Aquaculture UK 2026 takes place in Glasgow from 16-17 June.
Photo: Paul Campbell / Aquaculture UK
Robotics, artificial intelligence, aquafeed innovation and applied genomics will be among the main themes at Aquaculture UK’s Innovation Theatre when the trade show takes place in Glasgow next month.
The event, which has moved from Aviemore to the Scottish Event Campus, will be held from 16 to 17 June and is expected to bring together more than 250 exhibitors from over 20 countries.
Organisers said the Innovation Theatre, located in the main exhibition space, will be free to attend and will focus on technologies and research being developed for commercial aquaculture. It will run alongside Aquaculture UK’s two-day keynote conference programme, which will take place in a separate theatre at the venue.
Several sessions will focus on automation and data-led farm management. TidalX is due to present its “autonomous pen”, a robotic platform intended to track welfare, sea lice, growth and behaviour, while Sonardyne will discuss offshore aquaculture technology, including communications, monitoring systems and remote access to farm data.
The Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Cluster, working with the National Robotarium, will host a panel on how fish farmers can use robotics, automation, AI and machine learning. The UK Agri-Tech Centre’s Martin Sutcliffe will lead a separate discussion on how innovations can move from early-stage ideas to practical use on farms.
Genetics and environmental monitoring will also feature in the programme. Benchmark Genetics will present its work on genotyping for aquaculture breeding programmes across several species, while Mowi senior environmental analyst Laura Tulip will discuss the company’s use of environmental DNA, or eDNA, across its farms.
The feed sector will be represented by a panel led by BioMar UK Technical Director John Tinsley, looking at the potential role of AI, genetic modification and regenerative agriculture in future aquafeeds.
The programme will also cover lower-trophic aquaculture, with shellfish and seaweed sector representatives discussing how ecosystem services can be funded and expanded. Other sessions will look at waste-to-energy processes at a Scottish hatchery, data-driven water optimisation, and the launch of the Decapod Aquaculture Forum, a new network bringing together researchers, industry and policymakers.
“Our Innovation Theatre offers a preview of tomorrow’s world today, covering a wide scope of current research and technological breakthroughs in aquaculture," said Cheri Arvonio, Event Director at show organiser Diversified Communications.
“Expectations are high for trailblazing ideas and lively debates as the brightest minds in the business get together at Aquaculture UK’s new home in Glasgow next month,” she added.