Leading figures in Scottish aquaculture have joined together to plan a new strategy for growth to 2030.
The group aims to produce a strategy to boost aquaculture’s contribution to the Scottish economy by setting out a vision for continued social, economic and environmentally sustainable growth in aquaculture.
It believes there is potential opportunity to increase aquaculture’s current contribution of £1.8bn pa to up to double its current level by 2030.
Stewart Graham, co-chair of the group and managing director of Gael Force Group, said, "There’s an opportunity for Scotland’s aquaculture sector to generate up to double its existing annual contribution to the Scottish economy. And it can do so in a way that continues to be sustainable socially, economically and environmentally.
“With industry and public-sector leadership on this, the gains can be significant, long-term and wide-reaching – benefitting all of the wider stakeholder group including local communities and young people, as well as Scotland plc.”
A strategy document called the Scottish Aquaculture 2030 Vision for Growth will be produced.
This document will back an ambitious vision for sustainable growth with practical recommendations, which the group intends to be time-bound for implementation.
The strategy will cover the entire supply chain, including farming, equipment supply, infrastructure, processing, research and innovation, the role of the public sector, and marketing.
Fellow co-chair of the group, and chair of Aquascot, Dennis Overton, concluded: “We intend this report to inspire ambition and follow-up from multiple stakeholders in Scottish aquaculture – among them, SMEs, multinationals, industry organisations, government, public bodies and investors.
“All these stakeholders have a part to play in generating substantial growth to 2030, and the report will provide them with the vision, the map and the tools to do so.”
