METHODS used to manage a Lewis fish farm have been recognised for their environmental benefits at the Scottish Marine Aquaculture Awards.
A system used by Lighthouse Caledonia on Loch Roag, has scooped the 'Stewardship' award in recognition of achieving 'single loch-single company-single production cycle' status at the island loch.
Farm Manager at Loch Roag, Colin Ritchie said: "We
are delighted to receive this award as it recognises the hard work and much time involved from many people and different parties."
The company's strategy is to synchronise farming cycles and simultaneous fallowing of all sites in the loch system. To achieve this, the whole of Loch Roag was fallowed last winter for the first time in 25 years and has subsequently been restocked for harvest in 2010."
Managing Director of the company, OddGeir Oddsen added: ""This award will help to enhance the environmental, economic and social sustainability of farming in the Western Isles, as well as deliver benefits for other marine and freshwater industries."
The company closed their on-island processing factory at the end of last year with the loss of more than 100 Jobs.
The building has since lain empty and a spokesperson for the company said this week there had not been any developments regarding the sale of the facility.
