Foster has more than 30 years’ experience in the marine industry, beginning his career in 1988 with Golden Sea Produce on the Isle of Mull, Scotland. An opportune move to Norway in 2000 with his young family began a long-term relationship with a country that has become his home.

Fluent in Norwegian, the former Mowi production manager had responsibility for several sites across a region and achieved the Best Site Award a total of four times.

1.6 billion fish vaccinated

Stirling-based Aqualife, which has vaccinated more than 1.6 billion fish worth £10 billion since starting up in 1996, said the recently created position of territory manager underpins the company’s plans for the Nordic market.

Foster’s role will be to lead the delivery of exceptional levels of customer service, creating a solid base for the establishment of a Nordic team to support the aquaculture sector with innovative vaccine delivery methods.

Semi-automated delivery

A core task for Foster will be to introduce Aqualife’s new Inoca semi-automated multi-vaccine vaccination system to the Norwegian market.

The Inoca requires just a third of the workforce needed for manual vaccination and was developed by Aqualife in just 18 months after Covid-related travel restrictions prevented its teams of trained vaccinators going abroad to major markets such as Norway.

The system works on multiples of two channels, so can be built up from two channels to eight, 10 or 12 depending on farmers’ needs. A six-channel Inoca system can vaccinate between 15,000 and 21,600 fish per hour and requires three operators. The system also grades fish into three sizes.

‘An enormous asset’

Aqualife chief executive Gordon Jeffrey said: “Scott’s strong technical background will be an enormous asset for Aqualife in the Nordic area. As we continue to thrive in the region, he will have a key role in the development of company strategy and customer support.”

Foster, who took up his new role towards the end of 2021, said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Aqualife team and building strong relationships with customers. Promoting the company’s culture and values will be at the core of everything I deliver.”

Foster and the Aqualife team will be demonstrating the new Inoca vaccination system at HavExpo held in Bergen from May 10-12.

Scott Foster, recently-appointed Nordic territory manager for Stirling-based fish vaccination specialist Aqualife.