Events

Scottish Ocean Cluster Summit 2026

Date & Time - Wednesday 9th September 2026, 10:00 – 17:00

Location: Level 9, Technology and Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow

Register here

About the Event

Scotland’s seafood sector generates significant quantities of by‑products with untapped potential for high‑value applications across food, feed, nutraceuticals, biomaterials, chemicals and more. Realising this opportunity requires collaboration across the seafood supply chain, bioprocessing and biotechnology industries, academia, and the funding, investment and policy landscape. 

This joint event from the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) and the Scottish Ocean Cluster will bring together stakeholders with a shared interest in creating value from Scotland’s seafood by‑products. The session is designed to spark new connections, showcase emerging technologies and commercial opportunities, and support collaboration that can unlock innovation, investment and sustainable growth. 

Through keynote talks, attendee flash presentations, networking opportunities and a product exhibition, attendees will gain insight into: 

  • Industry perspectives from the seafood sector highlighting challenges and opportunities 

  • Advances in bioprocessing and biotechnology using seafood by‑products 

  • Innovation and collaboration opportunities 

  • Funding, investment and support available to accelerate product development and scale‑up

**Attendees will be invited to deliver a 2-minute flash presentation

Who should attend?

  • Seafood sector stakeholders 

  • Bioprocessing and biotechnology companies

  • Start-ups and entrepreneurs  

  • Academic researchers and innovators 

  • Funders and investors 

  • Government bodies, enterprise agencies and innovation support organisations 

Benefits of attending

  • Build new connections across the seafood and bioeconomy ecosystems 

  • Raise the profile of your technology, capabilities or needs 

  • Identify routes to funding, investment and industrial collaboration 

  • Gain early insights into emerging market and technology trends 

  • Contribute to a more sustainable, circular Scottish seafood industry 

Agenda

  • 09:30 – 10:00 Welcome and Registration (Tea and coffee on arrival)

    10:00 – 10:30 Introduction from Scottish Ocean Cluster and IBioIC

    10:30 – 10:40 Keynote Presentations

    • Thor Sigfusson, Founder, Iceland Ocean Cluster 

    10:40 – 11:20 Panel – Industry Challenges and Opportunities (40mins) 

    • Mark Shotter, Loch Long Salmon 

    • David/Ewan, Seafood Ecosse 

    • Pamela Neri, Fraserburgh Harbour 

    • Fiona Donaldson, SEPA     – Chased for confirmation.  

    • Chair – Melanie Siggs

    11:20 – 12:20 Flash Presentations from Attendees (25 max) 

    • 2‑minute pitches highlighting research, technologies, capabilities, or needs

    12:20 – 13:50 Lunch, Networking and Product Exhibition

    • Opportunity to connect, view products and discuss collaboration ideas.

    13:50 – 14:30 Panel– Powering Innovation, Collaboration and Investment (40mins)

    • Craig Sterling, Marinatex 

    • Dylan Terry, Hatch Blue 

    • Fiona Campbell, Robert Gordon University 

    • Paul Cantwell, Zero Waste Scotland 

    • Chair – Melanie Siggs  

    14:30 – 15:30 Flash Presentations from Attendees (continued, 25 max) 

    • Further 2‑minute presentations from participants 

     

    15:30 – 16:30 Conclusions, Wrap-up, Closing Remark: 

    • Melanie - Thoughts of the day, conclusions of Panels 

    • Thor Sigfusson – Iceland Ocean Cluster – Observations from the day, what could the SOC network look like in time to come? 

    • Donna Fordyce, SOC  - Closing remark