Feasibility of an Aquaculture and Fisheries Research and Development Centre at Brixham ...

113 Pages·2017·12.11 MB·English

Feasibility of an Aquaculture and
Fisheries Research and Development
Centre at Brixham Laboratory
Final Report:
Findings and Recommendations
June 2017
Seafish Report No: SR706
ISBN Number: 978-1-911073-12-3
Feasibility of an Aquaculture and Fisheries Research and Development Centre at Brixham Laboratory
Authors
Tim Goodwin, Director, Sustainable Leadership, Ltd.
Caroline Roberts, Environmental Scientist, ABPmer
Suzannah Walmsley, Principal Consultant, ABPmer
Preface
This report provides details of the study approach, findings and recommendations. The views expressed in this report
are solely those of the project team based on their findings, and in no way should be interpreted as those of Plymouth
University and / or Seafish, their management or staff. The respective organisations at their sole discretion may choose
whether or not to respond to the recommended actions contained within the report.
Report design by Mindfully Wired Communications Ltd - www.mindfullywired.org
With many thanks to Chris Slack Photography for the cover image - www.chrisslack.com
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Feasibility of an Aquaculture and Fisheries Research and Development Centre at Brixham Laboratory
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to the stakeholders from across the fisheries and aquaculture sectors who contributed their time and
ideas to this feasibility study. While there are too many to mention personally, their collective wisdom is an inspiration
to the project team. It provides confidence that the talent and resolve exists so that our fisheries can, in the long run,
be responsibly and sustainably managed.
We particularly wish to thank Seafish for funding this project. Special appreciation goes out to Phil MacMullen and Lee
Cocker for their patience and guiding hands as the project evolved, and for the ‘disruptive’ thinking that helped shift the
report’s direction.
Thanks are also due to Plymouth University, including Bob Baggott, Director of Innovation, and Ian McFadzen, Com-
mercial Director for the Faculty of Science and Engineering, for their strategic leadership in the direction of Brixham
Laboratory. Particular thanks go to the Laboratory team: Frank Roberts, Nigel Carter and John Yersin for their commit-
ment to excellence, and their energy and dedication to repurposing the site.
Finally, I offer personal gratitude to my colleagues on the project team: to Caroline Roberts and Suzannah Walmsley
of ABPmer for their amazing expertise, sector connections and tireless efforts throughout; to Charlotte Tindall for her
discerning eye and adeptness at pulling cogent ideas out of ambiguous notions; and to Katrina Ryan of Mindfully Wired
Communications, for creating a previously missing dimension to the project.
Tim Goodwin
June 2017
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Feasibility of an Aquaculture and Fisheries Research and Development Centre at Brixham Laboratory
Contents
Executive Summary ...........................................................................................................................................6
1 Introduction and Background ......................................................................................................................8
1.1 Concept ....................................................................................................................................................................8
1.2 The Strategic Context ..............................................................................................................................................8
1.3 Local and Historic Context .......................................................................................................................................9
1.4 The Approach ..........................................................................................................................................................10
1.5 Structure of the Report...........................................................................................................................................10
2 Brixham: A Tradition of Fishing and Innovation ............................................................................................11
2.1 Overview of Brixham’s Fishing History ...................................................................................................................11
2.2 Current State ............................................................................................................................................................11
3 Stakeholder Consultation............................................................................................................................13
3.1 Online Survey Findings...........................................................................................................................................13
4 Stakeholder Workshop ................................................................................................................................21
4.1 Objectives and Approach .......................................................................................................................................21
4.2 Key Research Areas Discussed ...............................................................................................................................21
4.3 Capability of Brixham Laboratory to Meet Needs................................................................................................26
4.4 Options for Business and Operating Models .......................................................................................................28
4.5 Workshop Outcomes .............................................................................................................................................29
5 Priority Themes for a Brixham Innovation Hub ...........................................................................................30
5.1 Overview of Emerging Priorities ............................................................................................................................30
5.2 Aquaculture - and Hatchery-Related Research and Services — Opportunities and Challenges .....................30
5.3 Aquaria and Ornamental Species — Opportunities and Challenges ..................................................................32
5.4 Stock Assessment — Opportunities and Challenges ..........................................................................................34
5.5 Testing Services — Opportunities and Challenges ..............................................................................................36
5.6 Innovative Research and Disruptive Technologies ...............................................................................................38
5.7 Stakeholder Collaboration ....................................................................................................................................42
6 Towards Creating a Centre at Brixham Laboratory .....................................................................................46
6.1 Concept ..................................................................................................................................................................46
6.2 Scenario 1: Provision of Laboratory Services ........................................................................................................46
6.3 Scenario 2: Creation of a Blue Environmental Hub ..............................................................................................47
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Feasibility of an Aquaculture and Fisheries Research and Development Centre at Brixham Laboratory
7 Marketing and Communications ................................................................................................................54
7.1 The Role of Communications ................................................................................................................................54
7.2 Overall Goals ..........................................................................................................................................................54
8 Funding Sources for Aquaculture and Fisheries-related R&D ....................................................................62
8.1 European Funding Streams ..................................................................................................................................62
8.2 UK Funding Streams .............................................................................................................................................62
9 Conclusions and Recommended Next Steps ..............................................................................................65
9.1 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................................................65
9.2 Recommended Next Steps ....................................................................................................................................67
9.3 The ‘Go-No Go’ Decision .......................................................................................................................................69
10 References ..................................................................................................................................................70
11 Appendices .................................................................................................................................................73
Appendix 1 : National and Regional Characteristics of the Aquaculture and Fisheries Sectors .................................73
Appendix 2: Drivers and Challenges to Sector Growth and Research and Development Priorities ...........................79
Appendix 3: UK Aquaculture Research Capability and Recent Innovation .................................................................82
Appendix 4: Full Stakeholder Input on Research Themes and Timeliness .................................................................84
Appendix 5: Brixham Laboratory Facilities ...................................................................................................................88
Appendix 6: Plymouth University Wave / Flume Tank fact sheet ................................................................................93
Appendix 7: Sample short-term rental agreement or ‘licence to occupy’ ...................................................................94
Appendix 8: Sample short - or medium-term lease agreement .................................................................................107
Appendix 9: Sample Plymouth University / Seafish Memorandum of Cooperation .................................................109
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Feasibility of an Aquaculture and Fisheries Research and Development Centre at Brixham Laboratory
Executive Summary
This report presents the outcome of a feasibility study, supported by Seafish, for developing an aquaculture and fisher-
ies research and development centre at a laboratory facility in Brixham. Formerly AstraZeneca’s global centre for envi-
ronmental research, Brixham Laboratory was transferred to Plymouth University two years ago. The proposed concept
was a full-service operation that could support the UK seafood industry — including fisheries and aquaculture supply
chains — with market-led research, development and analytics capabilities.
Following an in-depth stakeholder consultation and review of the research needs of the seafood industry, an assess-
ment of the current political and funding environments, the project team determined that the scale of operation en-
visioned is not feasible at this time. Instead, the concept of an innovation hub emerged. This report concludes the
best use for the remaining space at Brixham Laboratory would be an innovation centre supporting industry-focused
research, embracing the latest technology and working across sectoral divides. It presents a unique opportunity for ap-
plied fisheries, aquaculture and seafood supply chain research given its location on the coast, direct access to seawater
and its proximity to both the fishing fleet and nearby aquaculture operations. Such a centre would provide definition
and structure to the branding of Brixham Laboratory as “The Blue Environmental Hub”.
Brixham itself has a long tradition of seafood harvesting and trade, and through the successful development and ex-
pansion of the Brixham Fish Market, now accounts for 7,000 tonnes (worth £28 million) of traded seafood each year.
Creation of a Blue Environmental Hub has the potential to contribute to this economic re-development and establish
an important centre for innovative and applied research to face future challenges of the seafood sector.
A wide-ranging stakeholder consultation established significant support for a research facility in Brixham. Within a
questionnaire sent to 97 organisations, 85% of respondents said that this was the right time to create a centre that
could address the current challenges in research support to the seafood sector. A stakeholder workshop further identi-
fied research themes where there were opportunities for development. Stakeholders proposed that, rather than dupli-
cating other research centres in the UK, Brixham should operate as a Hub that supports innovations and start-ups with
practical application potential, based on science–industry collaboration.
Stakeholder consultation research themes
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Feasibility of an Aquaculture and Fisheries Research and Development Centre at Brixham Laboratory
Discussions further elaborated the concept of a Blue Environmental Hub with an overarching vision of:
“Creating an environment that supports the research and technological innovations
that disrupt established barriers to sustainability in the seafood sector and are
of immediate practical value by being firmly rooted in stakeholder collaboration.”
The proposed Brixham Innovation Hub would bring together a wide range of individuals and businesses under one roof,
working towards a shared vision and supported by an extended network established through a Digital Hub. The Blue
Environmental Hub would focus on supporting the development of new technologies — including sustaining innova-
tions (that work within current constraints) and disruptive innovations that might lead to step-change improvements in
how the sector achieves environmental and financial sustainability.
The Hub would include a range of services to facilitate exploration, knowledge sharing and innovation:
• Provision of flexible office and laboratory space supported by an on-site management team;
• Physical and digital networks;
• Strategic support in identifying current and future opportunities for innovation, and linking the seafood and the tech-
nology sectors together, as well as providing leadership on the overarching vision of the Hub.
The next steps to achieve the creation of a Blue Environmental Hub at the Brixham Laboratory can be divided into five
work streams (as illustrated below).
Plymouth University’s Blue Environmental Hub, rooted in the historic port of Brixham, could be home to a new marine
community that looks to the future of our oceans. By bringing together diverse groups working in the marine and tech
spheres, the Hub can foster new ideas and collaborations between sectors, generating dynamic, fresh approaches to
the biggest challenges in the ‘blue’ environmental realm.
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Feasibility of an Aquaculture and Fisheries Research and Development Centre at Brixham Laboratory
1 Introduction and Background
This report explores the feasibility of establishing a research and development centre at Brixham Laboratory located on
the harbour at Brixham, an historic fishing port in south-west England. It provides an overview of the context and the
findings of the project team with respect to specific opportunities for the proposed centre.
1.1 Concept
Plymouth University is assessing the feasibility of creating a centre at its Brixham Laboratory to support the UK seafood
industry with market-led research, development and analytical capabilities. The proposed concept could undertake
activities such as:
• Sustainable aquaculture research and development (R&D) including scalable solutions for fisheries enhancement;
• Independent specialist research and problem-solving services for aquaculture and fisheries stakeholders;
• Ecosystem approaches to management of fisheries and aquaculture.
1.2 The Strategic Context
Healthy fisheries are a key contributor to food security as ways are sought to meet the demand for protein to feed the
rising world population. Wild fish stocks globally are threatened by over-exploitation and the cumulative impact of
human activities on the natural environment (FAO, 2016). Global supply of wild-caught fish peaked in the 1990s, and
so increases in fish consumption will need to be supplied by aquaculture. Demand continues to rise at a rapid rate. To
meet the projected demand for global fish (finfish and shellfish), aquaculture production will need to more than double
by mid-century, rising from 67 million tonnes in 2012 to roughly 140 million tonnes in 2050 (Waite et al., 2014).
Yet aquaculture, too, faces challenges. From sourcing brood stock to species diversity, disease, feed, and ecosystem
risks of impact and vulnerability, there are numerous requirements for focused, practical research if aquaculture is to
be a sustainable solution.
Addressing this need is a multi-billion pound opportunity that will create millions of jobs around the world. Finding
solutions to fisheries challenges and piloting efforts to scale up innovations in aquaculture could leverage huge eco-
nomic advantage. As the international community and national governments push a more sustainable seafood agenda,
future policies and regulations create a strategic requirement for a centre that can provide enabling research.
Plymouth University owns a unique asset that could be used to unlock this opportunity. Formerly AstraZeneca’s global
centre for environmental research, the Brixham Laboratory provides an opportunity to convert a redundant corporate
asset into a world-class centre for innovation and outreach.
The Brixham Laboratory consists of several buildings or major spaces referred to as “Blocks.” The facility occupies an
approximate gross area of 0.7ha, with a Gross Internal Area (GIA) of approximately 69,000 square feet. The Labora-
tory campus contains two main research areas, and office space, that have been maintained to a very high commercial
standard.
The facilities within are world-class, including constant temperature experimental rooms with marine and freshwater
services, and husbandry and laboratory facilities that provide the ability to keep marine and freshwater animals within
temperatures of +/- 1°c at salinity levels between 0-100% with automatic dawn/dusk and red light facilities.
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Feasibility of an Aquaculture and Fisheries Research and Development Centre at Brixham Laboratory
Test laboratories are supported by an extensively
equipped analytical chemistry capability, histori-
cally controlled by state of the art building man-
agement software linked to 24/7 back up. One
research area (Block H) provides the opportunity
to house the proposed aquaculture and fisheries
research and development activities. This labora-
tory space is ready for immediate occupancy and
requires little capital investment to commence
operations. The former husbandry area in Block D
provides opportunity for expansion, part of which is
being renovated to house ARC Marine.
A second research area (Block M) has been leased
to Scymaris, a contract research organisation that
provides high quality and cost effective ecotoxicol-
ogy, environmental fate, plant metabolism and an-
alytical chemistry services to the global agrochem-
ical, pharmaceutical and chemical industries.
Connecting with Brixham’s tradition of innovation in maritime fishing, marine technology, and environmental moni-
toring and testing, the proposed Brixham Centre will interface cutting-edge laboratory facilities with educational and
commercial enterprises. The proposed Centre would be an academic and industry collaboration for market-driven and
translational research with a particular emphasis on sustainable marine fisheries and aquaculture, and related envi-
ronmental management issues.
1.3 Local and Historic Context
Brixham is a fishing town with a population of about
17,000 in the county of Devon, located in the south-
west of England. Brixham is at the southern end of
the borough of Torbay, across the bay (Tor Bay) from
Torquay. Together with Torquay and the town of
Paignton, Brixham forms part of the unitary authority
administered by Torbay Council. The town’s outer har-
bour is protected by a long breakwater, useful for sea
angling. To the south of Brixham, and sheltering the
southern side of its harbour, lies the coastal headland
of Berry Head with a lighthouse, Iron Age fort and na-
tional nature reserve. For over 1,000 years, fishing has
been a primary activity for the area. Today, fishing and
tourism are the major industries. Brixham is notable
for transformational improvements to fishing trawlers
during the 19th century, and the iconic Brixham Trawl-
er with its distinctive red sails endures as a local sym-
bol of tradition and innovation. ©Vigilance Preservation Society
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Feasibility of an Aquaculture and Fisheries Research and Development Centre at Brixham Laboratory
1.4 The Approach
This report is based on input from stakeholders across the fisheries capture and aquaculture production sectors and
associated supply chain businesses. Stakeholder input was integral to determine areas of need, gaps in existing UK
capacity, and opportunities for collaboration with other UK centres of excellence. In obtaining stakeholder input, the
study sought to achieve several key objectives:
1. Understand the demand for the facility
2. Assess what resources and investment would be required to adapt the facility
3. Identify market feasibility and potential barriers to success
4. Identify sources of funding
5. Generate a timeline for implementing the concept
6. Draft a top-level strategic business plan
An important consideration in the direction of the project will be balancing these objectives along with competing
demands on the facility and the capacity of Plymouth University to invest in any major refitting that may be required.
1.5 Structure of the Report
The remainder of this report is structured as follows:
• Section 2 provides an introduction to Brixham and the setting of the Brixham Laboratory;
• Sections 3 and 4 set out the process and outcomes of developing options and priorities for an aquaculture and
fisheries research centre, through stakeholder consultation (section 3) followed by a stakeholder workshop (sec-
tion 4) to explore ideas, needs and priorities;
• Section 5 looks in more detail at six priority themes for the proposed centre, identified through the stakeholder
consultation and workshop process, and refined by further feasibility research;
• Section 6 sets out the concept for a research and development centre at Brixham, and develops the chosen sce-
nario in more detail, including an identification of the vision, operating mechanism, governance and management
options, coordination roles and budget;
• Section 7 explores the role of marketing and communications in defining, promoting and connecting the Hub to
a wide network of stakeholders, including online;
• Section 8 examines potential funding sources for fisheries and aquaculture R&D, with a view to supporting the
Innovation Hub concept;
• Section 9 summarises the conclusions from the study and recommended next steps for implementing the identi-
fied ‘innovation hub’ concept at Brixham Laboratory.
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