Partner Article

Aqua facility opens for business

A specialist facility which has the potential to help aid the growth of an emerging sector in the region has officially opened in Northumberland.

Astec Aquaculture Business & Science Centre is a purpose-built resource that has been created to support the growth of the aquaculture sector, which involves the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic plants under controlled conditions.

The centre has been jointly funded by Go Wansbeck and regional development agency One North East. Due to its strategic location on the Northumberland coastline at Lyne Sands, Astec is uniquely placed to pump a constant supply of near tropical temperature, flow-through seawater to its state-of-the-art aqua laboratories, which are fitted out with specialist equipment to support a broad range of commercial and research activities.

Aquaculture has been identified as having significant growth potential as it plays an integral role in research and solutions in areas as diverse as medicine, food consumption, sports and renewable energies.

Kevin Haddrick, chief executive of Astec commented: “Astec provides a unique environment for businesses and researchers operating in the aquaculture sector.

“Our intention is to create a thriving community here, of likeminded industry experts operating in a culture where experiences and knowledge are shared, and opportunities are explored together.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .