Positioned on England’s south coast, Dorset and East Devon have the potential to contribute significantly to the growth in English marine aquaculture envisaged under the Seafood 2040 strategic framework for England. Aquaculture within this region is developing rapidly with a diverse array of species and techniques either in place or undergoing development both on and offshore.

This short video will take you on a whistle-stop tour around the growing business of aquaculture in Dorset. Meet the key people in a range of different kinds of aquaculture ranging from seaweed to shellfish and lumpfish (cleaner fish), and discover the wide range of opportunities for different kinds of work in the sector.

To the west of the region lies the UK’s largest offshore rope mussel farm operated by Offshore Shellfish Ltd. In the east of Dorset, Othniel Oysters Ltd., the UK’s largest Pacific oyster producers, carry out seabed cultivation of this species for both the domestic and international markets. Open-water aquaculture activities carried out in the centre of the region include trestle production of Pacific oysters as well as rope culture of both mussels and seaweed. Onshore, there is Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) production of lumpfish for use as cleaner fish in the Scottish salmon sector as well as plans for an in-land warm water prawn farm. If you are interested in finding out more about these existing businesses, then head to our Case Studies.

Funded by the Dorset and East Devon Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG), a comprehensive spatial analysis has been undertaken for the Dorset and East Devon coastal waters of a wide range of marine aquaculture species and techniques. In UK terms, this mapping exercise, together with stakeholder consultation, has generated a unique tool to allow new investors and existing aquaculture businesses alike to identify where the optimum positions may lie for new operations and the expansion or diversification of existing farms. Head to our Aquaculture Map to find out more about the region’s potential for development.

If you are interested in discussing the significant potential offered by the region for the development of sustainable aquaculture then there are a range of support organisations available to help provide advice on a wide range of subjects from species and technique identification through to funding, licensing and obtaining the correct permissions.