The Aquaculturists: March 2015

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

31/03/2015: NOAA announces novel feeder for juvenile and larval fishes

NOAAFisheries researchers have developed a fish feeder that allows fish farmers to automatically feed young fish on a recurrent basis while protecting the feed from oxidation and clumping. The patent-pending Microparticulate Feeder for Larval and Juvenile Fish was developed at NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Centre in Seattle, Washington and is now available for licensing by a qualified US company.

As a mission-based science agency, NOAAFisheries labs conduct research and development in aquaculture to support the missions of seafood sustainability and resiliency of coastal communities. NOAA scientists and engineers routinely develop innovative solutions to intractable problems in the lab. Sometimes these solutions result in an innovation that has some market potential.

Federal technology transfer legislation allows NOAA (and other federal R&D agencies) to transfer the technology to U.S. industry under license. These arrangements minimize the risk to the company taking on a new product or service, while maximizing the benefits of public R&D dollars.

In this case, the Microparticulate Feeder was developed to solve specific problems with raising larval and juvenile fish on a dry food diet. According to Tom Scott, who developed the device for his lab, “juvenile and larval fish have very demanding feeding schedules and the diet required for these fish consists of very fine particles, which are highly susceptible to oxidation, and clumping due to excess moisture in the fish farm environment. We couldn’t find a device on the market that was meeting all our needs, so I was asked to build one.”

The device itself combines off-the-shelf solenoids and controller software with an innovative dispensing unit that uses forced nitrogen gas to both deliver the feed and keep the environment free from oxygen and moisture. The feeder can deliver small (ca. 20 mg), precise doses of microparticulate (ca. 100 µm diameter) feed to selected locations.

http://techpartnerships.noaa.gov/WorkingwithNOAA/OpenOpportunities/TabId/299/ArtMID/1381/ArticleID/10777/LICENSING-OPPORTUNITY-NOAA-Microparticulate-Fish-Feeder.aspx

Gravity carries feed into a firing chamber from the hopper above. A small vibrating device aids in settling the feed into the chamber. The precision of the feeder allows for very small doses, as well as adjustments for specific diet characteristics such as dry weight equivalence and particle density. Plus, the basic controller software allows the operator to control the system and receive any warnings directly on their cell phone.

“While I was pretty sure the device would work for our R&D needs,” said Mr Scott, “we were shocked to see such consistency over the course of many feeding runs of 100 accumulated doses. At that point, my lab director said we should call in the Technology PartnershipsOffice to talk about taking this to industry.”

The NOAA Micro-Particulate Fish Feeder is now patent pending and is ready for licensing by a qualified US company. The NOAA Technology Partnerships Office has the flexibility to structure a variety of licensing agreements, based on the needs of the licensee. The goal for NOAA is to facilitate a US company in quickly getting the product to market.

To learn more about the NOAA Microparticulate Fish Feeder, please see the licensing opportunity page for the device on the Technology Partnerships Office website.

To learn more about the NOAA FisheriesService, the Northwest Fisheries Science Centre and Office of Aquaculture, please visit their websites.

The Aquaculturists

This blog is maintained by The Aquaculturists staff and is supported by the
magazine International Aquafeed which is published by Perendale Publishers Ltd

For additional daily news from aquaculture around the world: aquaculture-news

31/03/2015: AgraME sees 26 percent attendance increase, partly thanks to aquaculture exhibition

Held from 16-18 March 2015 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, AgraME - the Middle East’s largest exhibition dedicated to the Agribusiness industry - saw a 26 percent increase in visitor attendance. This year was the most successful edition of AgraME to date with more exhibitors, visitors and delegates than ever before.

The Minister of Environment & Water HE Dr Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahad officially opens AgraME 2015

AgraME, which is co-located with AquaME and VetME, also used 40 percent more exhibition floor space this year due to higher demand from exhibitors. This demand comes mainly from the Poultry and Livestock area of the show, as well as the launch of AquaME – the region’s first exhibition dedicated to the aquaculture industry.

The three-day event hosted more than 250 agriculture, poultry, aquaculture, and horticulture businesses from 36 countries including Turkey, Norway, the UAE, Denmark, the USA, Brazil, India, Greece, France, Australia, China, Italy, Thailand, Egypt and the UK.

AquaME 2015 displayed the latest products and services in the field of fish farming and aquaculture

“This year we have seen a large increase in attendance from the aquaculture industry specifically, which comes down to AquaME being a stand-alone exhibition space for the first time ever. The first day also saw a packed conference agenda with plenty of interesting announcements coming out of the show floor that will help grow the industry regionally - attracting the investment needed to reach the targets set by not only the government, but private entities in the industry as well,” said Richard Pavitt, Exhibition Director, AgraME.
Visit the AgraME website HERE.

The Aquaculturists
This blog is maintained by The Aquaculturists staff and is supported by the
magazine International Aquafeed which is published by Perendale Publishers Ltd

For additional daily news from aquaculture around the world: aquaculture-news

31/03/2015: Aquasense International and Gamma Seafood sign LOI to distribute first saltwater-farmed tilapia product

Aquasense International Corporation (‘Aquasense’), the US holding company of the affiliate aquaculture company, Aquasense Panamá, S de RL (‘Aquasense Panama’), signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Miami-based, Gamma Seafood Corporation (‘Gamma Seafood’), a division of the Alfa Gamma Group, to market and distribute the seafood industry’s first ever farm-raised, saltwater red tilapia products in the USA market.

Under this LOI, Aquasense Panama will supply the Alfa Gamma Group, on an exclusive basis an estimated annual 500 tons of ocean farmed tilapia to be distributed to high-end US retailers, gourmet chefs and cruise ships, starting as early as next year. By the end of the first project phase, it will supply an annual 6000 tons. All product will consist of sustainably farm-raised red tilapia, grown in open-ocean and eco-friendly production systems, located in pristine waters off the Pacific coast of the Republic of Panama. The product will be offered only fresh, whole and filleted.

Aquasense Panama is an early stage aquaculture company with the mission to contribute to meeting the rising food needs of a growing world population in a sustainable manner. In 2007, it set out to change the paradigm of fish farming, by bringing their fish farming operations to the pristine waters surrounding Panama. Considered a non-traditional farming method for tilapia, their preliminary research showed that when tilapia are reared in the full salinity of the open ocean and fed nutritious feeds, the result is a very much improved fish product, in terms of taste and texture.

The Alfa Gamma Group owns and operates SQF and BRC certified facilities and fishing fleets in Panamá, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Suriname and Mexico. Alfa Gamma’s headquarters are located in Miami, FL within five miles of the Miami International Airport and 12 miles from the Port of Miami. Alfa Gamma’s 85,000 square foot headquarters include an SQF Level 3 modern processing facility that receives and processes 20 to 50 thousand pounds of fresh seafood per day, includes a 5 million pound freezer storage facility and is staffed with an experienced and dedicated sales and logistic force servicing customers in North America and abroad. For more about Alfa Gamma Group contact Santiago Alvarez at (305)888-6789.

Visit the Aquasense website HERE.

BOC company profile

http://www.boconline.co.uk/en/processes/water-treatment-applications/oxygenation-for-aquaculture/oxygenation-for-aquaculture.html

BOC is a member of the Linde Group, a world leading supplier of industrial, process and speciality gases and is one of the most profitable engineering companies. Linde products and services can be found in nearly every industry, in more than 100 countries. A success story that began with the separation of air.

Oxygenation for Aquaculture
Fish welfare is a constant concern. Maintaining proper oxygen levels is important to the immune system of fish and leads to stable production and economic benefits for the farmer.

The right oxygen level for optimal fish growth depends on species, size, feeding rate, activity level and water temperature.

Oxygen transfer rate into water is greater with pure oxygen than with air, significantly reducing pumping energy and avoiding the risk of super saturation.

Increased saturation levels offer improved fish welfare and increased growth. In closed or recycled systems, increased saturation levels are essential for fish survival.

The use of pure oxygen is technically and economically superior to simple aeration - the advantages more than compensate for the extra cost.

The SOLVOX® range optimises dissolution of oxygen in water, distribution of oxygenated water to the fish, and allows dose adjustment for smooth and reliable operation. It’s suitable for all types of aquaculture facilities; whether fresh water or salt water plants, land-based or sea cages.

Visit the website HERE.

GePro company profile

http://www.aquafeed.co.uk/CC/IAF1302_gepro.png

GePro Gefluegel-Protein Vertriebs-gesellschaft mbH & Co. KG is a member company of the PHW Group, one of the largest producers of poultry products in Europe. As a member of the PHW Group, GePro is part of a completely integrated poultry production network.

GePro headquarters are in Diepholz (Germany) with global sales offices located in Bangkok (Kingdom of Thailand) and Moscow (Russian Federation).

GePro transforms poultry by-products from the slaughterhouse into valuable ingredients for animal nutrition and biofuel (SP-Power)

With the state-of-the-art production systems, our products are of extremely high quality and are regarded as benchmarks in the industry. The entire process is under strict veterinarian control leading to consistent, flawless quality and a great value proposition for our customers.

Visit the website HERE.

31/03/2015: Credit from Mississippi for International Aquafeed!

Great recognition of our feature about the journey of 25,000 farmed trout - published in the March/April issue of International Aquafeed magazine.

Read more HERE.

After touring the Lyman State Fish Hatchery and Gulf Coast Research Laboratory with the World Aquaculture Society in...
Posted by Mississippi Department of Marine Resources on Monday, 30 March 2015

31/03/2015: Panel of national nutrition experts says Americans should eat more seafood

The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee encourages women who are pregnant, may become pregnant or are breastfeeding to eat at least 8 to 12 ounces – 2 to 3 servings – of fish each week. The advice, expected to be adopted and included in the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, comes at a time when seafood consumption is at an all-time low, especially among mums and mums-to-be, the Digital Journal reports.

Bumble Bee Seafoods, North America’s premium seafood company, is partnering with leading nutrition consultants Stephanie Clarke and Willow Jarosh of C&J Nutrition to spread the word about the new recommendations and educate consumers on the research behind it.

http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/2508385

Eat your seafood if you want your kids to grow nice and big

“There has been so much confusion about seafood over the last ten years but we’ve seen an enormous amount of research showing the importance of fish in the diet, especially for new and expectant mothers,” said Dave Melbourne, Bumble Bee senior vice president, consumer marketing and corporate social responsibility.

“We’re thrilled to be starting these conversations with women to help them feel informed and confident about including more seafood in the meals they’re eating and serving their families.”

FDA research shows that, for pregnant and nursing women, eating fish regularly helps with the growth and development of children’s brains, even boosting IQ. Additionally, fish and shellfish are low in calories, generally low in saturated fat, an important source of protein, a predominant dietary source of omega-3 fatty acids and offer a wealth of vitamins and minerals. Bumble Bee is working with Stephanie and Willow to share the significant benefits of eating fish while adding clarity to the overall discussion of seafood consumption.

“Seafood consumption is at an all-time low and, as a dietitian and new mother, I understand the responsibility parents have to provide their children with the best nutrition for healthy growth and development,” said Stephanie Clarke.

“We are so excited to partner with Bumble Bee to help teach parents about the benefits of seafood and provide simple, delicious ways to incorporate a variety of fish into families’ diets.”

Read more HERE.

31/03/2015: Svein Tore Holsether appointed new CEO of Yara International

Svein Tore Holsether

The Board of Directors of Yara International ASA has appointed Mr Svein Tore Holsether as the company's new President and Chief Executive Officer. He will succeed acting CEO Torgeir Kvidal by October 2015.

Holsether currently serves as President and CEO of Sapa Group, a position he has held since 2011. Prior to this, he has held a number of management positions in Elkem, Orkla and Sapa. Holsether was born in Norway in 1972 and holds a BSc in Finance from the University of Utah.

"Svein Tore Holsether is a perfect fit for Yara, and the Board of Directors is very satisfied that he has decided to join the company. His extensive background from international industry coupled with his personal capabilities makes him highly qualified for the position of CEO," said Leif Teksum, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Yara.

"I am very pleased to have the opportunity to join Yara. The company performs very well and holds a unique position throughout its global footprint. In a time of many worldwide challenges, I look forward to working on solutions addressing issues of fundamental needs like food security and protection of the environment," said Svein Tore Holsether.

Torgeir Kvidal, who has served as acting CEO since October 2014 will resume his previous position as Chief Financial Officer. At the same time, Thor Giæver, currently acting CFO, will return to his position as Head of Investor Relations.

"Torgeir Kvidal has done an excellent job as acting CEO over the last months, as also recognized by the employees and external stakeholders. At the same time, the Board of Directors appreciates his wish of returning to the position as CFO, in which he will continue to be a valuable contributor in the management team," said Leif Teksum.

Mr Holsether will join Yara by 1 October 2015.

Visit the website HERE.

Monday, March 30, 2015

31/03/2015: Global aquafeed market forecasts to 2020 detailed in new market research report

http://www.whatech.com/market-research-reports/press-release/industrial/49582-global-aquafeed-market-size-share-growth-prospects-key-opportunities-trends-and-forecasts-to-2020-detailed-in-new-market-research-report

Feed acidifiers are expected to be the fastest growing segment over the forecast period, at an estimated CAGR of 6.1 percent from 2014 to 2020, WhaTech reports.

The global market for aquafeed is expected to reach US$133.1 billion by 2020, according to a new study by Grand View Research, Inc. Increasing use of aquafeed in carp and crustacean farming is expected to boost market demand over the forecast period.

The growing market for aquaculture, owing to the static natural production of fishes is expected to be another key driver for market growth over the next six years. In addition, the increasing focus on nutraceuticals such as omega 3 enriched products is also expected to have a positive impact on aquafeed applications.

Key aquaculture additives include antibiotics and amino acids as they cannot be synthesized by the fish but are essential for regular body mechanism. Amino acids were the largest used aquafeed product, with estimated market revenue of US$236.0 million in 2013.
Read more HERE.

30/03/2015: Vietfood & Beverage 2015 and ProPack Vietnam 2015

The Vietnam National Trade Fair and Advertising Company (VINEXAD) invites you to participate in:

Vietfood & Beverage 2015 - the 19th international exhibition on food & beverages

ProPack Vietnam 2015 - the 19th international exhibition on food processing, packaging technology & equipment

Time: From 9th ~ 12th September, 2015
Venue: TBECC, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Exhibit Profile:

- Food Products
- Drink Products
- Seafood
- Raw materials
- Food Additives
- Machinery & Equipment/Technology
- Restaurant, Hotel & Catering Equipment, supplies & services…

If you are interested to participate in this event, please feel free to contact Nguyen Minh Chau, Project manager of VINEXAD at minhchau@vinexad.org.vn or minhchau@vinexad.com.vn for an application form and up-to-date floor plan for a choice of available booths.

Read more HERE.

The Aquaculturists

This blog is maintained by The Aquaculturists staff and is supported by the
magazine International Aquafeed which is published by Perendale Publishers Ltd

For additional daily news from aquaculture around the world: aquaculture-news

O&J HØJTRYK A/S company profile

O&J HØJTRYK A/S endeavours to be a powerful, vigorous and energetic company. With our customers needs and the immediate environment as our point of departure, we want to be a trendsetter in our core area of business - Mechanical Engineering - Re-working of Dies and Rollers for the manufacture of Feedstuffs and Biopellets, as well as the sale and delivery of wearing parts in connection with Roller Re-working - as well as to remain open to new initiatives and business opportunities.

Visit the website HERE.

30/03/2015: Angola's deepwater shrimp biomass estimated at 4570 tonnes

http://allafrica.com/stories/201503300165.html

The Angolan deepwater shrimp biomass is currently estimated at 4570 tons, said Friday in Luanda the head of the Department of Studies and Planning of the Fisheries Ministry, Isabel Cristóvão, All Africa reports.

The official was presenting the sector's Annual Report for 2014, during the Ministry's Consultative Council.

According to the official, the species of deepwater, short-living and fast-growing shrimp and their amounts depend much on recruitment and variability of the oceanographic parameters.

She said that in 2014 the biomass of the shrimp Parapenaeus longirostris was estimated at 2183 tons, which is two percent higher than that of the previous year.

While admitting there has been a rise in the biomass of the above species, the levels are still far from the 2016 records (2607 tonnes).

30/03/2015: Ugandan Government worried about reducing fish stocks

The Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries has embarked on a rigorous mass awareness campaign, especially in fishing communities, on the need to conserve water bodies and avert the depletion of fish stocks in the various lakes, New Vision reports.

The Minister of State for Fisheries, Prof Zerubabel Mijumbi Nyiira said his ministry had put in place measures to revamp and sustain fish stocks in Uganda's water bodies through mass public awareness and education.

http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/666453-ministry-worried-about-reducing-fish-stocks.html

The move came at a time when the government was concerned with the increasing depletion of fish stocks thereby reducing drastically Uganda's export earnings from fish.

The minister said in the last five years, fish used to be Uganda's second highest foreign exchange earner after coffee but currently the sector is faced with reduction in fish stocks of commercial species due to over-exploitation, which includes fishing using banned gear.

"The ministry has put in place plans to address the challenges by instituting monitoring, controls and surveillance on the exploitation of the stocks and increasing the enforcement of laws and regulations," he said.

The minister was officiating at the 35th graduation ceremony of the Fisheries Training Institute in Entebbe where 133 students of two academic years graduated with diplomas and certificates in Fisheries Management and Technologies, Boat Building Technology and Marine Mechanics.

"People must be educated that illegal fishing depletes the fish stocks and affects the country's foreign income-earning. They should be ready to adopt new conservation measures like cage fishing," he said.

Read more HERE.

30/03/2015: Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre to fund industry-changing research on sea lice control

The Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre has announced grants worth almost UK£950,000 to two research projects initiated by the salmon industry. Combined industry and academic contributions to the projects will total over UK£3.4 million.

The projects aim to boost the numbers, quality and welfare of farmed cleaner fish used in commercial salmon farms to control sea lice. Direct economic impacts are expected to include increased productivity at salmon production sites, and reduced reliance on medicines to control lice.

http://scottishaquaculture.com/scottish-aquaculture-news-events

Other benefits of the project could include the creation of new rural jobs, and address concerns about potential environmental impacts of salmon production.

The first project will focus on boosting the numbers and quality of farmed wrasse, used as cleaner fish to control sea lice. The project proposal was submitted by a consortium of Marine Harvest Scotland, Scottish Sea Farms and Biomar. The academic partner is the Institute of Aquaculture at the University of Stirling. The project is worth UK£4.05m over 3 years, with 21 percent of the cost coming from SAIC, 74 percent provided by the industrial partners and the balance from the University of Stirling.

Given the potential importance of the project results to the Scottish salmon industry, the consortium has agreed to operate under the principle of open knowledge exchange.

Independent evaluation of the project by the SAIC Independent Scientific Panel members commented that the proposal was “an outstanding example of innovative science with academics working closely with industrial partners” and that “there is no doubt that this project is strategically important for the salmon industry and the Scottish economy in general.”

The second project to be funded by SAIC will assess an innovative method of cleaner fish vaccination, which will improve efficacy and fish welfare. Survival of cleaner fish on commercial salmon farms is critically important from both commercial and welfare viewpoints.

The proposal was submitted by Aqualife, a Scottish-owned SME which is a global leader in fish health and vaccination, with Scottish Sea Farms as the other commercial partner. The academic partner is the Institute of Aquaculture at the University of Stirling. SAIC has awarded the project a grant of UK£116,801, equivalent to 37 percent of the project cost. Other contributions in cash and kind, worth UK£237,000, are provided by the University of Stirling and industry participants.

Both projects will be formally launched later this year, and further details of both projects will be made available at their official launch, at dates to be announced.

Commenting on the funding announcement, John Swinney, Deputy First Minister of Scotland, said, “The Innovation Centres are Scotland’s distinctive approach to nurturing real-world collaboration between industry and academia that have the potential to create long-term economic growth. This announcement by the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre encapsulates that approach. Through its support for these two important projects for the Scottish aquaculture sector, it has generated substantial investment and ambition from industry and researchers.”

Jack Perry, Chair of the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre, commented, “The SAIC funding for these projects has galvanised other investment worth well over UK£3.4 million. They are outstanding examples of how the industry-researcher collaboration promoted by SAIC can bring benefits not just for the commercial sector, but also for rural communities, the environment, and the Scottish economy.”

Alan Sutherland, Managing Director of Marine Harvest (Scotland) Ltd, said: “There is sound evidence that wrasse are extremely effective at controlling sea lice and this collaboration will greatly benefit the whole Scottish industry. Using wrasse is set to revolutionise the aquaculture industry and will become standard practice for all salmon farmers in the future, generating significant commercial and economic benefits for the whole industry.”

Jim Gallagher, Managing Director of Scottish Sea Farms, added: “The increased use of cleaner fish for lice control can greatly contribute to the sustainability ambitions of the salmon industry. Both these projects illustrate the capacity of applied research to support the salmon industry, and we greatly welcome the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre’s contribution to their progress.”

Ronnie Soutar, MD of Aqualife, said “As an SME, this opportunity to collaborate with academia in a project with direct welfare benefits for farmed fish is particularly exciting. The SAIC has allowed us to participate in world-leading practical research in a way which ties in very well with our strategy of quality-based development”.

Professor Edmund Burke, Senior Deputy Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Stirling, said: “I am delighted that the University of Stirling’s internationally-renowned research capabilities in aquaculture are contributing to two projects that will potentially create significant economic and societal benefits for Scotland. Universities have an important role to play in driving forward progress in key sectors of the Scottish economy, and these two project announcements exemplify that.”

Visit the website HERE.

Friday, March 27, 2015

27/03/2015: Industrial Auctions - latest auctions online

http://www.industrial-auctions.com/online-auction-machinery-for/113/en

Ending 31st of March: Online auction machinery for the food, beverage, canning and packaging industry in Horst (NL) on behalf of Lenssen Trading Company BV

Viewing day
Friday 27th of March
From 9:00 till 16:00 hrs

Address:

Fabrieksstraat 8D, 5961 PK, Horst, The Netherlands

http://industrial-auctions.com/online-auction-full-automatic/114/en

Ending 31st of March: Online auction full automatic Brüel handling-system for crates on former location Vion Retail in Schijndel (NL)31st of March: Online auction full automatic Brüel handling-system for crates on former location Vion Retail in Schijndel (NL)

Viewing day

By appointment

Address:
Van Leeuwenhoekweg 38
5482 TK Schijndel (NL)

http://www.industrial-auctions.com/online-auction-fish-and-meat/115/en

Ending 1st of April: Online auction fish and meat processing machinery in Urk (NL)

Viewing day

31st of March
From 10:00 till 15:00 hrs

Address:
Hoornse Hop 6
8321 WX Urk (NL)

http://www.industrial-auctions.com/online-auction-food-processing/116/en

Ending 21st of April: Online auction food processing machinery, catering and bakery equipment in Oirschot (NL)

Viewing day

20th of April
From 9:00 till 17:00 hrs

Address:
De Stad 10
5688 NX Oirschot (NL)

http://www.industrial-auctions.com/online-auction-machinery-for/117/en

Ending 22nd of April: Online auction machinery for the complete food industry on behalf of PHU Jakubowski in Raciaz (PL)

Viewing day
16th of April
From 9:00 till 16:00 hrs

Address:
Ul. Plocka 76
09-140 Raciaz (PL)

http://www.industrial-auctions.com/online-auction-machinery-and/118/en

Ending 29th of April: Online auction machinery and inventory Vion Convenience GmbH in Wunstorf (DE)

Viewing day
23rd of April
From 9:00 till 16:00 hrs

Address:
Bahnhofstrasse 63
31515 Wunstorf (DE)

Visit the website HERE.

Reed Mariculture Inc company profile

Reed Mariculture is the world's largest producer of marine microalgae concentrates for larval fish, bivalves, crustaceans and other filter feeders. Their Instant Algae® larviculture feeds are used by over 500 hatcheries, universities, and marine ornamental operations in more than 80 countries around the world. They also produce and distribute pathogen and ciliate free rotifers, Parvocalanus copepods, and Otohime and TDO weaning feeds.

Reed Mariculture's Instant Algae products are closer to nature than any other feed on the market. They produce whole-cell, whole-food microalgae feeds and enrichments from marine algae using proprietary processes. Their products provide fish, bivalve and shrimp hatcheries with clean, convenient, long shelf-life feeds that are superior choices to replace or supplement live microalgae. Their feeds ensure stable and rapidly-reproducing rotifer populations with superior rich nutritional value.

Visit the website HERE.

27/03/2015: Problems at sea hit 2014 salmon season in Scottish Borders

Despite the poor autumn run of salmon, Tweed Commision chairman Douglas Dobie has urged fishermen to “have a little faith”, according to The Southern Reporter.

The River Tweed contributes £18 million to the Borders economy, including 480 full-time job equivalents associated with the river, so any dip in lucrative salmon catches, such as there was last year, is cause for concern.

Salmon catches in 2014 were more than 50 per cent less than the previous year (9971, against 20,316 in 2013), 77 per cent of which were caught by rod and line (75 per cent in 2013). And from September salmon catches were unusually low in all parts of the river.

http://www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk/news/business/problems-at-sea-hit-2014-salmon-season-1-3729358

Speaking at the commissioners’ Annual General Meeting, Mr Dobie said: “It is easy to be gloomy given the low rod catch of salmon in 2014, particularly in the back end, and there are serious issues chiefly associated with marine survival, which are of great concern to fishery managers throughout the range of Atlantic Salmon. But there is also much to be positive about.

“Our fisheries’ resource properly protected, monitored and understood secures the future and will always provide the platform to bounce back from a period of relative famine.

“The dry summer allowed the Tweed Foundation to undertake a full monitoring programme throughout the catchment and reports from that data collection indicated that salmon fry numbers had held up well and showed no sign of long-term decline.

“Likewise, our two working fish counters on Tweed, even in 2014, showed no long-term downward trend in returning adult salmon.

“Concentrating entirely on salmon, however, hides the full picture.

“The relative health of our streams is amply demonstrated by significant catches of truly wild brown trout in many parts of the catchment.

“We also continue to undervalue the contribution that the sea trout catch makes, which is buoyant and significantly adds to the quality of the angling experience enjoyed over a large part of the Tweed, particularly in the summer months.

“So we should take heart and have a little faith.

“There are problems at sea, but they have not suddenly appeared and these sorts of events will have happened many times in the past.

Read more HERE.

27/03/2015: Australian study vindicates the benefits of no-fishing zones on the Great Barrier Reef

Fishing is a major threat to the future health of the Great Barrier Reef, with many species of fish and other wildlife suffering substantial depletion.

One solution is closing parts of the marine park to fishing: so-called “no take zones”. But there’s debate around whether these really work.

However research published today in Current Biology suggests these areas, implemented just over a decade ago, really do help to conserve fish species, The Conversation reports.

http://theconversation.com/study-vindicates-the-benefits-of-no-fishing-zones-on-the-great-barrier-reef-39366

Perhaps one of the most dearly-held entitlements in countries that border the ocean is for everyone to have free access to fishing. We become aware of this pursuit at a very young age, and fishing represents a cultural as well as economic endeavour in most of these countries, including Australia, where an extensive recreational, indigenous and commercial fishery exists.

Along the Great Barrier Reef fisheries have existed from time immemorial, from aboriginal subsistence all the way to European colonisation and beyond.

Today, both recreational and commercial fisheries are widespread on the Great Barrier Reef. But the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) has identified fishing as a primary threat to the reef’s future health.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was established in 1975 with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act and a mandate to protect and conserve the heritage values of the Great Barrier Reef, through the Marine Park Authority.

Healthy stocks in many reef fisheries have suffered overfishing, with bech-de-mere (sea cucumber), pearl oyster, dugong and turtle fisheries having collapsed in the 20th century. Nonetheless, for more than 25 years, fishing pressure was not a central feature of the authority’s management, so these fisheries remain depleted today, along with Spanish mackerel, sharks, and snapper (Pagrus auratus).

Despite the Trawl Management Plan of 2000, the Marine Park Authority has warned that many species remain at risk from trawling, including sea snakes, skates and rays, and lobster.

Read more HERE.

27/03/2015: Thai junta leader to fight forced labor in fish industry

Thailand's junta leader has vowed to take legal action against companies using forced labor, after an Associated Press investigation revealed that fish caught by enslaved migrant workers was being exported from Thai ports to global markets, Chron reports.

http://www.chron.com/news/world/article/US-Thailand-must-end-slavery-in-its-fishing-6159872.php

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the English-language Bangkok Post newspaper, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha acknowledged he had seen this week's AP article and said his government was stepping up efforts to combat the scourge and prosecute those responsible.

"If they still continue to exploit their fellow human beings, they should not be given any licenses to operate business in Thailand, and they must receive the punishment they deserve," Prayuth said.

The AP reported on Wednesday that men were held in cages along with hundreds of people who are trapped on the remote Indonesian island village of Benjina, and tracked seafood they caught to Thai exporters who then sell to global markets, including America.

The more than 40 men the AP interviewed on Benjina said captains on their fishing boats forced them to drink unclean water and work 20- to 22-hour shifts with no days off. Almost all said they were kicked, whipped with toxic stingray tails or otherwise beaten if they complained or tried to rest. They were paid little or nothing.

The investigation prompted the US government and major business leaders to renew their calls on the Thai government to crack down on slavery in its fishing fleets, and to punish people who force migrant workers to catch seafood that can end up in the United States.

Thailand's biggest seafood company, Thai Union Frozen Products, announced that it immediately cut ties with a supplier after determining it might be involved with forced labor and other abuses. Thai Union did not name the supplier.

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