RISING STAR
Open to all emerging talents based across the globe, who are at the beginning of their careers. This category aims to mark the achievements of the up-and-coming generation of aquaculture professionals. The award celebrates the ability and ambition of a younger employee or apprentice, who has shown exceptional promise and made a significant impact in their day-to-day role, or within the wider industry.
COLLABORATION
Showcasing the importance of effective relationships to achieve a shared goal, this category is open to all companies / organisations / associations / academic institutes globally, who have worked together, to create a solution or improve a situation for customers and the industry.
INNOVATION
This award champions the innovators transforming aquaculture globally. It recognises companies and individuals delivering bold ideas, powerful results, and real-world impact across the industry.
SUSTAINABILITY
Show us an initiative or business practice with a clear commitment to long-term benefits for your business and the wider industry. This could include, but isn’t limited to, feed, containment, predator management, wild stock interactions, energy use, waste mitigation, treatment strategies, visual amenity, or collaborative resource management.
COMMUNITY INITIATIVE
This will be awarded to an individual, company or organisation, located in either the UK or internationally, that has enhanced the industry’s relationship with the local communities which host it, with particular focus on supporting local services, charities, diversity, equality and inclusion and culturally valuable initiatives.
Animal Health & Welfare
We are looking for global initiatives that have improved the health & welfare of farmed fish/shellfish and/or the wildlife they interact with. Initiatives can cover a range of factors, including genetic, pharmaceutical and technological innovations, or improvements in husbandry and farm management protocols.
SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR
This award recognises those who deliver exceptional product quality, standout service and support, expert technical insight, and innovative R&D that drives stronger economic performance and a more sustainable industry. Whether you supply specialist aquaculture equipment or provide essential goods and services to fish and shellfish producers, this category shines a spotlight on the partners who truly elevate the sector.
Best New Start Up
Open to all global businesses that have been operational for less than 3 years (as of January 2023). Businesses should have spotted a genuine market gap, launched with purpose and demonstrated impressive early growth through innovation, smart product development, strong market insight and inspiring leadership. Entrants should also share their vision for the future, outlining how they plan to build on their momentum and drive further impact in the years ahead.
Aquaculture Site of the Year
This award recognises an individual aquaculture site that demonstrates outstanding performance across environmental sustainability, operational excellence, animal welfare, innovation, and compliance. The judges are looking for sites that go beyond compliance to set new standards for responsible, efficient, environmentally sustainable and forward-thinking aquaculture. Entries should show clear evidence of best practice, measurable animal welfare results and a positive impact on the wider industry. This award is open to on-land, at-sea and shellfish aquaculture sites of any scale.
Outstanding Contribution to the Industry
The industry is invited to shine a spotlight on those remarkable individuals or companies who have redefined the aquaculture sector. Nominate those who have not only transformed how the wider public, politicians, regulators, and stakeholders view our industry but have also made extraordinary contributions through their work.
Judges' Special Recognition Award
The winner of this award will be hand-selected by the judging panel for their impressive commitment and responsible approach to aquaculture. The winner will be selected from the awards entries, and can be an individual, a project or a business.
Unsung Hero
Celebrating the true backbone of the industry. This category gives credit to the stalwarts of the sector who’ve shunned the limelight but have put in no shortage of dedicated, valuable hard work over the years, working tirelessly behind the scenes.
Farmer of the Year
This award celebrates the aquaculture champions on the front line, the hands-on finfish or shellfish farmers who make excellence look effortless. Whether through consistently outstanding performance or one game-changing achievement, this category honours the farmer who has gone above and beyond, and whose hard work has delivered real, measurable benefits for their farm and company.
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