Projects

We channel our resources into the areas that will benefit the Scottish aquaculture sector the most, including reducing its environmental footprint and increasing its economic impact.

Sign up to our Newsbites for project updates
Sort By
Completed
Hemp by-products as a protein source for Scottish salmon
Hemp by-products as a protein source for Scottish salmon

This first look at sustainably sourced hempseed meal as an alternative protein source...

Ongoing
Salmonid freshwater cage farming in a changing world
Salmonid freshwater cage farming in a changing world

This project brings together a unique freshwater aquaculture partnership to improve t...

Completed
Low-frequency deterrent impact on non-target species
Low-frequency deterrent impact on non-target species

This project has provided evidence that there is no negative impact on non-target mar...

Completed
Establishing a sustainable supply and optimal deployment of lumpsuckers
Sustainable supply and optimal deployment of lumpsuckers

The lumpsucker (lumpfish) is one of the cleanerfish species whose natural behaviour i...

Completed
Exploring the use of avian proteins in salmon feeds
Exploring the use of avian proteins in salmon feeds

Greater adoption of avian proteins; less reliance on imported feed products; sustaina...

Completed
Enhancing the health and welfare of lumpfish
Enhancing the health and welfare of lumpfish

Increased understanding of the use and performance of cleaner fish in farmed environm...

Completed
Exploring ultrasound-based technology for salmon delousing
Exploring ultrasound-based technology for salmon delousing

An effective, non-medicinal approach to controlling the incidence of sea lice on Scot...

Completed
Improving cleaner fish vaccination
Improving cleaner fish vaccination

Improved survivability and efficacy of cleaner fish on Scotland’s salmon farms, with...

Ongoing
Live plankton analysis system (LPAS)
Live plankton analysis system (LPAS)

Salmon farmers face significant challenges from various forms of plankton and algae....

Completed
KelpRing: natural kelp hides for cleanerfish
KelpRing: natural kelp hides for cleanerfish

KelpRing is an innovative new product to support the successful use of cleaner fish (...

Ongoing
Aquawrasse: cleanerfish personality study
Aquawrasse: cleanerfish personality study

Ballan wrasse is one of the species used as cleanerfish in salmon farming. Their natu...

Completed
Scaling up the use of cleaner fish
Scaling up the use of cleaner fish

Increased harvest volumes of salmon and reduced reliance on medicinal controls, with...

Completed
Environmental DNA metabarcoding as an alternative to macrobenthic assessments (BactMetBar)
Environmental DNA metabarcoding as an alternative to macrobenthic assessments (BactMetBar)

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is DNA present in environmental samples such as sediment. e...

Completed
Investigating sea cucumbers as bioremediators for salmon farms
Investigating sea cucumbers as bioremediators for salmon farms

This project aimed to bridge the gap between fish production and environmental conser...

Completed
Innovative rock anchors for aquaculture
Innovative rock anchors for aquaculture

Developing an innovative new anchoring technology for the aquaculture industry to hel...

Ongoing
Novel Approach to Monitoring Aquaculture Impacts (NAMAqI)
Novel Approach to Monitoring Aquaculture Impacts (NAMAqI)

Improved monitoring techniques for the measurement of sulphides analysis.

Completed
ExPAND: Expanding Environments, Physics and Accuracy in NewDEPOMOD
ExPAND: Expanding Environments, Physics and Accuracy in NewDEPOMOD

Accurate and reliable predictive modelling of benthic impacts of salmon farming.

Ongoing
Increasing capacity for salmon farming in areas of high dispersion
Increasing capacity for salmon farming in areas of high dispersion

Better data on the benthic footprint of exposed sites; improved environmental monitor...

Completed
Developing DNA-based methodologies for seabed monitoring
Developing DNA-based methodologies for seabed monitoring

Development of a reliable, near real-time, alternative method of classifying seabed q...

Project facts
investment.png

Investment

Total value of SAIC-funded/co-funded collaborative research to date: £70.9m

partnership.png

Partnership

SAIC-funded research spans 92 different industry/academic project partners.

projects-new.png

Projects

So far, SAIC has helped fund 100 collaborative research projects

Untitled-1.png

Leverage Rate

Quadrupling return on investment by generating over £4 in industry and third-party funding for every £1 of public money

Industry-academic collaborations

Some of our projects have a lifetime of less than one year, while others are longer-term, multi-partner collaborations of up to three and a half years. Each project unites industry know-how with specialist academic expertise; something that SAIC works hard to encourage by helping forge the necessary connections.

Priority innovation areas

Our work is focused on catalysing and co-funding innovation in the areas identified by the sector as being top priorities. We call them our priority innovation areas – or PIAs for short.

Over the years, the industry’s priorities for innovation have evolved. Therefore, so too have our PIAs. This helps ensure that we continue to deliver maximum benefit from the combined investment being made. SAIC's three PIAs are 1: Finfish health & welfare, 2: Unlocking sector capacity, and 3: Shellfish and other non-finfish species.