The growth of aquatic animal epidemiology

The future of Epidemiology for aquatic animals will grow its will develop as we move forward the need to care and protect aquatic animal in the face of climate change, limited water sources and anthropogenic pressures will increase. With the development of aquaculture and new transboundry diseases aquatic epidemiology is a fast growing area of studies. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

Big Island projects initial tests are going well

In Honolulu Kampachi farms is carrying out a unique experiment that could see increased volume production from fish farms in the future. The company sold its growing fish operation in anchored pens, and is now concentrating on growing the fish amberjack and Hawaiian yellowtail in unanchored pens, the pens are tethered to a boat that moves between seven and 75 miles off shore. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

Wild salmon could well have increased mortality because of Sea lice infections

A recent study carried out in BC could show how wild salmon populations are affected by Sea lice infections and increase their mortality. This new study contradicts a previous study, Don Ivany, the Atlantic salmon federation’s regional director, said the aquaculture industry does some monitoring of its own fish, but wild salmon that could be swimming past fish farming facilities aren’t necessarily monitored. “We’re not quite sure of any level of monitoring that has occurred. It’s one of those grey areas we really aren’t sure of,” said Mr Ivany. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

BCSFA supports the release of fish health data

In Canada the British Columbia salmon farmers association (BCSFA), has supported the public release of fish health data which is thousands of pages dealing with farm by farm. This data comes from the Cohen Commission which is looking into the decline of the Fraser river Sockeye salmon. The decision to make this information public was Judge Bruce Cohen and his decision is supported by the (BCSFA). "There is nothing to connect the health of our farmed fish to the challenges faced by Fraser River Sockeye - we have already heard that in the first day of hearings on aquaculture," said Ms Walling from (BCSFA). Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

Aqua Des disinfectant gets Defra accreditation

A disinfectant that is used by health professionals and fish farmers has received a Department for the Environment Food and Rural affairs (Defra) accreditation. Aqua Des from Aquatic Hygiene is achieving and providing customers with excellent results. “Such independent verification of efficacy provides fish health professionals, regulators and auditors alike with their required level of assurance, and we are therefore proud to support the recommendations of the Code of Good Practice. The efficient application of Aqua Des promotes the maintenance of good health and welfare,” said Neil Crawford of Aquatic Hygiene. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

Kelp farming could soon be more mainstream

SINTEF the largest research organisation in Scandinavia is looking to develop kelp farming on a large scale, they estimate that an underwater field as large as one of the counties of Norway could yield as much as two billion litres of kelp based fuel a year. With this in mind SINTEF is currently establishing the Norwegian Center for Seaweed and Kelp Technology, which was opened in Trondheim on August 15. As well as fuel there are many other uses that kelp and other seaweeds could be cultivated for, like animal feeds, medical products. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

New and cheaper catfish feed formulations being tested

Due to high priced ingredients in 2008, feed mills started to manufacture new less expansive formulations for catfish. These feed formulations have been tested at the University of Arkansas for the past three years, three 32 percent protein diets were tested (an industry standard, an alternative and a corn gluten feed diet). The standard diet resulted in higher carry over yields. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers.

University of Hawaii online aquaculture program

"ATOLL" an online certificate in aquaculture program is being planned through the University of Hawaii outreach college program. The program will be open to high school students as well as the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) students.

"This program will be open for high school students, as well as American Samoa Community College (ASCC) students and anyone in the community. Because it is through the outreach college, it is open enrollment and it is a one year certificate program," said Ephraim Temple, the Sea Grant program coordinator at the American Samoa Community College. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers.

Canada's fish farming industry is the most regulated in the World

According to Ruth Salmon the executive director of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) has said in her blog that that Canada's fish farming industry is one of the most heavily regulated in the world. She said that the finfish and shellfish farming sectors were collectively governed by no fewer than 73 distinct rules and regulations.

She points out that certain activists who are opposed to British Columbia's salmon farming sector were trying to position the Cohen Commission hearings into an inquiry into fish farms. She has pointed out that the Cohen commission is not an investigation into fish farming. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

Aquaculture industry in Vancouver B.C concerned over shellfish toxin

A shellfish toxin recently surfaced  in British Columbia poisoning 60 people and raising concerns in the province's aquaculture industry. The toxin has been traced to mussels that were harvested off Cortes Island, “It was the first-ever documented diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP), outbreak in Western Canada,” said Dr. Eleni Galanis, a physician with the BC Centre for Disease Control.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) website, DSP is one of three “biotoxins of concern” in Canadian waters, the other two being responsible for amnesic shellfish poisoning and paralytic shellfish poisoning. The CFIA could not be reached for comment on when it started testing for DSP or why. It is not known whether testing was being done before the outbreak. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

Marteilia Refringens detected in blue mussels UK

Samples of the blue (edible)  mussel from the Tamar estuary in Cornwall has shown to be infected with Marteilia Refringens. The Center for Environment, fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (Cefas) has urged that there be no movement to and from the contaminated areas. This is the first recorded incident of Marteilia Refringens in the UK, the disease is listed as a non-exotic to the European Union.

Marteilia Refringens has been detected before in native oysters and mussels from the coastal waters of a number of member states including France, Spain, Portugal and Greece. Cefas has ordered that there be no movement of mussels in the infected area. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

Mexico aquaculture catfish production up

In Mexico over the last five years sustainable development of fisheries has allowed aquaculture to increase its production by 26 percent. In 2006 catfish production was 2,503 tons, and in 2010 the production was 3,384 tons. Catfish farming began in Mexico in 1972 when the first studies were carried out, then a year later the first cultivation of the species was done. Read more ..

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

New Zealands Government fund widened to include aquaculture

In New Zealand a government fun that supports community led growth and innovation in the rural sector has been widened to include aquaculture. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF) will now accept applications for project that supports the economics and environmental performance in the marine and land-based aquaculture sector.

The government fund already invests up to NZ$9 million (€5.169 million) in projects led by farmers, growers and foresters, so far the SSF fund has assisted some 800 projects over the years. So it made sense to include the growing aquaculture industry. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

Chilean salmon industry beginning to recover

The Chilean salmon industry is hoping to recover next year to the levels of employment prior to 2007 when the infectious salmon anemia (ISA) almost destroyed the salmon industry. According to industry figures around 50 percent of the jobs lost then have been recovered.

However there is still a shortage of labour, the crisis in 2008 led to the loss of 25,000 jobs, according to the regional secretary of labour the salmon industry has about 20,000 currently employed, and by early 2012 a further 25,000 to 27,000 jobs will be filled. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

Vietnam to increase sea fish output by 2020

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has approved plans to develop breeding sea fish through 2015. The idea will be that fish raised in salt water and shrimp ponds will reach 61,000 tons by 2015 and 98,000 tons by 2020.

The idea will be to breed fish in cages and on an industrial scale as a result the total output by 2015 could be to the value of UK$1.4 billion (€977 million)  and increasing to US$1.8 billion (€1.256 billion). Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

New network on recirculating aquaculture systems

A new network called the Nordic Network is aimed at coordinating and strengthening research and development of Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) in the Nordic countries. RAS is seen as the future for aquaculture that will allow greater scope for rearing shellfish and finfish but with the minimal environmental impact.

The network will be open to all those involved in aquaculture/fish farming from researchers to feeders to system suppliers and consultants. The network is coordinated by National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU Aqua) at the Technical University of Denmark. The steering committee of the network has representatives from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland. The first year the network is financed by the Nordic Council of Ministers

Visit the webpage NordicRAS.net to join the network: http://www.nordicras.net

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

Greek aquaculture starts to show growth

The big players in Greek aquaculture, will expand their horizons, recently a major share of these fish farms was brought up by Netherlands-based private equity fund Linnaeus Capital Partners. Also the past few months has seen a growth in the greek aquaculture industry prices are increasing.

This re-invigoration of the Greek fish farms also see an increase in exports which has boosted the bottom line, with net profits up by 90 percent and turnover up by 10 percent. The future looks bright and growth continues but mergers will depend on the next step. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

The center of Seaweed Technology opens at AquaNor 2011

Seaweed is a very versatile resource, it can be used as food and be used in feeds. It can be used to produce biofuels without using up other natural resources. SINTEF opened the center for Seaweed technology at AquaNor

This new centre will allow researchers to continue research into biofuels and alternative feed solutions but opens up a wide range of opportunities from biological treatment to re-establishment of seaweed culture in the fjords, soil improvement. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

Photo-period technology, increases trout production

In Mexico, the National Fisheries Institute (INAPESCA) has developed a technology that allows the reproduction of trout eggs aquaculture through out the year. Photo period is the alteration of light duration. By altering the length of time of an applied artificial light you can cue the breeding instinct to start by making the trout think it is Summer or stop it by making him think its Winter.

This technology has had an effect, not only has it reduced the number of trout eggs imported into Mexico, but it has increased employment and encouraged domestic production of the species. This technology has given them a year round breeding season instead of the normal November to February, Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

The question does farmed salmon affect wild salmon, answer Yes

At AquaNor for the first time it has been shown that farmed salmon escapes do actually impact on the wild populations. It has now been proven scientifically with studies being carried out all along the Norwegian coastline. 21 salmon rivers were monitored and it was shown that in at least six there was an impact via the farmed salmon.

The researchers believe this is partly due to the fact that both the farmed and wild salmon were competing for the same spawning ground and resources. Out of the 21 rivers 15 showed no genetic variation in the wild salmon populations. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

Mycotoxins in aqua feedstuff

Two members of Biomin are looking at minimising the risk of mycotoxins in aquaculture feeds. In recent years due to the cost of fishmeal increasing, Alternatives are sought that are cheaper such as plant protein. However this has lead to the risk of aquafeeds being contaminated with one or more mycotoxins.

One of the many effects associated with mycotoxins contamination in feeds is reduced growth and health status of the fish or farmed animal. Even though there have been few studies carried out on the effects of mycotoxins on aquaculture species, it would seem to indicate that these contamination can cause severe pathologies. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

AquaNor Flushing lice system wins

Nor-Fishing Foundation Innovation Award was awarded to Flatsetsund Engineering AS for their innovative flushing system thats removes lice at the fish move from one cage to another. The pumping system has built in nozzles that flush lice from the salmon.

The system does not stress the fish and it removes the need for any chemicals, It also reduces the occurrence of lice on wild fish populations in the surrounding environment. The Nor-Fishing Foundation Innovation Award presented NOK 100,000 (€12,841) to the group. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

Chile to increase fines and suspensions in aquaculture

The Executive in Chile are planning to send a bill to Congress, the bill amending the "sanitary and land management regulations for aquaculture concessions" will be looking at increasing the penalties for infringements. This amendment will address the problems of the entrepreneurs and producers that infringe health regulations.

The general manager of the Association of Chilean Salmon Industry AG (SalmonChile) Carlos Odebret welcomes the government plans "To the extent that there are disincentives for not complying with such important measures as these, he said sanctions do not seem wrong," he pointed out. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

International Aquafeeds Event Wall Planner for 2012

In September 2011, International Aquafeed magazine we will be publishing its first Event Wall Planner for 2012 - featuring all key trade shows and conferences in the aqua feed sector for 2012 The planners actual dimensions: 841 mm x 594 mm).

Over 10,000 copies of the planner will be produced and distributed to our subscribers throughout the world, as well as key industry specialists, and attendees of all listed shows/conferences. There are only 26 advertising spaces (90mm x 90 mm) available in total.

International Aquafeed 2012 Wall-Planner

Special offer:

We are offering all companies that book their space before Wednesday 31st August, an introductory price of UK£400. The standard price thereafter will be UK£600.

Due to the limited number of spaces available, it is advisable that you make your space reservation as soon as possible.


Please contact our sales team for more information on our 2012 planner.

Sales Team (UK office)
Caroline Wearn   carolinew@aquafeed.co.uk Tel:+44 1242 267706
Lee Bastin           leeb@aquafeed.co.uk Tel:+44 1242 267706
Sabby Major       sabbym@aquafeed.co.uk Tel:+44 1242 267706


This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

A tilapia breeding station in Kenya under development

Omega farms was set up by Mark Archer, after the collapse of his property development company in Kenya. Along with an old friend Perrie Hennessy, and Dr Bonnie Dunbar from the University of Nairobi  and nick Justus. They saw an opportunity due to the lack of tilapia fingerlings availability in Kenya.

The farm is based on and around the Island of Ol Kokwe on Lake Baringo. "The optimum temperature for breeding tilapia is 28-31 degrees Celsius," explained Mr Archer. "And this just so happens to be the temperature of Lake Baringo making it the perfect location to set up a tilapia breeding station." Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

Scientist issued new warning over Scottish farmed salmon

Published in the Daily Mail online today (August 17, 2011) was the news item about Scottish farmed salmon, it echo the story of 2004 saying that the salmon are heavily contaminated and should not be eaten more than three times a year. This new warning comes from scientist Dr Jeffery Foran a toxicologist who was involved in the research looking at the chemicals that are used in fish feeds on fish farms.

The levels of the pollutants found are within the standards required by the European Union and Britain. Scottish salmon farmers have branded the study as misleading. Sir John Krebs from the Food Standard Agency said that the benefits of eating oily fish outweighed any risk. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

Scottish salmon export growth continues to grow

Scottish farmed salmon is continuing to grow, exports have increased and this year leapt by 37 percent year on year for the first five month of 2011 reaching almost 35,000 tons. Environment Minister Stewart Stevenson who is attending AquaNor in Norway said "Last year salmon accounted for 36 percent of the value of Scottish food exports, while the industry also provides much-needed employment opportunities in our fragile rural communities". Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

Aquaculture investors in Guyana to receive capital funding from IADB

Investors in aquaculture in Guyana will soon be able to access US$100 (€69.534) million capital funds for expansion. Farmers application and project proposals are being processed by the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry. The whole project is being funded by the Inter-American Development Bank.

Agriculture Minister, Robert Persaud “This is an important area in agriculture diversification so a lot of the investors and farmers have finalised their proposals and they’re currently being considered by the financial institution that has won the bid to disburse this resource.” Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

Press Release: Meriden Philippines Inc launches new web site

Meriden Philippines has created a new website, this has come about due to the response from customers feedback about wanting to know more information on products marketed in the Philippines. Corazon P. Occidental, Managing Director of Meriden Phils Inc, says ‘We are delighted to be able to respond to our customers suggestions and provide them with a valuable source of information on the products we carry.  We now welcome our customers’ views on the new website so we can carry on improving our service to them.’

You can visit the new website here: www.meriden-phils.com
Or visit the Meriden Animal Health website: www.meriden-ah.com

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

New oxygenation technology launched by Linde Gases

The new system of oxygenation has been launched by Linde Gases a division of The Linde Group known as SOLVOX® OxyStream  a unique low pressure oxygenation system that will help increase fish production volume, optimise fish meat quality and will improve operations environmentally.

SOLVOX® OxyStream is a unique ground breaking patented combination system combining oxygenation and flow system that dissolves the optimal amount of oxygen in the inlet water, but also distributes its evenly with an adjustable flow pattern through the tank. Linde will be launching this new system at AquaNor from the 16-19 August. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

Proposed addition to aquaculture amendment bill

Minister for Aquaculture Phil Heatley proposed an addition to the new aquaculture amendment bill, that would see an independent arbitrator to set compensation for commercial fishermen. This move has angered some commercial fisherman but the CO of New Zealand king salmon think that the proposal is brilliant.

One of the key issues is that by giving over the areas to aquaculture this would lose the commercial fishermen their livelihoods, but a simple question would the area benefit more from aquaculture or from commercial fishing. Well New Zealand King Salmon would happily give up its water space if a fishing quota holder could create more wealth for the country using the same area, chief executive Grant Rosewarne says. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

What is the answer why are wild salmon in decline?

Royal commissions have failed to identify what the problems are where wild salmon stocks are in decline. And at the cost of CAN$25 million (€17.651 million) on the Cohen commission a new effort to find answers. But if we choose to actually look closer at the problems we could find the answers with out a huge price tag.

In Canada the fish police the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has too often had a curious history of mismanagement and an incestuous relationship with those who make their money from the capture and sale of wild and now farmed fish, from individual entrepreneurs to corporate fish farms. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

A study show parasites have a more profound effect on fish mortality

A study carried out by researchers at Oregon State University, showed that heavy parasite infection does have a major effect on growth, weight, size, immune function and other issues.  What they have learned from these studies is that its not the presence or absence of parasites, that is important but that their numbers can build up over years or decades and ultimately cause major impacts.

"We've known for a long time that salmon and other fish are affected by parasites, so that isn't new," said Mike Kent, an OSU professor of microbiology. "Because parasites have been present for decades, they have often been dismissed as a cause of increasing salmon mortality." Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

Russia sign deal with Scottish salmon producers

The Scottish salmon company has broken into the Russian market for the first time. Scottish salmon said that a deal has been signed that will see them supplying salmon to Russia. This deal has been reached after many months of hard negotiations. They already supply Japan, US, Middle East and France.

According to the Scottish salmon company the first shipment of salmon goes to Russia this week. Stewart McLelland, chief operating officer of the Scottish Salmon Company, said: "This is a very exciting deal for us as a company, expanding our export market into this previously untapped region. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

Perendale Publishers Ltd at AquaNor 2011 in Trondheim Norway

The AquaNor event is well underway in Norway, an established event for for over thirty years where innovations, products, services, research and development projects are showcased. Perendale Publishers Ltd are pleased to announce that Caroline Wearn and Tuti Tan (European Aquaculture Society stand number F-573) are there to meet and greet, please feel free to say hi to them, they will also be distributing our bi monthly publication International Aquafeed, along with our new Spanish language version. They look forward to meeting you all.

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

Review: Morphological Evolution, Aptations, Homoplasies, Constraints and Evolutionary Trend

This publication Morphological Evolution, Aptations, Homoplasies, Constraints and Evolutionary Trend: Catfishes as a Case Study on General Phylogeny and Macroevolution was written and published in 2005 by Dr Rui Diogo who is an evolutionary biologist graduated in the University of Aveiro, Portugal.

One of the key aims of this book is to analyse the higher-level interrelationships of catfish and to look at and discuss the general evolution of this species. The book cover morphology, catfish families, the phylogeny of catfish its evolution and macroevolution.

The book is split into five chapters with subsections
1. Catfishes: Introduction
2. Methodology and Material
3. Phylogenetic Analysis
4. Higher-level Phylogeny and Macroevolution of Catfishes: A Discussion
5. Catfishes, Case Study for General Discussions of Phylogenetic and Macroevolutionary
Topics

A well written and well presented book, dealing with the complexities of a species that until recently was not fully understood. Dr Diogo has achieved an understanding that is second to none in his chosen field of study.

The catfish in the modern world is a key species in aquaculture, reared in many parts of the world as an important food source. With that in mind I believe this book is a very important book and would be a key resource for students, ichthyologists and biologists working in evolution, taxonomy and phylogeny. A must have book.

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

The flooding in Bangladesh is causing havoc on the fish farms

The continuos flooding in the Satkhira region of Bangladesh has caused extensive damage to the fish-farming industry in the area and also shrimp. Floods have washed away most of the shrimp enclosures and the hatcheries along with the canals creeks and ponds.

The cost of the floods is undetermined at present until the flood waters recedes but some 3400 shrimp enclosures. This event had crippled traders in the region, the floods has caused major damage to the infrastructure. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

New training that could save Indian aquaculture in the future

In recent years the Indian aquaculture has suffered due to over use of antibiotics, this has had a sever effect on aquaculture. But Managlore fisheries college is now training specialists in pharmacology and toxicology.

This is for the future the norm is that veterinary experts usually prescribe medication. Bur realising the need for experts who understood aquaculture and the need for a special type of infection management that only fisheries graduates could understand. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

Fish farmer found guilty of killing brown Pelicans

A fish farmer in Palacios Texas, has been found guilty of the killing of 90 Brown Pelicans, pelicans that are federally protected. Seaside aquaculture the farm indicated in the lawsuit along with Khanh Vu were indicated in a letter sent to the US Fish and Wildlife in October from a former contract worker at the fish farm.

In February the US Texas Parks and Wildlife department executed a warrant. The agents found the carcasses of about 90 brown pelicans, with great blue herons, great egrets, black-crowned night herons, turkey vultures, osprey, gulls scaup. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

Cooke aquaculture fails to get bigger stake in Clearwater

Cooke aquaculture made a bid for Clearwater Seafood and failed as the Clearwater company rejected the offer of Cooke aquaculture. Cooke made the offer of CAN$3.50 (€2.475) per unit, making it worth CAN$159 (€112.445) million.

Clearwater issued a statement which indicate that they were not interested in selling and that at least 50 percent of their investors were in agreement. From Clearwater's stand point Cooke offer was too low. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

Sustainable aquaculture, in Ghana fastest growing economy

Fish both live caught and those produced via aquaculture can represent some 60 to 70 percent of Ghanaians, animal protein intake. Tilapia making up 80 percent and catfish 20 percent, but its still not an unproductive sector. Thou the fishery is considered important, its growth is still slow.

However where the economy has normally relied normally on gold, cocoa and tourism, Ghana has a great opportunity that could help in relieving debt and poverty and unemployment in the country. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

Shrimp farming in Latin America a major environmental concern

The utilisation of mangrove forest for aquaculture is an alarming trend, home to many marine and salt water species. The impact that aquaculture has on an environment that is already in decline is devastating and one of the most damaging forms of aquaculture is shrimp farming the environmentalist warn.

María Dolores Vera, of Ecuador's Coordinating Body for the Defence of Mangrove Ecosystems (C-CONDEM), a non-governmental organisation, told IPS that shrimp farming was introduced in her country "in the 1970s, and had already destroyed 70 percent of the country's mangrove ecosystems by 2008." Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

Aquaculture zone may pollute a pristine marine area

An aquaculture zone of 10,000 hectare has been proposed by the Department of Primary Industries and Resources South Australia, they want to use the area for fish and mussels. The South Australian Recreational Fishing Advisory Council has said that this development may pollute one of the states most pristine marine areas.

Gary Flack executive officer of the fishing advisory council, said that for years they have had to deal with pollution from other aquaculture zones that have gone unchecked and continue to be unchecked. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

ASC and Global GAP to provide training

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), is working closely with GlobalGAP to provide training to auditors for the ASC Pangasius Standard. As a mandatory requirement all auditors must complete the training for ASC accreditation process.

Any certified body can apply for this training, and it is internationally recognised and will allow the auditor to audit aquaculture operations on the proper implementation of the ASC Pangasius Standard. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

Cooke aquaculture hatchery in Swanger Cove

A new hatchery will soon be in operation in Swanger Cove, St Alban's, Cooke aquaculture has built one of the most modern facilities of its kind on the planet. Jim Murry who has worked in hatcheries all over the world said “With its state-of the-art water recirculation system, its sensors to control water flow and the feed system, its artificial lighting program, among other modern technologies, this hatchery will be a fabulous place to work. I can’t wait for our first batch of fry to arrive at this facility.” Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers

Aquaculture inspections helped by underwater camera's

In Chile the National Fisheries Service (Sernapesca), has imported underwater cameras for use during inspections. Already two such cameras are working in the south of the Country, and this has led to several offenses being witnessed.

The new cameras are remote operated and have sensors attached to them allowing for water temperatures readings to be monitored. Their main use is to gather 100 percent of the information that is required during inspections. Sernapesca intends to obtain further kits from the US. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers