Talks and workshops on the agenda in Oban for Scottish shellfish growers
Scotland’s shellfish farmers will meet tomorrow for their annual conference in Oban, which promises an interesting mix of talks on the commercial and technical aspects on the sector.
The two-day Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers conference at the Corran Halls begins with a presentation from Crown Estate Scotland, which leases aquaculture sites to operators. That is followed by talks on experiences of the Chilean mussel industry, and perspectives of the French shellfish industry.
Mussel farmer and seafood journalist Nicki Holmyard will speak about cultivated shellfish in the seafood marketplace, and the Marine Conservation Society will talk about the future of shellfish from the perspective of an environmental NGO.
On Wednesday, the conference will hear about blue mussels as a food ingredient, a vision for the future of native oysters, the benefits of bivalve shellfish, and routes to influence positive promotion of shellfish.
There will also be technical update sessions over both days from service suppliers and researchers including a demonstration of the AquaBC Biotoxin rapid test kits (Day2) for shellfish compliance monitoring, together with a presentation and discussion of the latest biotoxin research and evaluations undertaken by CEFAS and the Robert Gordons University Aberdeen.
Best shellfish
The “Best Scottish Shellfish” competition will be contested by ASSG’s Scottish member businesses with awards sponsored by the Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Judges include Linda Wood, aquaculture and fisheries manager for retailer Marks and Spencer; David Jarrad, chief executive of the Shellfish Association of Great Britain; Michael Leathley, head chef at The Pierhouse Hotel, Port Appin; and Eleanor Adamson, fisheries programme manager at The Fishmongers’ Company.
Events Linked to the ASSG Conference include a biotoxin training session for industry operators on Thursday at Dunstaffnage, Oban. The training, organised by AquaBC, will show operators how to prepare shellfish samples and take measurements using the AquaBC rapid test kits and reader.
A shellfish researchers’ workshop will also be held on Thursday, at the Corran Halls. In conjunction with the ASSG, the Roslin Research Institute sponsored by The Fishmongers’ Company’s Fisheries Charitable Trust will be hosting the workshop for invited delegates from the UK research and academic community with particular relevance for early career researchers.
