The Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) is making more than £500,000 available to help the sector during the current cost of living crisis.
The funding will be split between project proposals which will help future-proof Scottish aquaculture and support sustainable growth. Research teams and higher education institutions have until 7 December to submit their applications.
Heather Jones, chief executive of SAIC, said that it was important to continue supporting innovation particularly during challenging times. “Collaborative research and knowledge sharing is helping to drive the whole sector forward, making it more efficient and more sustainable so that it can continue to fulfil the rising demand for high-quality protein for years to come,” she said.
Researchers must demonstrate meaningful and measurable impact for the sector. Proposals should also align with SAIC’s three priority innovation areas – addressing environmental and health challenges, unlocking capacity through new technology or processes to secure sustainable growth, or a focus on shellfish and other non-finfish species. Projects should be ready to begin next spring and must be completed by July 2024.
“We look forward to receiving a range of proposals including initiatives that address the impact of climate change on farming conditions, as well as projects closely linked to the aims of the Farmed Fish Health Framework - a collaboration between the sector and the Scottish government,” added Ms Jones.
More information can be found at SAIC’s website.
