The Aquaculturists: May 2015

Friday, May 29, 2015

BIOMIN company profile

http://www.biomin.net/en/products/digestarom/

BIOMIN are dedicated to finding innovative, trend-setting solutions that empower their customers to master existing and future challenges in animal nutrition– the natural way. The application of their scientific know-how and expertise, based on an in-depth understanding of their customer’s needs and concerns, enables them to deliver solutions that support animal health, optimize performance and production efficiency.

Research and development is one of the cornerstones of BIOMIN. Their strong in-house research and development, and global cooperation with leading institutions and organisations form the basis by which innovative solutions are developed for their customers. Through joint projects with renowned universities and research institutes, BIOMIN is constantly in touch with the latest scientific know-how, from which novel feed additives are developed and produced. Their global network of collaborating institutions has grown to over 100.

One of the cornerstones of BIOMIN’s success is the ongoing improvement of their inhouse quality standards. In 1997, BIOMIN introduced the international ISO 9001 standard. The HACCP system, introduced subsequently at BIOMIN’s production sites, provides the quality assurance our customers seek from them. In addition, the feed quality standards QS and GMP+ guarantee the utmost degree of control and quality for their products – from raw material inputs right through to the final product.

Concerns over climate change and the role of greenhouse gases continue to rise. In September 2011, BIOMIN was internationally recognised through the award of ISO 14040 ‘Life Cycle Assessment’ certification. By optimizing feed use and improving animal performance, it is possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from livestock operations.

Through innovative production technologies and advanced, scientific know-how, BIOMIN has pioneered several trend-setting solutions for a range of animal nutrition products, all of which utilise fully natural processes and ingredients. An in-depth understanding of what the customer’s needs and concerns are has enabled BIOMIN to create and deliver solutions in-line with performance and efficiency goals.

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

Olmix company profile

Founded in 1995 by Hervé Balusson, Olmix Group was born in the heart of Brittany, in Bréhan (Morbihan) from the will to find natural alternatives to additives used in agriculture. Today, it has become one of the world’s leading specialists in green tech.

For 15 years, Olmix has been involved in the valorization of algae, and its philosophy is based on the belief that algae are the new “Blue Gold”.

Olmix group offers natural solutions “for a better life” made with trace elements, clay and red, green and brown algae and proposes a new vision of additives based on revolutionary technology with strong prospects for economic development and which respects the environment.

The group's products are mainly intended for the Nutrition and Health, Animal and Vegetal markets but also for industry (cosmetics, materials, cement...).

Visit the website HERE.

29/05/2015: South Africa hake celebrates third successful certification

South Africa’s hake trawl fishery is celebrating 11 years of MSC certification, following the announcement of a third successful assessment. In 2004 the fishery became the first hake fishery in the world, and the second groundfish fishery, to be certified against the MSC Fisheries Standard. A number of ecological and economic gains have been achieved since then.

A valuable economic resource

Trawled hake is South Africa’s most important commercial fishery. Economists estimate that MSC certification accounts for up to 35 percent of the fishery’s current economic value.

“The certification is an important achievement for the deep-sea fishery and very good news for South Africa,” said Dr Johann Augustyn, secretary of the South African Deep Sea Trawling Industry Association (SADSTIA). He added, “Recent economic studies have shown that securing the health of the deep-sea fishery has prevented the loss of up to 12,000 jobs within the fishing industry and growing demand (particularly in northern Europe) for certified sustainable seafood products has resulted in the expansion of export markets worth almost 200 million dollars”.

Good management through collaboration

MSC certification requires good environmental performance as well as robust management systems and, as such, relies heavily on co-operation between the public and private sectors. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) has reaffirmed government’s support to the MSC certification of the fishery; “DAFF recognises the valuable economic contributions of the South African hake fishery to the country and is committed to ongoing collaboration with the industry to ensure continued responsible management of this important resource” says Sue Middleton, Chief Director: Fisheries Operations Support at DAFF.

Improving environmental performance

Since certification 11 years ago, the fishery has seen a number of environmental benefits, including the rebuilding of stocks, reductions in seabird interactions and improvements in the management of by-catches. The certification has also seen greater cooperation between the public and private sector. One such partnerships has resulted in pioneering research being conducted in the Atlantic Ocean, in an area 100 nautical miles offshore, where trawlers have stopped fishing in specified zones for a period of four years. The study will monitor ecosystem recovery. This research known as the Benthic Trawl Experiment is a joint initiative between the fishing industry, DAFF, the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), the University of Cape Town (UCT) and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).

MSC’s Southern Africa Programme Manager, Martin Purves says, “Initiatives such as the Benthic Trawl Experiment, and others, are not going unnoticed. Certified hake is receiving increased attention in global markets and today over 600 individual hake products are sold in 42 countries around the world. Consumers in the US, UK, France, Germany, Australia and others are already familiar with this seafood delicacy from the cold, unpolluted and nutrient-rich waters off the coast of South Africa."

29/05/2015: New steel cubes greet visitors to Aller Aqua Research and the mariCUBE

Advertising spaces around the mariCUBE Science & Technology Centre have been upgraded by 1m3 steel cubes with logos of the residing companies.

The steel cubes are placed both outside in front of the buildings, greeting guests and passers-by, as well as by the reception desks inside the building. The upgrade has taken place to efficiently raise the public perception and interest in the blue technology expertise contained in the research center.

This is something which has been on Aller Aqua Research’s wish list for some time, and Research Manager Dr Florian Nagel is pleased with the result: “I approached the management of the mariCUBE regarding an upgrade of the advertising facilities. We have many visitors who come to see us regarding the research we do here, and I want them to feel welcome and immediately see that they are in the right place. Furthermore I believe that the cubes display the professionalism of the companies residing in the research and technology centre.”

World Aquaculture 2015 - Jeju

Tuti Tan and Roger Gilbert from the International Aquafeed / Aquaculturists team will be on site at World Aquaculture 2015, bringing our readers the highlights.

If you are at the show, head on over to Stand 9 in the exhibition hall to grab a complimentary copy of International Aquafeed magazine.

WA2015 - what is happening right now!

Tweets by @IAFmagazine

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Ferraz Machinery and Engineering Ltda company profile

Based in the city of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo state, Brazil, on the Via Ananhguera, one of the main highways of the country, Ferraz now occupies premises of approximately 13,000 m2, built on a land area of 32,000 m2. All the products that the company sells are manufactured entirely on the premises of Ferraz by the most qualified professionals in the areas of machining, boilers, bodyshop, welding, lasers, shipping, services and spares.

Ferraz projects are in accordance with the standards of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) required by the Ministry of Agriculture, and bear the ANFAL quality seal PIQ-PET (National Association of Balanced Food Manufacturers).

We design and install complete lines for animal feed production processes - for branny, pelleting and extruded feeds. From start to finish of every factory installation project, we present and follow all the steps of its construction. We also provide aftercare, always bringing innovations and improvements to equipment as well as effective and constant technical assistance.

Visit the website HERE.

28/05/2015: VAKI creates and fills new position

Over the past few years VAKI has grown rapidly and salmon farming has expanded all over the world, with Norway in the lead, and those who are in a position to know best foresee further major growth in the years ahead.

VAKI has set forth an ambitious future vision allowing for extensive growth potential and has now made some changes in the company’s structure to bring it into line with this vision.

Together with changes in senior management, more focus on Product-Development projects and Services to customers a new position in VAKI has now been created.

Sigurdur Helgi Stefánsson is filling the new position of Service Manager and will be working closely with the company’s sales representatives and production department around the world.

Sigurdur’s previous position was at Marorka, which is a leading provider of energy management solutions for the shipping industry. His years of experience of hi-tech products and services have prepared him well for his new position.

He will ensure excellent customer service by providing help and advice to customers using VAKI’s products and services. He is also responsible for handling complaints, repairs and other issues.

The last few weeks Sigurdur has been getting to know the people at VAKI and learning about the company’s products and is now well prepared to answer your enquiries.

So if you need any assistance feel free to contact Sigurdur. You will find him very knowledgeable and responsive.

sigurdur@vaki.is

Tel: +354 595 3025

Visit the VAKI site HERE.

28/05/2015: Australia's Western Rock Lobster Council finalist for UN World Environment Day Awards

15 years of maintaining MSC’s standard for sustainable fishing has earned the Western Rock Lobster Council (WRLC) a place among the finalists for the prestigious United Nations Association of Australia (UNAA) World Environment Day Awards, 2015.

In 2000 the Western Australian Rock Lobster fishery took a pioneering step and became the world's first fishery to achieve certification for sustainability to the MSC Fisheries Standard. 15 years on, the fishery remains certified, leading the way for over 370 other fisheries to join the program equating to 11 percent of global wild capture landings.

A credit to the industry

“To now be a finalist for this UNAA award is a real credit to everyone in the industry who has made all this possible over more than 15 years,” said John McMath, Chief Executive Officer of the Western Rock Lobster Council.

Image: Jyoshiki

“It has been a sustained and very determined effort by the industry. It demonstrates that the hard work involved in getting to this point has been very worthwhile, and is attracting international recognition.”

The annual awards are run in support of the United Nations World Environment Day, on June 5, recognising innovation and the outstanding environmental initiatives of project leaders. WRLC has been nominated for the Best Specific Environmental Initiative under the Business Awards category.

The fishery was recently recognised at the global Seafood Expo in Brussels, celebrating its 15 years of MSC certification.

Collaboration and continuous improvement

“We are proud to support the Western Rock Lobster Council in their advancement towards being recognised by this esteemed award." Says Patrick Caleo, MSC Country Manager in Australia.

“WRLC, in partnership with the Department of Fisheries and the fishermen are leaders in collaborative fishery management, and have displayed commitment towards continuously improving how they look after the marine environment.”

Winners of the 2015 World Environment Day Awards 2015 will be announced at the Presentation Dinner to be held at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Melbourne, on Friday June 5. The event will be hosted by Rob Gell, Environmental Entrepreneur and Chairman of UNESCO Western Port Biosphere.

“These national awards play an important role in raising awareness about key environmental challenges and issues facing Australia, they can act as a catalyst for inspiring individuals, organisations and businesses to take positive steps towards sustainability and environmental excellence in their homes, schools, communities and workplaces," said Mr Caleo.

Visit the MSC site HERE.

28/05/2015: Aller Aqua are proud sponsors of the AGRENA 2015 Exhibition

Image: Tim Pearce

As Africa’s largest producer of environmentally friendly extruded fish feed, Aller Aqua is proud to sponsor the 17th International Exhibition for Management & Production of Poultry, Livestock & Fish.

The AGRENA exhibition has stood the test of time to prove itself as the Middle Eastern region’s largest & most prestigious Poultry, Livestock & Fish Show. The show emphasizes on opportunities to broaden your horizons and experience the latest technology, products and services. Aller Aqua will be participating with skilled staff, ready to answer all your questions about our products and aquaculture in general.

AGRENA is held 3 days once a year, at Cairo International Conference Center (CICC). The total exhibition area comprises 26000 m2 indoor and 2400 m2 in the open air.

Venue: International Conference Centre, Cairo, Egypt

Stand: Meet us in Hall 3 and 4A

Date: 28th – 30th May 2015

Opening hours: 10am-8pm

Visit the Aller Aqua site HERE.

Wenger company profile

From small-town entrepreneur to worldwide leader. With a little ingenuity and a lot of hard work, brothers Joe and Louis Wenger founded Wenger Mixing Company in a small Kansas (USA) town in 1935. They went on to design a machine that blended molasses with dry feedstuffs and produced pellets in 1948.

Theirs was the first extrusion cooking system and the basic technology for all commercial extruders used today. The Wenger brothers' novel idea created a worldwide industry. And, seventy-five years later, Wenger Manufacturing, Inc. is still a family-owned business committed to groundbreaking innovation in the extrusion market.

Visit the website HERE.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

27/05/2015: Wenger Tech Centre celebrates landmarks

Lab services accreditation coincides with 50th anniversary

This year marks the 50th anniversary for the Wenger Technical Centre, and a recent accreditation from the International Accreditation Service (IAS) for Testing Laboratories brings even more to the celebration.

According to accreditation documents, the Wenger Tech Centre has met the requirements for a number of American Association of Cereal Chemists (AACC) and American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) standards, including accredited tests for moisture measurement, starch gelatinisation analysis, phase transition analysis, and rapid viscosity analysis.

“This is just further verification of our ability to test and analyse anything from breakfast cereal and pet food to aquatic feed and textured vegetable protein products,” says Rhonni Mitchell, Tech Centre Laboratory Technician.

“We have a wide range of testing equipment to aid us in analysing raw materials and finished products, as well as nearly two dozen test procedures we can run within the lab.”

Founded in 1965 as a research plant in which Wenger could demonstrate its equipment and develop new processes, the Wenger Technical Centre has grown into a world-class facility for research and development. In 1985, the Wenger Technical Centre was acclaimed as the most complete and largest extrusion research lab in the food and grain processing industries.

Equipped with the latest in research and production scale extrusion and drying equipment, the centre can assist with a wide range of services, including demonstrations, product planning and development, process evaluation and testing and lab analysis.

“Through the Technical Centre, we’ve been able to share what we’ve learned as a company over the last 80 years and to help our customers develop new products and processes,” says Lafe Bailey, Co-CEO and President of Sales and Business Development at Wenger.

“However, it’s not just about hardware and test facilities. We’re able to help customers weave their way through the process much faster than they could do it alone. Plus, our technicians assist with the interpretation of results, help track product quality and even help set up the process, transferring technology to the customer’s facility.

“So I, for one, can say we’re proud of the recent IAS accreditation, and even more proud of the Tech Centre’s 50-year history and the chance to celebrate another anniversary.”

Read more HERE.

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

FAMSUN company profile

Muyang Co, Ltd recently announced changing its brand name from Muyang to FAMSUN starting May 2014. This move is prompted by the idea of better illustrating the company’s business and the farm-to-table industry chain it serves. It is consistent with Muyang’s global strategy and its aim of becoming an integrated solution provider in the agro-industry.

FAMSUN originates from “famous, farm, family, sun and union”; it implies Muyang Co, Ltd’s development concept and vision, which is to build a green and healthy supply chain from farm to table together with its customers and to convert traditional agriculture into a modern, profitable and sustainable business with its integrated solutions in feed manufacturing, grain milling, grain handling and storage, food processing, as well as industrial automation.

The creative design of the FAMSUN logo features a beveled letter “F”, a curvy letter “A”, a stretching letter “S” and a friendly letter “U”. It will be the only signage representing Muyang’s business, products, service and solutions. Meanwhile, the company will continue to operate in its current structure, provide follow-up service based on relevant agreement, and its business contacts will remain unchanged.

Visit the website HERE.

26/05/2015: TSGA chief makes urgent appeal for public submissions to Australian senate inquiry

Image: NWCouncil

On Thursday 21 June, Dr Adam Main, Chief Executive Officer of the Tasmanian Salmonid Growers Association Ltd (TSGA) made an appeal for public submissions from supporters of the industry to the upcoming senate inquiry .

On the 24th March 2015, the Senate referred the “Regulation of the fin-fish aquaculture industry in Tasmania” for inquiry and plans to produce a report by 10th August 2015.
Public submissions are invited with a closing date of 1st June 2015.

Dr Main can be contacted at:

PO Box 321

Sandy Bay, 7006
Tasmania, Australia
Tel: +61 (3) 6214 0550
Fax: +61 (3) 6224 6255
Mob: 0459 065 595
adam.main@tsga.com.au

Visit the TSGA website HERE.

ANDRITZ Feed Technologies company profile

ANDRITZ Feed Technologies designs and builds key process machines, but also offers complete plant solutions for the global animal feed industries. Their business is based on a competitive approach to matching the requirements of successful livestock feed, aquatic feed and pet food companies.

When designing new technologies or customer specific plant solutions, ANDRITZ Feed Technologies has to take account of the demand for reliable processing, cost efficiency, uniform quality, and high-performance animal feed, considering the shifting availability of feed ingredients, the increasing number of environmental standards and hygiene regulations, and the requirement for traceability in the interests of food safety.

ANDRITZ Feed Technologies is a corporate group with worldwide development, production within process technology and after-sales service to the feed and biofuel industries. With branches in 13 countries employing approx. 800 people and a world-wide network of agents and distributors, they are the leading supplier of competitive system and process solutions for the feed and biofuel industry. They design and develop all feed and biofuel key productions processes and design total solutions fitting the customer's needs, thus ensuring the highest standards for the customer.

Visit the website HERE.

26/05/2015: Latest Industrial Auctions

2nd of June: Online auction food processing machinery in Veliko Tarnovo (Bulgaria)

http://industrial-auctions.com/online-auction-food-processing/120/en

Viewing day
28th of May
From 9:00 till 16:00 hrs
Address:
Nikola Gabrovski Str. 81B
5000 Veliko Tarnovo (BG)

3rd of June: Online auction machinery and inventory former petfood & meat processing company Beusmeat in Tijnje (Netherlands)

http://industrial-auctions.com/online-auction-machinery-and/121/en

Viewing day
2nd of June
From 9:00 till 16:00 hrs
Address:
Warreweg 28
8406 AC Tijnje (NL)

16th of June: Online auction bakery, meat and fish processing machinery in Oirschot (Netherlands)

http://industrial-auctions.com/online-auction-bakery-meat-and/122/en

Viewing day
15th of June
From 9:00 till 16:00 hrs
Address:
De Stad 10
5688 NX Oirschot (NL)

18th of June: Online auction machinery & accessories for the food & non-food industry in Weert (NL) due to relocating VH Verpakkingsmachines B.V.

http://industrial-auctions.com/online-auction-machinery-and/123/en

Viewing day
16th of June
From 9:00 till 16:00 hrs
Address:
St. Luciastraat 50-52
6002 BP Weert (NL)

Visit the Industrial Auctions homepage HERE.

26/05/2015: Australia driving sustainable fishing in global forum

A joint proposal by Australia, Maldives and the European Union to guide sustainable catch limits on key tuna stocks has been adopted by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) at its annual meeting in April.

Australia's Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Senator Richard Colbeck, said the adoption of the proposal was a significant result for sustainability in the world’s second largest tuna fishery.

“This binding measure will help ensure these shared tuna stocks are fished sustainably, which benefits our domestic industry and helps ensure the profitability of fishing enterprises across the Indian Ocean,” Senator Colbeck said.

Image: wbaiv

“The Australian Government worked closely with the Maldives and the European Union to develop and present the proposal to the Commission.

“It sets revised targets and reference points based on principles used in Australia’s world-class Commonwealth fisheries, as well as a work plan that focuses on avoiding and addressing stock depletion.

“Tuna species are highly migratory and move across international boundaries, making the sustainable management of this fishery a regional responsibility.

“The adoption of our proposal is a great result in a complex, multi-national regulatory setting.”

Senator Colbeck said Australia is recognised among the world’s best fisheries managers.

“Our expertise on harvest strategies and measuring biomass was critical in developing this proposal to better manage fish stocks sustainably into the future,” Senator Colbeck said.

“This follows on from a similar Australian-sponsored agreement at the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission last year to implement a harvest strategy approach for key commercial stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean.

“We also provide funding for capacity building workshops for developing coastal nations in the Indian Ocean region, to strengthen knowledge and conservation practices in our region.

“There are still major challenges for sustainable fishing in both the Indian and Pacific oceans, but implementing core fisheries management measures, such as harvest strategies, are important first steps in our regional approach to address them.

“It is a testament to Australia’s world-leading fisheries management that we are able to provide this expertise to continue to drive sustainability at a global level, and it shows a commitment to sustainability outside our borders.”

Visit the IOTC site HERE.

Friday, May 22, 2015

Tyson company profile

Tyson Animal Nutrition Group is a leading producer of 100 percent chicken-based protein meals, chicken fats and wet pet ingredients. Our experience, knowledge, commitment to quality and strong customer relationships have made us one of the most respected names in animal nutrition.

Tyson's vertically-integrated structure gives us control over all stages of the life cycle of our chickens, from hatching-egg production to distributing the finished product. And because all of our raw materials come from USDA-inspected processing plants, our ingredients are consistent, traceable and to your specifications.

Our sales and support Team Members welcome the opportunity to partner with you and meet your needs for high-quality ingredients. Learn more about our products or speak to one of our sales managers today.

Visit the website HERE.

22/05/2015: Ecuaproteins S.A. now EU approved and registered

http://www.aquativ-diana.com/r11-news.html

Recently, Aquativ were pleased to announce the EC approval of their AQUASEA plant in Costa Rica.

Today, they are again delighted to announce that their ECUAPROTEINS S.A. production facility in Guayaquil, ECUADOR, has also received EU approval in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009, which lays down health rules for animal by-products and derived products not intended for human consumption.

The factory is now on the Lists of ABP establishments or plants in Third Countries.

“The shrimp industry plays a significant role in the Ecuadorian economy. In that context, Ecuaproteins has been processing shrimp meal with a unique Flash drying system and recently started processing a spray dried Shrimp Hydrolysate in powder (ACTIPAL HP1). EU Customers have been requesting shrimp based ingredients for a while. Thanks to the efficiency of the Ecuadorian Official Authorities which allowed us to get this critical certification, we are today very happy to be able to supply this market.” says Jose Alfredo AVILA, General Manager for Ecuaproteins in Ecuador.

Ecuaprotein S.A. processes farmed Shrimp heads collected from shrimp packing plants located close to its premises, as well as fresh Tuna as raw material for its Tuna liquid Hydrolysate.

Privileged bonds and partnerships with their suppliers as well as high standard requirements guarantee safety, traceability and freshness of raw material used to produce their product range.

Their state of the art technologies of controlled hydrolysis process, centrifugation, concentration and spray drying valorize these co-products into highly performing and standardized protein functional hydrolysates.

Visit the Aquativ site HERE.

22/05/2015: Yara wins sustainability award in Spain

Yara has been awarded the El Suplemento Sustainability Award 2015 for its commitment to promote sustainable agriculture and its solutions to reduce air pollution. The prize was presented by Spain’s influential editorial group Suplementos y Monográficos S.L.

“This award is a great honor for Yara’s team and it is a recognition of our efforts to offer solutions for optimizing agricultural productivity in a sustainable way, as well as offering solutions that help reduce air pollution,” said Mónica Andrés, Head of Yara Iberian, who accepted the prize on behalf of the Yara’s team at the award ceremony that took place at the prestigious Palace Hotel in Madrid on May 8.

Andrés thanked the organizers for recognizing Yara’s commitments. She added that the fact that the Sustainability Award was presented to a company within the fertilizer business was significant and important given the challenges and opportunities this sector faces. Andrés also thanked clients and above all farmers for the confidence they place in Yara and its products.

“Nowadays, our society faces the difficult challenge of feeding a growing world’s population and the solution lies with increasing agricultural productivity. But considering other global challenges such as limited resources, land and water, food insecurity and environmental pollution, our duty is also to manage this increase in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way.” Andrés said.

“Yara is committed to respond to all these challenges and we will continue to be part of the solution,” she added.

Yara’s crop knowledge is the result of more than a hundred years of experience. Our solutions are specifically designed to address the needs of different crops. Our large range of mineral fertilizers helps agricultural businesses and smallholders to increase their productivity. We share our expert knowledge with farmers and technicians in the field to ensure that they apply the right nutrients at the right time and in the right amount.

This year’s prize ceremony was the fourth edition of the El Suplemento Awards, which recognize entrepreneurship and the commitment of companies and organizations to promote values such as solidarity or sustainability. Besides Yara, NGO “Médicos Sin Fronteras” and supermarket chain Lidl were also awarded for their commitments.

Suplementos y Monográficos S.L. is a well-known editorial group, which produces supplements for some of the most important Spanish newspapers such as El Mundo, La Razón and Expansión.

Visit the Yara site HERE.

Phileo - Lesaffre company profile

Nothing is more precious than life, and that’s the philosophy that drives Phileo.

As global population continues to increase, the world faces a growing demand for food and greater sustainability challenges.

Working at the crossroads of nutrition and health, we are committed to delivering future evidence-based solutions that enhance animal health and performance.

In each and every country, our team’s progress is led by the most advanced scientific outcomes as well as the field input of experienced farmers.

Visit the website HERE.

22/05/2015: Providence St Peter Hospital, US, achieves MSC certification for sustainable, wild-caught seafood

Providence St Peter Hospital in Olympia, Washington State, US, has announced that it is the first hospital in the Providence Health Care System, and the second hospital in North America, to achieve Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Chain of Custody certification for sustainable, wild-caught seafood. MSC certification ensures that seafood products bearing the blue MSC ecolabel are fully traceable to a fishery that has been certified to the global MSC standard as sustainable and well-managed.

Image: llee_wu

In line with Providence Health & Services’ mission and core values of respect, compassion, justice, excellence and stewardship, patients and guests at Providence St Peter Hospital now have the option to contribute to the health of the world’s oceans by choosing menu items with the blue MSC ecolabel. More than 1500 meals are served daily at Providence St Peter Hospital, which include MSC certified pan seared Pacific cod and Thai peanut salad or Caesar salad with Oregon pink shrimp.

MSC Chain of Custody certification assures that in every step of the chain – from the fishers, to the processor, to the distributor and the end user – MSC certified seafood is not mixed with or substituted for non-certified seafood. To achieve certification, Providence St Peter Hospital worked with MSC Chain of Custody certified food service distributor, Food Services of America (FSA), to ensure complete traceability through the supply chain.

Sustainability is essential to core value of stewardship
“We’re proud to offer MSC certified sustainable seafood to patients and guests and provide the choice to support healthy oceans,” said Gerald Roundy, director of Hospitality, Providence Southwest Washington Region.

“Sustainability is essential to our core value of stewardship and we continuously strive to lead the way to a healthier future for our people, resources and the earth.”

Image: Phalinn Ooi

Providence St Peter Hospital has been recognized for additional sustainability initiatives including a high recycle rate, increased energy efficiency from recycling boiler heat, and excellent indoor environment standards, resulting in being named the Smartest Building in America by Siemens Industry, Inc for demonstrating sustainable and efficient facility operations. St Peter has also reduced water use from 61 million gallons a year down to 28 million gallons a year during the past 15 years.

Leadership contributes to health of the world’s oceans
“We congratulate the demonstrated leadership of Providence St. Peter Hospital as the second hospital in North America to earn MSC Chain of Custody certification,” said Geoff Bolan, MSC’s US Program Director.

“By looking for the blue MSC ecolabel and choosing MSC certified seafood, patients, guests and staff are able to reward sustainable fisheries and help to ensure the health of the world’s oceans for this and future generations.”

About the MSC Chain of Custody certification
Initiated by Gerald Roundy, who led the MSC certification of Virginia Mason Hospital with his team in 2014, the MSC Chain of Custody certification of Providence St. Peter Hospital was completed by an independent, third party assessment body, SCS Global Services.

For more information on the MSC Chain of Custody certification process, click HERE.
Visit the MSC website HERE.

Thursday, May 21, 2015

21/05/2015: Aquaculture America 2015

http://issuu.com/international_aquafeed/docs/iaf1502_w1/56

by Tom Blacker, International Aquafeed

First published in International Aquafeed, March-April 2015

Down by the busy Mississippi River, New Orleans once again hosted Aquaculture America which focused on ‘Aquaculture – Centre of the Plate.’ The event ran from February 19-22.

Hosted by the local chapter of the WAS – including the US Aquaculture Society, the National Aquaculture Association and the Aquaculture Suppliers Association – the event took over the top three floors of the Marriott Hotel on Canal Street.

Official media partners, International Aquafeed, exhibited and attended the entire exhibition and conference and also attended the Industry Tour Day that travelled out to the Mississippi after the final day. (We carry a report elsewhere in this magazine about the research and development happening in and around Mississippian aquaculture.)

Beginning at the Opening Ceremony and Plenary Session, Kathleen H Hartman, outgoing President of the US Aquaculture Society, welcomed all to New Orleans and this year’s Aquaculture America conference and exhibition.

Other speakers from the seafood restaurant and distributor parts of the value chain were great in promoting aquaculture from their perspective. The common thread of the conference this year was ‘Centre of the Plate’. This meant that each speaker described what is the priority on the plate, how it reaches it and how consuming aquatic products is better for our society, our planet and us as humankind.

Both the market and the public’s perception of aquaculture is changing and becoming more appreciative of our products. We were all told that we have to believe in aquaculture in order to change the tide and agenda of, in this case, the American consumer and the anti-aquaculture movement.

On this note, the meeting of Federal Regulators came to the conference’s second day. No meaningful outcomes were achieved to the disappointment of attendees. The US aquaculture industry was said by many throughout the conference to be languishing and in need of developing larger economies of scale.

Examples, such as the way that regulations for aquaculture differ greatly between states, the changing climate, the difficulty of raising capital and investment to start up, reinvest and grow and also how the cottage industry still sits alongside the developed industry were mentioned with room for improvement.

At one conference session on US tilapia and soybean feed, a great ‘Aquaculture Handbook – Fish Farming and Nutrition in Pakistan’ produced by the American Soybean Association (ASA), the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) and with funds from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), was distributed.

The handbook will help all tilapia farmers. Professor Kevin Fitzsimmons, extension specialist and research scientist in aquaculture, freshwater and marine algae and aquatic biology from the University of Arizona chaired the session with Dr R.S.N. Janjua, country representative for the USDA, ASA and WISHH in Pakistan. They were joined by an audience of many tilapia farmers from countries such as Uganda, Ghana and the US.

In fact there is a good recent eight-minute video documentary about Feeding Pakistan online HERE.

As well as joining the many exhibitors (of which the statistics are above), the large numbers of visitors to the conference made this year a very memorable one indeed.

Mario Stael and John Cooksey, joint lead organisers of this year’s events, said that the exhibition was in fact so popular for exhibitors that the academic poster boards - which included Dr John E Ewart’s stand for the aquaculture career/resumés of students seeking aquaculture careers and the stand for the next WAS conference and exhibition in Jeju Island, Republic of Korea - had to be moved out of the exhibition hall area due to the demand for exhibitor space from both US companies and those from outside the US wanting to take more space than initially expected!

For next year, Aquaculture America will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, from February 22-26, 2016. We will be looking forward to seeing you all there again.

Read the magazine HERE.