ASSG CONFERENCE
2024

Scottish Cultivated Shellfish – Assuring Value

Corran Halls, Oban 29/30th October

Conference principal sponsor and co-sponsors
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The Scottish shellfish cultivation industry and our supporters will once again be gathering in Oban (29/30th October) to confer on all things shellfish!

The programme of presentations includes:

Day 1 - Conference Opening 12:00
The Crown Estate Scotland
– How do we Gain Value from the Marine Estate?
Experiences of the Chilean Mussel Industry – St Andrews Co., Chiloe, Chile
Perspectives of the French Shellfish Industry – Seafood Scotland
Cultivated Shellfish in the Seafood Market Place – Nicki Holmyard
Future of Shellfish – an Environmental NGO Perspective – MCS

Day 2 - Conference Opening 08:30
The Blue Mussel as a Food Ingredient – Seafish
Native Oysters – A Vision for the Future – Native Aqua Ltd
Bivalve Shellfish – Benefitting All – Seafish
Routes to Influence Positive Promotion – Shellfish Brand Ambassador

There will also be technical update sessions from service suppliers and researchers including (Day1);
Hexcyl Flip Farm System / Buoyage and Safety Marks, JFC Marine / Substrates and Moorings, Fielder Marine Services / Mussel Shell Research, Institute of Aquaculture Stirling

In addition, an opportunity to join a demonstration of the AquaBC Biotoxin rapid test kits (Day2) for shellfish compliance monitoring, together with a presentation and discussion of the latest biotoxin research and evaluations undertaken by CEFAS and the Robert Gordons University Aberdeen.

The opportunity to confer with a range of trade exhibitors, service suppliers and support agencies, along with fellow delegates will be assisted by the inclusion of our sought-after seafood themed lunches and numerous refreshment breaks.

The “Best Scottish Shellfish” competition will to hotly contested by our Scottish member businesses with awards sponsored by the Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Judges include Linda Wood M&S / David Jarrad SAGB / Michael Leathley Port Appin Hotel / Eleanor Adamson The Fishmongers’ Company

The ASSG Annual Dinner will be held on the evening of the 29th October at The Fishouse, Oban (see menu below) with the awards for “Best Scottish Shellfish” categories presented by Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

This is an event not to be missed and delegate/exhibitor bookings can be made via the following link:

https://form.jotform.com/242373340769360

If trade exhibitors wish to discuss the arrangements for the event, please in the first instance use the general contact information form found on this ASSG website and the organisers will respond to any queries as soon as possible.

Further Events Linked to the ASSG Conference

Biotoxin Training Session for Industry Operators – 31st October Dunstaffnage, Oban
There will be a training session organised by AquaBC for the preparation of shellfish samples and measurement using the AquaBC rapid test kits and reader.

This event is being hosted by representatives of AquaBC at the Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory on the morning of the 31st October. The session is open to all interested parties but prior registration is required and this can be undertaken through the company representatives who will be present at the Corran Halls on the 29/30th October.

Shellfish Researchers Workshop – 31st October Corran Halls, Oban
In conjunction with the ASSG, the Roslin Research Institute sponsored by The Fishmongers’ Company’s Fisheries Charitable Trust will be hosting a workshop for invited delegates from the UK research and academic community with particular relevance for early career researchers.

The workshop builds on the findings from a recent survey of those in industry and the research community.
(Details available as a QR code on the cover of the July 2024 Grower Newsletter, which can be located on this website).

The delivery of industry inspired bivalve shellfish research initiatives is seen as fundamental to the continued development of the Scottish bivalve shellfish cultivation industry.

The workshop aims to bring together all those with such research interests and consider the potential for collaborative working and the development of a dedicated research network to support industry.

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The Fishmongers’ Company’s Fisheries Charitable Trust has put forward an award of up to £10 000 as seed funding for a research project or initiative arising from the workshop and inspired by an industry identified requirement for knowledge.

Project proposals and applications for this award will be discussed at the workshop along with the criteria by which the proposals will be judged by an independent panel.

Registrations for the workshop which is free to all can be undertaken using the following link; https://forms.gle/9efNUxQNgtYCzLu5A

Requests for any further information can be made to the organisers – email k.sullivan-5@sms.ed.ac.uk
Workshop places are limited and attendance will be by invitation of the organisers and so please register for the workshop by the 6th September. After this time registrations will continue to be accepted but may not be successful if attendance numbers have been reached.

The final deadline for registration is the 13th October.

Breaking News!
(24th September)
There is now a waiting list for places at this workshopPlease contact the organisers at the above e-mail address.
Final outcomes from the event will be reported and so please visit our website during November.

2022 Timetable, (times may be subject to change)

Day 1, 6th October 2022 11:30 - Open for Delegate Registration Trade Stands and Discussions – Light Refreshments

11:00 - Dr Tim Bean Roslin Institute - shellfish disease and alien species diagnostics.

12:00 - Conference Welcome – Nick Lake – Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers

12:10 - Marine Space and Aquaculture Access – Amanda Bryan – Chair, Crown Estate Scotland

12:30 (Start of judging) - Best Scottish Shellfish – Competition (Awards Sponsored by HIE) Lead Judge – Nicki Holmyard: with Eleanor Adamson Fishmongers’ Company; Linda Wood M&S and; Alfie Little, Riverhouse Restaurant Inverness

12:40 Buffet Lunch Trade Stands and Discussions

Conference Session 1 - The Scottish Landscape

14:00 – 14:20 - Aquaculture Development – Mairi Gougeon MSP – Scottish Government, Cabinet Secretary Rural Affairs and Islands

14:20 – 14:35 - Marine Finfish – Tavish Scott – CEO, Salmon Scotland

14:40 – 14:55 - Growing Seaweed and Sea Vegetables – Kyla Orr – Director, Kelpcrofting

15:00 – 15:15 - Scottish Cultivated shellfish Michael Tait – Director, ASSG& Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group

15:20 – 15:50 - RefreshmentsTrade Stands and Discussions

Conference Session 2 - Operational Environment

15:50 – 16:10 - Assessing Aquacultures Footprint – Amy McGoohan – University of Edinburgh

16:15 – 16:35 - Sustainability and Consumer Awareness – Linda Wood – Marks & Spencer Plc

16:40 – 17:00 - Considering Natural Capital  – Cathy Tilbrook – Director, NatureScot

17:00 – 18:15 - RefreshmentsTrade Stands and Discussions

17:15 – 18:00 - Shell-volution – Stakeholder Engagement Meeting (By Invitation) Gregg Arthur / Programme Manager UHI

19:00 - 19:30 - Annual Dinner at Waterfront Fishhouse Restaurant, Oban + Awards Presentation! Best Scottish Shellfish Winners– awards presented by Elaine Jamieson – Head of Blue Economy Food &Drink, Highlands and Islands Enterprise

Day 2, Friday 7th October 22 - ASSG Conference 2022

08:30 - Open for Delegates – Trade Stands and Discussions

09:00 – 09:10 - Conference Welcome – Nick Lake – Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers

Conference Session 3Industry Evolution

09:15 – 09:40 - Ireland’s Experience – Rory Campbell – Director, Seafood Technical Services, BIM, Ireland

09:45 – 10:00 - Scottish Finfish Developments – Iain Berrill – Head of Technical, Salmon Scotland

10:05 – 10:15 - Shell-volution – Identifying Opportunities – Gregg Arthur – UHI & Islands Deal Consortium

10:15 – 10:30 - What Is Sustainable Aquaculture? – Heather Jones – CEO, SAIC

10:30 – 11:15 - RefreshmentsTrade Stands and Discussions

Conference Session 4 The Way Ahead

11:20 – 11:35 - Marine Finfish – Tavish Scot – CEO, Salmon Scotland

11:40 – 11:55 - Scottish Aquaculture Vision – Jill Barber – Head of Aquaculture, Marine Scotland

12:00 – 12:15 - Cultivated Shellfish, Stephen Cameron, Managing Director, Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group

12:20 – 12:30 - Closing Remarks – Nick Lake – Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers

12:30 – 14:30 - Buffet LunchTrade Stands and Discussions

ASSG Dinner Menu

29th October 2024
Fishouse Restaurant Oban 19:00 for 19:30

4 courses plus a large glass of wine
(Non-alcoholic drinks and vegetarian option available) 

Crab Risotto
With lemon crème fraiche 
**
Triple Salmon Pate
Artisan bread 
**
Scrabster Hake
Caper mash and seaweed pesto 
** 
Vanilla Panna Cotta
Winterberry coulis and sweet n salty popcorn ice cream mochi

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WELCOME TO THE ASSOCIATION OF SCOTTISH SHELLFISH GROWERS

Membership of the ASSG offers numerous benefits to shellfish growers and those in allied sectors. Join now and support the industry.

JOIN ASSG

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