Major Scottish seafood producers join SAIC board

The Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) has bolstered its board with a trio of new appointments representing three of Scotland's major salmon producers.

Joining the innovation centre's board are Anne Anderson, head of sustainability and development at Scottish Sea Farms; Su Cox, communications and business development director at Bakkafrost Scotland; and Hervé Migaud, director of health, welfare and biology at Mowi Scotland. Together they bring more than 30 years of aquaculture leadership experience, as well as academic and regulatory expertise.

Before joining Scottish Sea Farms in 2021, Ms Anderson spent 22 years with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), latterly as chief officer of compliance and beyond. She then left public sector for private to take up the role of sustainability director with Salmon Scotland (then Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation) where she led a range of strategic projects including the Scottish Salmon Sustainability Charter.

Ms Cox has more than 35 years of experience in the Scottish aquaculture sector, working for different salmon producers. She is currently responsible for public affairs and stakeholder engagement at Bakkafrost Scotland, formerly the Scottish Salmon Company, and is also chair of Scottish Quality Salmon.

Following more than two decades in academia, Mr Migaud joined Mowi's Scottish operations in April last year to oversee fish health and welfare. He remains an honorary professor at the University of Stirling's Institute of Aquaculture and was head of the production research group until 2022. Mr Migaud was also previously president of the European Aquaculture Society.

David Gregory, SAIC chairman, says, 'The new appointments represent a valuable commitment from Scotland's biggest fish farming companies to the sustainable future of the sector. Anne, Su and Hervé are senior leaders in their respective fields and bring a wealth of experience and expertise to SAIC's board. In turn, they will help the innovation centre to continue delivering industry-relevant cutting-edge research that can both minimise the environmental footprint and increase the economic impact of aquaculture.'

Ms Anderson says, 'SAIC is a key force in the drive to find practical, effective solutions to sector challenges – from bringing together the right minds for the task, to championing the need for innovative projects in which emerging concepts can be trialled and tested – and I look forward to the opportunity to help shape this vital work over coming years.'

Ms Cox says, 'It's an honour to join the SAIC board and represent Bakkafrost Scotland. Sustainability is at the heart of our business, so our values are aligned to reduce the impact we have on the planet and increase the economic impact we have as an industry. Innovation and collaboration are key to future success."

Mr Migaud adds, 'I am looking forward to joining the SAIC board in my new role at Mowi Scotland. Innovation has always been central throughout my career as a scientist and now as an industry director, to improve the sustainability and resilience of the sector. SAIC plays an important role towards meeting this goal by bringing together academia and industry leaders.'

For more information visit the SAIC website, HERE.

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Aller Aqua uses research to develop new feed, Support L

Aiming to keep the use of antibiotics in aquaculture to a minimum and considering the fact that more and more fish farms are becoming certified antibiotic-free, the research world is focusing its efforts on identifying new products with antibacterial action. These substances are derived primarily from plant products, ensuring that the final consumer fish is both healthy and free of antibiotic residues.

This forefront development is now integrated into all sectors of the livestock industry and has been for the past few years in the world of aquaculture as well.

Aller Aqua have pursued this path by identifying and testing various new molecules, in their Research and Development center and directly on fish farms.

The research resulted in the development of a new feed for Aller Aqua called Support L, which has proven significant efficacy in preventing bacterial diseases that most commonly affect fish farms by boosting fish health and immunity. The field tests, which were monitored by veterinarian experts and pharmaceutical company specialists, included both saltwater and freshwater fish species.

The feed enriched with these active ingredients was tested in hatcheries and grow-out of char and rainbow trout, as well as bass and sea bream, for the prevention of flavobacteriosis, aeromoniasis, yersiniosis (red mouth), vibriosis (listonella), and pasteurellosis (photobacterium).

The fish's health improved significantly after about a month of testing the functional feed Support L. Disease outbreaks were reduced or eliminated, resulting in increased survival and a significant reduction in the use of medicated feed.

The tests were carried out on farms where endemic diseases were present.

Char - chronically affected by furunculosis, a disease to which they are highly susceptible.

Rainbow trout fry - frequently subject to flavobacteriosis and yersiniosis (red mouth).

Bass and bream fry - infected with endemic polybacteriosis such as Aeromonas and Vibrio.

Sea bass in sea cages - at risk of pasteurellosis and vibriosis, diseases that have been on the rise in recent years due to the concentration of production sites and increased seasonal temperatures.

The positive effects of preventive treatment were remarkable in all of the above cases. Significantly reduced mortality because of disease reduction or elimination, as well as improved fish health and performance.

Support L is a product created for preventive use. Depending on the type of breeding and disease background, Support L can be used as seasonally and/or continuously, and it is recommended to start at least 30 days before the potential onset of a disease.

Aller Support L is not a medicated feed and thus cannot be used as a direct treatment in cases of occurring disease.

It is important to emphasise that prevention is better than cure and this is the case with Aller Support L functional feed.

For more information about Aller Aqua visit the website, HERE.

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Fishing fund gears up to help industry go green

The UK fishing industry is to benefit from an initial £2 million investment to trial new, greener engines and help create a safer, more sustainable fishing fleet as the latest round of the £100 million UK Seafood Fund opened January 27.

Image credit: Hernán Piñera on Flickr
(CC BY-SA 2.0)

OIder vessel engines are some of the industry's biggest polluters and, according to a report by MarFishEco, over half of the boats across the UK fishing fleet are now more than 30 years old, meaning that the annual energy use of the fleet is equivalent to that of 110,000 homes.

Vessels in the small-scale coastal fleet can now bid for up to £40,000 to trial hybrid and electric engines, and up to £20,000 to fund replacement petrol and diesel engines that are more environmentally friendly.

As well as supporting the fishing industry to deal with rising fuel costs, the trial aims to gather new data and evidence to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve efficiency and reliability, and help the fishing industry to reach net zero.

Fisheries Minister Mark Spencer says, 'Our small-scale fishing fleet is vital for food security, the economy, and the livelihoods of coastal communities. This trial could help make vessels safer, more reliable, and more cost efficient as well as helping the fishing sector make the transition to net zero. I encourage all those eligible to apply so we can gather the data we need to move towards a greener fleet that will benefit the fishing industry and our environment.'

Katy Ware, Director of UK Maritime Services says, 'We fully support this scheme to trial new, greener engines in the fishing industry and will assist owners participating in the scheme to ensure that the engines are safely installed. Everyone taking part will be making a significant contribution towards achieving net zero in the fishing industry.'

This round will be administered by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), more details on how to apply can be found on gov.uk.

This latest round of applications to modernise and improve the small-scale fishing fleet is part of the £100 million UK Seafood Fund, a landmark government investment supporting the long-term future and sustainability of the UK fishing and seafood industry.

Overall, at least £65 million in grant funding is available through the infrastructure scheme to fund projects that improve the UK seafood sector supply chain. This includes investment in fleet modernisation and improved capability at ports, harbours, processing and aquaculture facilities.

£20 million has already been awarded in Round 1 of the scheme for projects including the expansion of processing facilities for popular British fish like Scottish salmon and Cornish sardines, alongside money to bring an ageing dry dock back to life. In December last year, the Government confirmed a further £30 million will be made available for infrastructure projects as the latest round of funding opened for bidding.

There is also up to £10 million in funding available through the Skills and Training scheme, the second round of which will be open to applicants shortly. The scheme will fund training projects and facilities for workers in the seafood and aquaculture industry, and recreational angling sector.

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BioMar sources Benson Hill ingredients to boost sustainability of aquafeed

Benson Hill, Inc., a food tech company unlocking the natural genetic diversity of plants, and Denmark-based BioMar, have announced a strategic collaboration to advance BioMar's responsible sourcing program by leveraging Benson Hill soy and further assessing its sustainability impact on high-performance aquafeed formulations.

Image credit: TheAnimalDay.org on flickr
(CC BY 2.0)

BioMar is sourcing consecutive seasons of Benson Hill ingredients as part of its commitment to build restorative soy supply chains. Feed holds the primary cost in the farming of aquaculture and is the major contributor to its carbon footprint. Benson Hill advances sustainability goals throughout the ingredient development process – from monitoring regenerative and deforestation-free practices on the farm to producing ingredients that reduce water and energy-intensive protein concentrating steps in processing. Together the companies are assessing how the advantages of Benson Hill ingredients advance BioMar's sustainability program and reduce the impact of aquaculture farming for BioMar customers.

'BioMar has made a commitment to reduce the impacts of our feeds, and 97 percent of the carbon footprint comes from the feed ingredients,' says Morten Holdorff Møjbæk, Global Sourcing Director, BioMar Group.

'With our exit last year from the Russian raw material market, it was important for us to find suppliers committed to working with us to ensure we deliver on our responsible sourcing ambitions. Benson Hill's closed-loop business model, robust U.S. farmer network, and ability to trace back to seed make them an ideal collaborator.'

The companies expect this collaboration to demonstrate that reducing carbon emissions in the world's fastest-growing protein sector and meeting market demands for traceability can be achieved at the same time. Consumption of blue foods continues to rise around the world. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, global consumption of blue foods (excluding algae) has increased at an average annual rate of three percent since 1961, compared with a population growth rate of 1.6 percent. In 2020, global aquaculture production reached a record 122.6 million tons.

'By working with a global leader like BioMar, we can help accelerate ongoing efforts in the industry to stand up fully deforestation-free supply chains and decrease the carbon footprint of products consumers love,' says Matt Crisp, Chief Executive Officer of Benson Hill. 'Through this joint effort, Benson Hill and BioMar will be able to further research how high-protein, low-oligosaccharide, plant-based ingredients perform in aquaculture feed at scale, and potentially slash the use of one of the biggest contributors of carbon emissions in that supply chain. Stewarding our planetary resources is essential on the journey to accelerate transformation in the global aquaculture industry.'

According to the FAIRR Initiative, a collaborative investor network that raises awareness of the material Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risks and opportunities caused by intensive animal protein production, aquafeed production is 'associated with the extraction of vast quantities of wild fish, which can lead to overexploitation of stocks.' Research on raw materials, ethically derived from high-protein soy can begin to alleviate this issue. Separately, Benson Hill recently achieved the ProTerra Certification, validating the ESG principles guiding its work to deliver non-GMO ingredients to markets within and outside the United States.

For more information about BioMar visit the website, HERE.

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Introducing Doctor Shrimp Academy: Entrepreneurship in Shrimp Farming

An education initiative by Blue Aqua - The Doctor Shrimp Academy -  launches its international intake for the skills course 'Entrepreneurship in Shrimp Farming'. A collaboration with Temasek Polytechnic and taught by Dr Farshad Shishehchian, CEO & Founder of Blue Aqua International, the course will provide both hard and soft skills for those interested to take a hand in the business of shrimp farming.  

The Doctor Shrimp Academy is specialised in all facets and practical skills transfer with technical courses designed for real-world shrimp farming. With the course being held in Singapore, participants will have access to a practicum at Blue Aqua's commercial shrimp farm in Singapore, which is well known for its super-intensive shrimp production numbers.

Participants who successfully complete the course will be awarded a Certificate of Performance by Doctor Shrimp Academy & Temasek Polytechnic.

Date: 20 to 22 March 2023 (Application closes 17 Feb 2023)
Location: Singapore (Temasek Polytechnic, School of Applied Science & Blue Aqua Breeding Center)
Trainer: Dr Farshad Shishehchian, PhD, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology (Shrimp Pond Ecology)  CEO & Founder, Blue Aqua International.

Course Outline:
From cost-effective farming business models, site-selection, to fundraising, production planning and marketing. The course will enable participants to successfully develop a farming business plan for the start-up of farming operations or technologies to help increase the productivity and effectiveness of farming operations in Singapore and the region.

• Overview of the Global Shrimp Farming Industry
• Business models (Species, Site, Feasibility Study)
• Production Planning & Operations (Designs, Infrastructures, Technical Manpower)
• Marketing Plan/Strategies
• Financial Analysis (Production & Sales)

For more information about the course visit the website, HERE.

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Safety in the water is entrusted to the ropes: X2 AQUA NEO, quality taken to a higher level

Salmon farming centers are increasingly located in more exposed sectors, as well as the number of fish they house has increased, since the cages have increased in size. For these requirements, Garware Technical Fibres develops and breaks through with a new, state-of-the-art, high-performance ropes for aquaculture: X2 AQUA NEO made up of polyolefin ropes that are resistant, light and safe, with greater resistance and less elongation than its successful predecessor X2 Aqua. Thus, this recent optimised version is ideal for exposed areas, with great depth, strong currents and winds. 

'The quality of the fibre is such that the smaller the diameter, it offers the same resistance. In the technical aspect, the quality of a rope is verified in the breaking length, that is, the resistance versus the weight per linear meter of the same, the greater the resistance, the greater the break size. They also have great resistance to cyclic load stress, with a very good result, measured under the OCIMF standard (of the international marine forum of oil companies), with an excellent fatigue life over tension. Our tensile fatigue test (TCLL) is higher in fatigue than common ropes,' says Marcos Jofré, business associate of Garware Technical Fibres Chile.

All in all, X2 AQUA NEO is configured as a high-performance mooring rope, in relation to the resistance versus weight indicator, it has a size reduction compared to X2 Aqua ropes, generating: faster handling, with lower costs of installation and also in the anchorage elements, easy to join or join, which also reduces the load on the anchoring system, due to its lower drag and weight. The approximate weight reduction for the same resistance is around 20 percent of traditional ropes. The use of X2 Aqua Neo will additionally allow a significant reduction in the amount of material to occupy in the anchorages, thus improving the environmental footprint of the salmon producer.

'One of the greatest efforts to which the anchor lines are subjected is the fatigue generated by the movements of the sea, since they stretch and contract constantly, they are not tense. In the case of the tensile fatigue test, it delivers the load limit at one thousand cycles, the standard calculates the cycles equivalent to 80 percent to break. In underwater engineering, certain resistances are required for the lines; we develop braided ropes of eight strands or cords that cover the entire spectrum of possible resistances required in aquaculture. For example, the 60-millimeter X2 Aqua Neo rope - the most demanded - has a resistance of 86.9 tons,' the executive specifies.

Certified under Norwegian Standard 9415 (NS9415)
All our ropes comply with international standards; X2 Aqua Neo also has the Norwegian NS9415 certification for marine farming centers, which establishes the specific requirements for the design, sizing, production, installation and operation of cages, nets-cages and anchors, among others, that are capable of withstanding the environmental forces that affect the cultivation centers (wind intensity, wave heights and current speed). "In Norway, there is this registry for aquaculture with authorised laboratories, which test, register and certify the products that meet their standards", explains Mr Jofré.

As an ISO 9001:2015 company, each manufactured rope is inspected and tested for its resistance to breaking and abrasion, UV stability, linear density, elongation and other specific characteristics.

For more information visit the Garware Fibres website, HERE. 

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Global aquaculture: Demand reaches an inflection point as recession follows inflation

After a positive 2022, demand eases in Europe and the US, while China is still a major unknown. With some challenges ahead in 1H 2023, the sector shows resilience. 

According to Rabobank's latest report on aquaculture, salmon prices are expected to remain high but will fall below 1H 2022's peak, while low shrimp prices are likely to bottom out in 1H 2023 or later in the year. Fish meal prices remain supported by good demand and limited supply growth, despite a correction in soymeal prices.

Demand holding firm for salmon and softer for shrimp
Recessionary behavior is established in both retail and foodservice in both the US and Europe. 'Shrimp demand is more affected than salmon, which seems to be resilient,' explains Gorjan Nikolik, Senior Global Seafood Specialist at Rabobank. 

The firm demand for salmon, combined with tight supply, creates expectations for high prices in 1H 2023. However, costs are also expected to remain high until later in the year.

'Demand for shrimp and fish meal in China has increased, but it remains an unpredictable factor. China is back as the driver of demand, although its foodservice industry, at least in early 2023, will be impacted by fears of Covid infection."

Supply growth remains positive for salmon and shrimp, with some uncertainties
Salmon supply growth in 1H 2023 is expected to return to positive but remain low. The Norwegian government's proposed tax on the industry introduces a key uncertainty, and if it becomes reality, it will have considerable consequences for the industry. 

Shrimp supply growth in 1H will be much lower than in 2022 but will still be positive, mostly due to Ecuador's expanding production. According to Mr Nikolik, 'Softer demand for shrimp and high supply have generated a low-price scenario that will persist in 1H 2023. Although costs are below the peak, it is expected to be a very challenging period for shrimp farmers globally.'

In spite of recent corrections in feed commodity, energy, and freight costs, overall costs are still high. 'Global supplies of fish meal and its coproduct fish oil remain relatively stable. In 1H 2023, possible upsides in Peru and Chile are likely to be balanced by declining supply in Europe,' says Mr Nikolik.

For more information about Rabobank visit the website, HERE.

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Stolt Sea Farm receives international Superior Taste award

Stolt Sea Farm's fresh turbot has received a Superior Taste Award from the International Taste Institute, which rated the product as exceptional in all five judging categories. 

The three-star award is the highest possible rating within this certification and Stolt Sea Farm is honoured to be the first flatfish producer to receive it. 

Stolt Sea Farm's fresh turbot, which is sold under the consumer brand ProdemarTM, was judged by the International Taste Institute's jury of some 200 top chefs and sommeliers from around the world. The strict judging process involves a blind tasting conducted in complete silence during which the product is evaluated in terms of first impression, vision, smell, taste and texture.

Only products that receive scores above 90 percent in all five judging categories are granted the three-star exceptional rating. Stolt Sea Farm's turbot received an overall score of 91.4 percent.

Jordi Trias, President, Stolt Sea Farm, says, 'We are absolutely delighted with this international and independent evaluation of our ProdemarTM turbot. I want to thank the Institute for their time and consideration of our product.

'Everyone at Stolt Sea Farm works hard every day to achieve our mission of ensuring our customers and future generations continue to enjoy wonderful, tasty, sustainable seafood, and this award is confirmation that we are doing just that. But we do not see this award as a sign we have completed our mission; rather it is motivation to keep striving to make all our products even tastier in the future.'

The Prodemar™ brand is internationally recognised for its high quality, sustainably produced turbot and sole. The Superior Taste Award is the latest addition to Stolt Sea Farm's list of taste, quality and environmental certifications, which also includes ISO 9001 for quality management and ISO 14001 for environmental management, and GLOBALG.A.P. and International Featured Standards accreditations for food production.

The International Taste Institute was founded in 2005 to help consumer food and drink companies improve the quality of their products. It describes its Superior Taste Award as being widely recognised in the food and beverage industry as the most prestigious taste certification worldwide.

For more information about Stolt Sea Farm visit the website, HERE.

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IFFO reports on marine ingredients market trends 2023

A taste of the many statistics and analyses that can be found in the market intelligence reports that IFFO dedicates to its members is reported below, covering IFFO's analysis on marine ingredient market trends from January to November 2022. They include an analysis of both the supply and demand sides of the market, with research focusing also on the global trends of animal farming and fish catches, agri-commodities, commodities' prices and general macro-economic conditions. A specific and additional focus is made on China given that China is by far the main market for marine ingredients.

Image credit: Muhammad Ashiq on flickr
(CC BY-SA 2.0)

For the regions for which IFFO regularly tracks production of marine ingredients, roughly worth 50 percent of the global output, they found that total cumulative output of fish oil in the first 11 months of 2022 was up with respect to the cumulative production reported through November 2021. The European countries, India, the USA as well as South Africa, Ivory Coast and Mauritius were the regions that reported a year-over-year increase.

Cumulative total fishmeal production, by the countries considered in this report, for the first 11 months of 2022, was down compared to the cumulative production reported through November 2021. This is mainly due to a late start of the 2022 second fishing season in Peru. The USA, India, the Iceland/North Atlantic area and the African countries were the regions considered that have increased their cumulative production with respect to the same period in 2021. 

In December 2022, Peruvian catches were in line with those reported in December 2021. This means that the deficit of around 1.150 million mt of raw material reported until November 2022 vs January-November 2021 has not been reduced in Peru, negatively affecting the overall performance for the year 2022.

China's marine ingredients production remains subdued
Domestic production of marine ingredients was adjusted downwards throughout the year 2022: production ended up being smaller than in 2021. 2023 has so far shown the same conditions. Total offtakes of imported fishmeal from ports' warehouses in 2022 were estimated higher than during the same period in 2021.

Aquafeed production in 2022 was reported over 23 million mt, a slight increase year on year. January and February are traditionally off-season for the aquaculture, as temperatures are too low and national holidays kick in. Therefore, fishmeal demand from the aquafeed sector remains limited. The beginning of the year is usually the time when aquafeed producers stock feed ingredients in view of the new aquafarming season starting in March-April.

Both the pig and pork prices declined in 2022 because of oversupply and weakened demand. 2023 has not been different so far as the massive Covid contagion has greatly affected foodservices, the main consumer of pork products. Sow stock remains high, potentially giving birth to a bigger number of piglets. This would play in favour of pigfeed demand and in turn of fishmeal consumption.

For more information about IFFO visit the website, HERE.

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Cadman Capital joins Urchinomics to accelerate next stage of growth

Cadman Capital Group, the family office and alternative asset investment firm, has announced that it has taken a strategic equity stake in Urchinomics, the pioneering aquaculture venture that turns ecologically destructive sea urchins into high valued seafood, which in turn helps restore and establish the world's dwindling kelp forests.

Image credit: Dianne Graham on flickr
(CC BY-ND 2.0)

It was announced in December that Urchinomics has secured the world's first kelp restoration blue carbon credit, issued after a successful research project in Kunisaki and Nagato, Japan.

Cadman are owners of the largest licensed Urchin aquaculture facility in Canada, Quoddy Savour Seafoods, which ran a pilot study for Urchin ranching with Urchinomics in 2022. Cadman's involvement will allow Urchinomics to progress ranching for the North American market, and will allow kelp restoration to start across the Bay of Fundy and the East Coast.

The Group is an established investor and operator in restorative aquaculture with over 20 years of experience in the development of ground-breaking processes within on-land lobster and oyster hatcheries. Cadman Capital Group's involvement will allow Urchinomics to accelerate its growth plans across its operations in North America, Japan and Europe.

Giles Cadman, ecopreneur and founder of Cadman Capital Group says, 'Urchinomics is a tremendously exciting business. They share our passion to develop nature based solutions to tackle the fight against climate change and help heal our oceans. We have long recognised that solutions need to focus on the holistic restoration and the sustainable improvement of marine ecosystems, allowing the creation of stronger biodiversity that helps the planet. Urchinomics' core model of restorative aquaculture is synergistic to our current operations, particularly within lobster production, and we look forward to supporting Brian and the team to accelerate their operations globally.'

Brian Tsuyoshi Takeda, founder and CEO of Urchinomics states, 'Cadman Capital Group's involvement in Urchinomics is a milestone moment for us. It recognises the intrinsic value we have already created, and evidences the strength of our philosophy of harnessing the power of the natural world to help reverse some of the negative ecological and economic impacts we are seeing today. Their scientific and operational experience in restorative aquaculture means we can now move forward with an aligned mission to improve ocean health. It signifies the start of the next stage of our growth plans and to further our efforts in developing systems that can truly make a difference to the future of our planet.'

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Eðalfiskur invests in the future with Marel

​Marel and Eðalfiskur have entered into an agreement for a new, complete salmon processing line.

The line will include a new generation of Marel salmon filleting machine, as well as a Curio heading machine to be collaboratively developed by Marel's innovation team and Eðalfiskur. The processing line will take whole gutted salmon and deliver bone free and trimmed fillets ready for fresh fish packaging or further processing, such as portioning, smoking and curing, or freezing.

Eðalfiskur aim to expand the company's specialised and BRC-certified salmon processing facility in Borgarnes and increase production by participating in the proposed plans for increased salmon farming in Iceland. Eðalfiskur's parent company, Eðalfang, recently completed one billion ISK of financing, to be used in part for investments in equipment and automation as part of the development and strengthening of salmon processing. Emphasis will be placed on the export of finished Icelandic salmon products and  strengthening the company's sales and marketing activities in international markets.

Marel has a unique position globally in the production of fish processing equipment, including the complete processing of farm products. With the acquisition of equipment and feed manufacturer Wenger, Marel has further strengthened its position in the rapidly growing global livestock production industry. From the beginning, Marel has placed great emphasis on developing technical solutions in collaboration with its customers.

Marel works with their customers to build a food production industry which is more efficient, economic and sustainable global food production industry. Their collaboration with Eðalfiskur is a step in achieving this vision.

Ólafur Karl Sigurðarson, EVP of Marel Fish says, "We at Marel are proud of our agreement with Eðalfiskur on such an exciting project. Our system aims to improve the handling of the fish and increase its utilisation and quality. The project is an exciting step in the planned development and expansion of salmon farming and processing in Iceland. Opportunities lie in the development plans, and Marel intends to take an active part in that journey."

Andri Gunnarsson, chairman of the board of Eðalfang says, "We are delighted to partner with Marel with the purchase of the latest generation of machinery for heading, filleting and trimming salmon worldwide. The investment is our first step at Eðalfiskur to ensure the continued excellent quality of the production, but now with improved utilisation, increased automation and capacity that will enable us to implement the plans we have set for the company for the coming years."

For more information visit the Marel website, HERE.

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Sea­weed Solu­tions posi­tioned for growth

Seaweed Solutions AS, a pioneer in seaweed cultivation, has secured NOK 46M (EUR 4.4M) in new funding from a number of private investors as well as World Wildlife Fund (WWF-US). This puts the company in a position to ramp up production and become one of Europe's leading seaweed companies.

Image credit: Ed Dunens on flickr
(CC BY 2.0)

To lead the expansion, Ole Christian Norvik, an experienced leader in the aquaculture industry has joined the company as CEO, bringing broad management and production experience from land and sea based aquaculture for more than 20 years in companies like Mowi and NRS. 

'After many years in traditional aquaculture I look forward to joining the exciting and climate friendly seaweed industry, working with the competent and experienced team at Seaweed Solutions. I believe we are well positioned in a growing sector and have all the elements for expansion in place. This will ensure supply of world-class raw materials that will contribute to a sustainable blue growth in the future.' says Norvik.

The board of directors is strengthened with three new board members: David Buckeridge (formerly with Paine Schwartz, and AstraZeneca), Kamel Gabriel El Khaloui (Scanbio, and formerly with Diana) and Alex Mayer-Wolf (formerly with Nidera). 

'Our new members bring experience, leadership and will support us on our growth journey. Their many years of experience from their respective fields will provide invaluable insights to continue transforming our business,' says Hallvard Muri, Chairman of the board. 

'Being able to make a positive impact on the ocean is deeply rooted in all the people working for our company. WWF's participation in Seaweed Solutions is perfectly aligned with our mission. We are equally excited about the entry of an agribusiness-background strategic investor that brings experience from land-based crops and seed business that will bring valuable insight for Seaweed Solutions,' says Pål Bakken, Founder of Seaweed Solutions AS.

'Seaweed production has the potential to help address our planet's dual climate and nature crisis,' says Paul Dobbins, senior director of impact investing and ecosystems services, at WWF-US.

'Seaweed is fast-growing and highly efficient at absorbing CO2 and other excess nutrients from the ocean. With minimal impacts on freshwater or land, its low carbon footprint can help mitigate the worst impacts of climate change while providing a nutritious source of food for our growing population.

'But unlocking the many benefits seaweed provides will only be possible by expanding farmed seaweed production. WWF is providing capital to Seaweed Solutions to support them as they deliver sustainable food and feedstock at a scale that will positively impact both people and the planet.'

For more information about Seaweed Solutions visit the website, HERE.

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Seagriculture virtual conference to premiere in Asia-Pacific region

This year the Seagriculture conference, a leading annual seaweed industry event held in alternating locations since 2012, is launching an online edition 'Seagriculture Asia-Pacific 2023' that is dedicated to the seaweed industry in the Asia Pacific region. Taking place February 8 and 9, 2023, the new edition will supply industry knowledge on seaweed topics for a region forecast to grow threefold by 2029. 

Organised by DLG Benelux with partners, the new Seagriculture Asia-Pacific conference will cover industry topics relevant for the region, from seaweed farming and mechanisation to market trends and business development as well as breeding and disease management. 

'With this new online edition 'Seagriculture Asia Pacific', we are meeting the demand for more specialist knowledge in virtually every technical area of the seaweed supply chain in the region,' says Kuno Jacobs, Managing Director, DLG Benelux, the organiser of the Seagriculture conference. 

Driven by increasing demand for seaweed in industries such as pharmaceuticals, personal care, agriculture, domestic, animal feed as well as food and beverages, the Asia-Pacific commercial seaweed market is expected to reach nearly $16 billion by 2029. 

Since its inception in 2012, the Seagriculture conference has taken place annually in key locations of the seaweed industry in Europe, adding North America last year. 

"Due to an acute demand in North America for knowledge, we launched the Seagriculture conference in the US, which proved to be successful, bringing together experts from different parts of the world, honing in on regional issues. The Seagriculture Asia-Pacific will be another such event that promotes the sharing of industry knowledge. We will be hosting the first event online, to enable participation in multiple time zones," adds Mr Jacobs. 

Keynote speakers Simon Funge-Smith, Food and Agriculture Organization's ( FAO ) regional office for Asia and the Pacific, Thailand; and Brian Von Herzen, Climate Foundation, Australia will present an overview of seaweed production in Asia, including trade and social challenges, hurricane-proven offshore seaweed mariculture and deepwater irrigation as well as climate disruptions. 

In the six session topics, ranging from smart farming technologies to seaweed nutriceuticals, some 22 experts will explore the regional aspects of cultivation, processing, sales and business planning in kelp farming as well as technical trends and prospects for the future. Interactive discussions are an important part of all sessions over the two days. 

Program 
Session topics 1-3 on 8 February 
Session topics 4-6 on 9 February 

Session topic 1: Smart seaweed farming 
Trends in seaweed farming, mechanisation, new technologies and smart farming are topics covered in the session, starting with Shrikumar Suryanarayan, Sea6 Energy, India, presenting farming tropical seaweed as a scalable and sustainable future industrial feedstock. Job Schipper, SWD Connectors, the Netherlands, will discuss the scaling of seaweed farms, followed by Tran Dinh Luan, General Director of D-Fish, Vietnam, sharing his experience in seaweed farming.

Session topic 2: Seaweed business/investment aspects 
Focusing on the business development of seaweeds, Paul Dobbins, World Wildlife Fund, US; Koji Yamamoto, Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), Japan; and Karlotta Rieve, Hatch Blue, Norway, will be sharing insights and ideas on new markets for productive, scalable and responsible seaweed farming. 

Session topic 3: Panel discussion: Current situation of seaweed in Asia-Pacific 
Moderated by Fionnuala Quin, Kelpy - Seaweed Biopackaging, Australia the session's three seaweed experts Maya Puspita, SELT Alga Indonesia and Indonesian Seaweed Association (ARLI), Indonesia; Jo Kelly, Australian Seaweed Institute, Australia; and Dr. CRK Reddy, Institute of Chemical Technology, India, will be discussing the regional topics of cultivation permits acquisition, post-corona situation and health aspects of seaweeds. 

Session topic 4: Seaweed breeding and disease aspects 
Focusing on seaweed breeding and disease management, Scott Lindell, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, US will be presenting a selective breeding program to improve the productivity of sugar kelp. Dr. Nita Rukminasari, Universitas Hasanuddin, Indonesia will present the modeling of tropical seaweed cultivation. Professor Michael Y. Roleda will discuss current eucheumatoid research in the Philippines. 

Session topic 5: Seaweed applications 
From Australia, Rob Kinley, FutureFeed, Australia, will present evolution through the foundation story to the up-to-date status of Asparagopsis science. Professor Jang K. Kim, Incheon National University, South Korea, will present carbon dioxide removal (CDR) capacities of marine macroalgae and potential applications of macroalgal biomass using case studies from Korea. Dr Pia Winberg, PhycoHealth and Venus Shell Systems, Australia, will present a range of nutritional profiles and biochemistry of seaweeds. 

Session topic 6: Virtual seaweed tour around the world 
Mitchell Lench, Founder of Ocean's Balance, US; Stephanie Debels, SEACROPS, Belgium, professor Alejandro Buschmann, Universidad de Los Lagos, Chile; Josh Castle, Aboitiz Reimagine, Philippines; and Jorunn Skjermo, SINTEF,Norway will present what their organisations are doing to improve seaweed production, propose possible ways of cooperation or innovative solutions. 

The new Seagriculture Asia-Pacific conference will be closed by professor Catriona Hurd, University of Tasmania, Australia and co-chair of the 24th International Seaweed Symposium organizing committee. 

Attendees to Seagriculture Asia-Pacific 2023 can register for the full two days (150 $), or for one of the two days (75$). The registration includes live-stream and access to all recordings and presentations after the conference. 

For more information visit the website, HERE. 

The Aquaculturists

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CIEL aquaculture seed funding projects underway

A project assessing the best cultivation methods for growing seaweed to feed to egg laying hens is among four innovative projects being supported by CIEL (Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock).

This is the first aquaculture-related seed funding initiative from CIEL which aims to help accelerate innovation, research and development in the sector with a focus on two themes –Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of aquatic species and using seaweeds to create a link between aquatic and terrestrial food production.

The projects in receipt of support include a seaweed protein biomass cultivation system project, run by seaweed start-up company, Seaweed Generation Ltd.

This will explore different cultivation methods for different species of seaweed, while also assessing the palatability for feeding the seaweed to egg laying hens.

Other projects in receipt of funding include a study assessing the greenhouse gas emissions from Pangasius (Basa) production in Vietnam, the third most consumed fish in the UK. Another project will focus on the life cycle analysis of UK grown warm water prawns.

The final project is focused on enhancing the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of cleaner fish as a sustainable tool for sealice management, with improvements that could have positive impacts on the salmon industry in Scotland.

'CIEL works collaboratively across the agrifood sector, encouraging knowledge exchange while utilising the academic expertise that underpins the Centre's network. Bringing agrifood and aquaculture together is one of the main goals of this work,' says Martin Sutcliffe, CIEL's aquaculture specialist.

'These are 'seed' projects designed to be developed further in the future, helping to drive the industry forward.' 

CIEL Chief Executive, Lyndsay Chapman, explains that she is excited to be able to leverage CIEL resource to support these research projects. 'From exploring the viability of high protein seaweeds in a cost-effective way, to assessing the effect of functional feed ingredients on salmon performance - these innovative projects cover areas identified as critical to help drive a sustainable and productive future for the sector.

'Agriculture and aquaculture face many similar challenges that require world-leading science-based solutions and innovative technologies & systems. This must be embraced if we are to capitalise on the opportunities that lay ahead.'

The four projects are due to be completed during 2023.

For more information about the projects visit the website, HERE.

The Aquaculturists

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The January edition of International Aquafeed is out now!

The January edition of International Aquafeed magazine is now available online, in print, and on our app.

The first edition of the year starts off with monitoring microbial water quality in near real-time, BactiQuant's contribution to an optimal and stable production environment.

Our next feature explores protecting seagrass habitats with satellite enabled IoT, written by Telemaco Melia, Managing Director, EchoStar Mobile.

Dr Stuart McMillan, University of Stirling, takes us into dynamic salmon production through nutritional programming.

Whilst Heather Jones, CEO of the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC), explores the three themes to shapes Scottish aquaculture in 2023.

The organoid technology platform is taking seafood meat cultivation to the next level, writes Roee Nir, CEO and Co-Founder of Forsea.

M. E. Esmaeili, Aquaculture Engineer and Shrimp Farmer, AFTM Ltd, takes us through how to choose pumps for large ponds.

Our case study finds that krill improves larvae seabream survival, according to a new review article from Instituto de Ciências do Mar, and Aker BioMarine.

This edition also sees highlights of the latest WAS Singapore event that took place in 2022, as well as the Victam Insights piece looking back at mentionable Victam events from 2022.

Our interview this month is with Helene Ziv-Douki, President and Group Leader for Cargill's Aqua Nutrition business.

To read all of the above and more, visit:

The Aquaculturists

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