Tomorrow’s world
Anyone who was lucky enough to be in Aviemore last month will have noticed not only the amazing weather, but the difference that two years can make in this industry. The Aquaculture UK exhibition was nearly 40 per cent bigger than in 2016, in terms of exhibitors, and the crowds seemed to be in record proportions too. There was an increased Norwegian presence and a noticeable focus on high end innovations. This is clearly a sector in very good health and already embarked on a growth curve, whether its critics approve or not.
Making that growth sustainable is now the industry’s chief concern, and not just in Scotland. Here, farmers are working with the government to address production challenges, and rural economy minister Fergus Ewing used the occasion of the Aviemore show to launch the Farmed Fish Health Framework. Work has already begun on implementing its recommendations and, with transparency at its heart, we look forward to hearing progress reports.
In the meantime, in this special innovation issue, we bring news of many cutting edge developments, from around the world and on our doorstep, that give an insight into what aquaculture will look like in the future.