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Scottish shellfish farmers will be ‘Looking to the Future’ at their annual conference in October, and are delighted that the Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, Stewart Stevenson, will join them to open the event.
Held at the Corran Halls, Oban, Argyll on October 4th and 5th, the Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers (ASSG) conference features an international panel of speakers, a networking dinner, and the eagerly contested annual competition to find ‘Scotland’s Best Mussels, Gigas and Native Oysters’. The competition is open to all mussel and oyster farmers in Scotland and has been won for the past two years by Colonsay Oysters and Inverlussa Shellfish.
Keynote speaker Richard Slaski, secretary of the Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum, is taking ‘A glance over the horizon’, in keeping with the theme of the conference, looking at current and future projects that will help the industry to develop its full potential.
Over two days, speakers will explore farming techniques, processing and marketing, and legislation. They will look at shellfish monitoring programmes, marine protected areas, and the protection of shellfish water quality; at the health benefits of eating shellfish and at European and consumer issues; and at developments in production methods and the environmental impacts of shellfish farming. The full programme, registration form and details of how to pay, are available on the ASSG website, www.assg.org.uk
Walter Speirs, Chairman of ASSG, said: “Our industry is vital to the economy of small coastal communities and our members are delighted that Stewart Stevenson is joining us to learn about the latest developments. He is highly supportive of the Scottish shellfish industry and we look forward to hearing his opening speech.
“I am also grateful to our sponsors The Crown Estate, Scottish Natural Heritage, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Neogen, Astecaquaculture and Ashwood, for their generous support.
“We anticipate a high turnout of members and overseas visitors to listen to our high calibre speakers and take part in the debate, and urge people to book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment!”
Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Environment and Climate Change, said: "Scotland’s clean waters offer fantastic conditions for shellfish cultivation, while the industry provides important employment opportunities in some remote parts of the country. Therefore, I look forward to addressing this year’s ASSG conference, finding out about new developments and meeting people working in the industry.
“Mussel farming in Scotland has gone from strength to strength, with production up year-on-year over the past four years. In 2010 some 7,200 tonnes were produced, worth £6.7 million. Over the coming years, if we all work together so that the right promotion, technological developments and legislation are in place, I believe Scottish shellfish farming can continue to grow and thrive.”
Following the recent acquisition of VeroMara, Neogen Europe Ltd is holding an evening reception for conference delegates on Monday 3rd October at the Argyllshire Gathering Halls in Oban, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm
The event will include an introduction to Neogen’s services, followed by a shellfish toxin workshop, where attendees will have the opportunity to experience the company’s latest lateral flow technology. A light buffet and refreshments will be provided.
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