Team Scotland gears up for Aqua Nor 2023

Issued by SAIC in partnership with HIE, Salmon Scotland and Marine Scotland 

A Scottish pavilion will return to Aqua Nor next summer, showcasing the nation’s blue economy expertise and offering aquaculture supply chain companies a chance to do business on an international stage once again.

From 22 to 24 August, a Team Scotland partnership comprising the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC), Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Salmon Scotland and Marine Scotland will provide a platform for Scottish businesses to showcase expertise, products and services at the global aquaculture event in Trondheim, Norway.

Next year’s trade show will be the first to take place again fully in-person since the Covid-19 pandemic and with international travel back on the agenda, significantly more delegates are expected in 2023. The three-day event is estimated to draw around 25,000 visitors from more than 75 nations.

Scottish businesses active in the aquaculture supply chain are invited to join the pavilion and take advantage of the chance to be part of the collaborative delegation with support through shared exhibition space, meeting rooms, presentation facilities and other activities.

Aqua Nor is the world’s largest aquaculture technology exhibition, bringing together the latest products, processes and services across finfish, shellfish and, increasingly, seaweed species. First held in 1979, all the world’s major aquaculture nations attend. A hybrid version of the three-day event in 2021 attracted more than 16,500 visitors and a further 8,000 participants online.

Heather Jones, CEO of SAIC, said: “We have a wealth of expertise and world-class research underpinning the success of Scotland’s aquaculture sector and Aqua Nor gives us a valuable opportunity to bring that to a global audience. The pavilion gives companies of all sizes a chance to use facilities and space to host meetings and make valuable connections. We’re looking forward to attending in person again now that travel is less restricted, and we’re pleased to be able to extend this opportunity to everyone involved in Scottish aquaculture.”

The Scottish collective represents the first official pavilion from the country at Aqua Nor since 2017. Feedback from exhibitors who joined the previous Team Scotland stand was overwhelmingly positive, reporting encouraging levels of interest generated by the collective presence.

At last year’s event, Scotland was represented through a digital exhibition and, in 2019, SAIC hosted a separate stand and events on behalf of its network, alongside a Scottish supply chain workshop hosted by Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary Fergus Ewing.

Elaine Jamieson, Head of Food and Drink and Life Sciences at HIE, said: “HIE is delighted to be partnering with organisations from the public and private sectors to deliver a Scottish pavilion at Aqua Nor 2023. Collectively we are in a very strong position to showcase the innovation, entrepreneurship, products and services that come from Scotland. We know Aqua Nor is the key meeting place for the global aquaculture industry and the pavilion will support businesses to make new connections and explore opportunities for working internationally.”

Tavish Scott, Chief Executive of Salmon Scotland, added: “The return of the Scottish pavilion to Aqua Nor is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the immense potential of Scotland’s blue economy. A growing global population needs healthy, nutritious food, and our farm-raised salmon sector can help feed the world by growing responsibly.

“Our extraordinary success story has been achieved by a dedicated workforce despite the incredible challenges of Covid and Brexit, and by tapping into salmon farming’s full potential I’m confident that the blue economy can deliver even greater benefits for Scottish communities.”

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Libby Keiller
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Peter McFarlane
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