Scottish Ocean Cluster Celebrates Six-Month Milestone with Funding Injection

Funding Announcement During Scotland’s National Innovation Week

The Scottish Ocean Cluster, a groundbreaking initiative designed to enhance the value derived from Scotland’s seafood industry by utilizing side streams, has secured its first round of funding and amassed over 70 expressions of interest within just six months since its launch.

Unlocking Value from Seafood Side Streams

Established to bring together a diverse range of stakeholders—including producers, processors, investors, researchers, retailers, government bodies, and biotech companies—the Scottish Ocean Cluster aims to unlock the full potential of seafood by focusing on products that go beyond traditional fish protein.

Collaborative Effort to Propel Innovation

This initiative, spearheaded by Seafood Scotland, in conjunction with organizations like the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC), Zero Waste Scotland, Opportunity North East, and Aberdeenshire Council, recently announced its future plans during Scotland’s National Innovation Week. The funding boost is seen as a critical opportunity for expanding the project.

Fostering Future Growth

In addition to launching a recruitment campaign for a dedicated project manager, the Cluster is currently conducting detailed research on Scotland’s fish import and export volumes, as well as landings. This research aims to more accurately assess the potential market value of over ten different types of side stream products.

Innovative Applications of Seafood Side Streams

By leveraging biotechnology, the Cluster envisions transforming fish side streams into a variety of products suitable for different sectors. For example, scallop shells may be repurposed in construction, while marine collagen can be processed into value-added nutritional supplements.

Wide-ranging Interest from Various Sectors

So far, the Cluster has received expressions of interest from 70 organizations, encompassing seafood processors, public sector bodies, and businesses in construction, energy, nutritional supplements, enzyme extraction, specialty feeds, and startup investments.

Potential for Market Value Growth

Over the next three years, the Scottish Ocean Cluster has set an ambitious goal of tripling the market value of approximately 265,000 tonnes of fish waste generated across all sectors, which currently goes towards fish meal, fish oil, or is returned to the source.

Leadership Insights

Donna Fordyce, CEO of Seafood Scotland, stated:

“In the six months since its official launch, the Scottish Ocean Cluster has reached a pivotal point in its journey. The funding and interest we’ve seen so far is a clear indication of the appetite across some of Scotland’s key sectors to embrace innovation and secure a sustainable future for our coastal rural fishing communities.”

“Our research and incoming enquiries have uncovered even more opportunities for extracting value from Scotland’s fish and shellfish than we initially anticipated. As one of the world’s largest seafood producers, we believe our sector has the potential to further establish Scotland’s reputation for forward-thinking innovation.”

Political Support for the Initiative

Audrey Nicoll, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, has also voiced her support for the Cluster, emphasizing:

“I wholeheartedly welcome the progress made by those driving the Scottish Ocean Cluster. This initiative fosters entrepreneurship and the evolution of the blue economy—integrating one of Scotland’s most historic industries with cutting-edge biotech innovations to create vibrant and sustainable local economies.”