Supply chain trade marketing body Seafood Scotland has confirmed the Scottish Ocean Cluster has secured the support of almost 60 cross-sector organisations. The initiative, which was officially launched earlier this year, aims to drive up to three times more value from existing marine resources through innovative biotech applications, new product development and zero-waste practices.
Inspired by the success of the Iceland Ocean Cluster, and the Scottish Ocean Cluster is a collaborative effort between Seafood Scotland, Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC), Opportunity North East, Aberdeenshire Council and Zero Waste Scotland.
The cluster’s rapid progress was highlighted at the 31st Seafood Expo Global (SEG) in Barcelona where Seafood Scotland hosted 14 leading producers. At the event, the organisation’s CEO Donna Fordyce and Mairi Gougeon, Scotland’s Rural Affairs Secretary, showcased some key programmes aimed at cementing the reputation of Scotland’s seafood, and potentially triple the value of the sector’s side streams.
“Seafood Expo Global is the perfect platform to not only showcase some of Scotland’s finest seafood businesses, but also to unveil transformational projects that showcase the ingenuity and ambition of our sector,” Fordyce said.
“The Scottish Ocean Cluster exemplifies industry collaboration, and the forward-thinking mindset needed to propel our sector into a more sustainable and prosperous future. It’s about working smarter with what we already have and ensuring Scotland remains a global leader in seafood innovation and excellence.”
Also officially launched at SEG 2025 was the Scottish Quality Langoustine (SQL) Scheme – a membership-based programme designed by the industry to enhance the consistency and overall quality of Scottish langoustine.
Developed in collaboration with fishers and processors and backed by Scottish Producers’ Organisations (POs) with an interest in the langoustine fishery, the scheme sets a new standard for best practice in handling, processing and traceability.
Driven by post-Brexit and post-Covid challenges and informed by feedback from key European buyers, the SQL scheme ensures Scotland’s langoustines retain premium status in global markets while recognising and rewarding those in the supply chain who commit to maintaining the highest standards.
Kevin McDonell, Chair of Seafood Scotland’s board and CEO of one of the PO’s backing the scheme, said: “The launch of the Scottish Quality Langoustine scheme reinforces Scotland’s position as a global leader in premium seafood. This isn’t about reinventing the wheel; it’s about highlighting and protecting the quality we know exists in our langoustine sector.
“What makes this scheme particularly powerful is that it’s been created by the industry, consulting with fishers. That level of collaboration and ownership has been crucial in building trust, ensuring practical implementation and, ultimately, delivering a scheme that people believe in. It’s a proactive move that demonstrates to our international buyers – particularly in Europe – that Scotland is serious about consistency, quality, and long-term resilience.”
Gougeon also welcomed the launch of the Scottish Quality Langoustine label.
“This standard will be the first of its kind in this sector and it will help ensure that Scotland retains its rightful reputation for the highest quality langoustines - maintaining this provenance will be key both at home and as we look to secure new markets for Scottish langoustine,” she said.
“I also look forward to seeing the positive outcomes of the Scottish Ocean Cluster. I am hopeful that this will help drive further innovation and sustainability in our seafood, while at the same time maximising the value that we get from those products.”
