The International Marine Science & Environmental (IMSE) project is a Centre of Excellence & Innovation developed between industry and academic partners. It will develop and capture innovation in marine:
- sciences
- spatial planning
- technology
- education and training
and ensure that the Firth of Clyde is recognised as an exemplar in marine sustainability.
The IMSE will be based at Ardrossan and will ensure that the Firth of Clyde is recognised as an exemplar in the Blue Economy and marine sustainability. IMSE will bring together leading academics and provide industry within the maritime sector opportunities to access support from industry specialists, experts and mentors.
Located beside the Ardrossan Community Campus, marina and harbour make its ideally placed to draw on the opportunities afforded by its neighbours and provide a completely unique learning opportunity within a nationally leading marine science centre.
A relationship is in place with the University of Stirling who provide academic guidance to project concept development. We are working to strengthen our partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding to develop the project scope. Strategic synergies are being developed with Hunterston further up the coastline group to maximise the benefit of investment and align outcomes with the nuclear decommissioning at Hunterston. Partners include:
- Peel Ports
- Scottish Enterprise
- Crown Estates
- the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
- Skills Development Scotland
- other private and public sector partners.
This will ensure that both projects realise the benefits from each other and create the environment that is needed to ensure North Ayrshire can fulfil the full potential within the blue economy locally and nationally, maximising the benefit of our marine and coastal assets across the region.
Key programme developments have included:
- academic research is ongoing around Blue Economy, aquaculture and strategic fit within national family of science centres
- we have identified a nationally significant strategic opportunity within the blue economy that will benefit locally, regionally, nationally and globally - we aim to establish this and record the benefit in a Programme Business Case for Hunterston and IMSE to UK and Scottish governments
- partnership with Scottish Enterprise, Peel Ports and Crown Estate Scotland to unlock the potential of Hunterston
- partnership with University of Stirling to ensure leading academic expertise supports project development
What's happening and what's in the pipeline
- submission of Programme Business Case for Hunterston and IMSE to UK and Scottish governments
- establish partners and resources to support our wider blue economy strategic proposition - Ongoing
- associated innovation and commercial activities at Hunterston - Ongoing