Loch Long’s Hawthorn moves to New Zealand

Hawthorn will be relocating to New Zealand from Scotland. He is currently Managing Director at Loch Long Salmon, the company which has been pushing to build a semi-closed containment fish farm on the west coast of Scotland.

Loch Long’s first planning application, for a fish farm on Loch Long in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, was turned down by the park authority and an appeal is currently under consideration by the Scottish Government. 

The company has been consulting with the local community on a second option, on Loch Linnhe, but has not submitted a formal application. Meanwhile the Scottish Greens have been campaigning to persuade the Scottish Government not to reverse the first planning decision.

Hawthorn has stressed that his move does not mean the Loch Long project has been shelved. He told Fish Farmer: “My dedication to the Beinn Reithe project and to Loch Long Salmon’s mission is unwavering and my relocation will not impact the delivery or success of the innovative project, which I’m confident will revolutionise Scotland’s aquaculture sector by using modern and sustainable closed-pen technology.” 

Hawthorn’s new appointment follows the announcement by Akaroa King Salmon’s CEO and Founder, Duncan Bates, that he is to step down. Bates said: “After 40 years building Akaroa King Salmon it was important to me to find the right person to lead Akaroa in the years ahead. Stewart, who I have known for more than two decades, was my preferred choice as he brings more than 35 years of farming and salmon business experience to the role.”  

Bates will remain as a partner on the board of the business.