Aquaculture is an important sector in many marine coastal areas, including the West of Scotland. SRSL offers advice and expert opinion in aquaculture related issues such as environmental monitoring, the development of sustainable aquaculture methods and assessments of the impacts of aquaculture on ecosystems.

SAMS has a long and outstanding track record in the field of fundamental and applied aquaculture related research. Over the years it has established a strong expertise,  collaborating with aquaculture compagnies as well as government agencies, developing methods to assess the impacts of aquaculture on coastal ecosystems. This has resulted in the production of commerically available modeling tools such as DEPOMOD and AUTODEPOMOD to predict deposition and biological effects of waste solids from marine cage farms in contrasting coastal environments.

In addition, SRSL recently started the FSA phytoplankton monitoring programme. This environmental monitoring programme is undertaken in close collaboration with shellfish farmers to provide a general warning system for the presence of toxin producing plankton in shellfish production areas in Scotland.

Another part of our work has focussed on development of integrated methods for sustainable aquaculture focussing on shellfish industry. We offer expert advice and training opportunities for optimization of product quality and yield under sustainable conditions.