UK fish and seafood farming success has been celebrated at the industry’s flagship annual conference.
Winners of the inaugural Scottish Marine Aquaculture Awards, open to people and companies across Britain, were announced in front of a 600-strong audience at Macdonald Aviemore Resort.
Among the top honours, Gael Force Group managing director Stewart Graham received an outstanding contribution to industry gong.
Mr Graham played a key role in launching the 2030 Vision growth strategy, which aims to double the value of Scottish aquaculture over the next 12 years.
The “people’s choice” award went to Stuart Cannon of Kames Fish Farming, who has worked in the sector since 1972.
Marine Harvest Scotland (MHS) scooped the aquaculture company of the year title and the Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group’s quick-cook moules frites, developed in partnership with Morrisons, were hailed as the seafood product of the year.
Awards for the best shellfish and fin fish farm managers were won by Robert Lamont, of Loch Ryan Oyster Fishery Company, and Sarah Last, of Scottish Sea Farms, respectively.
Mull-based Inverlussa Marine was named supplier of the year, Akva Group Scotland won the business development award and MHS was honoured in the community initiative category.
A rising star award was jointly presented to Lynne Frame, hatchery specialist at Scottish Sea Farms, and Scott MacKay, of AKVA Group Scotland.
Stewardship/sustainability and innovation awards went to Carly Daniels, of Cornwall’s National Lobster Hatchery, and MHS’s David MacGillivray respectively.