Mowi unveils plans for Dawnfresh Loch Etive sites

Salmon farmer Mowi is consulting with the local community on plans to switch the former Dawnfresh trout farm sites on Loch Etive to growing post-smolt salmon.

Mowi acquired Dawnfresh Farming Ltd in February this year, after Dawnfresh was placed into the hands of administrators in 2022. The Dawnfresh farming operations include three hatcheries, three freshwater sites and four seawater sites. Mowi Scotland currently operates the Dawnfresh Farming company as a separate business.

The Dawnfresh sites in the brackish waters of Loch Etive, on Scotland’s west coast, have been used for raising rainbow trout. Now Mowi – which is exclusively a salmon producer – proposes to use them to grow smolts to a larger size before they are transferred to sea cages.

Mowi said: “The proposed post-smolt programme will realise a number of benefits for the salmon as well as Loch Etive and the surrounding environment”.

Typically, smolts are moved directly from freshwater hatcheries and lochs to seawater sites at a size of about 130 grams, where they are grown for 18-24 months before harvest. With post-smolt salmon, they are moved to sea when they are larger and more robust at a size of up to 1.0 kg. This reduces the on-growing time at offshore sea sites to 12 months, avoiding a second summer of warm temperatures and resulting algae blooms – as well as micro-jellyfish – that can create significant health challenges for large salmon. The lower salinity in Loch Etive also means a lower sea lice population.

Mowi said that the move to post-smolt production will mean that fallow periods can be synchronised throughout the whole loch system, which will also help to keep sea lice numbers down.

With less standing biomass on site, the company said, less feed will be used and therefore less organic waste generated which will aid in the seabed’s recovery. Harvesting operations will be eliminated which will lessen overall vessel activity on the loch.

Mowi’s production experts have reviewed several options for its post-smolt programme, including a land-based recirculation unit, and have found Loch Etive to be the most suitable considering cost and carbon footprint.

Mowi has also announced the appointment of Clara McGhee as Area Manager of Dawnfresh operations. Previously farm manager of Mowi’s 3500 tonne salmon farm at the Isle of Muck, she holds an undergraduate degree in Sustainable Development and a Masters in Sustainable Aquaculture from Stirling University.

McGhee commented: “I am excited about this opportunity for Mowi and Dawnfresh, and for me personally and professionally. I look forward to bringing all my knowledge and experience into this role and working with our new colleagues at Dawnfresh.”

Dawnfresh trout farm, Loch Etive