Nofima’s Caledonian connections
The Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) has entered into a new collaboration with Nofima, one of Europe’s leading institutes for applied research into aquaculture, fisheries and food.
The new Strategic Research Collaboration (SRC) will see SAIC and Nofima work together on projects of mutual interest. In particular, those addressing SAIC’s four priority innovation areas (PIAs): sea lice control, sustainable feeds, rapid detection of pathogens and diseases, and shellfish spat.
A Letter of Intent setting out shared objectives and goals for an initial period of three years was signed during a recent visit to the institute’s head office in Tromso, where representatives from SAIC and the University of Stirling were given a behind-the-scenes tour of Nofima’s ground-breaking research facilities and activities.
Commenting on the new collaboration, SAIC CEO Heather Jones said: “This is a must-seize opportunity for SAIC to join forces with one of Europe’s leading names in aquaculture research and deliver real competitive advantage to the industry. The new SRC will enable us to forge a close working relationship with Nofima; access an even broader range of competencies; and explore possible avenues of funding together.”
Nofima’s Aquaculture Director Nils Haga added: “Scotland and Norway are two of the most dominant and dynamic forces in aquaculture. Now, thanks to the new SRC, we can bring our collective vision, expertise and resources together to make even more significant advances for challenges common to the fish farming industries in our countries and in Europe.”
Keen to capitalise on the new collaboration as soon as possible, SAIC will be involved in the Nofima-chaired ZERO LICE workshop at the North Atlantic Seafood Forum (NASF) meeting, which is taking place on 1-3 March in Bergen. In addition, Nofima are invited to participate in SAIC workshops at AquacultureUK, on 25 & 26 May in Aviemore.
