Aquaculture UK postponed until May 2021

The biennial event was originally scheduled to be held in Aviemore this week but was postponed until September.

Organisers have now abandoned that date, too, and will instead run the event from May 18-20 next year.

Diversified Communications UK, which bought Aquaculture UK from previous owner Benchmark earlier this year, said in a press release that while strict lockdown measures are expected to ease over the coming weeks in Scotland, social distancing and restrictions on mass gatherings will remain for the foreseeable future.

Too many questions

Diversified UK’s managing director, Carsten Holm, said: “Whilst we were hopeful that the current tough measures on restricted social interaction would be lifted by the autumn, there are still too many questions surrounding hotel availability, international travel, social distancing measures, and individual company policies, to make it viable to run the event this year. 

“Clearly, the best and most responsible option for everyone involved is to wait and host an even better show in May 2021.

“We appreciate how important Aquaculture UK is to the industry it serves and are very sorry to disappoint the thousands of attendees that were planning on exhibiting and visiting.

Safety is priority

“However, the success as well as the safety of our exhibitors, speakers and visitors has always been our priority and we are hoping that everyone will get behind this tough but necessary decision.

“The good news is that much of the event planning is already in place, and we go into 2021 with an incredible amount of goodwill and support. The Diversified UK team would like to thank everyone – our exhibitors, visitors, speakers and partners – for their continued support and patience.  We look forward to working together to ensure that Aquaculture UK continues to be the celebration and gathering the industry deserves – and can be proud of.”

A decision on the 2020 Aquaculture Awards, which were due to be presented during Aquaculture UK in September, is still being finalised and will be announced in the coming days.

Seafood Expo Global

Diversified Communications UK is owned by US-based Diversified Communications, which had to cancel the world’s biggest aquaculture trade event, Seafood Expo Global, because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Diversified Communications also postponed Seafood Expo North America, which was supposed to have been held in April in Boston. A scaled-down event has been arranged at the Boston Exhibition and Convention Centre on September 23-24. A conference programme will start on September 22.