Browse the 2026 Keynote Stage schedule. The critical issues facing aquaculture, addressed by those driving the industry forward – from the financial outlook for salmon farming to a panel examining the next 25 years of finfish. A glimpse of what’s in store in 2028.
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A banker’s perspective on the salmon industry
DNB is the leading bank globally in the salmon industry, covering all production regions and the entire value chain. Helge will share the bank’s bird’s-eye perspective on key global trends with regards to supply, demand, regulations, and technology. He will... -
Hosted by SAIC: Beyond the horizon – the next 25 years of finfish aquaculture
Scottish finfish aquaculture is entering a period of rapid change, shaped by technological innovation, environmental and climate impacts and the need for resilient long‑term growth. Over the next 25 years, the sector will adopt new production systems, operate in new environments, and respond to evolving regulatory and societal...Speaker
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Anne Anderson
Founding Director
TirMara Advisory
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Mark Shotter
Project Director
Loch Long Salmon
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Stewart Graham
Managing Director
Gael Force Group
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Chris Matthews
Operations Director for Fish Vet Group and Business Unit Director (UK & Ireland)
PHARMAQ Analytiq
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Mike Spain
Director of Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystem Services
Crown Estate Scotland
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Development of accurate diagnostic methods for Saprolegniosis for salmonid aquaculture
Saprolegniosis is a disease that can cause substantial losses in salmonid aquaculture and wild river systems, caused by the fungal-like organism Saprolegnia parasitica. Although multiple genetic variants of this organism occur across Europe and within Scottish farms, early findings from...Sponsored by
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Integrative microbiome surveillance for effective management of gill health in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar
This presentation introduces a project addressing one of the most significant challenges in modern salmon farming: declining gill health. With warming coastal waters, changing production cycles and increased pathogen exposure, conditions such as Amoebic Gill Disease and Complex Gill Disease...Sponsored by -
The role of photoperiod in immune development and health in salmon aquaculture
This project investigated how photoperiod regimes used in salmon aquaculture influence immune function and disease resilience during early development. Continuous light has long been applied in freshwater systems to maximise growth, yet little is known about how altered light–dark cycles...Sponsored by -
On-demand, electric-powered aeration for improved fish welfare and operational efficiency in salmon aquaculture
This project trialled Pneuma, a prototype smart electric powered aeration system designed to improve fish welfare while contributing to reducing the environmental impact of salmon farming. Traditionally, farms have relied on diesel compressors to increase dissolved oxygen levels during stressful...Sponsored by -
Plankton monitoring and risk assessment to safeguard finfish aquaculture (Aqua-Plankton)
Farmed Atlantic salmon is the UK’s biggest food export, yet the industry faces growing threats from marine microorganisms such as harmful algae and micro‑jellyfish. These organisms can damage salmon gills, reduce oxygen levels, and trigger major fish‑loss events—problems that are...Sponsored by -
Are sea lice guilty as charged?
Since the early 1990s, sea lice associated with salmon farms have been blamed for the decline of wild salmon despite a lack of any clear evidence to support these claims. Yes, salmon farms have increased production whilst at the same... -
Opening Keynote – Jim Fairlie MSP, Minister for Agriculture, Marine and the Islands, Scottish Government
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The Chilean Case Study: the fruits of 50 years of salmon breeding & the challenges that persist
This session will explore Chile’s salmon industry as a case study, highlighting the results of four decades of genetic improvement and industry development, while addressing the remaining challenges through perspectives on fish health, data-driven production, and sustainability. -
Aquacultured Seafood. The UK’s first land based RAS Salmon Farm
“Aquacultured Seafood is bringing a new generation of salmon farming to the UK, using Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) technology to produce 7,500 tonnes of premium Atlantic salmon each year with far lower environmental impact than traditional offshore farming. RAS provides... -
Rising fuel prices and smart strategies for managing the impact on aquaculture margins
As global fuel price volatility continues to erode margins, this session will focus on how leading operators are quantifying exposure to rising operating costs and identifying investments to lower fuel and energy use. Expect a candid discussion on what is... -
Shaping a resilient, fit-for-the-future system, together
Food systems, including aquaculture, are trying to operate appropriately and effectively under multiple pressure and through a period of sustained uncertainty. Climate impacts, geopolitical disruption, volatile operating costs and evolving regulatory expectations are reshaping how the sector manages risk while... -
Accelerating genetic improvement of Atlantic salmon using speed breeding and gene editing technologies
Atlantic salmon breeding programmes play a central role in improving productivity, health, and welfare across the aquaculture sector. However, progress in breeding for disease resistance has been slow. Salmon have long generation intervals, and traits such as disease resistance are...Sponsored by -
E(tive)lice: Revolutionizing sea lice detection for sustainable salmon farming and conservation
Sea lice remain one of the most persistent challenges in salmon aquaculture, affecting farmed fish welfare and productivity while also posing risks to wild salmonid populations. Detecting their larval stages in the water column is particularly difficult: larvae disperse quickly,...Sponsored by -
Biofouling prediction in seaweed aquaculture
Biofouling in seaweed aquaculture is a major challenge for farmers across the North Atlantic. Biofouling—caused by organisms such as bryozoans, hydrozoans, and tunicates settling on seaweed—can rapidly reduce crop quality and yield, often within a matter of days. Its severity...Sponsored by -
FABRICS: Facilitating Algal Biotechnology with Rhodophyta for Intensive Culture Systems
“Global demand for red seaweed is increasing, yet production remains concentrated in Asia and focused only on a handful of species. Europe faces persistent supply-chain limitations, restricting the growth of a sustainable regional industry. The FABRICS project addresses this gap...Sponsored by -
Camelina Omega-3 Oil for Optimal Heart and Gill Health
The aquaculture sector faces a continuing challenge in meeting the omega 3 requirements of farmed Atlantic salmon, as traditional marine ingredients such as fishmeal and fish oil are increasingly limited. Lower omega 3 levels in modern salmon feeds correlate with...Sponsored by -
Panel Discussion: Farming Futures
Hosted by the Young Aquaculture Society (YAS), this moderated session will explore key topics facing UK farming. We tackle social license, welfare, food security, UK business climate and the climate. Our panelists are exciting young people across the aquaculture world... -
From Zero to Industry: UK King Prawns
The UK consumes tens of thousands of tonnes of warm-water prawns every year. Until now, none have been successfully farmed here on a consistent and profitable basis. This talk sets out how that changes, and why it matters. In short,... -
Bringing Down CAPEX and OPEX of RAS for the Future – Lessons from the Early Large-Scale Projects and the Farm in a Box Approach
Large-scale Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) offer a promising path for sustainable, climate-independent seafood production, but high capital and operating costs remain a major challenge. In this presentation, Thue Holm shares insights from the real-world experience from large-scale RAS salmon farms...Speaker
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Growing salmon, growing Scotland
The new Scottish Government with new Ministers provides a clear focus on growing the economy – as the nation’s No 1 food export to 50 countries around the globe salmon will lead this growth and we will build a strong...Speaker
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Scottish Government’s Chief Scientific Advisor for Marine – Supporting sustainable aquaculture: A short update on work to consider the scientific underpinning of SEPA’s sea lice framework
The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency’s Sea Lice Regulatory Framework (SLRF), introduced in February 2024, represents a significant regulatory intervention aimed at managing the potential impacts of sea lice from salmon farms on wild salmonids. Following concerns raised by the aquaculture... -
Breakfast Briefing: Driving the Next Wave of Aquaculture Innovation
Bringing together Scottish and Norwegian industry leaders to explore data-driven, sustainable aquaculture. Includes a free breakfast. All are welcome but spaces are limited – hit read more for more information and to sign up: Breakfast Briefing.
