SAMS scientists conduct experiments on board the institute’s research vessel Seol Mara to attempt to measure the depths at which sea lice can be detected.
Photo: SAMS
The Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) served as a key meeting point for stakeholders in aquaculture last week, welcoming a range of visitors including industry leaders, scientists, and regulators, plus a delegation from Norway.
Over several days, the Oban-based institute hosted a series of events described informally as a "week of salmon aquaculture", focusing on research and innovation in the sector, and culminating in sea-based experiments aimed at improving understanding of sea lice.
The SAMS "aquaculture week" began on Monday, 3 June, with a meeting on sea lice held as part of the BBSRC-funded “E(tive)lice” project, which aims to advance new techniques for detecting and counting sea lice larvae. The research, conducted in collaboration with the University of Glasgow, Mowi, and Argyll Fisheries Trust, also explores the use of lipidomics to study potential evolutionary distinctions between lice from wild and farmed salmon populations.
A delegation from the Norwegian Seafood Research Fund (FHF) came to learn more about SAMS’ research.
Photo: SAMS
On Tuesday, the focus shifted to environmental factors affecting fish health.
Representatives from the Norwegian Seafood Research Fund (FHF) visited SAMS to explore the institute’s work in areas such as environmental DNA (eDNA), harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring, and sea lice modelling.
The day also included meetings under the Aqua-Reg 2025 project, a UK Innovate-funded initiative that brings together academic, industry, and government representatives to discuss regulatory science and disease prevention in salmon aquaculture.
SAMS went on to host the annual general meeting and board session of Salmon Scotland on Wednesday 5 June, welcoming producers and supply chain members to the region.
The "week of aquaculture" closed with SAMS researchers conducting fieldwork at sea to study sea lice biology and prevalence, part of ongoing efforts to reduce the parasite’s impact on farmed salmon populations.
The week of stakeholder events demonstrated Oban and SAMS's role as a hub of aquaculture activity, SAMS officials said.
“SAMS has long been an impartial, trusted and reliable source of knowledge for the aquaculture industry and the range of visitors we hosted in just one week is testament to that," Steve Ham, Head of SAMS Enterprise, said via a press release.
“Such events give the industry access to the most up to date science but also ensure that our staff are equally well-informed about the most pressing issues in industry today," Ham continued, adding, “Such partnerships are therefore important to ensuring that the Scottish salmon aquaculture industry has reliable information with which to make the best choices and to operate in the most sustainable way possible.”
“Our location is home not only to SAMS but also to a cluster of marine-related companies, forming a hub of innovation and collaboration in the finfish farming sector and the Blue Economy," added Daniel Carcajona, Business Development Manager at SAMS Enterprise.
“This vibrant cluster supports both the industry and the development of young talent in the Oban area, offering training, apprenticeships, research opportunities and jobs that help sustain the vitality of our rural communities," Carcajona said.
