the business and secure our remaining staff across Scotland. One of the scenarios proposed is that we close the Arnish Harvest Station and the Marybank Processing Facility, for an extended period.
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“We intend to start a period of collective consultation with those potentially affected and hope to complete this over the coming weeks.”
Western Isles SNP politican Alasdair Allan told media outlets that, as Bakkafrost is one of the biggest employers in the area, losing so many jobs would be “devastating”.
In May, Bakkafrost announced its results for Q1, 2024, which revealed the bulk of its revenues – DKK1.59bn ($232.9m) came from its Faroes Islands operation with Scotland operation revenues of DKK612m down from DKK708m a year previously.
CEO Regin Jacobsen said at the time: “We are satisfied with our strong results in the first quarter 2024 – especially in the Faroe Islands.”
Bakkafrost describes itself as the largest fish farming company in the Faroe Islands, the second largest in Scotland and the third largest in the world.
