The Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) has entered into a new collaboration with Norwegian research institute, Nofima.
This new Strategic Research Collaboration (SRC) means the two organisations will aim to address SAIC’s four PIAs; sea lice control, sustainable feeds, rapid detection of pathogens and diseases, and shellfish spat.
This will take place through SAIC and Nofima working together on key projects of mutual interest.
Heather Jones, SAIC CEO, said: “This is a must-seize opportunity for SAIC to join forces with one of Europe’s leading names in aquaculture research and deliver real competitive advantage to the industry.”
She added: “The new SRC will enable us to forge a close working relationship with Nofima; access an even broader range of competencies; and explore possible avenues of funding together.”
A Letter of Intent setting out shared objectives and goals for an initial period of three years was signed during a recent visit to the institute’s head office in Tromso.
Nils Haga, Nofima’s aquaculture director, said: “Scotland and Norway are two of the most dominant and dynamic forces in aquaculture.
"Now, thanks to the new SRC, we can bring our collective vision, expertise and resources together to make even more significant advances for challenges common to the fish farming industries in our countries and in Europe.”
SAIC will be involved in the Nofima-chaired ZERO LICE workshop at the North Atlantic Seafood Forum (NASF) meeting, taking place from 1-3 March in Bergen, while Nofima has been invited to participate in SAIC workshops at Aquaculture UK 2016 on 25 and 26 May in Aviemore.
