Scotland’s flagship aquaculture event is set to enter a new era as Aquaculture UK 2026 opens its doors in Glasgow next week, bringing together industry leaders, innovators and suppliers from around the world for two days of networking, technology showcases and industry debate.
Jim Fairlie, Scotland’s new Minister for Agriculture, Marine, and the Islands, will formally inaugurate the event, which will take place at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) on June 16–17. The minister is scheduled to reiterate the Scottish Government’s commitment to supporting the nation’s finfish and shellfish farming sectors and their vast supply chains after cutting the ribbon on the exhibition and kicking off the conference program.
The relocation from Aviemore to Glasgow is a major turning point for Aquaculture UK. More than 250 exhibitors from more than 20 nations, including the first national pavilions from Norway and Ireland, are expected to attend the SEC, setting a record for attendance.
“With less than a week to go, the momentum is building for our most ambitious show yet,” said Cheri Arvonio, Event Director at Diversified Communications. “We can’t wait to welcome the aquaculture community to Glasgow for what promises to be a truly memorable two days.”
A robust lineup of industry experts on the major possibilities and problems facing global aquaculture will be featured in the free-to-attend conference program. In his talk, “Growing Salmon, Growing Scotland,” Salmon Scotland CEO Tavish Scott will highlight the industry’s potential for future growth. Additionally, the Scottish Government’s Chief Scientific Advisor Marine, Mark Inall, will give an update on the enhancements made to SEPA’s sea lice framework.
Helge Adne Lien, Managing Director of Norway’s DNB Bank, will speak on behalf of international viewpoints and provide insights into the potential and threats influencing the seafood industry.
The Norway-Scotland Breakfast Briefing, which will start the second day, will highlight cooperation and innovation between two of the top aquaculture countries in the world. Discussions on growing fuel prices, operational effectiveness, and the future of land-based aquaculture—including recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) for the production of salmon and king prawns—will also be included in the program.
In addition to the conference, attendees will have access to a crowded exhibit that highlights the newest innovations in feed production, health management, fish farming, and environmental monitoring. Salar Solutions, which showcases its Smoltscreen technology for protecting salmon, and Subsea Commercial Services, which displays its automated environmental DNA (eDNA) sampler, are two new exhibitors.
The University of Edinburgh’s innovations and MiAlgae’s fish-free omega-3 synthesis method using whisky industry byproducts are just two examples of the cutting-edge technologies that will be highlighted at the Innovation Zone.
The prestigious Aquaculture Awards 2026, which will honour 13 outstanding accomplishments in the worldwide aquaculture sector, will round off the event.
Aquaculture UK 2026 is set to be one of the most important events in the industry’s history, solidifying Scotland’s place at the vanguard of global aquaculture growth with a new location, increased international participation, and a jam-packed schedule of innovation and conversation.
