New Members Welcome to Tilapia Scotland

The Tilapia Scotland project is looking for one or two more potential Scottish-based tilapia producers to add to their existing roster of participants, reports Fish Update.

The project began in January 2009 with the intention of nurturing an emergent tilapia sector in Scotland. With Scottish Enterprise support, the management team at the University of Stirling have already signed up four 'adopters' who are being provided with technical and marketing support, however they have space in the programme for one or two more.

Francis Murray, one of the project co-ordinators from the Institute of Aquaculture at Stirling explains: "Tilapia Scotland aims to provide mentoring support to Scottish-based individuals or enterprises interested in diversifying into warm-water food-fish production in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS).

"This will include advice on grants, third-party design options, operational issues (e.g. technical, husbandry and production scheduling) as well as marketing options. To enhance chances of success farmers will also be encouraged to share learning outcomes by various means including regular workshops and an online discussion forum.

"Even though the project has already kicked off earlier in the year there is still an opportunity for one or two potential tilapia producers, based in Scotland, to join the programme."

Under the project, technical and marketing support is made available free of charge. In addition financial support may be available via European Fisheries Fund (EFF) applications – the Stirling team, located within the Institute of Aquaculture and the Marketing Division of Stirling Management School, can provide guidance on this.

Individuals who are interested in applying for one of the remaining places should contact the Stirling team through the Tilapia Scotland web site [click here].