A Big Thank You To Our Sponsors
Join Our Beauty By The Sea Event in Oban
Who’s it for?
Cosmetic and fashion brands, packaging pros, sustainability startups, researchers, investors—and anyone who wants to get in on the ground floor of the next wave of blue innovation.
What’s on the agenda?
Science, strategy, and seaweed! Expect presentations from leading researchers, interactive panels on sea-derived ingredients and materials, behind-the-scenes lab tours, and plenty of time to connect with people who share your passion for the sea. Here are the topics we will focus on;
- Bioplastics
- Microalgae innovations
- Macroalgae opportunities
- Scaling up macroalgae production
- Cosmetic Algae Ingredient Science
- Textile Algae ingredient Science
Download the Program Below
Attend Beauty By The Sea
Beauty by the Sea – Virtual Event Access
Beauty By The Sea – Virtual Access Page
Event Title:Â Beauty By The Sea
Dates: September 23rd–24th, 2025
Location (In-Person):Â Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), Oban, Scotland
Presented By:
- Canadian Cosmetic Cluster
- SAMS & SAMS Enterprise
- Pacific Seaweed Association
- Canadian Seaweed Network
- UK Cosmetic Cluster
- MediSea Robotics
Access This Event Anywhere in the World
Welcome to the virtual platform for Beauty by the Sea – our first industry-focused event dedicated to the intersection of seaweed innovation, marine science, sustainable beauty, and the blue economy. This platform offers full access to the in-person event in Oban, Scotland, through live streams, and recorded sessions. You will have the option of joining live and then the option of accessing recorded.
You will get a link to the live stream in there PDF attachment and a link by email to the recordings after the event.
Beauty by the Sea – Virtual Event Access + Matchmaking
Beauty By The Sea – Virtual Access Page
Event Title:Â Beauty By The Sea
Dates: September 23rd–24th, 2025
Location (In-Person):Â Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), Oban, Scotland
Presented By:
- Canadian Cosmetic Cluster
- SAMS & SAMS Enterprise
- Pacific Seaweed Association
- Canadian Seaweed Network
- UK Cosmetic Cluster
- MediSea Robotics
Access This Event Anywhere in the World
Welcome to the virtual platform for Beauty by the Sea – our first industry-focused event dedicated to the intersection of seaweed innovation, marine science, sustainable beauty, and the blue economy. This platform offers full access to the in-person event in Oban, Scotland, through live streams and recorded sessions. You’ll have the option to join us live during the event, and receive access to the recorded sessions afterward.
You will receive a link to the live stream in the PDF, and a link to the full video recordings will be sent to you following the conclusion of the event.
Our matchmaking is designed to help you make meaningful, strategic connections throughout the event. As a virtual attendee, you'll gain access to a curated directory of participants, including speakers, formulators, marine scientists, brand founders, and investors. We will connect you with anyone that you would like to meet.
Whether you're looking for a formulation lab, a retailer, a packaging partner, or a seaweed supplier, we will make it easy to connect with the right people to move your project forward.
- Live streaming of all keynote sessions, panels, and tours.
- On-demand recordings available for 3 months post-event.
- Access to the matchmaking to connect with attendees, speakers, and sponsors.
- A digital gift bag with resources, whitepapers, and special offers.
A Big Thank You For Our Speakers And Sponsors
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Speaker - Daniel Carcajona
Daniel is an experienced aquaculture professional with over 10 years’ expertise across research, commercial farming, and innovation. His career spans seaweed and finfish production, from IMTA trials in Spain to managing cleaner fish health strategies across 25 farms in Scotland. He has worked in both start-ups and large-scale producers, and now serves as Business Development Manager at SAMS Enterprise, the commercial arm of the Scottish Association for Marine Science. There, he leads a diverse portfolio of marine consultancy and survey projects, supporting clients to manage environmental risks and build sustainable, science-led solutions across the aquaculture and marine sectors. |
Dr Matthew Davey is a leading expert in algal biotechnology and metabolic ecology. His research spans algal physiology, metabolomics, and ecological adaptation, with a strong focus on the application of algae in sustainable bioeconomy solutions. He is currently an Associate Professor at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) after working in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Cambridge where he co-developed the Cambridge Algal Innovation Centre, integrating metabolomics with algal cultivation to improve strain performance and biochemical outputs. Dr Davey’s work centres on unlocking the potential of algae for diverse biotechnological applications—including bioenergy, nutraceuticals, pigment utilisation, carbon capture, space biotechnology and climate resilience. He has led pioneering studies in polar ecosystems, using satellite remote sensing and fieldwork to map algal blooms across Antarctica, and assess their role in carbon cycling and ecosystem dynamics. These findings inform our understanding of algae’s role in global climate systems and have important implications for scaling algal use in green technologies. Dr Davey leads one of the largest and longest running Algal Biotechnology and Aquaculture short courses in the EU via the EIT Food education platform and led the UK’s first postgraduate programme in Algal Biotechnology and Bioeconomy, equipping the next generation of scientists with skills to meet growing industrial demand for algae-based innovations. A strong advocate for applied science, Dr Davey collaborates with industry and policy-makers, and contributes to European space biology projects exploring algae’s role in closed-loop life support systems. His work bridges cutting-edge research with real-world applications, advancing algae as a key resource in a sustainable future.
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Speaker - Rhianna Rees
A passionate advocate for sustainable ocean systems, Rhianna leads the Scottish Seaweed Industry Association, driving innovation, collaboration, and growth across the UK’s seaweed sector. With a background in knowledge exchange, regulation, and industry development, she champions seaweed’s role in the blue economy, from biostimulants to food systems. As co-chair of Women in Scottish Aquaculture, she also fosters inclusivity and leadership in marine industries. |
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Speaker - Dr. Ambrosio Pagaran
MediSea Robotics is an orchestration “ecosystem conductor” that snap-fits partner technologies—sensors, power pods, analytics apps—into its plug-and-play, AI-guided sea-robotics chassis, turning separate products into one fully integrated seaweed-farm workhorse. By backing Beauty By The Sea Oban 2025, MediSea invites component makers, cloud providers and coastal operators to contribute into MediSea's modules to co-pilot Europe’s next blue-economy growth engine on Scotland’s shores. The resulting 'stitched' modular contributions becomes a fully integrated robot that brings the UN 5 Ps (People, Planet, Prosperity, Partnership, Peace) to life in real-time field ops |
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Speaker - Jen Vanderhoven
At the BBIA we are focused on accelerating the adoption of bio-based, biodegradable, and compostable chemicals and materials in the UK, in order to reduce our reliance on fossil resources and create a sustainable circular economy. |
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Speaker - Natalie Gilson
At Pisces, we eliminate the barriers that hold ocean projects back - from funding gaps and project overload to communications challenges and stakeholder demands. With deep ocean industry knowledge and breadth of expertise, we bring the support, strategy, and insight that help ocean leaders deliver on their goals, grow their impact, and secure future success. Whether you're struggling to manage reporting, build partnerships, or tell your story, we’re here to help your project move forward and keep going strong. Because we believe that every project working for the ocean deserves the support it needs to succeed. Natalie Gilson is the CEO and Co-Owner of Pisces RPM, an ocean project consultancy dedicated to eliminating barriers to ocean project success. With a background in strategic communications, creative direction, and ocean storytelling, she helps researchers, innovators, and industry leaders connect their work to broader audiences in ways that are clear, credible, and compelling. A lifelong ocean advocate and award-winning brand strategist, Natalie brings nearly a decade of experience at the intersection of information, storytelling, and trust-building. She is known for her ability to distill complex ideas into accessible narratives that inspire action, combat misinformation, and drive meaningful outcomes for ocean projects. |
Believing water is humanity’s original mirror and the ocean reflects all we do, Amanda’s work honors water through sustainable innovation. Shower Thoughts™ creates personal care products that reduce water use and waste, featuring a proprietary biomaterial designed to dissolve safely back into nature.
An award-winning marketer, SSI Divemaster, and ocean advocate, Amanda channels her freediving experience into building mindful, regenerative systems. She reminds us that strength lies in softness and lasting change flows steadily, like water.
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Speaker - Mark Smith
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Speaker - Shaelynne Bood
Shaelynne Bood is a second-generation wild kelp harvester from northern Vancouver Island. Working in the traditional waters of the Kwakiutl people she harvests Macrocystis Pyrifera entirely by hand from small vessels, she is continuing the harvest her father began in 1998. Guided by science through biomass and biologist studies, and traditional stewardship, they ensure the kelp continues thriving year after year.
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Speaker: Neil Waslidge
OCEANIUM is a UK-based, purpose-led biotech company harnessing the power of sustainably farmed seaweed to create high-performance, planet-friendly ingredients for health, beauty, food, and materials. Using proprietary green and circular biorefinery technology, OCEANIUM extracts maximum value from cultivated Saccharina latissima (sugar kelp), producing a portfolio of science-backed, bioactive ingredients. This includes OCEAN ACTIVES® C+, a potent and natural extract which is clinically proven to reduce skin redness by 96%, whilst promoting healthy microbiome. With a focus on traceability, zero waste, and environmental regeneration, OCEANIUM is redefining what’s possible with seaweed, transforming it into a scalable solution for global sustainability and innovation challenges. The company collaborates across the value chain to unlock the full potential of seaweed aquaculture, contributing to the development of the blue bioeconomy and supporting coastal livelihoods. Backed by leading impact investors and supported by world-class R&D partners, OCEANIUM is on a mission to make seaweed a cornerstone of a more sustainable future. |
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Speaker - Courtney Howell
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Speaker - Ray Marriott
The presentation will cover the molecules we can expect to obtain from diverse seaweed species, typical yields and composition of extracts and also an economic analysis based on process scale and the utilisation of other components particularly the polysaccharide fraction. I will aim for a 30 minute presentation including time for questions. |
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Sam Patterson, PhD, is Research Manager at Impact Solutions, leading cutting-edge R&D in sustainable polymers and advanced materials. With expertise spanning light-harvesting biomaterials, flow chemistry, and biodegradation assessment, Sam is driving innovation in bio-derived and biodegradable plastics. He’s a recognised pioneer in accelerated testing methods that fast-track benign materials to market.
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Speaker: Margarita Sidorova
Margarita Sidorova is the founder of the Canadian Cosmetic Cluster and an active figure in the global cosmetic and blue economy industries. With a background in Life Sciences and Business Administration and advanced training in Cosmetic Science, she brings deep expertise in formulation, regulatory strategy, and sustainable ingredient development. Margarita has worked with renowned international companies and spearheaded initiatives like the Chembox and Beauty by the Sea to promote marine biotechnology, raw material innovation, and regenerative aquaculture. She represented Canada at the Global Cosmetic Cluster and has been featured at major events, including the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) in Nice. Known for her creative problem-solving, passion for knowledge, and dedication to sustainability, Margarita works to advance a more connected and regenerative future for the cosmetic and marine industries alike. |
Spotlight on Our New Partners - Le Paysan Marin
Its mission includes contributing to the relocalization and restructuring of a coastal, perma-industrial aquaculture production network, known as Perma-côte. This initiative seeks to develop resilient ecosystems and industrial chains in response to the climate crisis, ensuring sustainable and proportionate coastal production. Regenerating marine ecosystems and promoting sustainable practices are seen as essential for maintaining climate loops, securing food for future generations, and sustaining coastal human activities. Le Paysan Marin focuses on positioning marine operators as key players in integrated management, relying on nature-based solutions. Additionally, the organization supports coastal territories in developing and financing restoration projects that are integrated into the socio-economic fabric of coastal communities.
Le Paysan Marin assists coastal economic actors in developing turnkey projects that combine ecological engineering, food production, and the enhancement of environmental services. The goal is to create comprehensive solutions that address both ecological and economic needs. The organization facilitates the creation of research-action projects and citizen science initiatives centered around low-tech approaches. It also works on establishing funding solutions that enable the deployment of regenerative marine solutions, ensuring they are both practical and sustainable. Committed to building a community of engaged actors around cooperative projects, Le Paysan Marin focuses on setting up shared production and commercialization methods, fostering collaboration and mutual support among stakeholders.
Le Paysan Marin is committed to studying, promoting, supporting, experimenting with, and implementing regenerative aquaculture practices and production methods. The organization aims to explore innovative approaches that contribute to the sustainability and resilience of marine ecosystems.
Its mission includes contributing to the relocalization and restructuring of a coastal, perma-industrial aquaculture production network, known as Perma-côte. This initiative seeks to develop resilient ecosystems and industrial chains in response to the climate crisis, ensuring sustainable and proportionate coastal production. Regenerating marine ecosystems and promoting sustainable practices are seen as essential for maintaining climate loops, securing food for future generations, and sustaining coastal human activities. Le Paysan Marin focuses on positioning marine operators as key players in integrated management, relying on nature-based solutions. Additionally, the organization supports coastal territories in developing and financing restoration projects that are integrated into the socio-economic fabric of coastal communities.
Le Paysan Marin assists coastal economic actors in developing turnkey projects that combine ecological engineering, food production, and the enhancement of environmental services. The goal is to create comprehensive solutions that address both ecological and economic needs. The organization facilitates the creation of research-action projects and citizen science initiatives centered around low-tech approaches. It also works on establishing funding solutions that enable the deployment of regenerative marine solutions, ensuring they are both practical and sustainable. Committed to building a community of engaged actors around cooperative projects, Le Paysan Marin focuses on setting up shared production and commercialization methods, fostering collaboration and mutual support among stakeholders.
Contact
- Tristan Macquet
Vice President, Atlantic Division
[email protected] - Benjamin Denjean
President, Mediterranean Division
[email protected]
Spotlight on Pacific Seaweed Industry Association
The Canadian Cosmetic Cluster is excited to announce our partnership with the Pacific Seaweed Industry Association, led by Mark Smith. This dedicated organization is focused on advancing the seaweed-based blue economy, particularly in the Pacific region, and spotlighting the many opportunities and challenges related to scaling up the industry. We recently signed an MOU and are thrilled to collaborate on promoting seaweed commercialization, especially through cosmetics, packaging, and textiles. Over the coming years, we’ll be working together on webinars, events, and hands-on training to support industry growth. Our collaboration aims to build international relationships and initiatives like our Startup Studio and a future marketplace. Partnerships are crucial for growing and making a lasting impact in this industry, and we’re excited to move forward together.
Our Projects Together
A comprehensive marketing campaign will be launched to raise awareness about the blue economy and attract investors to the Blue Economy Startup Studio. This campaign will include the development of a strategic marketing plan that highlights the benefits and opportunities of the blue economy. The Beauty and the Sea Forum will serve as a flagship event to promote regenerative aquaculture initiatives and the Blue Economy Startup Studio, featuring expert panels, product showcases, and networking opportunities. Additionally, the Blue Economy Startup Studio will be promoted through digital channels, industry events, and partnerships with relevant organizations. The implementation plan for the project involves clearly defined roles and responsibilities. The Canadian Cosmetic Cluster will be responsible for engaging corporate partners, promoting the marketplace, leading the development of training programs, and managing the ChemBox for marine Ingredients and packaging. Le Paysan Marin will provide expertise in aquaculture, support the development of training systems, coordinate onsite training sessions in France, and contribute to the organization and execution of the Beauty and the Sea Forum.
The governance of the project will be overseen by a steering committee composed of representatives from the Canadian Cosmetic Cluster and Le Paysan Marin. This committee will be responsible for overseeing the project's implementation, addressing challenges, and ensuring that objectives are met. Additionally, a reporting and monitoring system will be developed to track the progress and outcomes of the Blue Economy Beauty Project, with regular updates shared with stakeholders, partners, and investors to ensure transparency and continuous improvement.