My name is Craig Grounds. I am 33 years old, live in Oban, and am a Trainee Manager at Shuna Point for Scottish Sea Farms where we grow high quality Atlantic Salmon.
I have worked here for 4 amazing years. Before that I worked for another salmon producer and on a treatment boat for another company within the aquaculture industry.
After leaving school I went to college and then Northumbria University, where I studied Physical Geography and gained a First Class Honours degree. Since joining Scottish Sea Farms I have had the privilege of studying both the SVQ3 and currently SVQ4 in Aquaculture.
These courses have been great in gaining an in depth of knowledge of aquaculture and have been really helpful to be able to study and use this knowledge first hand in my day-to-day work.
These qualifications have allowed me to progress my knowledge in Salmon farming and have given me further insight into the finer details of management and the rules and regulations involved in running a business in aquaculture.
Being paid while learning has been a massive advantage. The ability to help further my career and understanding of my job while still being able to support my family has been a real benefit to me.
Until I had moved to Scotland I had never seen or heard of Salmon farming. After asking people in the local areas what ‘those circles in the sea were?’ It piqued my interest immediately. I applied as soon as I saw a job in the industry and once accepted I have never looked back. I have always wanted to work outside. Sitting in an office was never for me and both the physical and dynamic nature of salmon farming was perfect for me.
The day of a fish farmer can vary greatly. As an industry we are constantly met with new challenges and because of this we have the ability to converse with a wide range of people including vets, environmental scientists, shareholders, students, customers, government officials and many, many more. For this crop I have taken the role of Feed Specialist. This is a new role for me within Scottish Sea Farms and involves the daily feeding of the salmon on site as well as maintaining feed equipment, monitoring environmental conditions and ensuring every fish is fed to the best of my ability. It is a challenge I am looking forward to.
As a Feed Specialist I ensure constant, effective and efficient feed practices are observed daily throughout the year but as a Trainee Manager it is also my responsibility to assist with the day to day operations on the site, working alongside the Site Manager.
Scottish Sea Farms produces high quality salmon that are sold in supermarkets nationwide, and providing a great source of healthy, lean protein to the public is very important.
I entered the industry with no skills in regards to Aquaculture whatsoever. I had never been on the sea before and aside from the odd day course fishing with my dad had never taken any interest in fish at all. Everything I learned was on the job, being taught by some amazing colleagues, managers and trainers. Learning by making mistakes and just trying to be involved in any activities on site.
I always say ‘I have the best office in the world’. In my time so far I have seen, seals, dolphins, basking sharks, minke whales and orcas to name but a few. I have experienced blazing hot days (well as hot as the West coast of Scotland can get), torrential rain, freezing cold and thunderstorms. The best (and worst) that Scotland has to offer and I am still amazed by it all. Days and experiences that are filled with memories to pass on. I absolutely love it.
I’m particularly proud of being a part of an amazing industry and winning Lantra’s ALBAS Learner of the Year Award in Aquaculture.
The environment is ever-changing and constantly throws surprises at you. I have had the opportunity with working with some amazing vets, scientists and colleagues to try to overcome these challenges and have learned a lot in the past 4 years.
There are lots of technologies involved in Salmon farming. Feed systems, environmental monitoring, health monitoring, broodstock and treatment technologies are all part of an industry that is ever growing with brilliant minds adapting and creating new and inventive ways to improve what we do and how we do it. It will be fascinating to see what the emergence of AI will bring in the near future.
From sourcing ingredients for the feed the fish are given, hybrid technologies in the boats and barges we now use and ensuring high standards of fish husbandry to leave as small an environmental imprint as possible are all ways in which we, as a company, aim to be environmentally friendly as possible. We also have farms like Dunstaffnage who have been operating at the same site for over 20 years. An amazing display of regenerative farming!
In the future, I’d like to continue working and learning and hopefully one day get the chance to run a site of my own.
If anybody is interested in the aquaculture industry but are unsure, just try it, especially the younger generation. Salmon farming can provide a dynamic, fun and well paid job and there are many organisations such as the Young Aquaculture Society that are there to help young people and provide support and advice to further career goals and development. You don’t have to have grown up around the water to be able to do what we do, so, just give it a go.