The Scottish Ocean Cluster, inspired by the success of its Icelandic counterpart, has made significant strides since its official launch earlier this year. This initiative is a collaborative effort involving several key entities including Seafood Scotland, the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC), Opportunity North East, Aberdeenshire Council, and Zero Waste Scotland. Currently, nearly 60 organisations across various sectors have pledged their support, with the primary goal of increasing the value derived from marine resources by up to three times through innovative biotech applications, new product development, and zero-waste practices.

Donna Fordyce, Chief Executive of Seafood Scotland, commented on the relevance of Seafood Expo Global as a platform for the sector, saying, “Seafood Expo Global is the perfect platform to not only showcase some of Scotland’s finest seafood businesses, but also to unveil transformational projects that showcase the ingenuity and ambition of our sector.” She further highlighted the importance of collaborating within the industry to foster sustainability and prosperity, articulating a vision for Scotland to remain a leader in seafood innovation.

In conjunction with the launch of the Cluster, the Scottish Quality Langoustine (SQL) scheme was also unveiled at the Expo. This membership-based initiative is designed to improve the quality and consistency of Scottish langoustine, having been developed in close consultation with fishers and processors. The scheme is supported by various Scottish Producers’ Organisations (POs) and aims to establish a new standard for best practice regarding handling, processing, and traceability.

Kevin McDonell, Chair of Seafood Scotland’s board and CEO of one of the supporting POs, remarked on the significance of the SQL scheme: “The launch of the Scottish Quality Langoustine scheme reinforces Scotland’s position as a global leader in premium seafood. This isn’t about reinventing the wheel; it’s about highlighting and protecting the quality we know exists in our langoustine sector.” He emphasised that the scheme's development involved collaboration with industry stakeholders, which has been essential in building trust and ensuring effective implementation.

Mairi Gougeon, the Rural Affairs Secretary, expressed her support for Seafood Scotland’s presence at the Expo as a vital component of the broader international efforts to elevate the profile of premium Scottish seafood products. She noted, “As the world’s largest seafood expo, this is a prime opportunity to promote Scotland as a producer of world-class seafood.” Gougeon highlighted the collaboration among organisations to showcase the sector's value and support its growth ambitions.

The SQL scheme, which aims to elevate the global status of Scotland’s langoustines, is expected to play a pivotal role in maintaining the high-quality reputation of Scottish seafood in international markets. Gougeon added that ensuring the provenance of these products is crucial as Scotland seeks to expand its reach into new markets. She expressed optimism for the Scottish Ocean Cluster, looking forward to its potential for driving innovation and sustainability in the seafood sector while maximising product value.