Entries are now open for the Aquaculture Awards 2025 that will celebrate the outstanding achievements of individuals and businesses in the sector over the past year.
The awards, to be announced at a gala dinner in Inverness on June 19, are presented annually and recognize those making a notable impact on the industry, at home or abroad. With 13 categories, the awards honor the hard work and high standards across the aquaculture community, from pioneering management practices to farm-level innovation, and from gold-standard suppliers to trailblazing technology.
On top of prizes for Rising Star, Unsung Hero, Farmer of the Year, Supplier of the Year, Best New Start Up and Producer of the Year, the awards highlight the best collaborations, most sustainable enterprises, stunning innovations, impressive community initiatives, and consistent champions of animal health and welfare.
The popular award for Outstanding Contribution is a chance for the sector to vote for the person they think has transformed the world of aquaculture, whether through long years of service, game-changing ideas, or as a leading communicator and industry ambassador. The winner will be chosen by the sector and announced on the night.
There will also be the Judges’ Special Recognition award, selected by the judging panel from the awards entries, for the candidate or company demonstrating admirable commitment and a responsible approach to aquaculture.
Joining the team of judges this year is Crown Estate Scotland’s director of Aquaculture Mike Spain, who brings many years’ expertise in the marine sector, most recently as head of SAMS Enterprise.
Host on the night will be Grant Stott, radio and TV presenter, actor and regular panto villain, whose credits include television shows Fully Booked, Jackanory, Children in Need and BBC Scotland drama River City, along with numerous stage appearances, in particular with fellow comedy legends Allan Stewart and the late Andy Gray.
New this year, the awards night will be preceded by a conference at the same venue, the Macdonald Drumossie, Inverness, featuring speakers and expert panels from the sector, addressing the key issues of the day. Full details of the event, which runs from 10 am-4 pm, will be revealed shortly.
Cheri Arvonio, awards director, said that “the Aquaculture Awards not only provide an opportunity for the sector to celebrate its successes and salute its high achievers but are also a great excuse for everyone to get together. We would like to hear about all those who have gone the extra mile in the past 12 months, whether they are exceptional farm staff, technical visionaries, or companies and organizations shaping future trends and driving the sector forward.”
The awards, which are free to enter and open to the entire industry, are staged by Diversified Communications, organizers of Aquaculture UK, the premier UK event for aquaculture stakeholders, held biennially. From 2026, Aquaculture UK will take place at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), in Glasgow.
The deadline for entries is March 10, and finalists will be announced by the judging panel on March 31. Tickets to the ceremony – at the Macdonald Drumossie, Inverness – will then go on sale to the public on April 7.
To see the full list of categories and to enter the Aquaculture Awards, visit aquacultureawards.com.
