Project manager chosen for Scottish Ocean Cluster
There is so much potential for additional value extraction across the seafood sector that has yet to be realised, says scientist
The Scottish Ocean Cluster, which aims to treble the value of the country’s seafood industry sidestreams, has appointed a project manager to drive the initiative forward.
Dr Tracy White studied marine science before obtaining a PhD in pharmaceutical microbiology, and has built a career combining the seafood and biotechnology sectors. Her previous roles include head of science at Oban’s CuanTec Ltd, which extracts chitin from langoustine shells, and scientific consultant at Dalriada Biosolutions.
Donna Fordyce, chief executive of marketing group Seafood Scotland, is spearheading the Cluster, which aims to improve returns for both the farmed and wild-catch sectors and is inspired by the success of a similar initiative in Iceland’s seafood sector.
The perfect choice
She said: “Tracy’s experience in biotechnology and supporting organisations to reach commercialism makes her the perfect person for this role. She’ll play a key part in uniting partners across industry, academia and government to help Scotland’s seafood sector fully realise its potential.”
White’s first months will involve driving forward the Cluster’s overarching business plan, with the aim of bringing initial projects to life – and include a visit to Iceland, where she will meet members of the Iceland Ocean Cluster.
“My career so far has been rooted in the marine, seafood and biotechnology sectors, as an advocate for utilising products as much as possible,” said White. “There is so much potential for additional value extraction across the seafood sector that has yet to be realised, as there are side stream products that could feed into several sectors operating across Scotland and the UK, from construction to cosmetics.
“The Scottish Ocean Cluster recognises this and has taken on the crucial role of conduit between businesses. I’ve seen firsthand – and navigated – the barriers throughout the process of valorising seafood side stream products, and the Cluster represents exactly what has been missing in terms of support.”
£15,500 funding
The Cluster has also been granted £15,500 from the Scottish Government’s Marine Fund Scotland.
The added support will help the Cluster accelerate collaboration between producers, processors, investors, researchers, retailers, government, and biotech companies to extract greater economic and environmental value from seafood side stream products, beyond fish protein.
“[The grant] allows us to build on the solid foundation we’ve established over the past seven months and kickstart the next stage in our plans: translating research into real world collaborations and innovative projects,” said Fordyce.
The Cluster was formed by Seafood Scotland in partnership with the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC), Zero Waste Scotland, Opportunity North East and Aberdeenshire Council. Since launching in March 2025, it has already attracted more than 90 expressions of interest from organisations across the Scottish business landscape, stretching far beyond the seafood sector.
