Record Bookings for Aquaculture UK

“Bookings are up eight per cent on the previous event, giving a record total of 82 exhibitors so far,” Mr Mack said. “All the indoor stands are now sold and I have increased space in an adjacent marquee to cope with demand.”

Exhibitors encompass the full range of services for finfish and shellfish farmers, taking in everything from boats, cages, nets, pumps, chandlery, feed, grading machinery and transportation, to consultancy, pharmaceuticals, cleaning products and veterinary services.

New for this year is the ‘feed barge’ organised jointly by international feed companies Biomar, EWOS and Skretting. This will host a sales and hospitality area and the three exhibitors anticipate a busy few days.

Fusion Marine is promoting its range of robust and versatile polyethylene fish farm pens, including Oceanflex and Triton, which are widely used with great success by fish farmers on the Scottish west coast, the Northern Isles, and Ireland.

Iain Forbes said: “The Aquaculture UK show is a ‘must visit’ event for Fusion Marine as it provides an excellent opportunity to meet with new and existing customers. We have always been pleased with customer response at the show and we are looking forward tremendously to this year’s event.”

Sterner is another regular exhibitor at Aquaculture UK. “We showcase many of the premier manufacturers in the world providing solutions for aquaculture, and our wide range of equipment and technology is highly popular. We and our suppliers value exhibiting at this show because it is the premier aquaculture event in the UK. It is an excellent forum for us to meet customers old and new, to discuss the latest developments to support their needs,” stated Marketing Manager Graham Eden.

MSD Animal Health is a major global supplier of aquatic health solutions, and its UK team and global colleagues will also be present at Aquaculture 2012. “We supply a wide range of products including Norvax® and AquaVac® vaccines, and SLICE®, and Florocol®. We also support use of our products with initiatives such as SliceMonitor and PDMonitor, which help customers to get the very best results,” said Marketing Manager Dr Sarah Rennie. “We find this show very useful for discussing products and best practice with our customers and key accounts, and for showcasing the latest developments.”

A full conference programme is being drawn up to run alongside the trade exhibition, and admission to both events is free. The gala dinner, always a sell-out, will be held on the night of 23 May.

“On Day one we are featuring the UK’s most promising aquaculture researchers, and are keen to hear from post graduate students about their work. An independent panel will judge presentations on the day, and the winner will be awarded an exciting trip to a research centre in North America,” explained Mr Mack.

Details are currently being finalised, but in the meantime, students are encouraged to check the website (www.aquacultureuk.com) for details of how to enter. The closing date for submissions is April 30 2012.

Day two of the conference focuses on the new and the novel, including feeds, locations, species and technology. Speakers are being finalised and full details will be confirmed soon.

“We aim to have something for everyone, and I am delighted that all our previous exhibitors have come onboard for the 2012 show, along with a host of new companies. Aquaculture 2012 promises to be an excellent event for anyone with an interest in growing finfish and shellfish, whether their needs are new equipment and services, or networking opportunities,” confirmed Mr Mack.

Registration is now open at www.aquacultureuk.com