Production of Atlantic salmon by Scottish fish farms fell by 36,199 tonnes or 18% to 169,194 tonnes in 2022, the Scottish Government said.

The total number of smolts or young salmon produced in 2022 increased by 3.9 million or 8% to 55.1 million.

Production tonnage of rainbow trout increased 7% in 2022 to 8,757 tonnes. This is the highest level of rainbow trout production recorded in Scotland.

In 2022, the total number of staff directly employed in salmon production was 1,508, an increase of 13 staff compared with 2021.

The staffing figures refer to production of Atlantic salmon in seawater and do not include staff involved with processing or marketing activities.