Heading
Portraits (l-r): Alex Adrian; Richie Flynn; Fiona Houston; Mark James.
EU meeting affecting shellfi sh policy so will have some highly topical input to give to the proceedings. After this examination of possible futures, the state of the current industry will be under examination in the fi ercely fought competition for ‘best shellfi sh producer in Scotland’. There are as usual three categories, mussels and both native and Pacifi c oysters. Judges this year will hail from Holland, Namibia and Scotland and the prizes have once again been sponsored by the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). The afternoon session will move from the theoretical to the practical. James West, who once upon a time worked for Seafi sh, will talk about his experience farming pacifi c oysters in Walvis Bay, Namibia, possibly raising some envy over growth rates but relief over relative risks com- pared to the Scottish experience. Ronald de Vos from the Netherlands will talk about his experience farming shellfi sh on land – and the reasons why in Holland it is necessary to think in these counter-intuitive terms. Jim Gourley of Seafood Scotland will address the very essential topic of marketing shellfi sh. The conference will also hear about new ventures in farming seaweed from Fiona Houston of Mara ®, which may be of particular interest to mussel farmers where there may well be scope for such activities. The practical advantages of such a venture will be demon- strated by Fiona the following day where she will show how some of her seaweed products can be used to improve both nutritional value and taste of every day food, maybe even improving on the lunch itself! On the second day a further novelty will be to provide 15 minute slots
for projects that are working with the shellfi sh industry who can either give an update on progress or for new projects to explain what their aims are and maybe to explain what help they might be seeking from the shellfi sh growers. This will give an opportunity for a two-way dialogue to avoid any feeling that the researchers have dreamt up something of their interest rather than of mutual interest. Projects already signed up for this are SAMS Cache project and Stirling University’s project on Mytilus trossulus, as well as Lantra presenting a whole business review scheme for shellfi sh producers and providing more information on modern apprenticeships. There will be talks from FSA on the ever important areas pertaining to
shellfi sh so practical measures will be fully covered making it the usual ‘must attend’ event for the shellfi sh industry at large. The trade show is also taking bookings with shellfi sh-related products. Registration is now open and full details can be accessed at the Association website The conference is sponsored by The Crown Estate, Seafi sh and SNH for which the ASSG is extremely grateful.
www.assg.org.uk FF
“
Above: Oban, the venue for this year’s ASSG conference
www.fishfarmer-magazine.com
The conference will also judge the winner of ‘Best Shellfish Producer in Scotland
Old Gravel Works South Walney Island Barrow in Furness Cumbria LA14 3YQ
Seasalter (Walney) Ltd SEED & PART-GROWN
PACIFIC OYSTERS (DIPLOID & TRIPLOID) ALSO NATIVE OYSTERS (OSTREA EDULIS)
DISEASE FREE
Kelsey Thompson (Managing Director) T +44(0)1229 474158 M +44(0)7785386499
Accounts:
office.mbo@gmail.com
Email:
info@morecambebayoysters.co.uk www.morecambebayoysters.co.uk
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