The UK’s leading aquaculture show is back this spring with a bigger than ever in-person exhibition and simultaneous conference program. Aquaculture UK, to be held from May 3-5, in Aviemore, Scotland, will be the first opportunity for many in the industry to meet face to face post-COVID.
Last staged in 2018, the normally biennial show will highlight the developments in the sector over the past four years, with familiar big-name suppliers exhibiting alongside newer entrants to the aquaculture community. With over 200 exhibitors, Scottish heavyweights including Gael Force Group, AKVA, Morenot, W&J Knox, Inverlussa Marine Services and Ace Aquatec, will be joined by younger companies, all with a focus on fast-changing technology.
Along with advances in cage infrastructure, netting, feeding systems and humane stunning, visitors will be able to see first-hand the progress being made towards smarter fish farming, combining traditional husbandry with digitalization, artificial intelligence and machine learning. Underwater sensor technology to detect disease outbreaks and optimize feeding, automatic sea lice counters, and acoustic-based treatment systems are just some of the innovations that will be on display by cutting-edge companies such as Bluegrove, CageEye, Aquabyte and Pulcea.
The exhibition will provide a platform for alternative farming methods, whether offshore, semi-closed or land-based RAS (recirculating aquaculture systems), with initiatives from InnovaSea, Ecomerden, AquaBioTech and CM Aqua Technologies, among others.
There will also be a chance to learn about recent scientific breakthroughs in fish health and welfare, genetic selection, cleaner fish breeding, and more, from the likes of Benchmark, Xelect and the Institute of Aquaculture.
Innovation and sustainability are the themes of the conference on the first day of the show. Featuring a series of presentations from the industry’s new wave of pioneers, these sessions will provide valuable insights into how organizations are offering sustainable solutions for the industry.
Meanwhile, inside the conference tent across the three-day exhibition, attendees can hear from the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) and Salmon Scotland (formerly the SSPO), participate in a Women in Scottish Aquaculture (WiSA) breakfast, or meet the teams behind R3-IOT, the communications and data analysts, nutrition expert SPAROS, and Canada’s Centre for Aquaculture Technologies.
Aquaculture UK also hosts the Aquaculture Awards, which recognize those who have made an exceptional contribution to global aquaculture. Entries will open shortly for the awards, with the winners announced at a glittering celebratory dinner in Aviemore on the night of May 4.
Cheri Arvonio, event director at show organizer Diversified Communications, said Aquaculture UK offered an unbeatable backdrop for doing business, networking and hearing industry updates. “Aquaculture professionals have waited a long time for this dynamic show to return and now the countdown has begun, expectations are high for a memorable three days. We are confident that this year’s event will mirror the vision, drive and passion of the sector and live up to its reputation as the most important UK-based exhibition in the aquaculture calendar.”
For more information, visit aquacultureuk.com.
