Shortlist announced for 2026 Aquaculture Awards
Salmon farmers, shellfish growers and the emerging seaweed industry are all represented in the shortlist for the Aquaculture Awards 2026.
The awards, which celebrates the exceptional achievements of individuals, businesses and organisations in the aquaculture sector over the past year, will take place as part of the Aquaculture UK trade show and conference in Glasgow this June.
They will be presented on Tuesday, 16 June, at a gala dinner in the Grand Ballroom of the prestigious Hilton Glasgow Hotel.
The organisers, Diversified Communications UK, said that with almost 100 nominations reflecting the wide range of talent across the aquaculture community, the judges had a particularly difficult task selecting finalists and winners this year.
Making the shortlist are aquaculture’s leading lights from Scotland and further afield, recognising all those whose endeavours and enterprise set them apart from their peers.
They include 13 separate categories covering everything from innovation to community initiative, sustainability to animal health and welfare, the best of the suppliers and new start-ups, and with a new award for the aquaculture site of the year.
Cheri Arvonio, Awards Director, said: “The Aquaculture Awards provide an opportunity for us all to get together once a year and champion the hard work and high standards across the sector, both at home and abroad.
“This year has seen an impressive level and quality of entries and we can’t wait to welcome all those in the running, our award sponsors and some 700 guests to the Hilton Glasgow for what will be our biggest awards night yet.”
AQUACULTURE AWARDS 2026 SHORTLIST
RISING STAR
Irene Pozo, Scottish Sea Farms
Leah Macintyre, Bakkafrost Scotland
Sam Laurenson, Blueshell Mussels
Gerred Fuchs, Anpario
Nick Moore, West Coast Seaweed
COLLABORATION
Transforming Salmon Health Through Precision Vaccine Development: Ridgeway Biologicals (Ceva Animal Health) and Mowi Scotland
Applecross Sustainability Project: Bakkafrost Scotland, The Applecross Trust, Applecross Community Council, Highland Council and Foster Turner
The BactMetBar Project: Scottish Association for Marine Science, UHI, Salmon Scotland, Technical University of Kaiserslautern, Germany, Mowi, Scottish Sea Farms, and SEPA
Advancing Gill Health and Genomic Resilience in Scottish Salmon Farming: Benchmark Genetics and the University of Stirling’s Institute of Aquaculture
INNOVATION
WellFish Tech: Stevie AI Agent Architecture
Akvapartner: Solar Cell Automat
Aquabyte: All in one 360-degree view monitoring system
Tritonia Scientific: Georeferenced 3D photogrammetry and digital seabed modelling
SAMS Enterprise: eDNA2IQI Software Platform
SUSTAINABILITY
Bakkafrost Scotland: Pyrolosis Unit
Requip Services: Steel Wire Rope Repurposing
Akvapartner: Solar Feeder
COMMUNITY INITIATIVE
Regal Springs Tilapia: Community led conservation and restoration efforts in Mexico
Mowi: Mowi Disability Shinty Festival
South West Mull and Iona Development (SWMID): first community-owned and community-sanctioned seaweed farm in Scotland
ANIMAL HEALTH & WELFARE
Scottish Sea Farms: Lerwick plankton monitoring programme
Matthijs Metselaar, Aquatic Vets
Ictiobiotic: IKA Forte
SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR
Northern Light Consulting
Nexus Aquaculture
MoROV Subsea Solutions
ReQuip Services
BEST NEW START UP
Blue Food Performance
Nexus Aquaculture
Phoenix Marine Exports
MoROV Subsea Solutions
AQUACULTURE SITE OF THE YEAR
Bakkafrost Scotland: Applecross Site
Fischzucht Moser
Mowi Scotland: Loch Etive
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION
Matthijs Metselaar, Aquatic Vets
Fiona McCauley, Salmon Scotland
Alastair Barge, Otter Ferry Seafish
UNSUNG HERO
Winner announced at the Awards dinner
FARMER OF THE YEAR
Hugh MacKinnon, Mowi Scotland
John Henderson, Scottish Sea Farms
James Perlich, Bakkafrost Scotland
JUDGES’ SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD
Winner to be announced at the Awards dinner
With more than 250 exhibitors from over 20 countries already signed up, Aquaculture UK, to be held from 16-17 June at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), is expected to attract record crowds from across the country and around the world.
For tickets to the Aquaculture Awards, contact Aquaculture UK organiser Diversified Communications via aharrison@divcom.co.uk.
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