On Tuesday 20 October SAMS celebrated the opening of its refurbished research aquarium. Over 50 guests, many of them delegates from the Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers annual international conference, attended the event to view the modern facilities and to explore SAMS research relating to aquaculture. Displays showcased research on harmful algal blooms, biofuels from marine algae, marine alien species, artificial reefs, and the effectiveness of ecolabelling of aquaculture products. SAMS researchers further demonstrated the improved hatchery capabilities, latest developments at the Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa (CCAP), cold-water coral husbandry and a novel technology that enables scientists to investigate the responses of marine organisms to elevated levels of suspended sediment and burial as associated with aggregate extraction and dredging.

The new aquarium was named after the late Dr Alan Ansell who had spent most his professional life at the Association studying bivalves and other animals on the shores around the world and in the 'old' aquarium at teh Institute. The aquarium was opened by his widow, Joyce.

Professor Laurence Mee, the director of SAMS, said: "The nearly 0.4M funding from the European Regional Development Fund and the Scottish Funding Council allowed us to build an excellent research aquarium. Here we can investigate how people can use and maintain a healthy and diverse marine environment to generate prosperity, e.g. from aquaculture, fishing, renewable energy generation and mineral resources. Alan Ansell's career is a shining example of how research can contribute to new and sustainable industries, as he helped with his research to develop oyster farming in Scotland more than 30 years ago."

The Alan Ansell Research Aquarium extends over 160m² with indoor and outdoor facilities, including open plan experimental areas, numerous constant temperature and photoperiod rooms, quarantine areas and a video observation office. The facility is equipped with a diverse selection of tanks and a reliable pump system supplying pristine seawater. Click here for more.

The new Alan Ansell Research Aquarium will not only serve SAMS for research, teaching and commercial use but is also a National Facility which is already attracting scientists from around the world. It is built on a foundation of research excellence and will be a great asset to current and future generations of marine scientists.