Prize panel named for aqua awards

THE judging panel for the 2019 Aquaculture Awards has been selected for its breadth of knowledge of the varied aspects of the global industry, said the award organisers.
Announced this morning, the judges are: Alex Adrian, aquaculture operations manager of Crown Estate Scotland; Nicki Holmyard, seafood journalist and director of Offshore Shellfish; Martin Gill, head of aquaculture and fisheries at Lloyd’s Register; David Little, chair of aquatic resource development and research director of the Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling; Rob Fletcher, senior editor of the Fish Site and Sustainable Aquaculture Magazine (part of awards owner 5M); and Susan Tinch, event manager of organiser Aquaculture UK.
The awards, held last year at the Aquaculture UK show in Aviemore, have now become an annual event because of the high level of industry interest in 2018. They will be open to international entries, too, this year.
The awards ceremony will be held at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh on May 29, and will include prizes for applied research breakthroughs, sustainability, international impact and animal welfare, among the categories.
Aquaculture UK said the judging panel this year bring ‘valuable international experience to bear, which is essential when considering the achievements of the aquaculture industry in a global context’.
Alex Adrian has been with the Crown Estate for 10 years and before that worked in the Scottish salmon farming sector for 19 years, and is well known throughout the industry in Scotland.
Dave Little has more than 40 years’ experience in aquaculture and his research interests have focused on the societal impacts of the industry, particularly in Asia and Africa.
Nicki Holmyard helps run her family mussel business, Offshore Shellfish, in Devon, and writes about seafood for many publications (including Fish Farmer, Fish Update’s sister publication).
Rob Fletcher, a former editor of Fish Farmer and Fish Farming Expert, moved to the Fish Site nearly two years ago, and helped re-launch the Aquaculture Awards for 5M last year.
Martin Gill also has a long track record in aquaculture, as well as fisheries, and was managing director of Acoura Marine until it was taken over by Lloyds in 2016. He has held positions in the FAO, and is a former editor of World Fishing magazine and a founding editor of Eurofish Magazine.
Holmyard said: \’I think that awards are an excellent way of celebrating and rewarding people, products, innovations and developments in the aquaculture world.
\’As part of the judging panel in 2018, I was impressed by the time, energy and commitment given by the panel to ensure that the judging process was exacting, transparent and fair.
\’It was rewarding to see the looks of surprise and joy on the winners’ faces at they were announced at the presentation dinner during Aquaculture UK, and I look forward to being involved with the 2019 Awards.\’
She added: \’I’ve been involved in aquaculture for 30 years, both as a shellfish farmer and an industry journalist, and I am pleased to be able to use my experience and knowledge to help reward the brightest and best in our sector.\’\’
The deadline for entries to the Aquaculture Awards 2019 is Friday, March 1, and the shortlist will be announced in early April.
For information about how to enter visit www.aquacultureawards.com
Picture: Stirling University\’s Dave Little, one of the judges