Shellfish Growers conference set for return to Oban
The key players in shellfish aquaculture in Scotland will be returning to Oban this autumn for the Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers (ASSG) Conference 2024, on 29-30 October.
The theme of the conference is “Scottish Cultivated Shellfish – Assuring Value”.
Oban is known as Scotland’s west coast seafood capital and the conference agenda reflects the factors that make the industry a key component of the Scottish rural economy.
The principal sponsor is Crown Estate Scotland and co-sponsors are: The Sea Fish Industry Authority; Seafood Scotland; and the UK Agri-Tech Centre.
Assuring value for a wide range of stakeholders and interests is a thread running through the two-day event. The conference opening will hear from the recently appointed Director of Aquaculture and Ecosystems at Crown Estate Scotland on how the marine estate could be utilised as part of the sectors continued sustainable expansion.
Looking towards the international horizon and the perspectives of major industries in both Chile and France presentations will be delivered by those with a first-hand experience of developing businesses and seeking to realise the value of large-scale production.
With aquaculture production seen to be the natural stop-gap to supplement seafood supplies from wild fisheries, there is a need to consider how such cultivated shellfish are viewed and can be promoted to consumers? Outlets for Scottish mussel and oyster production are varied in nature and scale ranging from local sales to international exports. While volumes may be only a small part of general seafood sales the regional value of such products is important.
Not only will bivalve production as a valuable food industry component be considered but also any possible wider environmental impacts. The Marine Conservation Society will evaluate how production within Scotland fulfils the twin demands of sustainability and economic outputs. The benefits of “ecosystem services” delivered through the establishment of cultivation activities will be further expanded upon by Seafish.
With bivalve shellfish cultivation an established industry both within Scotland and throughout the rest of Europe and beyond, evolution and innovation will be key to remaining ahead of a changing environment and consumer demands.
When it comes to the UK native oyster a vision for the future will be presented looking at the opportunities stock selection and growing conditions could infer. Likewise in any future demand scenarios, the potential for the blue mussel to become a valued food ingredient will also be considered, based on recent research.
The conference will also hear from the Crown Estate Scotland-supported Scottish cultivated shellfish Brand Ambassador, who will outline the routes to influence the consumers of today and the future, in terms of the value to society that our shellfish can and do deliver.
The conference includes a full programme of events including the Highlands and Islands Enterprise sponsored “Best Scottish Shellfish” competition, a range of trade exhibitors and the Association’s annual dinner and awards, together with some of the finest Scottish seafood lunches available.
Full details and delegate bookings can be found at www.assg.org.uk
