Aquaculture innovation in the spotlight

Innovation in Scotland’s aquaculture industry and the potential of technology to drive innovation and sustainability will be explored in an online event on Thursday.

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“A Meeting of Minds 2” is hosted by Lochaber Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) and is the second of three free events on Zoom. The first was held in November last year.

The event will include presentations from SAIC’s business engagement director Sarah Riddle; John MacLellan from the Fort William Underwater Trials Centre; Carol-Ann Adams, business engagement executive for business connections service Interface in the Highland and Islands; and John Jones and Grant Leslie of SEM World, which offers innovative water treatment solutions for industry.

Frazer Coupland: "These are exciting times for the industry."

Processing capacity

Scott Nolan, processing director for Scotland’s biggest salmon farmer, Mowi, and Hamish Macdonell, strategic engagement director for the Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation, will also make presentations.

Nolan will give an insight into Mowi’s plans to expand primary processing capacity at Fort William and the robotic innovations and use of technology in fish processing.

Macdonell will consider the idea of tourism and aquaculture, and potential for the future.

‘Exciting times’

Frazer Coupland, chief executive of Lochaber Chamber of Commerce, said: “There is so much great innovation happening in the aquaculture industry - from investment in robotics for fish processing, to new ways of utilising subsea vehicles and rethinking processes to contribute to a sustainable circular economy.

“These are exciting times for the industry, and we’re delighted to present this event with SAIC to highlight innovation and opportunities across this vital sector.”

The event takes place from 10am-11.30am. Free tickets can be booked here.