The Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) today announced that its board of directors has been strengthened with three new appointments representing three of Scotland's leading salmon producers. Anne Anderson, Head of Sustainability and Development at Scottish Sea Farms; Su Cox, Communications and Business Development Director at Bakkafrost Scotland; and Hervé Migaud, Director of Health, Welfare and Biology at Mowi Scotland, are the names of those chosen. "Together they bring more than 30 years of aquaculture leadership experience, as well as academic and regulatory expertise", the release said.
David Gregory, SAIC Chairman, welcomed the new Board members saying, "The new appointments represent a valuable commitment from Scotland's biggest fish farming companies to the sustainable future of the sector". And he continued, "Anne, Su and Hervé are senior leaders in their respective fields and bring a wealth of experience and expertise to SAIC's board. In turn, they will help the innovation centre to continue delivering industry-relevant cutting-edge research that can both minimise the environmental footprint and increase the economic impact of aquaculture".
Anne Anderson has extensive experience in both the private and public sectors. Before joining Scottish Sea Farms in 2021, she spent 22 years at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), latterly as director of compliance. After that, she left the public sector to join Salmon Scotland as Director of Sustainability, where she led several strategic projects, including the Scottish Salmon Sustainability Charter.
"SAIC is a key force in the drive to find practical, effective solutions to sector challenges – from bringing together the right minds for the task, to championing the need for innovative projects in which emerging concepts can be trialled and tested – and I look forward to the opportunity to help shape this vital work over coming years", Anne Anderson said regarding her joining the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre Board.
In addition to being Communications and Business Development Director at Bakkafrost Scotland, Su Cox is also Chair of Scottish Quality Salmon, the defense and management organization of Label Rouge Scottish Salmon. She has over 35 years of experience in the Scottish aquaculture sector, working for a number of salmon producers.
On her appointment, Su Cox said: "It's an honour to join the SAIC board and represent Bakkafrost Scotland. Sustainability is at the heart of our business, so our values are aligned to reduce the impact we have on the planet and increase the economic impact we have as an industry. Innovation and collaboration are key to future success".
Hervé Migaud joined Mowi's Scottish operations to oversee fish health and welfare in April last year, after more than two decades in academia. He remains an honorary professor at the University of Stirling's Institute of Aquaculture and also was Head of the Production Research Group until 2022. He was previously president of the European Aquaculture Society.
"I am looking forward to joining the SAIC board in my new role at Mowi Scotland", Hervé Migaud said after his appointment. "Innovation has always been central throughout my career as a scientist and now as an industry director, to improve the sustainability and resilience of the sector. SAIC plays an important role towards meeting this goal by bringing together academia and industry leaders".
SAIC's mission is to reduce the environmental footprint and increase the economic impact of aquaculture through excellence in innovation. The Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Center invests in collaborative research projects in the areas of fish health and welfare, nutrition, seafood production, capacity, and the environment. One example is the IMPACT project that could quadruple Scottish aquaculture production. SAIC also supports Masters and Ph.D. studentships, internships and training programs to help grow the industry's talent pool.