Aquaculture research hub boosts local economy
The University of Stirling says its new aquaculture research facility, now nearing completion, has already generated millions for the local economy.
The National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub (NATIH) is funded by a £17m investment by the UK Government, through the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal, as well as a £1m Wolfson Foundation grant and investment from the University.
The project has met ambitious targets to deliver local social impact, with £2.64m of the project budget spent with businesses within 40 miles of the University, and £6m with small and medium sized businesses.
The university stresses that the project has had a positive social impact, calculating that £2.64m of the project budget has been spent with businesses within 40 miles of the University, and £6m with small and medium sized businesses.
The main contractor for the construction was Robertson Central East, and the recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) integral to the facility was designed and installed by Denmark’s North Aquaculture.
NATIH has placed a high priority on social impact, Stirling said, from job creation to work experience and apprenticeships opportunities, across Stirling and Clackmannanshire.
Community benefits have included more than 80 weeks of apprenticeships delivered in partnership with Robertson and the supply chain; work experience placements for young people; the Ideal Candidate employability programme for Wallace High and Lornshill Academy pupils; site visits with local schools with a special focus on encouraging women into construction; and monthly food bank donations and community clean-up events delivered in partnership with local organisations.
Professor Paul A. Townsend, Deputy Principal (Research and Innovation) at the University of Stirling, said: “Aquaculture is one of the world’s fastest growing sectors and the new National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub at the University of Stirling will create the UK’s leading innovation community for sustainable aquatic food production, creating high value, skilled jobs and training opportunities.
"We’re proud that the construction of this exciting new facility has already supported prosperity and created opportunities for people in Stirling, Clackmannanshire and beyond, so that together we can live better, safer, healthier lives.”
A versatile research space
NATIH is a freshwater research facility for the University’s Institute of Aquaculture that can accommodate a range of different species from salmon smolts to zebra fish and tropical shrimps. The building is divided between a main RAS section that can run several different trials at the same time, and a highly biosecure section for challenge trials involving pathogens.
State of the art filtration systems mean that both the incoming water and effluent from the facility are thoroughly disinfected and waste is safely removed.
Tanks of different sizes are capable of being run independently, so experiments with different species, at different lighting levels or different temperatures, can run concurrently.
As Professor Simon MacKenzie, Director of the Institute of Aquaculture explained, the design of experiments will be able to change because of the flexibility of the system at NATIH. It will be set up with sophisticated data feeds –and could facilitate the use of artificial intelligence tools to analyse data.
He pointed out that the system will also offer excellent hands-on training for scientists and technicians in the use of RAS for fish farming.
David Cairns, Managing Director at Robertson Construction Central East, said: “We have worked as a partner to the University of Stirling for a number of years, delivering high-quality award-winning buildings which further enhance learning and research. As a responsible contractor, our works go beyond the physical buildings and reflect the community wealth building desires of both the University and us.
“The NATIH building will play a pivotal role in reinforcing the University as a world leader in sustainable aquaculture and has already made a significant contribution to the local community through the construction phase.”
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