Panoramic view of the SEC (Scottish Event Campus) in Glasgow, Scotland, next to the River Clyde, where this year's edition will be held.
Photo: Adobe Stock.
Scotland's new Minister for Agriculture, Marine and the Islands, Jim Fairlie, was in charge of opening Aquaculture UK this morning, which, after a change of venue, will be held at the SEC (Scottish Event Campus) in Glasgow, Scotland, in this 2026 edition.
According to Diversified, the company organizing the event, the exhibition's relocation from its previous venue in Aviemore to the center of Glasgow marks the beginning of a new era, and a record attendance of visitors from across the country and the rest of the world is expected.
With more than 250 exhibitors from over 20 countries, including the first national participations from Norway and Ireland—although other countries such as Chile are also participating—, the event brings together the entire sector for two days dedicated to technical innovations, business and networking.
Less than a week before the start of the event, Cheri Arvonio, Event Director at show organizer Diversified Communications, has already stated that this will be the most ambitious edition to date. "We can't wait to welcome the aquaculture community to Glasgow for what promises to be a truly memorable two days," she said.
After cutting the ribbon, Minister Fairlie will also launch Aquaculture UK's two-day keynote conference program in the Keynote Theatre, outlining the Scottish Government's continuing commitment to finfish and shellfish farming in Scotland and the extensive supply chain these industries support.
Precisely ahead of the Minister's participation in the event, the cross-sector membership organization and economic think tank, Prosper, published a paper last week urging John Swinney's new government to make the sustainable growth of salmon farming a national economic priority in Scotland.
Prosper's request was immediately supported by Tavish Scott, CEO of Salmon Scotland, who will be the first speaker at the conference program. In his presentation, 'Growing Salmon, Growing Scotland', he planned to highlight the opportunities for the sector under the new government.
Following his presentation, other leading figures in the sector will participate in the program, which will address the most important issues and challenges in aquaculture, such as achieving an efficient regulatory system, the opportunities available to the sector and how to finance them, innovation, and environmental impact.
Among the speakers on the first day, names such as Mark Inall, the Scottish Government's Chief Scientific Advisor for Marine Affairs, and Helge Adne Lien, Managing Director of Norway's DNB Bank, are included. On the second day, Greg Riddle of Northern Light Consulting and Melanie Siggs, the newly appointed Global Head of Seafood at LRQA, are among the participating experts.
This year, Aquaculture UK will also pay special attention to land-based aquaculture. Thus, the program will include talks from Mike Berthet of Aquacultured Seafood, which aims to be the UK's first land-based RAS salmon farm. Moreover, RAS engineer Andrew Whiston will explain how king prawns can be produced commercially in Scotland.
In addition, RAS pioneer and Atlantic Sapphire co-founder Thue Holm—currently leading several projects also related to land-based aquaculture under the umbrella of Aquafounders Capital, the venture he runs with his partner and co-founder Ohad Maiman—will share lessons learned from the real-world experience of large-scale RAS salmon farms.
The event will also feature dedicated sessions led by the Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC) showcasing the Sustainable Aquaculture Partnerships for Innovation (SAPI) program, which is now drawing to a close.
Finally, in addition to the Keynote program, as WeAreAquaculture reported, the popular Innovation Theatre returns this year with a two-day program that will focus on digitalisation, robotics, genetics, feed innovation and low-trophic aquaculture. The international roll call of sector specialists includes a team from Pure Salmon Technology, who will outline how biological risk can be reduced in RAS smolt production.
Regarding the exhibition space, the organizers noted that the main suppliers forming the backbone of the sector will once again be present in large numbers, covering the spectrum of the supply chain, from feed to pharmaceuticals, and from biomass cameras to boats and barges.
Among the big names, companies such as Inverlussa Marine Services, one of Scotland's leading shipping companies, stand out; equipment suppliers Scale AQ, Gael Force Group, and Akva Group; pharmaceutical giants MSD Animal Health and Pharmaq; feed companies BioMar and Cargill; and the Institute of Aquaculture. The latter, in addition, is opening the doors of its new state-of-the-art National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub (NATIH) for a facility tour today.
There will also be companies participating for the first time, such as Salar Solutions and Subsea Commercial Services. As mentioned above, this year's edition features more than 250 exhibitors from over 20 countries who will gather in the expansive exhibition area of the Scottish Event Campus, which is hosting Aquaculture UK for the first time in 2026.
"This is a milestone moment for the industry and we are delighted to provide a platform where new technology, bold ideas, and meaningful partnerships can flourish. This is where the future of the industry will be shaped, and the SEC team is ready to help that future take flight," Breda Cruickshank, Head of Exhibition Sales at the SEC, stated last week, ahead of the event.
Last but not least, the Aquaculture Awards 2026 will be presented at tonight's gala dinner at the Hilton Glasgow Hotel. As in last year's edition, a total of 13 awards will be given to recognize projects, companies, or individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to global aquaculture over the past year.