The Scottish Ocean Cluster has received a boost of more than £15,000 of funding from Marine Fund Scotland, enabling the next stage of development for the pioneering initiative that aims to unlock three times more value from Scotland’s seafood industry side streams.
This fund comes in addition to Zero Waste Scotland, and Seafood Scotland’s, principal contribution that helped catapult the project in the first stage – supporting Scotland in its mission to become an international leader in renewable, circular, biological resources and solutions.
The added support will help the Cluster accelerate collaboration between producers, processors, investors, researchers, retailers, government and biotech companies to extract greater economic and environmental value from seafood side stream products, beyond fish protein.
By bringing together such a diverse range of organisations, the Cluster aims to create new economic opportunities while helping to deliver on Scotland’s circular economy and net zero ambitions.
Over the space of three years, the Cluster believes it could potentially treble the market value of the estimated 265,000 tonnes of fish ‘waste’ from all sectors which currently either goes to fish meal, fish oil or back to source.
Donna Fordyce, CEO of Seafood Scotland – who is spearheading the Cluster – said: “Receiving this award from Marine Fund Scotland is a game-changer for the Scottish Ocean Cluster. It allows us to build on the solid foundation we’ve established over the past seven months and kickstart the next stage in our plans: translating research into real world collaborations and innovative projects.”
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Mairi Gougeon said: “Supporting initiatives like the Scottish Ocean Cluster through our Marine Fund Scotland is important in supporting our fishermen, coastal communities and the seafood sector, and ensuring the success of the sector well into the future.
“I was delighted to announce the £15,500 award to Seafood Scotland to start development of the Ocean Cluster, a groundbreaking project that will foster collaboration and innovation between partners and stakeholders, whilst creating new opportunities and greater value for the seafood industry. I very much look forward to seeing how this project progresses.”
The Cluster’s next moves will be driven by newly appointed project manager, Dr Tracy White.
Having studied marine science before obtaining a PhD in pharmaceutical microbiology, Tracy has embarked on a successful career combining the seafood and biotechnology sectors. With previous roles including head of science at CuanTec Ltd. and scientific consultant at Dalriada Biosolutions, she has built up a wealth of expertise guiding businesses across the seafood supply chain in identifying opportunities for value creation.
Donna Fordyce added: “Tracy’s experience in biotechnology and supporting organisations to reach commercialism makes her the perfect person for this role. She’ll play a key part in uniting partners across industry, academia and government to help Scotland’s seafood sector fully realise its potential.”
Tracy’s first months will involve driving forward the Cluster’s overarching business plan, with the aim of bringing initial projects to life – and include a visit to Iceland, where she will meet members of the Iceland Ocean Cluster.
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Dr Tracy White, project manager for the Scottish Ocean Cluster, said: “My career so far has been rooted in the marine, seafood and biotechnology sectors, as an advocate for utilising products as much as possible. There is so much potential for additional value extraction across the seafood sector that has yet to be realised, as there are side stream products that could feed into several sectors operating across Scotland and the UK, from construction to cosmetics.
“The Scottish Ocean Cluster recognises this and has taken on the crucial role of conduit between businesses. I’ve seen firsthand – and navigated – the barriers throughout the process of valorising seafood side stream products, and the Cluster represents exactly what has been missing in terms of support. I’m proud to be playing my part in a movement that could prove instrumental in boosting Scotland’s blue economy, and in securing the future of one of Scotland’s most valuable industries.”
The Cluster was formed by Seafood Scotland in partnership with the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC), Zero Waste Scotland, Opportunity North East and Aberdeenshire Council. Since launching in March 2025, it has already attracted more than 90 expressions of interest from organisations across the Scottish business landscape, stretching far beyond the seafood sector.
