Shell-volution | News and updates
The latest developments from the Shell-volution project.
A Visit from Shell-volution's Independent Scientific Advisor
14-18 September 2026
We were delighted to welcome Dr Brad Skelton, Shell-volution’s Independent Scientific Adviser, to Shetland to spend time with the people at the heart of the project and gain a first-hand insight into the local mussel industry.
During his visit, Brad met with farmers, visited mussel farms, and experienced the day-to-day realities of mussel production in Shetland. These conversations provided valuable opportunities to share knowledge, discuss industry challenges, and explore opportunities for future research and innovation.
Brad also worked closely with the Shell-volution team, providing independent scientific advice on current and proposed projects to help ensure the programme continues to deliver practical, evidence-based benefits for Shetland’s mussel sector.
Most importantly, the visit helped strengthen the connection between science and industry, ensuring that future research remains firmly grounded in the needs and priorities of local producers.
Learning from Ireland's Mussel Sector
7 - 11 September 2026)
Industry representatives Hamish Hunter, Sam Laurenson and Michael Tait, alongside the Shell-volution Project Team, recently visited Ireland's southwest coast to learn more about the Irish mussel sector and the Southwest Mussel Larvae Monitoring Programme.
Hosted by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) and Irish mussel producers, the visit explored how larval monitoring data is collected and used to support spat collection and farm management decisions. The group met with researchers, industry representatives and farmers to gain first-hand insight into how science is applied in practice to support mussel production.
The visit provided valuable opportunities to exchange knowledge, strengthen links between the Shetland and Irish mussel sectors, and identify lessons that could help support the future development of Shetland's industry.
Shell-volution extends its sincere thanks to Trish Daly, Tara Chamberlain and the Irish mussel producers for their warm welcome, generosity and fantastic hospitality throughout the visit. Their openness and willingness to share their experience made the trip both highly informative and enjoyable.
New scientific advisor brings global mussel farming expertise to Shell-volution
Shell-volution has appointed Dr Brad Skelton, Research Fellow at the University of Auckland, as Independent Scientific Advisor for a one-year pilot.
Dr Skelton will bring independent scientific judgement, constructive challenge, and international perspective to the project, helping to ensure Shell-volution’s research, innovation and knowledge-exchange activities are robust, credible, and focused on practical benefit for Shetland’s mussel sector.
His role will include advising on the project pipeline, reviewing the feasibility and quality of proposed work, supporting technical scrutiny of outputs, and helping Shell-volution draw on relevant experience from established mussel-farming sectors overseas.
The project team is delighted to have Brad’s support and looks forward to benefitting from his applied research experience, industry networks, and knowledge exchange work with New Zealand’s mussel farming sector. Dr Skelton has already met online with the Shell-volution team and Shetland mussel farmers and is expected to visit Shetland in September 2026.
