A rope-grown mussel farm in Shetland, Scotland.
Photo: Adobe Stock / Alan Morris.
Crown Estate Scotland (CES) will allocate £7 million to the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Cluster (SAIC) to promote innovation and sustainable growth in Scotland's aquaculture sector. This initiative has been developed in collaboration with the Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate and will come into effect on 1 April 2026.
Specifically, the five-year agreement provides £1.4 million per year to develop and enhance its core operations and to fund R&D projects. Also, this funding will enable the Cluster to become independent from its current host institution, the University of Stirling.
Scottish aquaculture provides significant economic, social, and environmental value, particularly in the Highlands and Islands. For this reason, the SAIC, established in 2014, is essential to the prosperity and strengthening of this sector, which includes finfish, shellfish, and seaweed.
Its work also involves mitigating environmental pressures, addressing productivity challenges, improving animal health, and tackling the impacts of climate change, helping to ensure the sector remains competitive and future-focused.
"Innovation is key to the sector’s sustainable growth and to fully realizing its potential. We are grateful for the continued support in developing projects related to fish health and welfare, as well as the adoption of new technologies," said Sarah Riddle, Head of Research and Innovation at SAIC.
Moreover, Director of Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystem Services at Crown Estate Scotland, Mike Spain, noted: "An independent SAIC will ensure the continuity of world-class research and innovation, providing a strong and transparent framework for collaborative science, improved fish health and welfare, and climate-ready practices."
A few days ago, the Scottish Government announced that projects aimed at supporting Scotland's marine economy will benefit from a GBP 16 million investment following the expansion of the Marine Fund Scotland, and that the deadline to apply for grants is now open.
