Aquaculture awards open for entry

The revived awards, last run by the Crown Estate in 2015, reflect the diversity of the UK aquaculture industry and present an opportunity to recognise individuals, companies or organisations that have made the most significant contribution to the UK’s aquaculture industry over the last two years.

Entries and nominations are invited from the country’s producers, suppliers and academic institutions. The 12 awards, now organised by 5m Publishing, will be presented at a dinner on May 23, during the Aquaculture UK 2018 exhibition in Aviemore.

Key highlight

“The former Crown Estate Scottish Marine Aquaculture Awards were a key highlight on the industry calendar, championing the great work going on across the sector in terms of husbandry, innovation and environmental sustainability, and Scottish Sea Farms considers itself honoured to feature amongst the past winners,” said Jim Gallagher, managing director of Scottish Sea Farms, winner of two categories, including Best Aquaculture Company, in 2015.

“For this same spirit of recognition and reward to continue under the new Scottish Marine Aquaculture Awards can only be a good thing for the sector, further fuelling ambition to not just deliver but continually drive forward best practice.”

Rising star 

“We are delighted that the awards have been resurrected and will definitely be putting in an application for the same category this year,” said Dougie Johnson, sales director of Akva Scotland, who won the Supplier of the Year award in 2015.

Young members of the industry are being encouraged through the debut inclusion of a Rising Star Award. And, while the winners of 11 of the categories will be chosen by a panel of eminent industry judges, another new award – the People’s Choice – will be chosen by the wider industry, giving all those present at Aquaculture UK, and further afield, the chance to vote for the people who’ve helped to inspire their careers.

A full list of categories and details of how to enter the awards can be found here.