Sarah Riddle, head of research and innovation for SAIC.

£7m deal ensures future of Scotland's aquaculture innovation centre

SAIC receives amended name and status as seabed landlord CES pledges £1.4m per year

Editorial team Editorial team
Published

SAIC, the organisation which supports innovation and sustainable growth in Scotland’s aquaculture sector, is to receive a new £7 million funding package from Crown Estate Scotland (CES), the Scottish Government quango which rents out the seabed sites used by Scotland’s fish, shellfish, and seaweed farmers.

The five-year deal involves a change of SAIC’s status from an organisation hosted by the University of Stirling to a fully independent legal entity with a distinct governance and delivery model. This means that SAIC retains its initials but will change its name from the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre to the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Cluster Ltd.

Under the new five-year agreement, CES will provide SAIC with £1.4m per annum to deliver and enhance its core operations and to provide seed funding for R&D projects.

£10m a year from salmon farms

The assets CES manages on behalf of the Scottish Government include almost all of Scotland’s territorial seabed – from the high watermark out to 12 nautical miles. It grants leases to use the seabed for aquaculture, offshore energy, cabling and pipelines.

In the financial year ending March 31, 2025, CES made net revenue of £130.8m, mostly from leases for offshore wind power sites. Around £10m came from salmon farm leases.

Much of the CES revenue goes to the Scottish Government for use throghout Scotland, but CES chief executive Ronan O’Hara has in the past told MSPs that if more money was retained by the quango for reinvestment at a localised level, it could potentially make a more meaningful, more immediate, and more visible impact.

Government oversight

The funding arrangement will be guided by a new contractual arrangement between SAIC and the Scottish Government, ensuring there is clear governmental oversight of the work of the cluster.

Established in 2014, SAIC supports the Scottish aquaculture sector’s resilience, innovation, capacity and long‑term prosperity, and covers finfish, shellfish, and seaweed.

SAIC coordinates research and development opportunities, and connects academics, producers, the aquaculture supply chain and government stakeholders to deliver innovation, technological development, and knowledge exchange. This work directly addresses environmental pressures, productivity challenges, animal health and the impacts of climate change, helping ensure the sector remains competitive and future focused.

Vital work

Mike Spain, director of aquaculture and marine ecosystem services at CES, said: “The Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Cluster has a proud history and enviable reputation as Scotland’s independent aquaculture research and development coordination body, working across the finfish, shellfish and seaweed sectors.

“Its work is vital in supporting a programme of constant improvements to one of Scotland’s most important industries. This funding from Crown Estate Scotland represents a substantial investment in that expertise and in the sector more widely.

“SAIC’s research underpins the strategic priorities of Crown Estate Scotland, and this investment will help safeguard future aquaculture leasing, support sustainable development and enhance environmental outcomes, for the benefit of the people of Scotland.”

Research continuity

The new funding agreement has been developed in partnership with the Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate, and comes ahead of the departure of Scottish Government Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon, who is stepping down as an MSP.

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon says the new funding arrangement ensures that vital innovation support continues seamlessly.

Gougeon, who has been strongly supportive of aquaculture during her near-five years as Rural Affairs Secretary, said that establishing a new independent Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Cluster will ensure the continuity of world-class research and innovation for the sector.

“This new organisation will provide a strong and transparent framework for collaborative science, improved fish health and welfare, and climate-ready practices. This transformation ensures that vital innovation support continues seamlessly as the current model comes to an end in March 2026.”

A new start

Sarah Riddle, head of research and innovation at SAIC, said the funding marked a new start for SAIC.

“Aquaculture is an increasingly important part of Scotland’s economy, particularly in coastal and rural areas, providing high-quality, skilled jobs and an export we can be proud of – and there are significant opportunities to develop that further.

“Innovation is a critical part of helping the sector to grow sustainably and realising its full potential. We are very grateful for the continued support in delivering the important work SAIC has delivered to date, ranging from fish health and welfare to the adoption of new technologies, and look forward to sharing more details in the coming weeks.”

The new funding agreement will begin on April 1 this year.

scotland aquaculture crown estate scotland innovation news saic