South West Aquaculture Network (SWAN) – Membership Terms of Reference

1. Introduction

The South West Aquaculture Network (SWAN) is a collaborative platform dedicated to advancing sustainable aquaculture in the region. Our network fosters knowledge exchange, innovation, and advocacy to support the development of low-impact, high-value aquaculture systems. These Terms of Reference define the structure, benefits, and responsibilities associated with SWAN membership at Associate, Professional, and Corporate levels.

2. Membership Categories and Benefits

2.1 Associate Membership

Benefits:

  • Full access to online resources, including e-learning courses, recorded webinars, and the comprehensive members’ directory.

  • An introductory onboarding session to explore tailored collaboration opportunities.

  • Subscription to SWAN’s newsletter, providing updates on industry developments, funding opportunities, and events.

  • Access to the SWAN online forum and discussion boards.

  • Opportunities to engage with SWAN’s citizen science and outreach initiatives.

Responsibilities:

  • Adherence to SWAN’s forum rules (see Section 4).

  • Contribution to discussions in a respectful and constructive manner.

2.2 Professional Membership

Benefits:

  • Includes all Associate Membership benefits.

  • Access to grant support.

  • Opportunities for active networking and participation in special projects.

  • Voting rights to influence key decisions during the AGM and on important issues throughout the year.

  • Priority access to SWAN events, including industry roundtables and working groups.

  • Discounted rates for training courses and technical workshops.

  • Eligibility to collaborate on SWAN-led research and advocacy initiatives.

Responsibilities:

  • Active participation in knowledge-sharing and professional development activities.

  • Contribution to SWAN’s initiatives through expertise, collaboration, or mentoring.

  • Ensure you are voting in SWAN matters for least 50% of opportunities.

2.3 Corporate Membership

Benefits:

  • Includes all Professional Membership benefits.

  • Tailored marketing exposure across SWAN’s events.

  • Collaboration to co-develop e-learning courses showcasing the company’s expertise, with advertising directing participants to the organisation.

  • Ability to recommend key events for SWAN to attend, aligning with strategic priorities.

  • Automatic enrolment as a bronze sponsor for all SWAN-hosted events, enhancing brand presence.

  • Invitations to exclusive corporate networking events.

  • Access to industry-specific insights, policy briefings, and funding intelligence.

  • Opportunities to collaborate with SWAN on research projects, pilot initiatives, and policy advocacy.

Responsibilities:

  • Support SWAN’s mission through knowledge exchange, industry engagement, or sponsorship.

  • Ensure you are voting in SWAN matters for least 50% of opportunities.

  • Ensure that any promotional materials shared through SWAN align with the network’s sustainability and ethical guidelines.

3. Honorary Memberships

Honorary memberships may be granted at any level (Associate, Professional, or Corporate) in recognition of significant contributions to SWAN’s mission.

Conditions:

  • Honorary memberships are reviewed annually.

  • Continued membership requires active engagement, such as participation in grant applications, research projects, advocacy efforts, or educational activities.

  • The SWAN leadership team reserves the right to revoke honorary status if engagement is not maintained.

4. Forum Rules & Code of Conduct

All members must adhere to the following guidelines when engaging in SWAN’s online and in-person discussions:

  1. Respect & Inclusivity – Treat all members with respect. Discriminatory, offensive, or inappropriate content will not be tolerated.

  2. Constructive Engagement – Discussions should be professional, solution-focused, and relevant to SWAN’s mission.

  3. Confidentiality – Do not share private or commercially sensitive information without permission.

  4. No Spam or Self-Promotion – Promotional content should be shared only within designated spaces and in line with Corporate Membership guidelines.

  5. Compliance with Regulations – All discussions and shared materials must align with relevant industry and legal standards.

Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in temporary suspension or termination of membership.

5. Amendments & Review

These Terms of Reference will be reviewed periodically to ensure they remain relevant and effective in supporting SWAN’s objectives. Any amendments will be communicated to members in advance.

For any membership enquiries, please contact: louise@sw-aquaculture.co.uk