DORSET was showcased as a important place for aquaculture growth at a milestone conference.

Aquaculture - the breeding, rearing, and harvesting of marine algae, seaweed, fish and molluscs - is an important local industry that has the potential to create more jobs in future and attract investment.

The OH20: Aquaculture Expo, hosted by Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) at Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester, saw people come together to discuss the potential for growth.

The expo, held before restrictions were placed on gatherings to battle the COVID-19 outbreak, was the first UK event on aquaculture to discuss the concept of ‘One Health’ - the interrelation between plant, animal and human health, and is of critical importance to sustainable protein production in aquaculture.

Those attending included representatives from the Department for International Trade (DIT), Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), aquaculture businesses, researchers and investors. All attendees benefitted from industry showcases, business/funding advice and the opportunity to network.

Keynote speaker, Dr Elizabeth Warham, Lead for the DIT’s Agri-tech team, said: “The DIT sees aquaculture as a unique opportunity for the UK to attract further investment and grow exports overseas. Dorset is particularly beneficial because it offers the opportunity to diversify the species of fish, algae, seaweed, molluscs and shellfish that can be produced in the UK."

Sustainable aquaculture systems include the likes of fish hatcheries, recirculation systems, offshore farms, genetics and alternative feed production. These systems in Dorset would reduce the impact on the environment, drive economic growth and make valuable social contributions.

Professor Grant Stentiford, Animal & Human Health Theme Lead at Cefas, Weymouth said: “There are already great businesses doing aquaculture in Dorset. It’s really good for businesses to hear that we have really good science, evidence and policy support for them in Dorset."

Martin Sutcliffe, Dorset Coast Forum’s Aquaculture Development Officer, focuses on attracting inward investment and driving growth in the aquaculture sector. To do this, Dorset Coast Forum has created the Dorset Marine Aquaculture Strategy.

Mr Sutcliffe said: "The geographical conditions in Dorset are excellent for aquaculture and with support from DIT and Cefas, this is an exciting time for both the sector and the region.”

Principal of Kingston Maurward College Luke Rake said: “Aquaculture has potential to grow enormously and Dorset is absolutely key because of our inshore waters and position on the south coast.”

In September, Kingston Maurward College will launch its first course in aquaculture.

Becoming a leader in One Health is a key ambition of Dorset’s Local Industrial Strategy (LIS), a draft of which has now been submitted to government.

For more information search for #DorsetAquaBites on Twitter and LinkedIn. Also visit www.dorsetlep.co.uk/one-health