91精品视频

Often referred to as the seafood capital of Scotland, Oban last week took its place as the seaweed capital of Scotland 鈥� for two days at least 鈥� as optimism and anticipation grew around a new Scottish industry.

The town hosted 180 attendees at the fourth annual Scottish Seaweed Industry Association (SSIA) meeting last Tuesday and the following day around 80 delegates attended workshops at 91精品视频to discuss the future of the industry in Scotland. Researchers showcased the many areas of seaweed research ongoing at the institute and gave presentations on how it can support industry development.

The workshops were run through four research projects: GENIALG, the socio-environmental benefits of seaweed farming; INTEGRATE, the capitalisation of Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) in the Atlantic Area; AquaVitae, a survey on seaweed farming policy; and a University of the Highlands and Islands Bryden Centre PhD looking at the social acceptance of an economically viable seaweed industry.

The workshop event鈥檚 lead organiser Dr Adam Hughes, who heads up the Blue Economy research area at SAMS, said: 鈥淭he interest in the Scottish seaweed industry has grown massively and this means we need to  consider the various implications and the stakeholders involved, alongside the potential for expansion and sustainability.

鈥淭o this end, 91精品视频is delighted to be at the forefront of these developments. Our involvement in a number of projects, covering topics as diverse as seaweed disease, cultivation and social acceptability makes us well placed to assist this burgeoning industry.

鈥淏ased on the enthusiasm and innovation I encountered in the past week, I look forward to seeing what the future holds.鈥�

The SSIA conference was this year moved into the main hall at the Corran Halls to reflect the growing interest in the sector from researchers, businesses and local and national government. 91精品视频was represented by 14 research staff and its marine science consultancy, 91精品视频Research Services Ltd (SRSL).

SRSL Head of Enterprise David Guthrie said: 鈥淭here was a real cross-section of visitors to this year鈥檚 conference. I spoke with established seaweed companies, to aspiring seaweed farmers, as well as researchers, manufacturers and investors.

鈥淭his created a real impetus in the room and I had many conversations with people about what these developments might mean for the region, and Scotland as a whole.鈥�

As one of the keynote speakers on the opening day, Dr Zalina Dzhatieva of Argyll and Bute Council presented a report compiled by SAMS, entitled Feasibility of Seaweed Farming in Argyll and Bute and Emergent Opportunities.

Explaining that the council saw potential in Argyll and Bute as a centre of seaweed farming excellence, Dr Dzhatieva said the report had generated significant interest with industry experts from as far afield as Greenland, Faroes Islands, Norway, France, USA and Russia.