Mr John Bostock

Project Manager

Institute of Aquaculture Pathfoot Building, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA

Mr John Bostock

About me

Currently: Part-time PhD student researching business models for sustainable freshwater aquaculture development in Europe. Part-time Researcher on EU/UKRI funded SmartAqua4FuturE (SAFE) project on sustainable freshwater aquaculture systems for Europe. Part-time Project Support to the Open Philanthropy funded Asian Fish Welfare Network Project

Previously : Part-time Project Manager for Open Philanthropy funded "Improving Farmed Fish Welfare in Asia" Project (2022-2025) Part-time project support to AQUAEXCEL 3.0 MSc Aquaculture Programmes Director (2016-2020) Senior Consultant and Manager of Stirling Aquaculture (1998-2018) which was the consultancy arm of the Institute of Aquaculture.  In this role I oversaw support to substantial mariculture projects in Madeira, Turkey and Libya involving both offshore cages and recirculated hatcheries. I also worked on a wide range of studies including appraisals of investment opportunities, market studies, trend analysis, economic impact assessments and foresight reviews. I was involved in providing technical advice through risk assessments, insurance claim investigations and due diligence work. 

Other experience has included: Coordinator of Transnational Access to Aquaculture Research Infrastructures under the EC funded AQUAEXCEL2020 project. Participation in the following EC H2020 projects:  PrimeFish (modelling of seafood markets in Europe); EURASTIP (EU-Asia Cooperation on aquaculture industry development); Also an ERASMUS+ Sector Skills Alliance project - BlueEDU (training and skill needs for the cage-based aquaculture sector).   I was also previously coordinator of the EC Erasmus Lifelong Learning Thematic Network for Aquaculture, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Managmenet between 2011 and 2014 and was the leader of the workpackage on aquatic animal health for the EC ASEM Aquaculture Platform project (linking Europe and Asia). I  was coordinator of "The Aquaculture Innovation Network" (CSN-INTRAN), an EC supported project for increasing innovation and technology transfer, especially to the New Member States of the European Union from 2004-2007.

Social Networks Researchgate: http://www.researchgate.net/profile/John_Bostock LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbostock/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/j.c.bostock

Current Projects:  www.asianfishwelfare.net www.projectsafe.eu

Past Projects: www.aquaexcel.eu www.aquatnet.com www.asemaquaculturehealth.net www.asemaquaculture.org www.aqualabs.eu www.aquaculturetalent.com www.aquainnovation.net www.pescalex.org www.euraquaculture.info 

I have strong interests in aquaculture innovation processes and how they can be stimulated and supported. In particular at the interfaces between industry, research and policy, and at the personal levels of creativity, learning, and collaborating.

I am interested in sectoral trends and analysis involving technology, economics, policy and social science including markets, media and opinion influencers. My main technical interests are in recirculated aquaculture systems and the application of information technology in aquaculture: Particularly monitoring and control; information management and traceability systems; system and economic modelling.

In my PhD studies I am currently exploring the broader role of aquatic food within wider food systems, the role and function of different types of aquaculture systems and their physical, environmental, social and economic contexts; drivers for and enablers of innovation; restraining factors and opportunities for new business models etc.

Community Contribution

Member of the EU Expert Group on Skills and Career development in the Blue Economy
European Commission and European Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Platform (EATiP)
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/…n/frontpage/1145
Member of the EU Expert Group on Skills and Career development in the Blue Economy (DG Mare) on behalf of the European Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Platform (EATIP).


Event / Presentation

Quality Objectives for Aquaculture Training. The Third Asian Fisheries Forum

Lessons from aquaculture projects in Africa

Invited presentation to the 2nd Africa-Britain-China Conference on Agriculture & Fisheries. Beijing, China, 12 November 2012.

The development and implementation of European regulations on traceability

Invited presentation to Symposium on Seafood Certification and Traceability, Busan, South Korea, 22nd May 2015

Perspectives on technology enhanced teaching and learning and learning from the Aqua-tnet project

Invited presentation to EU funded COFASP Workshop, Bilbao, Spain, 8 Oct 2015.

Experiences from Aqua-tnet

Invited keynote presentation at the 2nd International Symposium on Aquaculture and Fisheries Education (ISAFE2), Shanghai, China, 23 April 2015.

Boosting skills for greener jobs in the aquaculture sector

Invited presentation at the OECD and Western Cape Government Roundtable, Cape Town, South Africa, 13 March 2015.

Status of the European flatfish market and its R&D background

Invited presentation: Bostock, J & Murray, F. 2015 “Status of the European flatfish market and its R&D background. Korean Government sponsored seminar on grouper, flatfish and abalone market trends, Busan, South Korea, 18 March, 2015

Know-why, know-when and know-how for aquaculture intensification

http://www.aquasg.com/speakers-2017.html
Invited presentation at Aquaculture Singapore 2017, 5 October 2017.

Case studies in intensification of fin-fish in RAS, cages and ponds

Invited workshop presentation at Aquaculture Singapore 2017 (4th October 2017)


Research projects (9)

CLIMEFISH: Co-creating a decision support framework to ensure sustainable fish production in Europe
PI: Professor Trevor Telfer
Funded by: European Commission (Horizon 2020)

EURASTIP - Promoting Multi-Stakeholder Contributions to International Cooperation on Sustainable Solutions for Aquaculture Development in South-East Asia
PI: Professor Dave Little
Funded by: European Commission (Horizon 2020)

Zambia - Curriculum Upgrade at Vocational Training Institutes
PI: Mr John Bostock
Funded by: WorldFish Center

BlueEdu - Fostering growth in the Blue Economy by developing an action plan for Innovative European Aquaculture VET and harmonized qualifications
PI: Mr John Bostock
Funded by: European Commission (Horizon 2020)

Technical considerations of closed containment sea pen production for some life stages of salmonids
PI: Mr John Bostock
Funded by: Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum

HIE RAS Report Update
PI: Mr John Bostock
Funded by: Highlands and Islands Enterprise

Strategic Considerations for Locational Regulation of Shellfish Aquaculture in Scotland
PI: Professor Trevor Telfer
Funded by: Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum

A study of the prospects and opportunities for Shellfish Farming in Scotland
PI: Mr John Bostock
Funded by: Scottish Government

Prospective analysis of emerging aquaculture systems in the EU
PI: Mr John Bostock
Funded by: European Commission (Horizon 2020)

Outputs (43)

Article

Li S, Ang SY, Hunter AM, Erdem S, Bostock J, Da CT, Nguyen NT, Moss A, Hope W, Howie C, Newton R, Casteleiro MA & Little D (2024) Building towards One Health: A Transdisciplinary Autoethnographic Approach to Understanding Perceptions of Sustainable Aquatic Foods in Vietnam. Sustainability, 16 (24), pp. 1-23, Art. No.: 10865. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/24/10865; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162410865


Article

Wehry GJE, Little DC, Newton RW & Bostock JC (2022) The feasibility of underutilised biomass streams for the production of insect-based feed ingredients: The case for whisky by-products and Scottish farmed salmon. Cleaner Engineering and Technology, 9, Art. No.: 100520. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clet.2022.100520


Project Report

Bostock J, Crumlish M, Myint O, Bosma R, Dhont J, Reuver M & Maher J (2019) EURASTIP Best Practice Case Studies: Aquaculture training and capacity building collaborations between Europe and Southeast Asia. Reuver M (Editor), Maher J (Editor), O Raifeartaigh P (Editor) & Tully O (Editor) European Commission. Liege, Belgium. http://eurastip.eu/education/capacity-building-collaboration-report/


Technical Report

Clarke R & Bostock J (2017) Regional Review on Status and Trends in Aquaculture Development in Europe - 2015. Food & Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Circular, 1135/1. Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. http://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/a4026be7-9d25-49d5-ad1f-5291d64ca152/


Research Report

Roberts CA, Newton R, Bostock J, Prescott S, Honey DJ, Telfer T, Walmsley SF, Little DC & Hull SC (2015) A Risk Benefit Analysis of Mariculture as a means to Reduce the Impacts of Terrestrial Production of Food and Energy. Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum; World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) SARF Project Reports, SARF106. Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum. http://www.sarf.org.uk/cms-assets/documents/232492-618987.sarf106.pdf


Article

Seixas S, Bostock J & Eleftheriou M (2012) Promoting sustainable aquaculture: Building the capacity of local institutions and online teaching (elearning). Management of Environmental Quality, 23 (4), pp. 434-450. http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?issn=1477-7835&volume=23&issue=4&articleid=17036545&show=html; https://doi.org/10.1108/14777831211232245


Technical Report

Scott D, Meyer T, Bostock J, Spiteri A, Zarb M, Deidun A, Corner R & Balzan C (2012) An aquaculture strategy for Malta [Preparatory study and recommendations prepared for the Ministry of Resource and Rural Affairs, Government of Malta]. Government of Malta, Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs. Government of Malta. https://eufunds.gov.mt/en/EU%20Funds%20Programmes/Agricultural%20Fisheries%20Fund/Documents/DRAFT_AQUACULTURE_STRATEGY_FOR_MALTA_MARCH_2012[1].pdf


Article

Bostock J, McAndrew B, Richards R, Jauncey K, Telfer T, Lorenzen K, Little DC, Ross L, Handisyde N, Gatward I & Corner R (2010) Aquaculture: Global status and trends. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 365 (1554), pp. 2897-2912. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2010.0170


Conference Paper (published)

Muir J, Little DC, Young J & Bostock J (2010) Growing the wealth of aquaculture. In: Advancing the aquaculture agenda: Workshop proceedings. Advancing the Aquaculture Agenda: Policies to Ensure a Sustainable Aquaculture Sector, Paris, 15.04.2010-16.04.2010. Paris, France: OECD Publishing, pp. 39-107. http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264088726-7-en


Research Report

Scott D, McLeod D, Young J, Brown J, Immink A & Bostock J (2010) A Study of the Prospects and Opportunities for Shellfish Farming in Scotland: Executive Summary. Scottish Government - Enterprise, Environment & Digital - Marine Scotland. Produced by Stirling Aquaculture. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/science/Publications/publicationslatest/farmedfish/prospectandopportunities


Book Chapter

Bostock J (2009) Use of information technology in aquaculture. In: Burnell GM & Allan G (eds.) New Technologies in Aquaculture: Improving Production Efficiency, Quality and Environmental Management. First ed. Woodhead Publishing Series in Food Science, Technology and Nutrition, 178. Cambridge, UK: Woodhead Publishing Limited, pp. 1065-1118. http://www.woodheadpublishing.com/en/search.aspx?basic=new%20technologies%20in%20aquaculture


Research Report

Bostock J, Murray F, Muir J, Telfer T, Lane A, Anagnopoulos N, Papageorgiou P & Alday-Sanz V (2009) European aquaculture competitiveness: Limitations and possible strategies. European Parliament. European Parliament. http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/etudes/join/2009/431569/IPOL-PECH_ET(2009)431569_EN.pdf


Research Report

Bostock J, Steingrimsson SO, Pirhonen J, Fernandez-Borras J, Ronsholdt B, Dhont J, de Lara Rey J, Moulton MK, Kiessling A & Ueberschaer B (2008) Innovation in aquaculture teaching and learning. Aqua-Tnet. Aqua-Tnet. https://docs.google.com/document/d/13FHnQXTmdfRtm1UAugxPW50gtkjAd7xmwbGi7ZsPvBs/pub


Research Report

Bostock J, Muir J, Young J, Newton R & Paffrath S (2008) Prospective Analysis of the Aquaculture Sector in the EU. PART 1: Synthesis Report. Papatryfon I (Editor) JRC Scientific and Technical Reports. European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Prospective Technological Studies. http://ipts.jrc.ec.europa.eu/publications/pub.cfm?id=1739


Research Report

Sturrock H, Newton R, Paffrath S, Bostock J, Muir J, Young J, Immink A & Dickson M (2008) Prospective Analysis of the Aquaculture Sector in the EU. PART 2: Characterisation of Emerging Aquaculture Systems. Papatryfon I (Editor) JRC Scientific and Technical Reports. European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Prospective Technological Studies. http://ipts.jrc.ec.europa.eu/publications/pub.cfm?id=1740


Technical Report

Riddington G, Radford A, Paffrath S, Bostock J & Shinn A (2006) An economic evaluation of the impact of the salmon parasite Gyrodactylus salaris (Gs) should it be introduced into Scotland: Summary Report. Scottish Executive. Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/1062/0042436.pdf


Research Report

Riddington G, Radford A, Paffrath S, Bostock J & Shinn A (2006) An Economic Evaluation of the Impact of the Salmon Parasite Gyrodactylus salaris (Gs): Should it be Introduced into Scotland. Clare R (Editor) Scottish Executive. Report to the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department, SAQ/001/05. Scottish Executive. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/1062/0042434.pdf


Research Report

Bostock J, Telfer T, McAndrew B, Penman D, Young J & Muir J (2003) The potential impact of technological innovation on the aquaculture industry. Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. 25th report: Turning the Tide - Addressing the impact of Fisheries on the Marine Environment. Stirling: The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (RCEP). https://selectra.co.uk/energy/guides/market/rcep


Conference Paper (published)

Muir J & Bostock J (1994) Measurement and control in aquaculture processes - New directions for the information revolution?. In: Muir J & Sevila F (eds.) Measures for Success: International Conference Entitled "Bordeaux Aquaculture '94" : Preprinted Extended Abstracts. Measures for success : metrology and instrumentation in aquaculture management, Bordeaux, 23.03.1994-25.03.1994. Oostende: European Aquaculture Society, pp. 15-25. http://cemadoc.irstea.fr/oa/PUB00003967-measurement-and-control-aquaculture-processes-new.html


Conference Paper (published)

Bostock J, Stewart JA & Muir J (1994) Quality objectives for aquaculture training. In: Chou L, Munro A, Lam T, Chen T, Cheong L, Ding JK J, Hooi K, Khoo H, Phang V, Shim K & Tan C (eds.) The Third Asian Fisheries Forum: Proceedings of the Third Asian Fisheries Forum, Singapore, 26-30 October 1992. The Third Asian Fisheries Forum, Singapore, 26.10.1992-30.10.1992. Manila, Philippines: The Asian Fisheries Society, pp. 175-178.


Teaching

Currently: Contribute lectures on aquaculture business and economics to the MSc Sustainable Aquaculture programme.

Previously: MSc Aquaculture Programmes Director (2016-2020) where I was responsible for the development and administration of the taught aquaculture MSc programmes at the Institute of Aquaculture (Including Sustainable Aquaculture, Aquatic Veterinary Studies and Aquatic Pathobiology). MSc Aquaculture Topic or Module Coordinator (2011-2020) for aquaculture engineering, economics and business and financial management units and the supervision of student projects.

Research programmes

Research themes