Lisa Collins and Grant Stentiford have joined the board of the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC). The pair will also join the center’s independent scientific panel (SISP), which provides guidance on future funding decisions and works to attracting external investment into Scottish research.
Collins’ and Stentiford’s scientific credentials and experience working at the interface of government, industry, and academia makes them valuable additions to the board and scientific panel, SAIC Chairman David Gregory said.
“We challenge ourselves to fund and support the highest-quality scientific research, and their national and global expertise will help us drive that forward in conjunction with the sector,” Gregory said. “SAIC’s ambition is to use cutting-edge science, new technology, and data-led innovation to boost sustainability as we continue to minimize the environmental footprint and increase the economic impact of U.K. aquaculture.”
Collins is head of the school of biology and professor of animal science at the University of Leeds. As N8 agrifood chair in agricultural systems and academic director of the National Pig Centre, she has worked on numerous projects involving big data and emerging technology. Her current research focuses on developing smart agricultural systems including technology development, systems modelling, and data analytics, driving more sustainable, efficient, and effective food production.
“I am excited to join the SAIC board and independent scientific panel. I look forward to working with the SAIC team, applying my experience in terrestrial animal science to aquaculture: cross-sector knowledge exchange and collaboration are crucial tools for the continuous improvement of animal health and environmentally responsible food production,” Collins said.
Grant has more than 20 years’ expertise in the government and academic fields of international aquaculture. Since 2016, he has been co-director of the Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture Futures at the University of Exeter. He is also head of the OIE Collaborating Centre for Emerging Aquatic Animal Diseases and principal aquatic animal pathologist at Cefas, among other positions.
“SAIC plays a key role in forging partnerships between academia and businesses in aquaculture, driving innovation to help the sector grow sustainably. Having worked in aquatic animal health and well-being for more than two decades now, I’m eager to contribute to the important work of SAIC and the SISP,” Grant said.
Separately, Scotland’s salmon farmers have launched new measures to help keep beaches clean of marine litter in coastal communities.
As part of a commitment to the wider marine environment, trade body Salmon Scotland is encouraging people to report waste, regardless of the source, so that salmon farmers close to the location can help remove it. A dedicated inbox has been created, and reports should ideally contain a “what3words” exact location and photo. The information will be collated centrally and reported to local teams for recovery.
The new measures cover all of the northwest Highlands, the Western Isles, Argyll and Bute, Shetland, and Orkney, according to Salmon Scotland.
Photos courtesy of Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre
