Aquaculture UK has unveiled the program for its first-ever Innovation Theatre, designed to showcase the fast-changing technology driving the sector. The focus will be on a new era of digitalization and unprecedented advances.
In a tent just outside the main exhibition hall of the show, the Innovation Theatre will feature 30-minute presentations over the two days, delivered by an international line-up with innovative ideas or inventions to promote.
Setting the scene on day one is RS Aqua with a presentation on how its partner, Innovasea, is revolutionizing environmental and biomass monitoring in salmon farming and other aquaculture sectors.
The Institute of Aquaculture’s Lynne Falconer will discuss how data can be utilized to unlock new insights into the sector and help plan for the future.
Moredun Scientific will look at the development of new research tools to combat gill disease, sea lice and cardiomyopathy syndrome in farmed salmon.
Molecular testing to solve common and complex issues will be examined by Silicon Valley’s Standard BioTools, which offers automated solutions for PCR and next-generation sequencing with its X9 High-Throughput Genomics System.
Also on day one, Innovate UK’s Agri-Tech Centres will host a panel session highlighting companies “doing something a bit different”, whether farming new species, developing new products or embracing new technology, and explain how to connect innovation with funding, expertise and facilities to accelerate progress.
Ross Houston of Benchmark Genetics kicks off day two with an overview of the transformative potential of genetic technologies in aquaculture. He will also flag up Benchmark’s next generation of technologies – including sterility and gene editing – and their potential benefits.
The evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) in aquaculture will be the subject of Umitron’s presentation, with a focus on the integration of big data, AI, and the Internet of Things (IoT) within the industry, specifically the company’s precision-feeding AI and satellite monitoring solutions.
Californian innovator Sofar Ocean will be presenting its rapidly deployable solution for real-time data collection at offshore aquaculture sites, which promises to improve operational safety and decision-making for pre-site assessments and farm expansions.
Providing invaluable information about funding opportunities, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) will outline how it supports collaborative research. It will also be announcing the projects being funded through the Sustainable Aquaculture Partnerships for Innovation funding call which launched in 2023.
With a total of 12 presentations, the Innovation Theatre offers a preview of tomorrow’s world today, covering a wide scope of current research and technological breakthroughs in aquaculture.
“On top of our conference program and a record number of exhibitors, the new Innovation Theatre will make this year’s Aquaculture UK a truly unmissable event,” said Cheri Arvonio, event director at show organizer Diversified Communications. “Expectations are high for an action-packed two days as the brightest minds in the business head to the Highlands in May.”
Aquaculture UK will take place at Aviemore, Scotland from May 14-15.
