The Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) has launched registration for a new two-day event focused on the future of aquaculture, calling on industry leaders and emerging talent to collaborate and drive forward ambitions the sector.
Taking place on 16-17th May 2023 at the Technology and Innovation Centre in Glasgow, the Sustainable Aquaculture Summit aims to bring together experts and decision makers from all areas of seafood production to share knowledge and work together to shape the sector’s future direction. The programme will cover three core themes – fish health, innovation with impact, and sustainable food, strong communities.
The conference kicks off with a day devoted to the long-term vision for aquaculture, with thought-provoking and challenging discussions featuring experts from the sector, academia and public sector. International guest speakers already confirmed include Emily De Sousa, a Portuguese-Canadian social media influencer, fisheries scientist and digital strategy consultant for values-based seafood businesses, and Tonje Osmundsen, research director at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology’s Social Research faculty. Tonje brings expertise on topics such as governance and public regulation, as well as the significance and role of aquaculture in society.
Following an evening of networking and food and drinks at Citation in Glasgow’s Merchant City, the event continues with a packed programme on day two – which is free to attend for all. The second day will focus on the practical delivery of the collective aims and ambitions for the sector’s sustainable future. Concurrent workshops and themed talks will showcase the success of funded research and innovation initiatives, as well as the potential impact of collaboration and positive change across key areas.
SAIC has designed the conference programme to reflect the entire aquaculture sector – ranging from finfish and seaweed to shellfish – with content of interest to producers and supply chain companies, regulators, retailers, students and researchers. Fish health and welfare, diversity and inclusion, skills, and the environment are among the topics that will be discussed.
‘The summit will provide a valuable platform for in-depth conversations about the multi-species, multi-national future of aquaculture. We will be shining a spotlight on the science of our food supply chain and tackling some of the sector’s biggest challenges and opportunities head-on,’ said SAIC CEO Heather Jones.
‘SAIC already acts as a conduit between industry and academia across a range of projects and initiatives, but we’re taking that one step further with our plans to bring together representatives from the entire sector in one room. The flexible nature of the programme and ticketing means that there will be an option for everyone to attend. We have an exciting opportunity to create a thriving blue economy in the UK that can fulfil the world’s rising demand for high-quality protein. However, we must do so in the most sustainable and environmentally friendly way possible, working together to use data, technology and cutting-edge research to grow the economic impact of our sector responsibly.’
