Scheme to boost Highland aquaculture gets £1m funding

A pilot programme to boost aquaculture innovation in the Highlands and Islands is poised to go ahead after receiving a £1 million funding boost.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has approved funding and will run the programme with the help of the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC).

The 30-month pilot is expected to attract a similar level of funding from the private sector. It hopes to help small to medium enterprises (SMEs) become more successful by creating innovative products and services that will have a sustainable economic and social impact.

Projects supported will have "clear commercial outcomes'' and are expected to boost industry turnover in the region by around £8 million and create up to 50 jobs.

In the Highlands and Islands the sector, which farms fish, crustaceans and molluscs, is said to be crucial to rural economies.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: "Scotland's aquaculture industry is a real pillar of our rural economy, particularly for the Highlands and Islands, and this government is committed to working with partners across the sector to support continued sustainable growth.

"Maximising the opportunities that innovation can bring will be central in delivering the industry's vision for the future of aquaculture. That is why it's pleasing to see this collaborative programme come to fruition, which will provide a boost for the sector and support job creation.''

Charlotte Wright, HIE's interim chief executive, said: "We anticipate significant investment in the years ahead from aquaculture firms operating in the region.

"It is important that we use public sector funding to support innovation in a way that benefits the whole sector, including firms in the supply chain. In turn this will support the sector's growth as well as strengthen resilience of rural communities, particularly those in some of our most remote and fragile areas.''

Heather Jones, SAIC CEO, added: "To see those early discussions result in this new pilot scheme is a truly landmark moment and shows just how much can be achieved when different players unite over a shared goal.''