Pictured from left: Councillor Gerry McGarvey; Professor Simon MacKenzie; Professor Sir Gerry McCormac, Principal and Vice-Chancellor; Eileen Schofield, Chief Operating Officer and University Secretary; David Cairns, Regional Managing Director, Robertson Construction Central East.
Photo: University of Stirling
The University of Stirling’s ambitious new National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub (NATIH) has received high praise from Scotland’s Secretary of State, Ian Murray MP, who commended its potential to advance productivity, sustainability, and employment in Scotland and beyond.
Marking the final phase of construction, a special "steel-signing" ceremony took place last week, attended by key university leaders and local officials. The event celebrated NATIH's development as a pioneering £17 million project funded by the UK Government through the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal, with an additional £1 million provided by the Wolfson Foundation.
According to the University of Stirling, its new state-of-the-art facility, which is due to open in 2025, "will drive the UK’s ambition to be a world leader in modern aquaculture practice", and will be "fully integrated" into the University's existing Institute of Aquaculture (IoA), the UK’s leading centre for aquaculture research, which includes a large-scale marine facility at Machrihanish in Kintyre and a freshwater facility at Buckieburn near Denny.
“I welcome the progress being made to deliver this pioneering aquaculture project. Backed by £17 million UK Government funding - part of our £45 million commitment to the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal - it is a great example of collaboration to find innovative solutions for boosting productivity, creating jobs and improving sustainability in the sector in Scotland and beyond," Murray said in a press statement.
“I am committed to working with partners to bring a new era of growth for Scotland. Our Budget last week confirmed £1.4billion of direct UK Government investment in local growth projects, helping to regenerate our towns and cities, support local community groups, and help businesses succeed," he added.
Professor Sir Gerry McCormac, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Stirling, added: “The new National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub will create the UK’s leading innovation community for sustainable aquatic food production, and position UK innovation and productivity at the forefront of one of the world's fastest growing sectors.
“The facility is also the catalyst for the creation of a range of high value, skilled jobs and training opportunities in the blue economy space," McCormac said.
An artist's impression of NATIH
“Our vision is to tackle global problems of food security, hunger and sustainability through aquaculture," explained Professor Simon MacKenzie, Head of the Institute of Aquaculture at the University of Stirling.
“The new National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub will help us build on our international reputation for world-class research, teaching, technological innovation and consultancy in aquaculture, supporting growth in the production of aquatic food for human consumption, contributing to global food security while reducing the impact on natural resources," MacKenzie added.
NATIH is part of a broader economic plan under the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal, a £90.2 million initiative by the UK and Scottish governments. This collaboration aims to inject a total of £214 million into the region over 10 to 15 years, fostering inclusive economic growth.