Dorset has a thriving aquaculture sector and has been recognised by the Department for International Trade with the award of a High Potential Opportunity (HPO) for Sustainable Aquaculture(External link). The HPO is supported by the Dorset LEP and Dorset Council with the aquaculture sector being recognised locally as having the ability to provide rural and coastal community jobs across the county.
In November 2020, the Seafood 2040 programme released The English Aquaculture Strategy(External link) (EAS). The EAS sets out the ambition to increase aquaculture production ten-fold over the next 20 years, and identifies the development of an English Aquaculture Innovation Hub as being critical to realising this. Additionally, the Dorset Mariculture Strategy(External link) (DMS), released in August 2020, identified the need for an Aquaculture Innovation Hub to develop the sector across the county.
Dorset Coast Forum has secured funding from the Marine Management Organisation to further develop the concept of an English Aquaculture Innovation Hub. The five-month project will see:
- New Economics Foundation(External link) undertake an in-depth economic review of the English aquaculture sector
- Hatch Accelerator(External link) develop a robust business model and plan to enable the long-term operation of the Hub
- 5G Rural Dorset(External link) develop a report to understand how 5G technology can enhance the sector as it grows
- Dorset Coast Forum(External link) will lead on stakeholder engagement as it is important that the outcomes of these studies meets the needs of local, regional, and national maritime sectors.
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