Stars of the Scottish aquaculture industry honoured

Businesses from as far afield as Shetland and Stranraer gathered at the event which recognises both best practice and innovation across the board in an industry which includes the producers, processors and suppliers. Shetland-based Blueshell Mussels Ltd scored a hat-trick, winning Best Shellfish Farm, Best Marine Aquaculture Company and the Innovation award.

Marine Harvest Scotland was also among the winners, receiving the Business Development Award as well as Ambassador of the Year for their Business Development Manager Steve Bracken. Scottish Sea Farms’ Steven Jamieson scooped the prize for Farm Manager of the Year and the company also won Best Finfish Farm. Other awards went to Inverness and Western Isles-based Gael Force Marine for Aquaculture Supplier of the Year, Lighthouse Caledonia for Stewardship and Sainsbury’s Store Ltd for Aquaculture Processor of the Year.

Alex Adrian, Offshore Operations Manager for The Crown Estate, said: “We are delighted with the sheer diversity of businesses and activities represented at these awards. It has made the judging process extremely difficult and the winners are to be congratulated.

“I think we can applaud the fact that despite the tough economic climate the Scottish aquaculture industry continues to display the confidence and innovation which makes its products world-class.”

Minister for the Environment, Roseanna Cunningham gave the keynote speech while Fred Macaulay presented the awards at the ceremony at Prestonfield Hotel in Edinburgh.

The judges were Martin Gill, Managing Director of Food Certification Scotland; Professor David Gray, Director of NAFC Marine Centre; Malcolm Dickson, Editor of Fish Farmer; Dr Kenny Black, Head of Ecology at The Scottish Association for Marine Science and Alex Adrian, The Crown Estate.