Scottish Sea Farms is on the shortlist for the community initiative award for its funding of projects on Orkney. Photo: SSF

Scottish aquaculture awards shortlist revealed

Thirty-eight companies, individuals and initiatives have been shortlisted for the 2018 Scottish Marine Aquaculture Awards, which will be presented at a dinner during the Aquaculture UK exhibition in Aviemore on May 23.

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Ten award categories recognising the breadth of innovation and good practice from across the sector are being contested. These include awards for innovation, business development, stewardship and sustainability, and an inaugural set of awards recognising the contributions made by the shellfish sector and the industry’s rising stars.

Susan Tinch, event manager for Aquaculture UK, said: “This shortlist reflects the spirit of enterprise and the commitment to excellence that characterises the UK aquaculture sector. We would like to thank all those who entered and congratulate those who have made the shortlist.

“The quality of the entries across all the categories this year was exceptional and the judges took over a day to deliberate, before selecting the final nominees.”

Aquaculture Seafood Product of the Year

  • M&S Scottish Lochmuir Beetroot & Vodka Speybay Oak Smoked Salmon, Scottish Sea Farms
  • Native Hebridean Farmed Salmon, The Scottish Salmon Company
  • Moules Frites, Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group Ltd.
  • Wester Ross Sashimi Grade Salmon, Wester Ross Fisheries Ltd.

Finfish Farm Manager of the Year

  • Robert Wyvill, Marine Harvest (Scotland) Ltd.
  • Sarah Last, Scottish Sea Farms
  • Sean Anderson, Marine Harvest (Scotland) Ltd.
  • Paul Featherstone, Marine Harvest (Scotland) Ltd.

Shellfish Farm Manager of the Year

  • Carly Daniels, National Lobster Hatchery
  • Will Hancock, Fowey Shellfish Company Ltd.
  • Robert Lamont, Loch Ryan Oyster Fishery Company Ltd.

Aquaculture Supplier of the Year

  • Ace Aquatec
  • NAFC Marine Centre, University of the Highlands & Islands
  • Inverlussa Marine Services
  • AKVA group Scotland

Business Development Award

  • AKVA group Scotland
  • Scottish Sea Farms
  • Nutrition Analytical Service (NAS), Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling

Community Initiative Award

  • The Scottish Salmon Company – Community Fund
  • Loch Ryan Oyster Fishery Company Ltd – Stranraer Oyster Festival
  • Marine Harvest (Scotland) Ltd – Isle of Rum development initiative
  • Scottish Sea Farms – Heart of the Community Trust, funding on Orkney

Rising Star Award

  • Lynne Frame, Scottish Sea Farms
  • Scott MacKay, AKVA group Scotland
  • Barbora Gaborova, Wester Ross Fisheries
  • Kurk Jones, Marine Harvest (Scotland) Ltd.

Outstanding Contribution to Industry

  • Stuart Cannon, Kames Fish Farming
  • Stewart Graham, Gael Force Group
  • Steve Bracken, Marine Harvest (Scotland) Ltd.
  • Scott Landsburgh, Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation

Stewardship & Sustainability Award

  • Marine Harvest (Scotland) Ltd. – Helping to restore wild salmon stocks
  • Loch Fyne Oysters Limited – ASC-certified Hebridean mussels
  • National Lobster Hatchery – Lobster Grower 2
  • Scottish Sea Farms – a series of environmental improvements

Innovation Award

  • Playtime – environmental enrichment in a salmon hatchery – Loch Duart
  • Lobster Grower 2 – lobster on-growing system – National Lobster Hatchery
  • Enviro Nets for circular pens, as a means to tackle gill health issues, Marine Harvest (Scotland) Ltd.
  • Pre-pump, in-water electric stunner, Ace Aquatec

The Best Aquaculture Company Award will be announced on the night and the industry can vote online for the People’s Choice award from the list of nominees at https://www.aquacultureawards.com/vote/. The winner of this award will also be announced at the awards presentation.