Support from the Agri-tech catalyst has been secured for a 36 month project, addressing fundamental food security challenges by examining novel angles to expand aquaculture; to include a species not currently exploited, the European Lobster. This species commands the highest value (by volume) of any species landed in the UK and exhibits a significant supply deficit. Sea based culture, in containers (SBCC) exhibits the potential for a low carbon form of rearing with no feed costs. The project will use containers specifically designed for the species, developed in an early stage project, to assess performance and develop holistic application of SBCC systems. The project will run a pilot scale lobster farm to gather practical, operational, environmental, biological, engineering, economic and social data that can be used to develop an essential tool to encourage and inform future investment. The consortium will be led by the National Lobster Hatchery and consists of two SME's, two HEI's and a Government Agency.

Disease associated with White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) and Early Mortality Synrdome (EMS) together cause over $3bn annual losses to the global farmed shrimp industry. Current losses from these pathogens alone far exceed all shrimp products imported to the EU each year. Accurate detection and management of disease is central to poverty alleviation in producer nations and food security in net importing countries. A recent UKTI funded workshop on Disease in Aquaculture highlighted how so-called 'decentralised' testing (i.e. on farm) and reporting of data via smartphones has potential to dramatically improve health status of aquatic farms in Asia. Here, we will validate and apply a cutting edge UK-based technology (Genedrive) and a novel smartphone app to collect and transmit disease data from remote farms to centralised reference laboratories. By bringing together UK experts in diagnosis, pathology and epidemiology of WSD, with industry specialists, the aim is to drastically improve detection and management of economically damaging diseases in global aquaculture. We will contribute to poverty alleviation and food security agendas using UK-based technologies and expertise.

Support from the Agri-tech catalyst has been secured for a 15 month project addressing fundamental food security challenges by examining novel angles to expand the aquaculture industry; to include a species not currently exploited, the European Lobster. This species commands the highest value (by volume) of any species landed in the UK and supply does not meet demand. Sea based culture, in containers (SBCC) exhibit potential for a low carbon form of rearing with no feed costs. The project will design and develop a SBCC system specifically designed for nursery and on-growing, that can be used to rear the product to a marketable size. The project will set up a marine licence, essential for establishing a pilot scale site, so that future work can develop the essential tools and techniques required in order to pioneer a new industry. The consortium will be led by the National Lobster Hatchery and consists of three SME's and micro SME's, two HEI's and a Government Agency.