Steen-Hansen and Ecolab collaborate to enhance fish welfare and optimise aquaculture

May 7, 2024 - Steen-Hansen, a global market leader on antifouling and coating for aquaculture purposes, and Ecolab, a global sustainability leader offering water solutions and services, announced the collaboration to further develop Steen-Hansen's NetCare program to jointly address fish welfare through sustainable, innovative solutions, securing biosecurity in a broad aquacultural sector.

Optimised aquaculture plays a vital role in meeting the world's food demand and is recognised as the fastest-growing food production system globally. As an alternative to sea overfishing, it offers a solution to combat the depletion of fish stocks, a key factor driving the current decline in ocean biodiversity. Aquaculture farming in the EU yielded 1.1 million tonnes of aquatic organisms in 2021, worth €4.2 billion.

Norway's production exceeds the total EU production in volume, and it is the ninth largest producer globally.

In a collaborative effort, Steen-Hansen and Ecolab are pioneering advancements in aquaculture by improving fish health, reducing cross-contamination and enhancing the output of fish farms. The collaboration is honing the specification of net hygiene through their innovative NetCare program - a comprehensive framework that encompasses specialised training, rigorous procedures, and measurable results for the disinfection of aquaculture nets.

Ecolab's innovative and aquaculturally approved products undergo thorough testing to help ensure they meet industry standards for material compatibility, practical functionality, and effectiveness. This helps promote the highest level of biosecurity and food safety, safeguarding against the rapid growth of biofouling which comprises net integrity and poses significant risks to the health of farmed fish populations.

Steen-Hansen's cutting-edge NetCare certification program represents an important step to solidify an end-to-end hygienic process for the maintenance of fish farm nets. This robust regime of cleaning, disinfection and coating is more than a procedure - it's a pivotal line of defence. It is instrumental in preventing the cross-contamination of pathogens between fish farms, a crucial step in adverting potential mass fatalities within farmed fish communities.

"Strengthening biosecurity measures for fish farms has become one of the most important challenges for sustainable growth in this industry, and we see the need for holistic approach to improve welfare. Being able to supply compatible technologies, training and quality assurance has long been the goal for Steen-Hansen, and together with the extensive competency and portfolio of Ecolab we can fulfil an important solution for our customers.", said Ulrik Ulriksen, CEO, Steen-Hansen.

"Product stewardship is paramount to Ecolab in every aspect of our global operations. We strive to make a positive impact across our actions and products" said Lars-Martin Haugbers, Head of Sales, Norway & Finland, Ecolab. "By collaborating with Steen-Hansen, which represents a holistic, steadfast approach to fish welfare, we help secure the stewardship further."

Steen-Hansen and Ecolab are committed to helping advance aquaculture practices that cannot only enhance operational efficiency but also help promote the health and longevity of marine life. This collaboration aims at setting new industry benchmarks to deliver a controlled, effective and sustainable model to help safeguard against the proliferation of aquatic diseases.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

Significant improvements with data-driven salmon lice strategy

May 3, 2024 - An extensive collaborative project between Norwegian salmon producer Hofseth, data-analysis company Manolin and feed producer Cargill showed that data-driven delousing strategies led to major improvements in trout production. 

Hofseth Aqua AS operates four R&D permits for Cargill Aqua Nutrition where feed concepts for rainbow trout are being developed. The permits are located in Storfjorden east of Ålesund in production area five in Norway.

From 2022 to 2023, the project achieved:

• 16 percent fewer mechanical delousing treatments,
• 52 percent fewer bathing delousing treatments,
• 70 percent reduction in treatment-related mortality,
• 26 percent fewer starvation days,
• Increase in revenue estimated to around 50 million NOK.

Dealing with the lice challenge at these locations has been demanding, and attempts have been made over time to optimise smolt production, find new locations and apply new technical equipment. Area and site analyses have contributed to a good structure for determining locations and positioning of facilities to ensure optimal farming conditions. Nevertheless, in 2022, it was recognised that there was a potential to improve management of sea lice. 

Therefore, Hofseth and Cargill began a project to reduce the number of delousing and reduce fish mortality.

"It all started with the lice, where did they come from? How do we succeed with our delousing? How could we establish a strategy and have performance targets that were easy to communicate and apply for the entire organisation?", says Anders Marthinussen, Catgill's business developer for fish health in Norway.

The Norwegian Institute of Marine Research's model for the spread of salmon lice was amongst the starting points applied to gain a basic understanding of how various sites contribute to lice production in the fjord system throughout the year. The lice map showed that even with average values below the action thresholds, there were periods of high lice pressure in the fjord system.

"This knowledge was used to create an annual wheel for a lice strategy, based on preventative measures, control measures and treatment measures that could be performed with available tools. At the same time, the need to document both direct and indirect effects of the strategy became clear, and an analysis of operational data would be needed to be able to correct the course and possibly initiate change in the strategy," says Marthinussen.

Hofseth and Cargill therefore teamed up with Manolin, a company that develops basis for data-driven decisions. In a previous project, Manolin and Cargill reviewed a large number of delousing operations and developed a method for auditing delousing results. This experience was now applied to conduct an analysis of the Hofseth sites. 

"In this project we developed a method that showed treatment results at site level, as well as which impact choice of delousing method had on a number of productivity parameters for various fish groups. From this, we learned that in order to succeed, the focus had to shift from focusing on thresholds for taking action at the site, to establishing thresholds for lice levels in the fjord system," says Marthinussen.

An overall index for fish health, mortality and lice levels was established and revised on a weekly basis to provide a status of the entire fjord system. Each individual delousing was audited after the last day of treatment, then again after 30 days and after 90 days.

"What was perhaps immediately perceived as a good delousing could fall through if, for example, increasing mortality was observed afterwards. This enabled us to identify critical periods and weeks when it was important to implement measures and to highlight the effect of these," says Anders Marthinussen.

The annual cycle of the delousing strategy was then followed up with weekly revisions of the levels of lice pressure. Treatment results were ranked as less good, average, or good, which provided a basis for identifying the positive results and learnings from the less positive ones. Prioritisation of actions taken on various sites was determined based on what was the best strategy overall.

"This project shows that analysis of structured data can reduce the lice challenge by enabling the right actions to be taken at the right time. When we share the results from this project, it is in the hope that other fish farmers can achieve similar improvements with a similar approach, and thereby contribute to meeting the overall health and welfare challenges facing the salmon industry," says Sigurd Tonheim, Strategic Marketing and Technology Lead at Cargill Aqua Nutrition in Norway. 

"This project not only demonstrates the power of targeted strategies and data-driven approaches, but also establishes a new standard for sustainable aquaculture practices. The experience here can be a great example of what's possible and illustrates the potential when aquaculture expertise works with data intelligence," says Tony Chen, co-founder of Manolin.

"In Hofseth, we are responsible and accountable for ensuring the health and welfare of our fish. This project shows that better decisions can be made from analyzing structured data in order improve our sea lice management," says Sven Amund Skotheim, fish health manager of Hofseth Aqua.

Hofseth, Cargill and Manolin will continue cooperating on this work also in 2024 and expect further improvements in fish health, fish welfare and increased productivity.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

Start-up aims to make a splash with aquaculture sensor for developing nations

May 3, 2024 - A new, low-cost Internet of Things (IoT) sensor system could help the aquaculture sector in developing countries fight against the effects of climate change by enabling fish farmers to detect, monitor and manage water quality in real time.

Aqsen Innovations has partnered with CENSIS - Scotland's innovation centre for sensing, imaging and IoT technologies - to advance the development of its sensor system, Aquasense, which can be adapted to test for a range of variables in water, such as temperature, oxygenation, salinity and the presence of chemicals such as chlorine.

Sensor systems with these features are often highly expensive, making them too costly to use in many developing nations. However, Aqsen Innovations is aiming for the technology to be priced at just 25 percent to 30 percent of equivalent products. Working with CENSIS will help the company achieve this price point by using a unique combination of components that will work with Aqsen's software tools.

By monitoring water quality in real-time, the IoT sensors generate data that can be monitored remotely via a mobile device and inform decision-making. It is particularly aimed at areas which rely on climate-sensitive sectors such as aquaculture, as well as areas prone to flooding. 

Fish farmers could benefit from the technology by tacking the temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration, and the pH level of water, allowing them to identify the optimal time for feeding and checking fish health.

Later this year, the team will work with Makerere University College of Natural Sciences in Uganda to begin advanced trials of the technology in Lake Victoria. Initial trials have also successfully been undertaken at fish farms in Uganda, as well as in India where Aquasense was used to monitor the quality of water in floodplains and on farmland.

Rinku Dasbiswas, Co-Founder of Aqsen Innovations, said: "Aquasense provides real-time, dynamic insights on water quality that can support communities and help to improve productivity across a variety of sectors grappling with environmental challenges. It is about making technology that can make a real difference more affordable and accessible to those who need it most. The impact this could have in developing nations is huge, and it was brilliant to hear the initial feedback from fish farmers on the difference this could make to their livelihoods.

"once we reach commercialisation, we hope to develop the product further and begin incorporating satellite imaging. CENSIS is playing a key role in integrating the IoT technologies into our sensor systems. The team also introduced us to other UK-based companies operating in the field, and we hope to foster these connections by working together to adapt the product and help mitigate against the impacts of climate change in this part of the world as well."

The sensors are also going to be trialled on several projects in Scotland which involve CENSIS, exploring how to best monitor water quality in different contexts, including flooding and tree planting. Potential applications are also being explored in South Africa and Malaysia.

Rachael Wakefield, Business Development Manager at CENSIS, added: "Aqsen Innovations' mission is closely alined with our own, and we have experience of creating bespoke IoT-enabled sensors for use in environmental sensing applications at scale. Accessible, affordable environmental sensing is not just a challenge for developing nations, it is useful here in the UK too - especially for small farms and not-for-profit organisations that have a need for data-evidenced land management change. The potential impact of Aquasense is huge and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Aqsen Innovations, supporting the team to address global climate challenges."

For more information, visit HERE. 

The Aquaculturists

---

New version of the MarinTrust Factory Standard enters into force

May 2, 2024 - From yesterday, any new applicants to the MarinTrust Programme for responsible sourcing and production of marine ingredients must apply for audits against the new version of its Factory Standard. A transition period of one year allows current certificate holders to prepare for audits. It is expected that all companies will be certified against the new version from May 1, 2025. As of April 2024, there are 172 sites in 30 different countries that comply with the MarinTrust Standard.

This new version lays the foundations towards fully traceable marine ingredients and progress the Standard's focus on environmental and social impacts, both at the factory and on the vessels supplying whole fish. it also aims to increase accessibility for responsibly sourced and produced marine ingredients and encourage the use of by-products. The approval of V3 comes at the end of a rigorous development process, including pilot assessments across the world and feedback from auditors, certified companies and other key marine ingredient stakeholders to enhance the consistency and efficiency of audits.

MarinTrust has published a range of supporting documents to support stakeholders. There is also a guidance for transition of the recognition of standards and the transition periods and criteria changes for both by-product assessments and whole fish fishery assessments.

"This new version encompasses a bold step for our industry and value chain, and we are extremely proud of all the work that has gone into its development. With around six million tonnes of marine ingredients, mostly fishmeal and fish oil, produced globally, 48 percent of which are, to date, certified against the MarinTrust Standard, this new version will have a hugely positive impact around the world" says Francisco Aldon, CEO of MarinTrust.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

Troutlodge and Trova Trout partner to enhance availability of high-quality trout genetics

May 2, 2024 - Troutlodge, renowned for its commitment to excellence in trout genetics, boasts four natural spawning groups, Including Nov and Feb Steelheads, Jumper in spring and Kamloops in the summer. Recognising the heightened demand for Steelhead strain ova between May and September, Troutlodge initiated a collaborated with Trova Trout to bolster availability without compromising quality. With Trova Trout's reputation for reliability and biosecurity measures in the Southern Hemisphere, they are the ideal partner to enhance availability of Steelhead strain ova.

Details of the collaboration

Trova Trout has dedicated one of its sites and hatchery space exclusively to Troutlodge genetics. Additionally, they acquired two additional egg quality sorting machines, and this year they increased the hatchery capacity and cooling systems, further enhancing operational efficiency and product quality. To supply their location, Troutlodge selects the best male and female candidate for shipment. These fish are called 'Multipliers' and their purpose is to produce ova with the highest genetic potential for our customers. In addition to the site exclusively dedicated to Troutlodge, Trova Trout operates four other sites for the production of commercial fish and ova of various origins.

For more information, visit HERE. 

The Aquaculturists

---

Free Shrimp Insights Guide to the Indian Shrimp Industry

May 2, 2024 - Shrimp Insights, the consultancy and publication firm of shrimp industry analyst and change maker Willem van Der Pijl, has released its Guide to the Indian Shrimp Industry. This is a 196-page publication for anyone who wants to understand better the structure and dynamics of the Indian Shrimp industry and the companies that drive it.

Van Der Pijl says: "India is today the second or third largest shrimp producer globally. It's the world's largest producer of peeled products. Being almost entirely export-oriented, the shrimp industry is an important source of foreign exchange and an important contributor to India's economy. Amidst India's labour rights accusations, it's important to mention and highlight that India's shrimp industry provides direct and indirect employment to 1-1.5 million people. Imagine how many family members depend on this industry for their livelihoods. With this report, I hope to shed a positive light on India's shrimp industry and help build momentum to create a resilient future for the Indian shrimp industry and the people's livelihoods that depend on it."

You may also be interested in:

• Seafood standards Impact on certifications on shrimp farmers
• Shrimply the best – start-up aims to solve fishmeal ingredient crisis with modular, land-based system

Having lived in Chennai, India, as a cultural anthropology student, researching the strategic behaviour of Indian shrimp exporters, van der Pijl's career in the shrimp industry started about 12 years back. That was the time that India was about to make the transition from P monodon to L vannamei. He tried to identify those companies that would be the first movers and those who could be the laggers. Key industry representatives such as Elias Sait, the Secretary General of the Seafood Exporters Association, and various members of the Society of Aquaculture Professionals, such as Mr Santhana Krishnan, helped him find his way. Since then, he has visited India every year multiple times. He set up aquaculture improvement projects for Solidaridad Network in West Bengal and Odisha. He publishes regular updates on the status of production and exports. He supports several organisations in finding their way through the Indian industry and political landscape. He also helps individual Indian and overseas companies develop partnerships. He has become an ambassador of the Indian shrimp industry.

When talking about the guide, he adds:

"I believe strongly in free access to information. Usually, these industry guides are paid publications accessible only to the lucky few who can afford to pay for them. Thanks to the generosity of its sponsors, this guide is available to everyone who wants to understand the significance of the Indian shrimp industry. It can be used as a business card for the sector. After publication, I hope that more companies and organisations will look at India and help the country to maintain and further develop a resilient future for the industry and the people's livelihoods that depend on it."

Before the Guide to the Indian Shrimp Industry, Shrimp Insights also published a report on the global L vannamei broodstock market and a report on the global shrimp feed manufacturing landscape. Although the following publication is not planned yet, van der Pijl states that other countries or the industry as a whole deserve such a guide as well. At some point, he will decide and announce the next publication, probably in 2025. In the meantime, he will continue to publish the Shrimp Blog and Bytes, which provide free updates about the global shrimp industry.

Besides running Shrimp Insights, Willem van der Pijl is currently also co-founder and Managing Director of the Global Shrimp Forum, strategic advisor of the Global Shrimp Council, and long-term consultant of the US Non-Profit Monterey Bay Aquarium, Netherland-based shrimp importer Klaas Puul, and Indian space start-up GalaxEye. In 2023, he was the number 100 at Intrafish's Seafood Power 100.

For inquiries contact willem@shrimpinsights.com.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

Successful Seafood Expo for ASC

May 1, 2024 - This year's Seafood Expo in Barcelona was a huge success for Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) with hundreds of seafood lovers, experts, retailers, buyers, processors and other enthusiasts welcomed to the distinctive branded booth during the three-day event, which brought together more than 35,000 seafood professionals.

A packed crowd enjoys the ASC Feed Responsibly Panel Event

ASC's panel event, which focused on the importance of responsibly produced aquafeed, drew a crowd of 120 to hear from the expert panel. 

You may also be interested in:

• European Strategic Seafood Alliance launched at Seafood Expo with a united call: ‘Eat Fish’
• ASC supports Blue Food transformation in Ghana

With the theme 'Feed Responsibly: Why Responsible Aquaculture Needs Responsible Feed', key industry players shared how they are adopting the ASC Feed Standard to drive transparency, social and environmental improvements in feed supply chains.

ASC's Feed Standard Senior Coordinator Alexandra Warrington said, "We are overwhelmed by the support and positive feedback of the industry towards responsible feed. Responsible aquaculture requires responsible feed, and we need all players across the supply chain to do their part in achieving more environmentally and socially responsible practices."

The expert panel included Skretting's Global Sustainability Manager, Jorge Diaz, Thai union's Chief Sustainability Officer, Adam Brennan and New England Seafood's Head of Sustainability, Ruth Hoban. Attendees heard their thoughts on the Feed Standard and their journey through the process.

On why Skretting became certified, Global Sustainability Manager Jorge Diaz said, "Skretting decided to become certified because we believe it is the right thing to do. Since undergoing the certification process, we now have better traceability, a better understanding of what is in feed and the risks associated with these ingredients. The journey doesn't end once feed mills are certified - the movement to more responsible feed needs to be driven by the market and it must be a value chain approach."

Speaking about why they chose the ASC Feed Standard, Adam Brennan, Thai Union's Chief Sustainability Officer said, "Thai Union constantly strives to reshape the seafood industry with solutions across people and the planet that better sustain a future for all. The ASC Feed Standard helps us de-risk our supply chains, aids answering questions from retailers, mitigates our impacts and provides commercial opportunities. We chose ASC because it is the only standard that tackles deforestation and land conversion of all crops in feed, not just soy and palm oil."

New England Seafood's Head of Sustainability Ruth Hoban said, "There is a growing interest in aquaculture from a retail perspective - the importance of farmed fish is now widely recognised. Particularly from UK retailers, there is an emerging market demand for farmed fish that have been fed responsibly. New England Seafood, just like other processors, has a key role to play in understanding the ASC Feed Standard and building awareness of its requirements with our partners."

Inspired by the positive uptake and continuous support from various stakeholders across the aquaculture supply chain, ASC's Feed Standard Senior Coordinator Alexandra Warrington concluded that "Feed is fun" and that responsible feed can drive positive impacts on people and planet through shared commitment and collaboration.

Alexandra concluded, "Feed is fun (no, really it is!) as it is such an interesting and challenging sector with enormous impact. Collaboration amongst stakeholders and across the supply chain is essential to ensure this impact is positive."

With more feed companies currently in the audit process, the spread of more environmental and socially responsible feed production continues to grow globally.

ASC certified farms have until October 2025 to switch to sourcing compliant feed produced under the ASC Feed Standard. Feed mills that get certified in 2024 will not have to pay license fees on the volume of compliant feed they produce this calendar year.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

Ace Aquatec makes key new appointment in Chile

May 1, 2024 - Scotland-headquartered aquaculture company Ace Aquatec has expanded its presence in the South American region with the appointment of Constanza Fontaine as Sales and Service Manager in Chile.

Constanza Fontaine

Constanza joins Ace Aquatec with 12 years of experience in both the commercial and technical aspects of aquaculture solutions. Previous roles include four years at international aqua technology supplier ScaleAQ as Service and Aftersales Manager Chile, Head of Commercial at Badinotti and Head of Services and Operations at Alva Group Chile.

You may also be interested in:

• Ace Aquatec leads new partnership to improve salmon farming circular economy
• Interview with Keith Davidson, Chief Technology Officer, Ace Aquatec, Scotland

Constanza is poised to develop and expand Ace Aquatic's presence in a region where welfare standards are rapidly evolving, corresponding to an increased demand for ethical stunning technology amongst producers, regulators and supermarkets. Ace Aquatec's award-winning Humane Stunning Universal (A-HSU) technology is already in use at AquaChile, one of the country's biggest salmon producers, and Chile's largest processor Abick who currently have three systems in their processing plants.

With Ace Aquatec's technology presenting new opportunities for Central and South American fish farming, Constanza's role will see her focussing on promoting the company's products across the region.

Speaking about her new role, Constanza said: "Aquaculture is a vital industry in Chile, and I am excited to further build on and expand Ace Aquatec's profile here. This role offers a rare opportunity to combine my expertise with Ace Aquatec's innovative product portfolio, and commitment to creating a more sustainable, ethical future for fish farming. I'm looking forward to helping the company and its technology break new ground in this region".

Tara McGregor-Woodhams, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Ace Aquatec, added: "Constanza brings a wealth of experience to Ace Aquatec, including crucial connections and local knowledge, which will help us to further our mission of revolutionising aquaculture technology in Central and South America. We're thrilled to welcome her to the team at an exciting point in time, both for us as a company and the sector more widely".

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

Groundbreaking study maps Blue economy finance, revealing equity risks and transparency issues

April 29, 2024 - A new study published in One Earth presents the first comprehensive mapping of blue financial flows, shedding light on the crucial but previously invisible funding landscape supporting the sustainable use of ocean resources. 

Conducted by an international team of researchers led by WorldFish, the study analysed blue-economy-labelled money flows between 2017 and 2021 to identify sources and recipients and potential social equity impacts.

You may also be interested in:

• Ace Aquatec leads new partnership to improve salmon farming circular economy

The study uncovered striking findings that could reshape the approach towards a truly sustainable and equitable blue economy.

Key highlights of the research include,

• Lack of Transparency - a lack of transparency in blue financial flows hinders the ability to track investments effectively, posing challenges to assessing the impact of funding on ocean sustainability and social equity.
• Geographical and Sectoral Imbalances - the study reveals pronounced imbalances in the distribution of blue economy finance, with a significant concentration in Europe and Central Asia and a strong focus on business development and offshore wind energy, potentially side-lining vital sectors like aquatic foods and conservation.
• Social Equity Concerns - the research identifies widespread 'red flags' for social equity, with 35 percent of analysed projects showing potential risks for exacerbating inequities, underscoring the need for a more inclusive and equitable distribution of blue economy benefits.

This study highlights the urgent need for investors and policymakers to understand the impact of funding. it challenges the notion that more money alone can address the ocean's needs, emphasising the importance of how and where money is spent and offers a tool to verify the goals of the blue economy are actually being met with real investments, underscoring the need for not just more, but smarter funding.

The findings of the study call for increased transparency, accountability and equity in blue economy investments to ensure that the ocean's economic development contributes positively to both environmental sustainability and social equity.

Dr Marleen Schutter, Aquatic Food Systems Scientist at WorldFish and the lead author of the study said, "For the first time we've pulled back the veil on the flows of blue financial investments. These findings highlight the urgent need for greater transparency, equity and sustainability in the allocation of these resources. Ensuring that investments benefit those who need it most, particularly vulnerable coastal communities, is essential for a truly equitable blue economy."

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

First in-person Seagriculture Asia-Pacific Conference launched in Adelaide

April 29, 2024 - The organisers of the Seagriculture Conferences, DLG Benelux, have announced that the first in-person event of Seagriculture Asia-Pacific will be premiering in Adelaide from March 18-20, 2025. This marks a pivotal moment for the Seagriculture Conferences expanding their borders and venturing into a new region, bringing together participants from the Asia-Pacific region within the seaweed value chain.

Seagriculture Asia-Pacific was launched in 2023 as an online edition. More than 180 participants from 31 countries participated in the First International Seaweed Conference Asia-Pacific during two online conference days. The second edition will take place in the Adelaide Convention Centre from March 19-20, 2025. In addition, participants can join the site visit on march 18, 2025 to the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), an institution dedicated to increasing the productivity, adaptability and economy of South Australia's primary industries, enabling sustainable use of natural resources, addressing agricultural barriers and providing applied solutions.

The Government of South Australia, along with its Team Adelaide partners Business Events Adelaide and Adelaide Convention Centre, are sponsors of Seagriculture Asia-Pacific 2025.

Adelaide, renowned for its dynamic cultural scene, picturesque landscapes and burgeoning innovation hub, provides an ideal setting for Seagriculture Asia-Pacific 2025. Delegates will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a city known for its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, reflecting the core values of the seaweed industry.

Australia's southern coast has 1500 species of seaweed, the second highest number in the world after Japan, with private and government investment in research and development leading to a fast-growing commercial seaweed industry.

As part of the launch of Transformations for a Sustainable Ocean Economy in December 2020, the Australian Government flagged the acceleration of seaweed aquaculture as a priority for the country's ongoing economic plan, and progress has continued.

Seagriculture Asia-Pacific 2025 is supported by ASSA (the Australian Sustainable Seaweed Alliance). ASSA's mission is to scale up environmentally responsible commercial farming of seaweed to provide food, feed and bio products. ASSA provides a coordinated voice to represent the Australian seaweed industry and to drive sustainable growth of the sector right across the country.

"I am delighted that seagricultutre Asia Pacific 2025, the first in person conference of its type is the Asia Pacific, is coming to Australia, and today's announcement is the result of months of hard work by both our teams working closely with a wide range of government, industry and private sector stakeholders," said ASSA CEO Lindsay Hermes.

"ASSA looks forward to ongoing collaboration with key partners the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), the Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA) and the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), our 11 ASSA members right around the country and other key stakeholders as we leverage this international opportunity to drive our high tech, high growth and highly sustainable Australian seaweed industry forward," Mr Hermes said.

The Australian Government committed $8 million to the Developing Australia's Seaweed Farming Program to support invest in the Australian seaweed industry and scale up the production of seaweed as a livestock feed supplement to reduce methane emissions, including funding to support ASSA. The program is being delivered by the FRDC and ASSA to plan and co-ordinate research and development, biosecurity and the development of a national hatchery network.

"DLG Benelux is proud to collaborate with ASSA, showing our dedication to fostering collaboration and growth within the seaweed industry. The decision to host an in-person event marks a significant step forward in establishing a robust foundation for the expansion and enhancement of the seagriculture conference series. In addition, we are very pleased with the collaboration and support of Hannover Fairs Australia" said Kuno Jacobs, Managing Director of DLG Benelux. "Our goal has always been to bring people together in the seaweed sector, and partnering with ASSA helps us achieve that goal even more effectively."

Hannover Fairs Australia will act as official representative for DLG Benelux in Australia. Being part of Deutsce Messe AG and having operated in Australia since 2000, the company has a wealth of experience in running events of all shapes and sizes in a vast range of geographies. Hannover Fairs Austalia and DLG work on existing partnerships within the region.

The Asia-Pacific region is a world leader in seaweed production with a rich history deeply intertwined with the cultivation and use of this marine resource. From traditional seaweed farming methods to state-of-the-art technology, the region offers delegates a wealth of knowledge and experience to explore. The second International Seaweed Conference Asia-Pacific will provide participants from around the world with a unique platform to learn about the diverse seaweed industry in the region and understand innovative approaches that contribute to sustainable development.

The Seagriculture conference has been successfully organised since 2012 and has built up a solid reputation as the leading conference for the seaweed industry. The addition of the Asia-Pacific edition complements the existing European and US conferences. By organising Seagriculture Asia-Pacific, the organisers aim to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among industry professionals across Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region, thus driving positive impacts on the industry and community.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

Register for Asian Pacific Aquaculture 2024

April 29, 2024 - After the successful meeting WA2005 in Bali 2005, and APA16 in Surabaya (2016), Asia Pacific Aquaculture (APA) have decided to come back to Indonesia again in 2024. APA 2024 will be the next chance for the international aquaculture community to visit Indonesia and see the rapidly expanding aquaculture industry in Indonesia - nearly 20 percent increase in the last five years in hectares in aquaculture production and over 50 percent per year increase in tons produced every year for the last 10 years.

Attendees will be able to see what is happening in Indonesian aquaculture to create this growth as well as aquaculture developments in the rest of Southeast Asia. APA 2024, Surabaya is the place to learn about the latest in aquaculture, see the newest technology in the trade show with exhibits from around the world.

You may also be interested in:

• Asian-Pacific Aquaculture 2024 announces new dates
• Aqua 2024 is taking shape

For more information visit HERE, and for sponsorship contact mario@marevent.com.

AQUA 2024 - Copenhanged, Denmark, August 26-30, 2024 - time to submit your abstract

AQUA 2024, the combined European and World Aquaculture Societies' events, will take place from August 26-30 in Copenhagen. It will comprise a scientific conference, trade exhibition, industry forums, workshops, student events and receptions. The event will highlight the latest aquaculture research and innovation to underpin continued growth of this exciting food production sector. It will be a showcase for Denmark, and its innovation leadership in several key technologies crucial for future aquaculture, but also a meeting and exchange platform for experts from around the world.

The theme of AQUA 2024 is Blue Food, Green Solutions. For more information visit HERE, and for sponsorship or exhibition contact mario@marevent.com.

Latin American & Caribbean Aquaculture 2024 - Medellin, Colombia - September 24-27, 2024

Colombia has a wide hydroclimatic diversity and geography, which has favoured the development of the aquaculture industry, thus counting on production of species both warm waters and cold waters mainly in freshwater. The largest species production are both red and Nilotic Tilapia, Cachama, rainbow trout and native species. Aquaculture in Colombia has been growing at a rate of close to 10 percent per year, this is how it has reached production of about 204,000 tonnes in the year 2022. The main reasons for this growth are associated with productive improvement (genetic improvement, innovation in production systems, optimisation in culture conditions, implementation of biosafety and quality systems). Today Colombia has about 36,000 producers distributed throughout the national territory. 

The conference will be held in three languages for spoken and written materials, it will also include all major aquatic species cultured in Colombia and other LACC countries with a special focus on tilapia, trout, shrimp and marine species. 

 For more information visit HERE, and for sponsorship & exhibition contact Carolina@was.org.

Aquaculture Africa 2024 - AFRAQ24 - Hammamet, Tunisia - November 19-22, 2024

Tunisia is currently amongst Africa's top aquaculture producing countries and also one of the world's fastest average annual growth rate. The country is the second biggest aquaculture producer country in the North Africa region, after Egypt and is looking forward to expanding the sector owing to the competitive advantages on its blue economy domain.

In addition to appraising Tunisia's fast-growing aquaculture sector, bringing AFRAQ24 to the country is expected to inspire the African French and Arabic communities. It is expected to be a gateway platform to connect Africa to European aquaculture.

Submit your abstract and block your booth at the AFRAQ24 Exhibition – booth sales open now.

The Aquaculturists

---

European Strategic Seafood Alliance launched at Seafood Expo with a united call: 'Eat Fish'

April 26, 2024 - AIPCE CEP, EAPO, EUROPECHE and FEAP, representing the EU fisheries and aquaculture industries, recently announce their intent to form a strategic alliance aimed at advancing shared goals and promoting critical industry priorities on a broader stage at the Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona.

Gus Pastoor (President AIPCE), Lara Barazi (FEAP), Yobana Bermudez (President CEP), Javier Garat (President EUROPECHE) and Esben Sverdrup-Jensen (President EAPO).

Through this alliance, they seek to amplify their impact by forging common ground and promoting collaborative initiatives to reach out to a wider audience. "We need society to be aware that fishery and aquaculture products represent a low-carbon source of animal protein that offers significant advantages for human health, climate impact and sustainability. Seafood consumption is good for the people's and planet's health."

By uniting efforts, the alliance intends to bring these topics to the forefront of EU and global policy discussions. "We believe that by aligning our efforts, we can achieve meaningful progress in advancing the positive message of seafood consumption," said the representatives from the five associations. "Together, we can effectively communicate the value of our products, advocate for supportive policies and drive positive change."

During the gathering there was a unanimous call to return to a model within the EU institutions where primary food production, including fisheries and aquaculture, is prioritised alongside agriculture to ensure food security in our market.

The repositioning of the fisheries and aquaculture mandate high in the European Commission's agenda is crucial and should be implemented during the upcoming political mandate period (2024-2029). This adjustment aligns with the structural framework outlines in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which considers agriculture and fisheries as separate but equally significant EU policies.

The alliance also aims to raise consumer awareness regarding how seafood is produced, their nutritional benefits and the people behind the products they buy.

This collaborative effort marks a significant step forward in advancing the EU fisheries and aquaculture aspirations and underscores the commitment of AIPCE CEP, EAPO, EUROPECHE and FEAP to drive positive change through coordinated action.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

BAADER and Grieg Seafood Forge a Landmark Deal at SPG Barcelona

April 26, 2024 - In a pivotal industry event held at SPG in Barcelona, BAADER and Grieg Seafood have sealed a substantial agreement. BAADER is set to outfit the new Grieg Seafood facility with a state-of-the-art post-rigor fillet solution. This cutting-edge plant is slated for completion in the summer of 2025, and will be situated at Gardermoen near Oslo.

Grieg Seafood has handpicked BAADER as their partner, entrusting them with the mission to establish the most innovative and leading-edge salmon processing plant in the market. Modulf Barstad of BAADER Norway shares their enthusiasm: "Being selected to supply equipment for such a benchmark project fills us with pride. The plant is destined to set a new standard for the salmon industry." He reflects on the collaborative journey: "Our partnership with Grieg Seafood has been intensive and constructive. We've leveraged our collective expertise and insights throughout every phase." He concludes with commendation for Grieg's approach: "Their responsiveness and the meticulous execution of the project are truly commendable." Business Development Director at Grieg Seafood, Piotr C. Wingaard comments on the deal: “Our factory is one of few salmon processing plants in Norway which have been built from the ground up. Therefore, it will be a state-of-the-art facility, something which we are very proud of”.

BAADER ́s delivery spans from the reception of raw material on one end to finished product on pallets on the other end. In the state-of-the-art fillet factory, salmon undergoes sorting before entering the fillet line optimising products for Grieg Seafood ́s customers. Within the fillet line, the BA581 Pro ensures maximum yield, while the BA1860 fillet meticulously sorts and distributes individual fillets to create a flawless product. The factory will be equipped with fully automatic freezer for by-products and finished goods, guaranteeing 100 percent utilisation and top quality of all parts of the fish. BAADER will deliver both mechanical components and software for the entire order from Grieg Seafood.

Most Advanced Equipment

Grieg Seafood set the bar exceptionally high, aiming for the most cutting-edge salmon procession plant ever constructed in Norway. Their ambitious vision led them to consider only one relevant supplier. “We have worked closely with BAADER for a long time and have a very good knowledge of their equipment and technology. We recognised early on that BAADER has the best and most advanced equipment on the market”, says Grieg-director Wingaard. He adds: “Nevertheless, it was almost more decisive that they could contribute to the design phase as well so we could create a factory with the best possible flow, and which utilises the area to the fullest. We knew they would deliver state of the art in the design area and planning as well with expertise they have in Norway.”

The Norwegian seafood company is unwavering in its belief that the inclusion of technology supplier BAADER from the outset is the cornerstone of success for their new processing plant. "With absolute certainty, we knew that involving BAADER from the beginning was imperative," Wingaard states. "This collaboration offered us the unique opportunity to approach the construction of our salmon processing factory in a way that deviates from traditional methods. This was crucial for us, allowing us to realise our vision for the facility."

The company holds BAADER's contributions in high regard. "BAADER's involvement has been extraordinary, actively engaging in all aspects of our building's design process," notes Wingaard. "Their expertise surpasses the usual expectations of a technology and equipment supplier. Their influence permeates through every aspect of our operations, especially since BAADER's equipment is the linchpin of our factory."

The Grieg-director also acknowledges BAADER's track record for reliable equipment. "We've always been confident in BAADER's ability to provide dependable equipment. They offer unparalleled equipment reliability, with minimal downtime, less maintenance, and longevity that sets them apart. Moreover, their software solutions are exceptional and perfectly suited to our needs," explains Wingaard.

A 130 Million NOK Investment

Grieg Seafood is charting a new course with a NOK 130 million investment in a Gardermoen facility, aiming to move closer to consumers by extending their value chain. This shift includes a transition from solely supplying raw materials to also delivering 25 percent of their products as finished goods, alongside a heightened emphasis on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. The strategy, according to Wingaard, involves reducing climate impact by substituting airfreighted whole fish with locally processed fillets.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

Mowi’s lawsuit against ‘salmon tax’ dismissed

April 25, 2024 - Mowi’s lawsuit against Norwegian salmon production tax has been dismissed by Hordaland District Court, as per Norwegian news reports.

Mowi, world’s largest salmon farmer, sued the Norwegian government last year as they believe the law is in breach of the EEA rules and the four freedoms, including the free flow of capital.

"The district court has, in the state's view, came to the correct result that the lawsuit from Mowi must be dismissed," said Government Attorney Fredrik Sejersted, according to Norwegian newspaper E24.

The Sejersted added that Mowi will still be able to file a lawsuit at a later date when the company has received a concrete tax decision.

The new aquaculture tax plan, which came into effect on last year, makes its discretionary for salmon farmers to pay a basic rent tax of 25 percent on the profit from their sea-based farming activities, in addition to a 22 percent corporation tax. But this ground tax is applicable only to profits over NOK 70 million.

The deduction was introduced with a desire to protect the smaller players. In this way, the companies with the largest profits will pay the basic interest tax. At the same time, the deduction will also reduce the large companies' tax base.

In 2023 the company had a turnover of EUR 5.5 billion. 

The Aquaculturists

---

Dr. Eckel enlarges management board

April 25, 2024 - Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition is adding to its management board. Dr Viktor Eckel has joined founder Dr Antje Eckel on the management board as Managing Director with main responsibility for products and innovation. This strategic decision marks a significant step towards securing the company’s future.

Dr Viktor Eckel

For 30 years, the family company has been all about innovative feed additives for sustainable animal nutrition. With a second generation at the management table, the company is now in a great position to meet the current challenges of a growing international market, according to CEO Antje Eckel. 

Viktor Eckel is setting out his priorities clearly: sustainability, resilience and resource efficiency. “When it was founded 30 years ago, Dr. Eckel was among the first companies backing plant-based alternatives. We recognised at an early stage how important they are for promoting animal health and well-being and pursued a more sustainable approach from the outset. This commitment remains at the core of our philosophy today.” Viktor Eckel believes that this is the key for feed manufacturers and producers in Germany and worldwide to achieve high-resistance, resource-efficient and profitable production. “Offering our customers the best solutions and services for this now and in the future is an amazing, exciting role that I and the rest of the team are very much looking forward to.”

Viktor Eckel has already been playing a decisive role in the development of the brand and the positioning of the family business for the future since 2020. As a biochemist with a doctorate in microbiology, he has broad expertise in feed fermentation and physiology, putting him in an excellent position to continue developing the Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition portfolio and progress the market for feed additives.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

2024 Marks the 11th Edition Of Future Fish Eurasia

April 25, 2024 - Turkey’s one & only fisheries fair Future Fish Eurasia, the 11th International Fair for Fish Imports/Exports, Processing, Aquaculture and Fisheries will be organised by Eurasia Trade Fairs at the Izmir International Fair Centre between October 10 – 12 2024.

Future Fish Eurasia will be organised in a hall of 10.000m2, where over 200 local & international companies will display their latest products and services. The concept of Future Fish Eurasia is a combination of seafood products, aquaculture and fish processing equipment, catering for fish traders, farmers & processors.

An Opportunity Not To Be Missed

Turkey is surrounded by four seas, including Mediterranean Sea, rich in diversity of fish species. Natural richness including inland resources provides a major advantage in having a large variety of aquatic species, mainly sea bass, bream, rainbow trout and sea trout. The dynamic structure of Turkish aquaculture and Future Fish Eurasia form a perfect platform for those in the fish business. Providing an opportunity to introduce your aquaculture and/or processing technology to Turkey and its neighbouring countries, buy high quality seafood products or sell seafood, looking for distributors in the region or strengthening your existing position in the market, Future Fish Eurasia 2024 is an opportunity not to be missed.

Book Now!

Companies are advised to book early in order to exhibit in their preferred stand size and location. Book 

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

Krill meal diet contributes to improved reproductive performance in Nile tilapia

April 25, 2024 - A recently published study conducted by LABOMAR (the Marine Sciences Institute in NE Brazil), Spring Genetics Tilapia in Miami, and Aker BioMarine Antarctic AS evaluated whether krill meal in the diet impacted reproductive performance of Nile tilapia and the quality and quantity of offspring. 

Antarctic krill in the water column of the Southern Ocean

The study concluded that krill meal inclusion resulted in positive effects on Nile tilapia’s reproductive performance and higher survival of larvae. 

You may also be interested in:

• Aker BioMarine win prestigious Norwegian Export Prize 2024

Krill meal has emerged as a nutrient-rich and sustainable marine ingredient for aquaculture feeds – a source of phospholipids,  high quality marine protein, high levels of omega-3 fatty acids: EPA and DHA, and astaxanthin, all of which are known to be beneficial for the growth and health of fish. 

Krill meal meets the sustainability and nutritional needs of aquafeeds

Tilapia is the second most farmed fish in aquaculture, and producers are seeking high quality offspring to improve their overall production. In the present study, scientists specifically assessed how varying levels of krill meal in the Nile tilapia diet influenced factors such as spawning, egg quantity and quality, and survival of larvae. 

“Through previous studies, we’ve learned that lipids and essential fatty acids can have a positive effect on reproductive performance of fish. Traditionally, farmers have included fishmeal and fish oil in the feed to meet these needs, but due to growing scarcity and fluctuating costs, more sustainable and effective ingredients are needed, and here krill meal could be a part of the solution to fill the gap,” says Kiranpreet Kaur, Director R&D, Fish Health & Nutrition, Aker BioMarine.

The Nile tilapia krill meal feeding trial 

The 12-week feeding trial was run at a tilapia breeding facility in Miami, Florida. The 792 tilapia broodstock were divided into 12 cages, each with a 3:1 female to male ratio. The fish were fed twice daily, receiving one of the three test feeds: krill meal inclusion of 2 percent, krill meal inclusion of 5 percent, or a control diet mimicking commercial Nile tilapia broodstock feed. 

“As the local partner and facilitator for this study, specialising in Nile tilapia breeding, we continually seek innovative ways to improve growth, survival, and overall yield. It’s important for us to partner with other stakeholders, like Aker BioMarine , to run trials like this one and learn more about promising ingredients such as krill meal and how it can help us improve broodstock performance,” says Hideyoshi Segovia Uno, CEO & Co-Owner, Spring Genetics.

Key results from the broodstock Nile tilapia 12-week feeding trial

Overall egg production 

• Nile tilapia fed 2 percent krill meal diet achieved 18 percent higher egg production than the control group. 
• Nile tilapia fed 5 percent krill meal diet achieved 30 percent higher egg production than the control group. 

Spawning

• Nile tilapia fed 2 percent krill meal had 14 percent more spawning females than the control group
• Nile tilapia fed 5 percent krill meal had 29 percent more spawning females than the control group.
• Most females spawned twice when receiving krill meal in the diet in comparison to control fish that mostly spawned once during the trial

Larval survival

• The 5 percent krill meal diet had a positive effect on total number of larvae on day 10 after hatching, 10 percent higher than the control group. 

Egg composition

• The Nile tilapia eggs contained higher fat content when fish were fed krill meal. 
• n-3 fatty acid levels, with EPA and DHA, were higher in the 5 percent krill meal group versus the control group.

“Overall, this study suggests the positive effects on reproductive performance and larval survival in Nile tilapia when krill meal is included in the diet,” says Kaur. “These results are a strong indication that krill meal is a viable and nutrient rich marine ingredient for the broodstock Nile tilapia diet. We look forward to further research to learn more.”

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

Experts and locals gather in Iceland to save Atlantic Salmon

April 24, 2024 - Not-for-profit conservation organisation, Six Rivers Iceland, established by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Founder and Chairman of INEOS, is hosting its annual symposium on the global plight of the Atlantic Salmon this May.

Now in its fourth year, this will be the first stakeholder symposium hosted by Six Rivers Iceland, showcasing the conservation efforts of Six Rivers Iceland through an international lens.

You may also be interested in:

• Ace Aquatec leads new partnership to improve salmon farming circular economy
• Salmon farming in the open ocean

The symposium, which will be held in Vopnadjörður, Iceland, on Friday May 31, will bring together local and national stakeholders alongside leading salmon experts from Iceland, Norway and the United Kingdom.

The symposium will discuss the global decline in the North Atlantic salmon population, which has fallen to one-quarter of its 1970s level. World experts will consider the ongoing catchment scale conservation efforts of Six Rivers Iceland in the light of this global decline and emerging threats - with a focus on the challenge to bring this species back from the edge of extinction.

Subjects covered include: 

• Does Icelandic salmon populations mirror the global decline?
• Catchment scale conservation efforts at Six Rivers Iceland and in North West Scotland
• What is the Norwegian experience of emerging threats to Atlantic Salmon, from aquaculture of Atlantic salmon and non-native pink salmon?

Leading expert speakers include: The Marine and Freshwater Research Institute (MFRI), the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), and Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), The Atlantic Salmon Trust (AST) alongside Six Rivers Iceland's leading researchers.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Founder and Chairman of INEOS has been one of the highest profile supporters of North Atlantic salmon conservation in Iceland for many years and founded Six Rivers Iceland in 2019 to protect the species.

"The Atlantic salmon is a species under threat. By brining together other like-minded, world class conservation experts, we aim to share knowledge and resources to intervene in its decline before it's too late. Six Rivers Iceland was established with a view that work would continue for years to come through ongoing collaboration - but more needs to be done," says Jim Ratcliffe, Founder and Chairman of INEOS.

Six Rivers Iceland is focused on preserving both the land and river ecosystems in North-Easy Iceland, helping the unique Atlantic salmon populations to thrive. The project is of an ambitious scale with substantial investment in both near-term conservation work in the field and in longer-term research to help protect one of the last safe havens for North Atlantic salmon.

Scientists working as part of the Six Rivers Iceland project are working to understand how to support and grow the population of North Atlantic salmon. The rivers selected in North-East Iceland are pristine and some of the simplest ecosystems where the species can thrive. Building scientific knowledge from these ecosystems in Iceland will help deliver strategies to reverse the overall decline. Learnings in Iceland will be shared and used across the world. All work is carried out in close collaboration with local farmers, landowners and communities.

Funding for this conservation and research has come from Sir Jim Ratcliffe directly, but the aim is to build a self-sustaining conservation model in which revenue from Six Rivers Iceland's exclusive catch and release fishing experiences fund the on-going conservation work.

Mr Gisli Ásgeirsson, CEO of Six Rivers Iceland says, "Six Rivers Iceland is a long-term project, designed to create a long-lasting legacy for the region and community. The work has started well but there is, of course, lots more to be done and so we hope governments will respond to the mounting pressure on this iconic species and get behind our endeavours."

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

Nutreco opens new fish and poultry feed facility in Nigeria

April 23, 2024 - Nutreco, a global leader in animal nutrition and aquaculture, has opened a state-of-the-art fish and poultry feed production facility in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, through its Operating Company trading under the names Skretting and Trouw Nutrition. The new €25,000,000 facility was built on 170,000 square metres of land and has the capacity to manufacture 125,000 metric tonnes of extruded fish and animal feeds per year.

The plant was officially opened on April 17, 2024, by Oyo State's Executive Governor Seyi Makinde. Also present at the unveiling of the new facility were Adeniyi Adebisi, Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, and Michel Deelen, Consul General of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Nigeria, as well as other dignitaries, stakeholders, customers and staff. 

You may also be interested in:

• Vimifos and Skretting first feed mills to attain ASC Feed Certification
• How Skretting became a global leader in aquaculture

Since its inception, the operating company, registered as Skretting Nigeria Limited has actively contributed to the country's economy by producing feed locally, using locally sourced raw materials. The new feed production facility is poised to further boost the agriculture sector and national GDP and employs 135 staff directly and 150 through a third-party agency.

"We are very pleased about the growth of our business in Nigeria, a country with over 218 million people and a rising demand for protein. Opening a facility of this magnitude will ensure that we can meet both local demand and that of neighbouring West African countries, contributing to the growth of the aquaculture and agriculture sectors of Nigeria and Africa as a whole," said Seyi Adeleke-Ige, General Manager of Skretting Nigeria.

"We are thrilled to announce the opening of our new Nigeria factory, which represents a significant milestone for agriculture and aquaculture in Nigeria. As part of Nutreco, our new plant is committed to producing high-quality, affordable feeds and concentrates, specifically tailored to meet the diverse needs of the Nigerian market. From extruded fish feed to poultry feed, we are fully equipped not only with advanced products but also with experts on the ground, ready to help farmers enhance production efficiency. This investment underscores our dedication to our purpose of Feeding the Future, helping us improve food production efficiency and make superior nutrition accessible to everyone in the region,"said Pieter Bastiaanssen, Nutreco's Managing Director, Middle East and Africa.

The new plant further emphasises Nutreco's commitment to Nigeria's aquaculture and agriculture sectors, which has already been demonstrated through the Catfish Sustainability and Hendrix4U community development projects. The Catfish Sustainability Project, which has supported fish farmers since 2015, has grown from 50 farmers at its inception to 1350 farmers today.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

Billund Aquaculture announces new group CEO in Denmark

April 22, 2024 - Billund Aquaculture, a specialist in developing land-based fish farms using RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture Systems) technology, has decided to strengthen its organisational structure.

Kristoffer Lund

Billund Aquaculture are welcoming Kristoffer Lund, who will take on the lead as new Group CEO in Denmark as of April 2. The incoming CEO said: "I am thrilled to get this unique opportunity to be a part of a company that is the global leader in the competitive RAS market. I'm excited to be part of this successful team and to contribute to taking the company to the next level."

Lund was previously the Group Technical Director of Vestas Aircoil. He comes on board with broad experience in organisational transformation and developing project portfolio tools, product models and systematic follow-up. Lund has a master of Science in Mechanical Engineering and an Executive MBA from Aalborg University.

Christian Sørensen, our company founder and former CEO, commented "this new structure is a very important step towards securing the management team our company needs to meet its future development needs, focusing heavily on structure, technology development and a strong control over project implementation." The executive said that he would be staying on in an advisory role involved in daily operations at Billund and focusing on design, technological development and project implementation.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

Largest edition of Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing global opens doors tomorrow

April 22, 2024 - Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, the world's largest and most diverse trade event for the seafood industry produced by Diversified Communications, opens its 30th edition tomorrow as the largest in its history with 51,248 net square meters of exhibit space - a four percent increase over its previous edition in 2023. For its third year at Fira de Barcelona's Gran Vía exhibition grounds, the Expo will provide a valuable platform for the industry to do business on a global scale from April 23-25.

Largest edition of Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing global opens doors tomorrow

Starting tomorrow, the 2024 edition will welcome 2244 exhibiting companies from 87 countries and 67 national and regional pavilions. The world's most diverse global trade fair for the seafood industry will bring together the key players from around the world: suppliers of seafood, equipment, packaging and services, retail buyers, food service and distribution businesses, importers, government and industry leaders. With the expansion into Hall 1, the exhibits will occupy Halls 1, 2, 3, 4 5 and the Galleria (between halls 4 and 5), at the Gran Via venue.

You may also be interested in:

• Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global will break records with its largest edition

"For the 30th edition of the event, we have expanded into an additional hall, making it the largest edition in the event's history in terms of net square meters of exhibit space," said Wynter Courmont, Vice President of Seafood at Diversified Communications. "Last year, the event brought together more than 34,000 seafood professionals from around the world, making it a very diverse and international event. Over the next three days, the city of Barcelona will become an international hub for seafood business, and we expect an estimated economic impact of over 156 million Euros for the city."

An international platform for the seafood industry

Starting tomorrow and for the next three days, Barcelona will be international epicentre of business in the seafood industry, gathering exhibitor from every corner of the world. New countries such as Azerbaijan, Brazil, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Czech Republic and Kiribati and new regional pavilions from Brazil, France, Republic of Korea, Japan and Oman have confirmed their attendance for the event. 

Among the 2244 exhibiting companies, 657 companies will be exhibiting for the first time in at least two editions, many for the first time ever. New companies exhibiting in Seafood Expo Global include CPF Culinar, Frinsa Del Noroeste, SA, Giraldo Asistencia, S.L., Hijos de Albaladejo Garcia, Regal Springs AG, Australian Trade and Investment Commission, Pacifico Aquaculture, Phillips Foods Inc, Reynaud, Lequertier Maree (SAS EDB Maree), Merpacifico. For Seafood Processing Global, new exhibiting companies include Ashworth Belts BV, COLIGROUP SPA, GEA Food Solutions Germany GmbH, Maschinenfabrik Seydelmann KG, Heinen Freezing GmbH & Co. KG, HAROPA PORT, Mosca GmbH, TECMAQ, Vaessen Schoemaker, Velec Systems.

Exhibitors in Seafood Expo Global halls will display the most recent innovations in seafood - fresh, frozen, canned, value-added, processed and packaged - to industry buyers from across the world including supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, caterers, importers, distributors, seafood markets and other retail and foodservice companies. Exhibiting companies in Seafood Expo Global will include AquaChile, Balfego & Balfego, Blumar, Cermaq Norway AS, Clearwater, Cooke Seafood Inc, Cornelis Vrolijk BV, Denholm Seafoods Ltd, Direct Ocean, Frime, S.A.U., Frinsa Del Noroeste, S.A., Gelazur, Godaco Seafood JCS, Greenland Sofina, Groupe Barba, Iceland Seafood International, Japofish, Lerøy Seafood Group ASA, Maresmar SL,  Metarex, Mowi ASA, Parlevliet & van der Plas Bv, Pescanova España, S.L.U., Phillips Foods Inc, Regal Springs AG, Salmar AS, Sea Harvest Corporation (Pty) Ltd, Seafood Connection Bv, Vinh Hoan Corporation,  Worldwide Fishing Company SL, Talleys and Unima among many others.

In Seafood Processing Global, every aspect of seafood processing and services for the seafood industry, including packaging material and machinery, equipment and supplies for refrigeration and freezing, primary and secondary processing equipment, hygiene control and sanitation, quality assurance services, aquaculture equipment, transportation, cold storage, traceability solutions and more will be represented in Halls 1 and 3. Key industry leaders exhibiting will include Adriatic Sea International srl, Ashworth Belts BV, Aquatiq AS, Baader, CMA CGM, Cocci Luciano SRL, COLIGROUP SPA, Defitrans SA, FoodTech Belgium vzw, GEA Food Solutions Germany GmbH, Lineage Logistics, Maersk AS, Marel, Maschinenfabrik Seydelmann KG, Mediterranean Shipping Company, MMC First Process, MULTIVAC Sepp Haggenmüller SE & Co. KG, Palinox Ingenieria y Proyectos Sl, STEF, ULMA Packaging and more.

The event will continue its collaboration with Barcelona Food Bank, Banc dels Aliments, to collect seafood donated by exhibitors at the end of the three days. In 2023, more than 50 volunteers walked around the exhibit halls to collect permission for product donations that had been properly stored during the entirety of the event. The entity estimated recovering around 14,000kg of product.

Connecting and educating seafood professionals on the latest industry trends, products and opportunities

The latest seafood products and trends will be on display during the prestigious annual Seafood Excellence Global Awards, which recognises the best seafood products at the event. Winners will be chosen out of the recently announced 40 finalists representing 15 countries and two grand prizes will be awarded for the Best Retail Product and the Best Hotel/Restaurant/Catering (HORECA) Product. Four special awards will be presented for innovation, convenience, retail packaging and seafood product line.

Networking opportunities and special onsite experiences will consist of an International Beer Bar in Hall 3, a Wine Bar featuring chilled seafood tastings and a lounge with a free professional headshot station, both in Hall 1. A new networking event and reception, Connecting Women in Seafood, taking place on Wednesday 24 April from 17:00-18:00 at the Wine Bar in Hall 1 will provide attendees a space to connect, share experiences and expand their professional network as Seafood Expo Global works to create a more inclusive and thriving seafood industry.

An educational conference program will include a keynote address from Mark Blyth, The William R Rhodes '57 Professor of International Economics, The Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University. In his keynote presentation on Wednesday, 24 April at 12:00, Blyth will address short-, medium- and long-term topics of relevance to the global seafood community - from the November 2024 US election to inflation to decarbonisation of the economy in different regions of the world.

More than 25 informative conference sessions will be led by 90 world experts in the industry. Conference presentations and panels will cover a range of topics including aquaculture, sustainability, food safety and compliance policy, traceability and transparency, climate change, labour issues and governance, the impacts and implications of IUU fishing and more.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---