Scots ready to make waves in Trondheim
A record number of Scottish companies will this week pitch for business at the world's biggest aquaculture trade fair, Aqua Nor, in Trondheim, Norway.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise, in partnership with Scottish Development International, is hosting the first ever Scottish Pavilion, which will accommodate a dozen companies and organisations including Oban's Fusion Marine and the University of Stirling's world-leading Institute of Aquaculture.
Elaine Jamieson, Head of Food and Drink, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said: “This is a great time to be part of the Scottish aquaculture industry. Major investments are being made in innovation, both by producers and the supply chain, with a clear ambition and commitment to achieving significant growth of the industry. We look forward to showcasing Scottish companies and capabilities.”
Official launch
Other companies have their own stands, including Inverness-based Gael Force, which is hoping to make a big impact with its SeaFeed offshore feeding system, which gets its official launch at Aqua Nor.
SeaFeed adds another arm to the firm's end to end equipment and services, including mooring systems, a range of feed barges and an underwater technology range consisting of a cameras, lights and sensors.
Director Jamie Young said: “Each element of the SeaFeed system has been carefully selected to reduce feed waste, save energy, minimise maintenance and ensure that it has operator and barge safety at its heart. The new tried and tested blower is innovative, very compact, and has a low noise output.”
'Credible alternative'
The company, which claims says its commitment to innovative fish farming product development makes it "a serious and credible alternative to the well-known big beasts of the finfish aquaculture supply chain sector", says it already has multiple orders for SeaFeed ahead of its launch.
Meanwhile, Dingwall-based Ace Aquatec is one of three companies shortlisted for a prestigious innovation award at Aqua Nor. It has been nominated for its sophisticated pipeline in-water electric stunner, which is capable of stunning fish one metre from the holding pen prior to pumping for slaughter. The system comprises three to five electrodes and connected switching electronics capable of rendering the fish unconscious within one second, without damage to the flesh.
The other Aqua Nor finalists are OptoScale of Trondheim, which has developed a system for biomass measuring with an accuracy of 99 per cent, and Planktonic, also of Trondheim, which has developed an innovative live feed for marine juveniles.
Fisheries minister
The Nor-Fishing Foundation board of directors will debate the shortlist at a meeting today, and this year’s Innovation Award, comprising a diploma and a cheque for NOK 100,000 (£9,300), will then be presented to the winner by Norwegian fisheries minister Per Sandberg and chairman of the board Liv Holmefjord during the official opening of Aqua Nor tomorrow.
Companies represented at the Scottish Pavilion are: Aqualife Services; Fixed Phage; Institute of Aquaculture; Trimara Services; Gael Force; Aquamoor Ltd; Sustainable Marine Energy Ltd; Fusion Marine Limited; Tritech International Ltd; Thistle Marine
(Peterhead) Ltd; Otaq; and Ferguson Transport.
Those with their own stands are: Grading Systems; Xelect; Ace Aquatec; and Unst
Inshore Services. Inverlussa Marine Services Ltd, Johnson Marine Ltd, the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre, Aurora Marine Ltd, and Underwater Contracting will also have representatives at the event.
