Stars of Scottish aquaculture honoured
The stars of the Scottish aquaculture industry were rewarded last night (18th June 2009) at The Crown Estate Scottish Marine Aquaculture Awards 2009.
Businesses from as far afield as Shetland and Stranraer gathered at the event which recognises both best practice and innovation across the board in an industry which includes the producers, processors and suppliers.
Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham MSP acknowledged the importance of the industry to Scotland at the awards ceremony, saying: “Aquaculture is just as important to the Scottish economy as sea fisheries. The fish farming sector has a farm-gate value of around £350 million, and employs nearly 6,000 people in production and processing in Scotland. I am proud to be involved with these awards which highlight the industry’s many strengths.
“The United Nations suggests that aquaculture is the only way to meet surging global demand for seafood. That’s why last month I was delighted to launch a new framework for Scottish aquaculture which provides a blueprint for the industry to grow sustainably and maximise its potential.
“I would also like to recognise the role The Crown Estate in Scotland plays in developing aquaculture. The many successes of the industry are not always recognised, indeed often ignored, and we should continue to promote the good news story that is Scottish aquaculture. We have an industry which Scotland should be proud of. Aquaculture has tremendous capability and we must now ensure that its potential is fulfilled.”
Shetland-based Blueshell Mussels Ltd scored a hat-trick, winning Best Shellfish Farm, Best Marine Aquaculture Company and the Innovation award.
Marine Harvest Scotland was also among the winners, receiving the Business Development Award as well as Ambassador of the Year for their Business Development Manager Steve Bracken.
Scottish Sea Farms’ Steven Jamieson scooped the prize for Farm Manager of the Year and the company also won Best Finfish Farm.
Other awards went to Inverness and Western Isles-based Gael Force Marine for Aquaculture Supplier of the Year, Lighthouse Caledonia for Stewardship and Sainsbury’s Store Ltd for Aquaculture Processor of the Year.
Alex Adrian, Offshore Operations Manager for The Crown Estate, said: “We are delighted with the sheer diversity of businesses and activities represented at these awards. It has made the judging process extremely difficult and the winners are to be congratulated.
“I think we can applaud the fact that despite the tough economic climate the Scottish aquaculture industry continues to display the confidence and innovation which makes its products world-class.”
Minister for the Environment, Roseanna Cunningham MSP gave the keynote speech while Fred Macaulay presented the awards at the ceremony at Prestonfield Hotel in Edinburgh.
The judges were Martin Gill, Managing Director of Food Certification Scotland; Professor David Gray, Director of NAFC Marine Centre; Malcolm Dickson, Editor of Fish Farmer; Dr Kenny Black, Head of Ecology at The Scottish Association for Marine Science and Alex Adrian, The Crown Estate.
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