International Drive to Increase Aquaculture SME
Innovation. An international partnership met in Reykjavík today to scope out a new
Aquaculture Innovation Network for the Northern Periphery and Arctic (AINNPA)
aimed at improving innovation support for remotely located aquaculture
businesses and, in turn, enabling demand-driven products and services. Supported by the Interreg NPA programme via the European Regional
Development Fund, AINNPA brings together innovation experts from the Faroe
Islands, Iceland, Ireland, Norway and Scotland, and is led by the Scottish
Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC), located at the University of Stirling. Heather Jones, CEO at SAIC, commented: "SMEs have a key part to play in the
sustainable growth of the aquaculture industry, both here in Scotland and
across the NPA territory. However, for those operating in more remote
locations, it can be difficult to access the support and services needed to
innovate. AINNPA seeks to address this by recognising the specific challenges
and opportunities facing SMEs, by sharing best practice across the
participating regions, and by developing innovative new products and services
via an integrated support network." Today's meeting marks the start of a six-month preparatory phase to map out
current aquaculture innovation support across the NPA territory; identify
existing and emerging opportunities for SMEs; and build a collaborative network
across participating regions. Robin Shields, Aquaculture Innovation Manager and AINNPA representative at
SAIC, explained: "We know what we want to deliver through the international
partnership - namely, to offer SMEs a stronger support network than they would
otherwise be able to access, in order that they can innovate solutions to
existing and emerging challenges facing the aquaculture sector. Now, we start
the process of drilling down into the detail of how best to achieve it." As part of this initial work, the project team is seeking to engage with,
and appoint, associate partners. "For the initiative to be a success in the long-term, we need the insights
of key stakeholders from an early stage," says Robin. "For example, regional
development agencies, aquaculture producer organisations and other trade associations
who can help identify the priorities for innovation and who, ultimately, will
be one of the main conduits for encouraging uptake of AINNPA across
participating regions." 
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