Aquaculture ventures net more than £2.5m from Scottish Government's Marine Fund

The Scottish Government's Marine Fund Scotland has closed its funding round for 2024-2025, with the Scottish aquaculture sector hooking a significant share of the financial support - over £2.5 million of the £14 million total.

Last week, Scottish First Minister John Swinney confirmed that 67 projects would receive funding under the scheme, which supports initiatives that "contribute to an innovative and sustainable marine economy, support coastal communities, and contribute to Scotland’s net zero ambitions."

Amongst the most notable aquaculture projects to receive support are two based in Shetland.

Family-run Shetland shellfish farmer, Blueshell Mussels, the UK's largest rope-grown mussel producer, secured just over £641,000 to further develop its mussel growing facilities. Meanwhile, Cooke Aquaculture Scotland secured funding of £374,000 to trial and develop a new waterborne feed delivery method for its fish farming operations in Shetland.

“The health and welfare of our fish is a top priority and the project aims to enhance their wellbeing by encouraging the salmon to feed lower down in the pens, minimising the impact from environmental challenges and wildlife, as well as reducing our energy consumption and ensuring the durability of our feed pipes," said David Brown, Shetland Regional Manager at Cooke Scotland, in a Scottish Government press release.

Another significant aquaculture sector businesses which secured funding include Vonin Scotland, which secured £1.08 million to establish a net service station in Kyleakin on the Isle of Skye, creating 15 new jobs.

The new facility will allow aquaculture nets to be serviced locally, reducing the need for long-distance transport to Scotland's Central Belt, reducing CO2 emissions. The initiative is also expected to improve net recycling rates, thus reducing landfill and incineration waste, according to the company.

Two salmon genetics and broodstock specialists received major funding under the scheme. AquaGen Scotland secured almost £308,000 to develop a new recirculating aquaculture system at its Hollywood broodstock and egg production facility in Dumfries, while Hendrix Genetics was awarded almost £661,000 for expansion of its site in Ormsary, Argyll.

The Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre, based in Stirling, also received significant funding to continue its remit to reduce the environmental footprint and increase the economic impact of aquaculture, securing funding of £500,000 for its activities in 2024-2025.

Among the smaller aquaculture projects to be funded were shellfish hatchery specialist Northbay Innovations, which received just over £57,000 to develop a prototype modular hatchery for the native oyster (Ostrea edulis), and Rastech Ltd, based in Fife, which secured funding to enable first sales from its circular onshore King Prawn aquaculture venture.

Seaweed and ocean regeneration projects were also supported under the 2024-2025 round, including seaweed aquaculture venture West Coast Seaweed's Phase 2 development, and Aberdeenshire Council's Pilot trial for seaweed cultivation in North East Scotland.

“Our island and coastal communities and the marine industries based here make a huge contribution to Scotland – not just to our economy but also to our efforts to drive innovation and sustainability," said First Minister Swinney, announcing the funding awards during an official visit to Shetland, where he toured facilities including Lerwick’s daily electronic fish auction and Scottish Sea Farms salmon processing site, and met with industry representatives from the Shetland Fishermen’s Association and Lerwick Port Authority.

“I’m very pleased therefore to be here in Shetland to confirm these awards to a wide range of projects, all of which have demonstrated that they will help to drive innovation in the marine sector and help sustain coastal communities," he continued.

“Over the last four years, Marine Fund Scotland has supported hundreds of pioneering projects that are already contributing to building prosperity whilst at the same time protecting the planet," Swinney added.

Sectors receiving support from the Marine Fund include sea fisheries, aquaculture, seafood processing, wild fisheries including wild salmon, projects that tackle marine litter and improve recycling, and the wider marine environment.

Applicants were assessed against strict eligibility criteria including alignment with Scotland’s Blue Economy Vision that "by 2045, Scotland’s shared stewardship of our marine environment supports ecosystem health, improved livelihoods, economic prosperity, social inclusion and wellbeing".

Full details of the 67 projects funded in 2024-2025 can be viewed here.