Sustainable Aquaculture @ Stirling

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A Tribute to Trevor Meyer

Colleagues and friends from Stirling and around the world were sad to learn of the untimely passing of Trevor Meyer. Trevor joined Stirling Aquaculture in 2000 to take on the role of Production Manager and Technical Advisor with Pinar Sea Products in Turkey, under a support contract with that company. He oversaw the introduction of more robust plastic cage technology and investment and improvement in the company’s hatchery. He then moved on to supporting an offshore cage project in Libya using both plastic cages and the Farmocean semi-submersible system as well as helping with the design of two marine fish hatcheries in Libya and some consultancy work in the UK. His career then moved on to an NGO led mariculture project in Flores, Indonesia before returning to the UK to work with Stirling Aquaculture again on feasibility and design studies for Malaysia and Australia, and expert advice to an insurance company in respect to a claim involving a Mediterranean marine hatchery; an association with insurance related work which became the focus of his later career.

Trevor with the management team at Pinar Sea Products in 2000

Trevor intently studying the seafood offerings as part of an opportunity study in Bahrain (with Ramzi Arabi of AquaSystem)

Always seeking new challenges, Trevor moved to Shetland in 2006 to manage the aquaculture facilities at the North Atlantic Fisheries College and provide vocational training to students there. In 2007 he moved westward to manage a marine fish farm in Panama producing Florida pompano, cobia and red drum. By this time he was increasingly in demand for his knowledge, experience and consultancy skills and worked on further projects in Panama, Oman and Tunisia. Between 2009 and 2014, Stirling Aquaculture was again privileged to work with him on consultancy projects in Vietnam, Bahrain, and Malta, and on various desk studies ranging from the market for hatchery feeds to commercial opportunity studies for a Middle East company. He also shared his experience with students on the Institute of Aquaculture’s MSc course on many occasions.

Trevor with MSc student on a field trip in 2010

Trevor studied Marine Biology at Newcastle University and then Applied Fish Biology at the University of Plymouth where he launched his career in aquaculture by doing his MSc thesis project at Baobab tilapia farm in Kenya. His first aquaculture job was in Scotland, working at a salmon hatchery in Grantown on Spey before moving to Marine Harvest at Lochailort as divisional farms health manager. From there he moved to Monaco to work with Pisciculture Marine de Monaco (P2M) on their unique ship-based hatchery and grow-out project in Malta, again with a focus on health management. Malta quickly became his second home as he moved into production management and jobs with Fish & Fish Ltd, and Malta Fishfarming Ltd. before he worked with Stirling Aquaculture. It was from there that he built his consultancy business “Global Aquaculture Services” from 2009, specialising in insurance risk surveys and inspections, feasibility and technical advisory work.

Trevor with Robert Vassallo-Agius and David Scott in Malta

Trevor lived life to the full and enjoyed travel and the many places that he visited. In work he was always highly focused and professional; taking his responsibilities very seriously and delivering beyond expectations. His knowledge of fish species was encyclopedic and his broad knowledge of many other topics made him a popular team mate for the pub quiz. With his great sense of humour and broad ranging enthusiasms It was always a great pleasure to share his company. He played a huge role in the development and success of Stirling Aquaculture, and his positive influence and contribution to so many aquaculture businesses around the world will be a lasting legacy. Our thoughts particularly though go to his family and close friends who have lost such an incredible man. It was a real privilege to share something of his amazing life.

A full tribute page to Trevor can be found at https://trevor-meyer2.muchloved.com/