Toxins analyst sets out its stall at shellfish conference

Shetland-based SSQC – a specialist in food and drink microbiology, chemistry, aquaculture, and water quality testing - will attend the Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers’ (ASSG) annual conference in Oban for the first time next week.

The company, which operates a laboratory in Port Arthur, Scalloway, will showcase its new Sensoreal rapid testing for detection of toxins in shellfish at the event at the Corran Halls on Wednesday and Thursday, October 1 and 2.

SSQC provides fast, accurate detection of amnesic, diarrhetic, and paralytic shellfish poisoning (ASP, DSP, and PSP), helping the shellfish sector access reliable results quickly.

Expanded service

“Our first attendance at the ASSG conference marks an important step for SSQC,” said managing director Steven Laidlaw. “We have recently expanded the availability of microbiological testing services across Scotland and already support many customers in the seafood sector.

“We are attending the conference to demonstrate to shellfish growers how, with Sensoreal, we’re meeting a clear need in the sector for rapid, efficient biotoxin testing in a laboratory environment that producers and regulators can trust.

“We also look forward to the opportunity to understand the wider needs of those attending the conference and how best we can support them in the future.”

Scotland's food system

The first day of the conference includes a presentation from Dennis Overton, chair of the board of the Scottish Food Commission, who will give a talk titled Aquaculture’s Role in Transforming Scotland’s Food System.

Among other items on the agenda, Australia’s Fisheries Research and Development Corporation will talk about oyster production, and Edinburgh University’s Roslin Institute will give a presentation on making the most of science in the shellfish sector.

Day 2 includes five presentations:

The Plankton Monitoring Revolution (Scottish Association for Marine Science) Probing the Marine Microbiome (Esox Biologics) Oyster Seed – Satisfying Demand (Morecambe Bay Hatchery) Exploring Mussel Cultivation (Shell-volution Programme) Making the Most of Scottish Shellfish (Seafood Scotland)

Best shellfish awards

The annual “Best Scottish Shellfish” competition will be contested by the ASSG’s Scottish member businesses with awards sponsored by the Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Journalist Nicki Holmyard, whose family operates England’s largest mussel farm out of Brixham, Devon, is head judge, and will be supported in the decision making by David Jarrad of the Shellfish Association of Great Britain, Michael Leathley, the head chef at the Port Appin Hotel, and Sarah Riddle, manager of the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC).