Scottish Labour Party leader Anas Sarwar with members of the Young Aquaculture Society at the official launch during Aquaculture UK 2024.
Photo: Greg Macvean / Young Aquaculture Society.
The Young Aquaculture Society (YAS) was officially launched by Scottish Labour Party leader Anas Sarwar last week at the Aquaculture UK conference, the UK's largest event for the sector.
The launch event, hosted by trade organisation Salmon Scotland and coinciding with its Annual General Meeting (AGM), highlighted the potential for aquaculture to offer numerous job opportunities for young people.
“Aquaculture is a highly-skilled profession with a huge range of job opportunities for young people,” Sarwar stated at the launch.
“It was a privilege to formally launch YAS, and I look forward to hearing more from the organization as it develops networks, builds partnerships, and creates opportunities for the leaders of tomorrow.”
The event brought together leaders from the Scottish salmon sector and provided 30 young professionals with the opportunity to network and discuss the future of aquaculture in Scotland.
“We were in the room with the decision makers and building relationships with future leaders… it was exciting to rub shoulders with such a dynamic group," said YAS Treasurer Marc Faber, a research scientist at Moredun Research Institute in Edinburgh, in a press release.
YAS member Alison Brough, a fish veterinarian with Scottish Sea Farms, spoke on behalf of the young professionals' network. She thanked the organizers and shared the vision of YAS, announcing an upcoming farm visit for 20 members to learn about the entire farming process from egg to harvest.
“YAS is delivering on its promises to support early career women and men in our sector already. It’s an achievement we are rightly proud of,” Brough said.
Still in its early stages but already counting 150 members, YAS collaborated with several partners at the Aquaculture UK conference in support of its members' careers. This included sending two members to this year's Aquaculture UK Awards and organizing a well-attended morning fun run that raised funds for the RNLI, in partnership with Scale AQ and Inverlussa Marine Services.