SCOTTISH OCEAN CLUSTER MARKS SIX MONTHS WITH FUNDING BOOST

Scottish Ocean Cluster marks six months with funding boost. Cluster announces future plans during Scotland’s National Innovation Week.

A pioneering Scottish initiative aimed at unlocking three times more value from Scotland’s seafood industry side streams, has received an initial round of funding and more than 70 expressions of interest in the six months since its official launch.

The Scottish Ocean Cluster aims to drive producers, processors, investors, researchers, retailers, government and biotech companies to work collectively to unlock the full potential of seafood ‘side stream’ products, over and above the actual fish protein.

Spearheaded by Seafood Scotland in partnership with the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC), Zero Waste Scotland, Opportunity North East and Aberdeenshire Council, the Cluster has revealed its plans for the future off the back of the funding boost during Scottish Government Innovation Week.

As well as carrying out a recruitment drive to find a dedicated project manager for the initiative, the Cluster has been carrying out detailed research on volumes of Scotland’s whole fish imports, exports and landings, to more accurately calculate the potential future value of more than 10 different types of side stream products.

By harnessing biotech expertise, these fish side streams can be used to create a range of products for a variety of sectors. For example, using scallop shells in construction or making value added nutritional supplements from marine collagen.

The 70 organisations who have already expressed interest in working with the Cluster comprise seafood processers, converters and public sector bodies including those in construction, energy, nutritional supplements, enzyme extraction, specialist feeds and start-up investors.

Over the space of three years, the Scottish Ocean Cluster believes it could potentially treble the market value of the estimated 265,000 tonnes of fish ‘waste’ from all sectors which currently either goes to fish meal, fish oil or back to source.

Donna Fordyce, CEO of Seafood Scotland, said:

“In the six months since its official launch, the Scottish Ocean Cluster has reached a pivotal point in its journey. The funding and interest we’ve seen so far is a clear indication of the appetite across some of Scotland’s key sectors to embrace innovation and secure a sustainable future for our coastal rural fishing communities.

“Our research and incoming enquiries so far have uncovered even more opportunities to extract value from Scotland’s fish and shellfish than we knew existed. It’s a clear indication that, as one of the world’s largest producers, our seafood sector has the potential to help Scotland live up to its reputation for forward-thinking innovation.

“We’re making excellent progress so far, but we still have a long way to go, and realising our ambitions requires cross-sector support as well as funding to bring planned projects to life.”

Audrey Nicoll, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, has also shown support for the Cluster. She said:

“I wholeheartedly welcome the progress made by those driving the Scottish Ocean Cluster. The initiative promotes entrepreneurship and the evolution of the blue economy – marrying one of Scotland’s most historic industries with the latest biotech innovations to create vibrant and sustainable local economies.”