Funding award to Canna community visitor hub
A major project to create a new visitor hub on the island of Canna in Lochaber has secured a £20,000 contribution from HIE.
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A project is under way in Argyll to create Scotland’s first commercial laboratory for the detailed analysis of marine environmental DNA (eDNA).
Underwater ecological survey company Ocean Ecology is developing the state-of-the-art lab in its existing facilities at the European Marine Science Park (EMSP) near Oban.
The company has secured a £21,642 investment from Highlands and islands Enterprise (HIE) towards the total project costs of £108,000.
This will be used to acquire the equipment for the extraction and purification of eDNA from sediment and water samples taken from the marine environment.
The analysis can be used to study biodiversity and monitor marine ecosystem changes, including water quality and the early detection of invasive species.
Ocean Ecology has expanded rapidly in recent years, providing services to the growing aquaculture and renewable energy sectors.
There is growing interest in eDNA analysis among the company’s client base, and this is expected to lead to substantial industry demand in the short term.
The greater functionality of Ocean Ecology’s eDNA lab will help meet this demand and give the company a market lead. It will also support the creation of four new skilled jobs.
Morag Goodfellow, HIE’s area manager for Argyll and the Islands, said:
“The marine environment around Scotland offers tremendous potential for sustainable commercial activity, and many companies are involved in various initiatives that tap into this. Ocean Ecology is a great example. The company is part of a growing cluster of marine related innovation at the EMSP. this latest project to create an eDNA lab will trigger further growth of the company while enhancing the wider expertise that’s available in Scotland. I’m delighted we are able to support the project and look forward to continuing to work with Ocean Ecology as they continue their growth.”
Dr Michael Redford, laboratory manager with Ocean Ecology, said:
“The addition of eDNA services will allow us to continue to provide services to our clients during the full life cycle of an aquaculture site, from pre-development site characterisation and licensing to compliance monitoring and diagnostics. By keeping up with regulatory change we can remain reactive to our clients’ needs. Outwith the aquaculture sector our new facility will also allow us to serve several other industries, including an expanding offshore renewable sector.”
A major project to create a new visitor hub on the island of Canna in Lochaber has secured a £20,000 contribution from HIE.
The project by Oban based Tritonia Scientific Limited will support four jobs and is forecast to increase the company’s turnover by more than £1m within three years.
Gow’s Lybster Limited is installing Migatronic CoWelders that will significantly improve productivity and ensure consistent high-quality workmanship.
The project is forecast to generate more than £340,000 turnover in the next three years and create three jobs within five years.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will return to Norway to host the Scottish Pavilion at Aqua Nor 2025.
The improvements will enable the company to continue its growth through increased capacity and efficiencies in production.
The new Leica scanner will enable Envision to offer a broader range of services to existing and new clients.
The HIE funding will help meet the costs of plant and equipment and help lever in significant private sector investment to the project.
The new product has been developed by Dunoon-based former construction industry director Allister Wood
The project is expected to continue to attract innovative marine businesses, creating new well-paid job opportunities, particularly for young people, and encouraging entrepreneurship.
Beinn an Tuirc Distillery is investigating the development of two new canned ready to drink (RTD) cocktail recipes.
£250k helped leverage a further £3.6m in national investment