Scotland’s seaweed industry announces plans to rebrand

SSIA CEO Rhianna Rees said in her opening address that it had been a challenging year for the seaweed industry in Scotland. Many producers had been forced to spend money to diversify and the supply chain was bedevilled by the difficulty in creating processing facilities at a time when production volume is still quite limited.

Nonetheless she was confident that seaweed, with its many applications, has a bright future.

Rees also confirmed that the SSIA is set to change its name to “Seaweed Scotland” and is also in talks to develop a UK-wide body to enable seaweed producers across the United Kingdom to work more closely together and lobby on issues of mutual interest.

The change of name parallels that of the salmon industry trade body, which rebranded a few years ago from the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation to Salmon Scotland.

It was also announced that Seaweed Scotland is to publish a code of practice for its members, going beyond legislative requirements, to set out the standards the sector works to.

Also at the conference Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands in the Scottish Government, gave an address by video warmly supporting the industry and expressing confidence that seaweed would become a key part of Scotland’s marine economy.

The minister also confirmed that nearly £50,000 in funding had been allocated in the latest Marine Fund Scotland round of grants, to help Seaweed Scotland to create a framework for the sector.

The conference, which continues today, includes a range of speakers and delegates from Scotland, the rest of the UK and overseas.

A full report will appear in the December issue of Fish Farmer.