The 2019 Aquaculture Awards were held last night, 29th May, in the spectacular Stratosphere space at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh. The Awards recognise the achievements in different elements of the sector and give due recognition to those making an exceptional contribution to the industry, now and in the future. Award categories included ‘Most Promising New Entrant’, which was sponsored by Primerdesign and recognises companies or products that have arrived on the aquaculture scene since January 2018.
The judging panel for the 2019 Aquaculture Awards was selected for its breadth of knowledge of the varied aspects of the aquaculture industry and includes well-known figures chosen to provide insights from both industrial and academic perspectives. The panel members bring valuable international experience, which was essential when considering the achievements of the aquaculture industry in a global context.
This year’s judges consisted of:
- Alex Adrian, Aquaculture Operations Manager, Crown Estate Scotland
- Nicki Holmyard, Director of Offshore Shellfish Ltd
- Martin Gill, Head of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Lloyd’s Register
- David Little, Chair of Aquatic Resource Development and Research Director of the Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling
- Rob Fletcher, Senior Editor of The Fish Site and Sustainable Aquaculture Magazine
- Susan Tinch, Event Manger, Aquaculture UK
- Ruth Layton, Group Sustainability Director, Benchmark
Awards host Landward’s Arlene Stuart commented:
“It’s fantastic to be able to highlight the achievements of such a diverse and dynamic range of projects, initiatives and individuals from across the world here in Scotland tonight.”
Award Winners
Two prizes were given in the Primerdesign Most Promising New Entrant category – one for a product, Underwater Contracting’s Foover mort removal system, which is proving increasingly popular with salmon producers since its launch in January 2018; the other to a person, Clara McGhee – a Mowi farm technician, based on Muck – who has helped to inspire her colleagues through her work on one of the world’s most challenging farm sites and the wider industry through her writing.
The prize winners in the remaining categories were:
- Applied Research Breakthrough Award: BioMar/Mowi/Scottish Sea Farms/the University of Stirling and SAIC – closing the cycle for captive ballan wrasse, Scotland
- Sustainability Award: Bioretur – converting fish waste to fertiliser, Norway
- International Impact Award: Hatch – aquaculture accelerator, Bergen
- Diversity Award: Scottish Sea Farms – one of Scotland’s leading salmon producers
- Animal Welfare Award: Marks & Spencer – the M&S Welfare Outcome Measure Programme
- Technical Innovation Award: XpertSea – Growth Platform
- People’s Choice Award: Richard Darbyshire – Orkney area manager, Scottish Sea Farms
Philip Geraghty, Primerdesign Head of Global Sales said of the awards:
“We were delighted to be part of these awards. The Most Promising New Entrant was the only category with two winners; a clear indication that innovation and the constant influx of passionate people are the backbone of the aquaculture industry. Primerdesign have been working with key players the aquaculture world for a number of years now, continually pushing the envelope in terms of animal pathogen testing. Whether the fish or shellfish are new additions, or part of an existing stock, pathogen infection can have a big effect on the aquaculture life and profitability. It is vital to detect pathogens early to reduce fish stress and possible stock depletion.”
With huge thanks to Aquaculture UK for hosting yet another fantastic event.
Leave a Reply