Finalists announced for Aquaculture Awards

The shortlist for the Aquaculture Awards 2024, announced today, has been drawn from a record number of entries, up more than 20% on last year’s awards, the competition’s organiser, Diversified UK, said.

With almost 100 nominations reflecting the wide range of talent across the sector, the judges had a particularly difficult task selecting finalists in the 13 categories. The winners will be announced at an awards event held on the evening of the final day of the Aquaculture UK trade show at Aviemore in May.

“The Aquaculture Awards champion the achievements of the sector over the past year and highlight the exceptional people making a difference, whether at home or abroad,” said awards director Cheri Arvonio.

“We’re thrilled with the level of engagement this year and look forward to welcoming all those in the running, our award sponsors and some 600 guests for a night of celebration, socialising and Highland fun.”

Five farmers

The Farmer of the Year award will be chosen from one of five finalists, three of whom work for Cooke Aquaculture Scotland, with the other two from Mowi Scotland and Bakkafrost Scotland.

There are three very different companies shortlisted for Aquaculture Supplier of the Year: Mull-based service boat operator Inverlussa Marine Services; Portsmouth-headquartered aquaculture monitoring solutions provider RS Aqua; and St Andrews-based genetics company Xelect.

Other categories include Collaboration, Innovation, Sustainability, Community Initiative, and Animal Welfare.

Outstanding contribution

There is also an Outstanding Contribution award which members of the aquaculture industry will be able to vote for online shortly. The candidates for the award are:

• Former Scottish Salmon Producers' Association (now Salmon Scotland) chairman Gilpin Bradley, who stepped down from his role as managing director of Wester Ross Fisheries in October due to treatment for illness.
• Stephen Cameron, long-serving managing director of the Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group.
• Professor Ian Johnston, co-founder of Xelect.
• Paul Macintyre, recently retired aquaculture director with Lloyd’s Register, whose career also encompassed 15 years with Marine Harvest (now Mowi), 13 years with Food Certifcation Scotland, and a decade with Food Certification International.

The full shortlist can be read here.