Feeding Time

At lunchtime I was at Landcatch Natural Selection  which produces eggs and smolts for the salmon farming industry, to present them with their Gold Investors in People Award.

I last visited the company, which is based at Ormsary , when I was Environment Minister back in 2008.   Started in 1980  by the Lithgows - very much in advance of its time - it has since been taken over by the global genetics company Hendrix and there is sizeable investment taking place.  

Salmon genetics has advanced hugely in the last thirty years as the aquaculture industry has taken root but some things are unchangeable , like the behaviour of seagulls especially when the largest fish - the broodstock - are being fed in their tanks.   The nets prevent access , but the birds are , as they say "aye hopin" and they can always scoop a little of the feed as it flies through the air.