Harvesting the sea
MP backing `aquaculture’
Stirling’s MP has given his backing to Scotland’s aquaculture industry following a visit to Stirling University.
Stephen Kerr was at the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre to hear about the work of the organisation in supporting the growth of aquaculture.
Mr Kerr met centre chief executive Heather Jones to learn more about the collaborations between the industry and academia.
Aquaculture – fish or shellfish that is commercially farmed as opposed to wild caught – is an industry considered to have much potential for the Stirling, Scottish and UK economies.
It’s a sector in which Stirling has strengths, hosting both Institute of Aquaculture with its concentration of academic researchers and SAIC, a new body which aims to meet industry demand for high quality applied research to academics at Scotland’s universities.
Established in 2014, SAIC has helped accelerate and co-fund 23 industry-led, applied research projects; attracted significant additional UK and EU funding into the sector; and introduced several skills-related initiatives including funded MSc places, summer internships and a graduate programme.
Now, it’s working on an ambitious new programme that will create over 1,000 new jobs by helping the industry to grow and expand.
Ms Jones said: “Over the next decade, our expansion programme will provide a significant boost to the local economy by matching the needs of the industry to the skills and expertise we have here in the city of Stirling.
“We must take this opportunity to establish Stirling as the leading location in the UK for this vital industry, helping boost exports, attract investment and create new jobs.”
Mr Kerr said: “Stirling is right at the heart of the aquaculture industry in the UK.
“Both SAIC and the research facility at our university are hugely important, and we should recognise the opportunity we have to significantly increase their capacity to lead the expansion of aquaculture across Scotland and the UK that we need to compete effectively around the world.
“These are exactly the right organisations to benefit from investment from the City Region Deal; investment that will create many more highly skilled jobs here in Stirling.”