Get to know our new salmon assessors

What’s your professional background prior to joining RSPCA Assured?

Alex: I worked for Kames Fish Farming farming steelhead trout for two years, firstly as a husbandry person and then as a fish health specialist. I then moved into marine environmental consultancy work, doing benthic compliance surveys for aquaculture sites.

Stuart: From 2009, I was working on a fish farm at Loch Ness. It began under Migdale Smolts, but was taken over by Mowi in 2014. During my time working there, my roles were assistant manager, fish health advisor and health and safety advisor.

Where are you based at the moment?

Alex: I’m currently based in Mid-Argyll on the west coast of Scotland.

Stuart: I’m currently living in Nairn on the Moray coast, about 16 miles east of Inverness.

What are you looking forward to about being an assessor?

Alex: It’ll be great to get out to see the variety of farm sites, learning from producers on the ground and seeing the different ways they handle any challenges. I’m also looking forward to exploring some of Scotland’s beautiful regions through my new role, especially as we move into the summer season.

Stuart: I'm really looking forward to travelling all over Scotland and its islands, meeting farmers in these beautiful locations and seeing the industry from different perspectives.

The farming and technical engagement team is here to support you

While the RSPCA’s farm animals department recruits a new senior scientific and policy officer for aquaculture, we wanted to remind you that Kevin White is the aquaculture lead from our farming and technical engagement team (FATE).

Kevin has worked at RSPCA Assured for more than eight years and is available to support and advise you on any farmed salmon or trout issues.