Stage is set for Innovation Theatre at Aquaculture UK in Glasgow

Aquaculture UK has unveiled the programme for its Innovation Theatre, with the focus on the fast-changing technology driving the sector globally.

Located within the main exhibition space at Glasgow’s Scottish Event Campus (SEC), the Innovation Theatre, first launched at the biennial show in 2024, will run over the two days of Aquaculture UK, from June 16-17, and is free to attend.

Setting the scene on day one, TidalX will explore the "autonomous pen", an all-in-one robotic platform that provides continuous monitoring of welfare, sea lice, growth, and behaviour. 

Opportunities

The Future of Feed is next up, with a panel led by BioMar UK technical director John Tinsley delving into the opportunities provided by AI, GM, and regenerative agriculture.

Day one continues with underwater technology pioneer Sonardyne explaining its approach to offshore aquaculture to meet the sector’s increasing demands for enhanced communications, monitoring technology, and providing more capability in less equipment and the means to remotely access meaningful data.

On day two, Benchmark Genetics, in its session on accelerating aquaculture genetics, will highlight its multi-species genotyping solutions supporting diverse breeding programmes.

Machine learning

Investigating technological developments in the sector, SAIC (the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Cluster) has assembled a panel in partnership with the National Robotarium to consider how fish farmers can harness the potential of robotics, automation, AI and machine learning.

The UK Agri-Tech Centre’s Martin Sutcliffe, meanwhile, will lead a discussion on innovation in practice, and what enables new ideas and inventions to mature, scale and deliver impact for producers.

Applied genomics is the subject of a presentation by Mowi, whose senior environmental analyst, Laura Tulip, will report on the operational deployment of eDNA across Mowi farms, which is providing regulators with auditable evidence of ecosystem conditions.

Data-driven

In other sessions, Sustainable Solutions will outline waste-to-energy processes conducted at a Scottish hatchery; and water treatment specialist Veolia will detail its data-driven water optimisation solutions.

As well as the Innovation Theatre, Aquaculture UK will also host its two-day keynote conference programme in the Keynote Theatre, situated within the SEC.

Cheri Arvonio, event director at show organiser Diversified Communications, said: "Our Innovation Theatre offers a preview of tomorrow’s world today, covering a wide scope of current research and technological breakthroughs in aquaculture.

‘"Expectations are high for trailblazing ideas and lively debates as the brightest minds in the business get together at Aquaculture UK’s new home in Glasgow next month."