We were commissioned by Sustainable Leadership Ltd, strategic advisors to Plymouth University’s Brixham Laboratory, to assess the feasibility of using part of the facilities as an aquaculture and fisheries research and development (R&D) centre.

The primary purpose of such a centre would be to support the sustainable development of UK aquaculture and fisheries with market-led research, development and analytical capabilities.

Sustainable Leadership Ltd were funded by the Seafish Industry Authority to assess the feasibility of such a centre which would seek to meet market needs not currently being provided for.

As part of the feasibility study, we engaged with stakeholders to identify the key R&D, technical development and likely innovation requirements of the aquaculture and fisheries industries to overcome current challenges and review the existing national and regional capacity to deliver them.

We also considered whether there was sufficient demand regionally or nationally for such services (beyond existing capacity and capability) to be commercially viable.

ABPmer supports policy-makers, regulators and the fisheries and aquaculture industry on marine environmental policy matters, assessment and management, including interactions between fisheries, marine protected areas (MPAs) and other marine developments.