The coalition of experts driving strategic innovation in seafood, is expanding its scope to reach a wider range of seafood businesses and communities, as Fisheries Innovation Scotland becomes Fisheries Innovation & Sustainability – reflecting the organisation’s broader remit as it seeks to reach UK seafood community as a whole.
At its AGM in December, the FIS board formally agreed that it should evolve to have a UK-wide remit – to facilitate, co-ordinate and leverage investment for innovation in UK seafood. FIS is funded and governed by its board of trustees, consisting of senior representatives of Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Young’s Seafood, The Fishmongers’ Company and Seafish.
‘There are so many new challenges facing not only the Scottish catching sector, but end-to-end along the UK seafood supply chain, which point to an even greater need for innovative thinking. It’s time for FIS to serve as a catalyst for greater prosperity and sustainability across UK seafood,‘ said board chairman John Goodlad.
FIS was established by the Scottish government in 2014 with support from the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation and other bodies, since when it has commissioned multidisciplinary research projects worth more than £2m to support prosperous and sustainable fisheries.
‘Our current projects add value to businesses and communities across the UK by developing precision fishing gear, supporting decarbonisation in ways that are practical for UK fleets, and piloting ‘whole supply chain’ digitalisation to improve traceability and verification,’ said FIS executive director Kara Brydson.
‘We have had wonderful support and advice from our Scottish industry advisors, and we’re now establishing a new, inclusive stakeholder structure that reflects our expanded remit.’
