Friday, 30 May 2008

 

 

NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY DELEGATES VISIT NAFC MARINE CENTRE

 

 

The NAFC Marine Centre welcomed a delegation from Newcastle University to Shetland this week.  From Wednesday until today (Friday 30 May) 12 senior staff in the fields of marine science and technology, from professors to technical support staff, have toured the islands to explore the potential for collaborative work between the NAFC Marine Centre and the School of Marine Science and Technology at Newcastle University .

 

Professor Richard Birmingham, head of the School of Marine Science and Technology explained the purpose of the visit.  He said: “We want to explore the potential for working together with a view to establishing collaborative educational programmes and research projects.

 

“Our prime focus has been aquaculture in Shetland and we came to get a better understanding of the issues and challenges facing the industry here.  We believe we have a wide range of relevant expertise that could be usefully and profitably applied to aquaculture anywhere.

 

“On the first day we toured the facilities at the NAFC and heard high quality presentations from key members of staff. 

 

“We split into two groups on the second day to see a broad spectrum of aquaculture activities.  We toured around a variety of facilities including farm sites at Blueshell Mussels, Grading Systems, Scottish Seafarms processing facility at Scalloway and one of Grieg Seafood Hjaltland’s salmon farms.  We’ve also been onboard a well boat and feeder barges.

 

“Today, we’ve been looking to the future and, together with the NAFC, exploring ways to set in place clear mechanisms for taking collaboration forward. 

 

“The trip has been extremely useful and a really valuable experience.  We are very impressed with the facilities and calibre of staff at the NAFC Marine Centre, as well as the innovative and forward looking attitude of the Shetland industry.  I very much look forward to ongoing collaboration.”

 

Director of the NAFC Marine Centre, Tony Hawkins, added: “This visit has been of enormous benefit to both parties.  We have already agreed new joint activities to take forward that will benefit both the NAFC Marine Centre and Newcastle University .”

 

Further information from:

Tony Hawkins, NAFC Marine Centre, tel 01595 772000, email or www.nafc.ac.uk

Or, Louise Rosie, Shaw Marketing and Design Ltd, tel 01595 692465 or email