Innovative aquaculture solutions from Scotland 

Ace Aquatec is perfect proof of Scotland’s excellent track record in technology, science and fish farming that dates back centuries. The company is now championing all these disciplines to make global fish farming more humane, efficient and sustainable, aided by the use of AI.

Scotland has the world’s third largest aquaculture sector. It produced 192,129 tonnes of fish in 2020, with Scottish salmon among the country's top food export, sold to over 50 countries. There's no surprise that buyers and distributors from all over the world are committed to sourcing one of the nation's most sought after products that are highly prized and sellable.    

Global fish welfare standards are gradually improving. However, trillions of fish are still manually sampled in labour intense ways and killed inhumanely every year. Many markets aren't regulated or governed to adequate standards before fish reaches our supermarkets. 

Based in Dundee, Ace Aquatec is putting these Scottish capabilities on the map across 26 countries. What began as a family-run business has grown into a worldwide supplier of welfare-first aquaculture solutions with offices in Scotland, Norway, Canada, and Chile.

Ace Aquatec has great local partners in manufacturing that leverage Scotland’s huge technology, engineering and science credibility. Success in world markets depends on these partners manufacturing safe, secure and fault-free products. 

Scaling the innovation of its products and service across the global fish industry is a number one priority for Ace Aquatec. It's now keenly focused on developing its software proposition so the firm can scale further. 

Nathan explains: “Our systems are dynamic. They keep developing and advancing as our customers’ requirements continually evolve. A key advantage of our systems is that we can harness data and actionable insights. This allows us to demonstrate improved efficiencies, with fewer risks and higher welfare, and as a result, better profit for our customers.”

Combining many of Scotland’s unique selling points - industry pedigree, experience and sector knowledge - has put Ace Aquatec on an upward trajectory. This expansion followed investment from growth fund Aquaspark in 2019, and a series of innovation grants from Scottish Enterprise, its international arm, Scottish Development International (SDI), and Innovate UK.

The company has scaled quickly in size, and has a key focus on expanding its software team for the growing ‘intelligence’ element of its business. 

Scotland has the capability to tackle critical issues

Scotland is no stranger to providing solutions to overseas buyers, so Ace Aquatec’s international interest is no surprise. Such is the interest from across the world that the firm is now opening a new office in Chile and capturing market territory in Japan. 

To help cement Japanese interest, the firm has been working with our International Trade Specialists, Mercedes McCambridge and Laura McBrier. Their support has helped the company to launch its award-winning A-BIOMASS camera system to the Japanese market. 

The underwater camera uses machine learning and AI to produce accurate real time data on fish growth, health, disease and behaviours. It is a cutting-edge system that employs the latest in AI and machine learning techniques to protect fish welfare and ensure accurate tracking towards harvest. 

We have supported Ace Aquatec to attend the Japan Seafood & Tech Expo in Tokyo, assisting with a travel agenda and reaching out to a target list of potential distributors and buyers. Support also included a site visit to a business partner in Kagoshima, Japan. Mercedes says: