Tracy will visit Iceland, where she will meet members of the Iceland Ocean Cluster.
Clark Communications
Scottish Ocean Cluster has announced the appointment of Dr. Tracy White as its new Project Manager to drive the Cluster’s strategic plan and launch its first projects.
Previously, White served as Chief Scientific Officer at CuanTec Ltd. and Scientific Consultant at Dalriada Biosolutions, where she focused on helping companies in the seafood sector identify value-creation opportunities.
Regarding her appointment, she said: "I have seen —and faced— the obstacles involved in the valorisation of seafood by-products, and the Cluster represents exactly the support that has been missing. I am proud to contribute to a movement that could be key to driving Scotland's blue economy and securing the future of one of its most valuable industries."
Also, Seafood Scotland’s Chief Executive Officer, Donna Fordyce, noted: "Tracy’s experience in biotechnology and in supporting organisations on their journey towards commercialisation makes her the ideal person for this role. She will play a crucial part in bringing together industry partners, academia, and government so that Scotland’s seafood sector can reach its full potential."
The Scottish Ocean Cluster has received more than £15,000 in funding from the Marine Fund Scotland to triple the value obtained from by-products of the Scottish seafood industry.
Initially, Zero Waste Scotland and Seafood Scotland had already contributed to this fund to support Scotland's ambition to become an international leader in biological, circular, and renewable resources and solutions.
Thanks to these initiatives, the Cluster will enable collaboration among producers, processors, investors, researchers, retailers, government, and biotechnology companies to increase both the economic and environmental productivity of marine by-products.
Fordyce, who also leads the Cluster, stated: "Receiving this support from the Marine Fund Scotland marks a turning point for the Scottish Ocean Cluster. It allows us to build on the solid foundation established over the past seven months and move on to the next phase of our plans: transforming research into real collaborations and innovative projects."
Finally, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Mairi Gougeon, added: "I was pleased to announce the award of £15,500 to Seafood Scotland to kick-start the development of the Ocean Cluster, an innovative project that will foster collaboration and innovation among key partners and stakeholders, creating new opportunities and greater value for the seafood industry."