The South West is perfectly positioned to develop novel, innovative aquaculture and agri-tech businesses. The existing cluster draws on extensive experience across marine and freshwater cultivation with support from world leading research institutes and UK government agencies.
The industry is supported by the South West Aquaculture Network (SWAN) and strengthened by the unique mix of good water quality, advanced marine engineering and political drive for success.
Latest SWAN Meeting Information HERE >The Dorset Mariculture Strategy and SWAN provide industry with key development and collaboration opportunities to grow the sector holistically, providing food security and contributing to the UK Government’s commitment to Net-Zero Carbon by 2050.
The Dorset Coast Forum is a strategic coastal partnership, which looks at the long term issues facing the Dorset coast and its inshore waters. The forum enables investors to discuss issues, gain access to the latest data and information, access support for the design and delivery of innovative projects, and network with key industry stakeholders. Dorset Coast Forum’s Aquaculture Development Officer provides support to both the Fisheries and Aquaculture industry.
Visit the website here >Dorset & Devon Aquaculture Website
Promotes the aquaculture market in Dorset and East Devon which is growing to meet national and global demand for fish, shellfish and aquatic plants by developing and deploying technologies.
Visit the website here >High Potential Opportunity for Sustainable Aquaculture (HPO)
Dorset has been recognised by the Department for International Trade with the award of a High Potential Opportunity for Sustainable Aquaculture (HPO). The HPO details investment opportunities and is intended to help attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and support sectors to develop business in the South West.
Find out more here >SWAN members meet quarterly (currently online Zoom meetings).
- South West Aquaculture Network – Terms of Reference Aug 2020
- Maritime UK SW Aquaculture Position
- Election of Officers SWAN AGM 28 October 2021
SWAN AGM and Conference – 28th October 2021
Thank you to those who attended the SWAN AGM and Conference – there was great attendance with over 70 people from the Aquaculture sector joining us and we really hope you found it as enjoyable and informative as we did.
A BIG thank all to conference sponsors, speakers, panelists and market stalls for taking the time to share their work and knowledge and for making such a successful day for aquaculture take place!

If you didn’t manage to attend or wanted to follow up on anything then you can view the presentation slides below.
- It takes a county to grow an Industry, Elena Piana, Noola Redclaw Ltd
- The Seafood 2040 Programme and Aquaculture Development at Regional and National Scales, Dr Neil Auchterlonie, Seafood 2040
- Public perceptions of seafood: Shaping the narrative, Harriet Yates-Smith, Mindfully Wired Communications
- Using a combination of tracking and underwater video techniques to assess habitat use and connectivity of commercial important species within offshore aquaculture & coastal areas, Dr Thomas Stamp, University of Plymouth
- Support for Dorset’s Key Sectors, John Sellgren, Executive Director of Place, Dorset Council
- Practical ocean-based solutions to remove CO2 from our oceans, Howard Gunstock, CarbonKapture
- 5G Rural Dorset: Aquaculture, Digby Sowerby, 5G Rural Dorset
- Seafish and Aquaculture, Lee Cocker,Seafish Seafish Aquaculture Handout for SWAN Conference 281021
- How Aquaculture Innovation Centres Drive Development, Claude Kaplan, Hatch Accelerator
10. BTA Vision for the Future, Oliver Robinson, British Trout Association
11. The Intelligent Merchant City at Fawley Waterside – A Place for Life and Innovation, Brett Trafford, Fawley Waterside
SWAN Meeting Information
26th April 2022 – Minutes & Presentations
- SWAN Meeting Minutes – 26 Apr 2022
- North Devon’s Aquaculture Enterprise Zone, Biosphere Foundation
- Ocean Futures Overview, Rob Watson
- SW Aquaculture, Ross Brown
- Innovate UK & Innovate UK EDGE Update Apr22
January 2022 – Minutes & Presentations
- SWAN Meeting Minutes – 25 Jan 2022
- R&D Overview & Benefits, Mark Tibbert
- The Importance of IP in Aquaculture, Chris Anderson
- English Aquaculture Innovation Hub Update, Martin Sutcliffe
- Innovate UK & Innovate UK EDGE Update Jan22
20th July 2021 – Minutes & Presentations
- SWAN Meeting Minutes 20 July 2021
- SWAN Meeting Zoom Chat 20 July 2021
- Oliver Robinson, British Trout Association SWAN Presentation
- CIEL SWAN presentation
- ARC Marine SWAN Presentation
20th April 2021 – Minutes & Presentations
- SWAN Meeting Minutes 20 Apr 21
- SWAN Meeting Zoom Chat 20 APR 21
- Joanna Gosling – ARCH UK Summary
- Michiel van der Meer – Signify lighting – SWAN April 2020
- Ben Goymer – Chelsea Technologies in Aquaculture for Distribution
- SWAN Innovate UK EDGE APR21
- Chris Lyons – Horizon Europe Cluster 6 Aquaculture
19th January 2021 – Minutes & Presentations
- SWAN Meeting Minutes 19Jan2021
- Seafood 2040 Update Jan21
- Innovate UK Update SWAN Jan 21
- EDGE UK SWAN Jan 21
- Argi-EPI SWAN Jan 2021
20th October 2020 – Minutes & Presentations
- SWAN Minutes 20Oct2020
- Neil Auchterlonie – Seafood2040 Oct 2020
- Digby Sowerby – 5G Rural Dorset Oct 2020
- Chris Lyons – Innovate UK Update Oct 2020
- Introduction to Agrimetrics – Anna Woodley Oct 2020
21st July 2020 – Minutes & Presentations
- SWAN Minutes 21July2020
- Oliver Symons – Kingston Maurward College Jul 2020
- Poseidon – English Aquaculture Strategy July 2020
- UK Trout Overview July 2020
- Kim Cullen – Seafood 2040 July 2020
19th February 2020 – Minutes
SWAN Contact details
To find out more about SWAN or to join the Network please contact: –
Martin Sutcliffe – SWAN Chair
Dorset Aquaculture & Fisheries Development Officer, Dorset Coast Forum
martin.sutcliffe@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
01305 224766
07887 627382
Joanna Rufus – SWAN Secretariat
Inward Investment, Economic Growth and Regeneration. Dorset Council
Joanna.rufus@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
01305 224797