INNOVATION THEATRE PROGRAMME

Over the last decade, advances in technology and digitalisation have unlocked a new era for aquaculture. More and more farms are being equipped with sensors and associated technology to monitor the environment in real-time and support long-term data analysis. Data collected at aquaculture sites is used for a range of farm-management purposes, but digitalisation of the sector could also support innovative approaches to climate change assessments. However, as most attention focuses on the present day and near-future, innovative approaches are required to repurpose data to better understand changing conditions, and their impact on aquaculture production. As the amount of data generated continues to increase, it is an important point in time to discuss how data can be utilised to unlock new insights into the sector and help plan for the future. Technological advances increase the capability of farms to collect different types of data, but there are also costs and complexities associated with data collection, so there is also a need to think about what data is needed and why. This presentation will discuss the role of digitalisation in climate change assessments for the aquaculture sector, as well as challenges that need to be addressed. Finally, the presentation will also highlight that collaboration amongst a range of stakeholders must underpin efforts to digitalise the sector and support innovation within climate change assessments.

What are the benefits of the innovation being showcased?
This presentation highlights the innovative use of data and digitalisation to enhance climate change assessments. This approach provides better understanding of changing conditions at different farm sites and supports the development of more targeted adaptation responses.

Nearly all fish farms in Europe are facing multiple challenges. Reduced inlet water volumes, raising water temperatures and energy prices in addition to higher requirements to the quality of effluent/outlet water. To keep actual production volumes or even raise them as well as to ensure profitability of operations, advanced and well-developed farm engineering and design is crucial and more important than ever before. This presentation will give you an overview of the possibilities how to prepare your farms for those challenges.

Join us for an insightful panel discussion on the potential expansion of aquaculture into deeper offshore waters, aimed at optimising returns and mitigating environmental impacts. As this expansion progresses, new challenges emerge, particularly concerning the deployment of larger structures in remote locations where power availability is limited, monitoring is challenging, and mooring systems are intricate. Key topics for discussion will include the complexities of mooring and anchoring systems for larger structures and we will examine the feasibility of on-site power generation for remote aquaculture systems.

This panel session will showcase how collaboration has supported these innovative companies to move forward. We will highlight aquaculture companies and facility providers who are doing something a bit different, farming new species, developing new products and embracing new technology.
The UK Agri-Tech Centre can connect you to world-class knowledge, funding, expertise and facilities that will save you time and accelerate your progress.
Come along and ask questions, and find out how you can get involved too.

What are the benefits of the innovation being showcased?
The UK Agri-Tech Centre can save you time and money so that better ideas get to market faster – by speeding up connections and bringing together partners to address challenges that no one part of the sector can address alone.

The UK Sustainable King Prawn Project (UKSKKP) is a ground-breaking research and business impact project. It is exploring the potential to create a new, sustainable and more environmentally-friendly king prawn farming sector in the UK using renewable energy technology, circular-economy principles and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). It aims to help position the UK as a global frontrunner in this field of indoor aquaculture and provide innovative diversification opportunities for UK aquaculture and land-based farming communities.

This 3.5 year project, running to March 2026, is led by the University of Exeter working in partnership with the University of Reading and Rothamsted Research. It also includes 11 industrial partners including Sainsbury’s, Lyons Seafoods, Cargill and the UK’s leading production experts in the sector. It has received £2 million funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), as part of its Transforming UK Food Systems Strategic Priorities Fund (SPF) Programme which puts improved health outcomes for people and the natural environment at its core.

This presentation will introduce the UKSKPP to the wider sector. We will outline progress to date, highlight plans for the remaining 24 months and signpost upcoming opportunities for sector engagement.

We will also be launching the new ‘UK Shrimp & Prawn Network’. This initiative aims to encourage and enhance interaction between key individuals and organisations within the aquaculture industry and academic research community that have a common interest in crustacean aquaculture, and shrimp and prawn in particular. This Network will facilitate and encourage the widest possible engagement of academic and industry professionals with an interest in this aquaculture space.

This presentation will give an overview of some of the resources provided by Moredun Scientific and its partners to support research on diseases of farmed salmon. The presentation is aimed at research leaders in industry and the academic sector seeking to develop new products and innovations to reduce the impact of disease in aquaculture.

What are the benefits of the innovation being showcased?
Reducing the impact of disease in aquaculture.

Join us to explore how artificial intelligence is revolutionising feeding processes in aquaculture. This presentation will focus on the significant impacts of AI, including substantial cost reductions, enhanced growth rates, and improved health. We will examine how real-time AI-driven technologies help optimise feeding efficiency. The session will also provide a roadmap for the future role of AI in aquaculture, highlighting the potential for further advancements.

What are the benefits of the innovation being showcased?
Potential reduction of feed costs and increase in fish growth.