Gregg Arthur, Project Director Shell-volution project

Gregg brings over 25 years of experience in aquaculture in Shetland. He began his career as a college aquaculture lecturer before transitioning into practical knowledge exchange roles. His expertise spans hatchery rearing of cold-water marine finfish, salmon gill disease, sea lice management and juvenile blue mussel production. Most recently, he served as Knowledge Exchange Officer for the UHI Aquaculture Hub, where he played a pivotal role in fostering industry collaboration and advancing sustainable practices, including innovative methods for phytoplankton monitoring and harmful algal bloom forecasting. He was also instrumental in the initial development of the Shell-volution project, working closely with industry partners to shape its vision and secure support.

Shell-volution is a £4.4 million Islands Growth Deal project aimed at transforming Scotland’s mussel farming sector. UHI is the lead organisation responsible for project delivery, governance and oversight in partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers, Seafood Shetland and the Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group.

This innovative, multi-phase programme will deliver cutting-edge research, environmental monitoring and practical solutions to enhance the reliability of wild mussel spat recruitment and support best industry practices.

Previous projects

Sealice Bioassay Project 2010-2012 (EFF MI-C-3-0023) pilot project to evaluate and monitor patterns of sea lice resistance to chemical treatments in Shetland.

Brief History

Since joining the Aquaculture Section of the Marine Science and Technology department, Gregg has been involved in a diverse array of activities.  His research and development activities have included the production of coldwater marine species such as halibut, cod, lobsters, wolffish, sea urchins, haddock and wrasse.  He has been involved with a variety of projects including hatchery design and construction, curriculum development, outreach and delivering training and education to a wide variety of recipients from MSc students to nursery children.

Prior to working at the Centre, Gregg was a senior biologist at a commercial cod hatchery in Shetland.  He headed up the live-prey facility and worked close with the management team, biologists and operatives.  The hatchery rapidly became the highest producing marine hatchery in the UK to date.

Partnerships/Representation

Shetland Environmental Educational Partnership, Shetland Science and Technology Group, STEM Ambassador, NAFC Marine Centre staff representative, co-opted member of Scalloway Junior High School Parent Council.