Five aquaculture trainees shortlisted for Lantra Scotland’s ALBAS 25
Bakkafrost, Kames Fish Farm, Organic Sea Harvest and the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute are all represented in the shortlist for this year’s Lantra Scotland Awards for Land-based and Aquaculture Skills (the ALBAS).
The ALBAS Awards will be held at the Crieff Hydro Hotel on Thursday 6 March 2025.
The evening will be hosted by Dr Jenna Ross OBE and Mike Duxbury of Inclusive Farm.
Industry categories in the ALBAS cover animal care, aquaculture, equine, environmental conservation, fisheries management, game and wildlife, horticulture, land-based engineering, vet nursing and trees and timber.
As well as prizes for Overall Winner, Runner-up and Modern Apprentice of the Year, there are awards for Higher Education, School Pupil, Secondary Schools, Research Project, Mentor award, the Tam Tod Trophy for outstanding young learner, and the Anna Murray Award for Partnership Working.
Lewis Henderson from the Isle of Gigha is doing a Modern Apprenticeship in Aquaculture at UHI Shetland while working in Fish Husbandry for Bakkafrost Scotland.
He said: “Having lived on an Island all my life, I have always had a deep passion for the sea and aquaculture. As my father is also a fish farmer my initial interest started there and has only grown over the years.”
Derek Dunning from Lochgilphead is doing a Modern Apprenticeship in Aquaculture at UHI Shetland while working in Fish Husbandry for Kames Fish Farm in Oban. Derek said: “I have a passion for the ocean spending free time spearfishing and five years in the NSRI [National Sea Rescue Institute] which is the South African equivalent of the RNLI. The most satisfying and rewarding part of the job for me is improving the site I work on from health and safety to general housekeeping and maintaining the equipment.”
Robaidh Halliday from Portree on the Isle of Skye is doing an SVQ Level 9 in Aquaculture Management at UHI Shetland while working as a Site Manager for Organic Sea Harvest in Portree.
Halliday said: “I have been working on fishing boats for most of my time since leaving school. I had a young family and was looking for a job that would allow me to stay in the area I grew up in, still work at sea and have a good work life balance. I instantly fell in love with fish farming and knew this was the job for me.”
Robert Stewart from Edinburgh is doing a PhD in Aquaculture at the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh. He said: “Aquaculture is a growing and important food production system in the UK and abroad, and my work allows me to support that worthwhile sector whilst working with my favourite animals.”
Mary Collins from Glasgow is doing a Modern Apprenticeship in Aquaculture at UHI Shetland while working in Fish Husbandry at Bakkafrost Scotland on the Isle of Gigha.
She said: “My first manager was a wonderful teacher and greatly supported me and my skills development in my first job as a technician. I’ve learned so much over my two years in the industry. At the beginning, I was a complete novice with no practical skills to my name and it felt like I was way out of my depth. Now I feel comfortable jumping into any task and improving my skills every day.”
Finalists for ALBAS 2025 were selected by an independent judging panel made up of influential figures from across the sector, chaired by Rebecca Dawes, Agriculture and Rural Communicator at Jane Craigie Marketing and trustee of RSABI and The Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth.
Dr Liz Barron-Majerik MBE MICFor, Director of Lantra Scotland commented: “Lantra Scotland’s ALBAS play an important role in the land-based and aquaculture sector, as they highlight the fantastic achievements of skilled and dedicated staff at different levels of their careers, from new entrants to career changers, while also showing employers, businesses and other organisations the benefits of skills development and partnership working.
“I’m delighted to say that we have again had a record number of entries in for the ALBAS, so congratulations to all those nominated and especial good luck to all the finalists at our ceremony in March.
“Thanks also to the independent industry figures who are our judges, to training providers and employers who submit the nominations, and of course to all of our generous supporters who make our event possible”.
Tickets for the awards ceremony are available from Lantra Scotland on 01738 310164 or scotland@lantra.co.uk
Lantra’s work in Scotland is supported by the Scottish Government.
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