What inspired you to become involved in aquaculture? 

I can’t say there’s one specific thing that inspired me to become involved in aquaculture – but if I had to narrow it down, I’d say it’s the people. From the growers and farmers dedicated to producing the most delicious food, to the processors preparing it to be enjoyed in homes and restaurants around the world, the passion in this sector is palpable. How could I not want to be a part of that?

Briefly describe your aquaculture career 

My official involvement in aquaculture came when I joined Seafood Scotland in 2017. But when I was Account Manager at Scottish Enterprise I worked with many of Scotland’s seafood processing companies. I was also a member of the project approval committee for the MFF and EMFF funds for many years, which gave me great insight into the latest developments in the sector. So, while I’ve technically had a career in aquaculture for about eight years, my awareness of the sector – and its ambitions and challenges – go back much further.

Which individuals or organisations in aquaculture have you found particularly inspirational? 

Everyone in the aquaculture sector has an incredible amount of passion, which I find so exciting. But a few people do stand out on a personal level.

Su Cox from Bakkafrost has a genuinely impressive knowledge of the salmon industry which, combined with her long-time dedication to the sector, I think makes her worthy of a lifetime achievement award! Nick Lake from ASSG has a similarly impressive dedication to the industry. It’s fantastic to see his efforts in farmed shellfish development and his work bringing international speakers to inspire Scottish growers at the annual conference.

And while she’s no longer in the sector, I really admire my former colleague Clare Dean for her drive and ambition.

What is your proudest aquaculture-related achievement to date? 

We led the charge bringing the Responsible Seafood Summit to Scotland and co-hosted it alongside the Global Seafood Alliance, which will always be one of the proudest moments in my career.

The Summit firmly established Scotland as a leading seafood nation and secured our place in key industry discussions. It was truly exciting to share Scotland’s passion and commitment to innovation with seafood leaders from around the world.

But perhaps more importantly, it created a powerful sense of connection throughout the seafood industry on a global scale.

What do you think will be the key drivers/areas for innovation for Scottish aquaculture in the next decade? 

Scotland is known for the quality of our fish and shellfish, which is driven in large part by policy and regulation: you can’t have high quality seafood if the products aren’t treated right or if their environment properly cared for.

I can see policy and regulation becoming even more important over the next few years, as more people become aware of their importance. One thing I’d love to see happen is more production happening onshore, which also requires additional policies and regulations to ensure that quality is maintained.