SAIC, the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre, has appointed two industry experts from independent businesses in the shellfish and finfish sectors to its board.
Dawnfresh Farming Director Alison Hutchins and Shetland Mussels Managing Director Michael Tait will enhance the board’s existing expertise, the SAIC wrote in a press release.
The SAIC invest in collaborative research projects in the areas of fish health and welfare, nutrition, shellfish production, capacity and sustainable industry growth in Scotland. They also help grow the industry’s talent pool by supporting MSc and PhD places, internships and training programmes.
SAIC’s board consists of 10 members from industry-leading producers, academics, and observers from the Scottish Funding Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
Based in Argyll, Ms Hutchins has 17 years’ experience in aquaculture working across organisations such as the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), The Scottish Salmon Company and was a manager at Marine Harvest. She has a strong understanding of regulatory processes, as well as developing strategies for site development and business growth.
Alison Hutchins said: “This is an exciting time to be involved in the aquaculture industry in Scotland. Over the years I have worked hard to attract funding, encourage innovation and ensure the kind of growth the industry in this country is capable of. Boosting diversity across all areas of Scottish aquaculture is one of the key areas of importance to me, and I look forward to contributing to this further on the board of SAIC.”
