"In this current funding call, our sharper focus aligns us even more closely with the sector’s key priorities, fostering collaboration to tackle critical health, welfare, and survivability challenges in fish farming," said Sarah Riddle, SAIC’s Director of Innovation and Engagement.
Photo: Luis Leamus/SAIC.
The Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) has announced its support for three cutting-edge research projects aimed at improving finfish health and welfare, responding to the challenges posed by climate change and other emerging environmental factors.
Following its latest call for research initiatives, SAIC has allocated nearly £600,000 in funding, with additional financial backing from the Scottish aquaculture sector, bringing the total investment to £1.6 million, the organization has confirmed.
Of the three projects funded, two are already underway. The first of these focuses on developing a holographic imaging system designed to detect and monitor the presence of micro-jellyfish in aquaculture sites. In addition, it will implement an automated profiling system to track harmful algal blooms (HABs) in real-time, providing essential data for fish health management and enabling aquaculture operators to respond more effectively to water quality changes.
The second project builds on prior SAIC-funded research that established predictive biomarkers for assessing gill health in Atlantic salmon. This new initiative aims to refine these biomarkers using machine learning and non-invasive sampling techniques. Researchers will investigate the biomarkers’ ability to predict salmon’s responses to different diets and micro-jellyfish exposure, offering a proactive approach to maintaining fish health.
A third project, set to launch in November, will focus on managing stock during outbreaks of proliferative kidney disease (PKD), a common issue in Scotland’s aquaculture sector. The research will monitor environmental conditions and fish immune responses, with the goal of developing predictive models for better health management and improved vaccine efficacy. By advancing strategies to handle PKD outbreaks, this project aims to contribute significantly to sustainable aquaculture practices, SAIC said.
These funding awards build on SAIC’s track record of innovation. Over the past decade, SAIC has turned nearly £11 million in investment into research initiatives valued at over £71 million, supporting the development of new products, spin-out companies, and solutions that address the aquaculture industry’s most pressing needs. The latest projects further SAIC’s mission to enhance fish health and environmental sustainability through applied research and knowledge exchange.
“Over the past ten years, we have prioritized initiatives aimed at enhancing aquaculture’s environmental impact, fish health, and unlocking economic potential. In this current funding call, our sharper focus aligns us even more closely with the sector’s key priorities, fostering collaboration to tackle critical health, welfare, and survivability challenges in fish farming," said Sarah Riddle, SAIC’s director of innovation and engagement.
"Continued knowledge exchange between the sector and academia will also be vital in maintaining Scotland’s position at the forefront of pioneering advancements across the global aquaculture supply chain," Riddle added.
Dr. Linsey Dickson, interim executive director of research, innovation, and business engagement at the University of Stirling, echoed this sentiment. “This funding represents a significant boost to the innovative research being conducted across Scotland’s aquaculture sector. By applying cutting-edge technologies and evidence-based practices, these projects are poised to address some of the sector’s most pressing challenges," she said.
"Close collaboration between academia and the fish farming community is crucial to ensure that our findings translate into actionable solutions that support the future of sustainable seafood production," Dickson added.