The Aquaculturists: January 2017

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

01/02/2017: Applications now open for SAIC Scholars 2017/18

SAIC Scholars Connect Plus is back for a third academic year, with up to 25 funded MSc places available to Scottish and EU students in 2017/18, as well as a host of career-oriented activities

Coordinated by the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC), and financed by the Scottish Funding Council, SAIC Scholars is one of a number of skills-related initiatives underway to encourage new people into the sector and enhance the career progression of those already working within the industry.

Students can choose from seven MSc programmes at four different Scottish universities:

• Heriot-Watt University – Marine Planning for Sustainable Development or Marine Resource Development and Protection

• University of Aberdeen – Applied Marine and Fisheries Ecology

• University of Dundee – Geotechnical Engineering in Aquaculture

• University of Stirling – Sustainable Aquaculture, Aquatic Pathobiology or Aquatic Veterinary Studies

Key to each programme is the stipulation that students undertake their MSc applied research project on an industry-identified challenge or opportunity.

www.scottishaquaculture.com

Says Heather Jones, CEO at SAIC: “Independent consultants Ekos have projected that SAIC’s work with the sector will help contribute an additional 1,197 jobs by 2025.[1] By giving students the opportunity to apply their science to a real industry issue, we are helping equip them with the skills needed, including heightened commercial awareness – something that employers have told us would be of real benefit.”

Related to this, the SAIC Scholars initiative also supports a number of added-value activities throughout the academic year.

This includes the highly successful Aquaculture Careers Day – organised by the Aquaculture Students’ Association at the University of Stirling, but now open to all students undertaking an aquaculture-related course at a Scottish university – as well as a series of SAIC-hosted industry perspective workshops.

Explains Cori Critchlow-Watton, Skills Ambassador at SAIC: “We invite leading figures from across the sector to give an insight into to their particular specialism, be that finfish or shellfish, production or supply chain. All students from each of the seven MSc programmes are welcome, so it’s also a way of forging connections between what, ultimately, will be the aquaculture community of the future.”

Adds Dan Mulqueen, a current SAIC Scholar on the University of Stirling’s Sustainable Aquaculture MSc programme: “SAIC’s industry perspective workshops are the perfect complement to the core MSc programme, enabling you to see how what you’re learning in the lecture theatre or lab can be applied to meet the aims and aspirations of the sector. It makes for a great mix.”

For full course details, or to check your eligibility or apply, contact the postgraduate admissions department for your preferred MSc programme.

[1] Source: SAIC Performance Monitoring and Targets Report by Ekos Ltd, August 2015

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

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.

31/02/2017: Investigation into EU seafood consumers' attitudes

The majority of Europeans say they eat fish because its healthy

Fish consumption is increasing, with 42 percent Europeans eating fish/aquaculture products at least once a week at home.

Image: Rock Cohen

This underlines the need to ensure sustainable supply of fish to the EU market.

A new Eurobarometer survey on EU consumer choices regarding fishery and aquaculture products reveals that people in the EU eat seafood quite regularly, although how far people live from the sea plays a role in how often they eat fish.

"This survey helps us see how Europeans choose their seafood. This helps inform our policies. We must make sure that Consumers continue to have a wide range of high quality seafood to choose from. That is why we are determined to reach targets on sustainable fishing by 2020", stated European Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella.

For seafood, there is a strong preference for regional, national and European origin (80 percent).

The majority of consumers indicated that they like to try new products and species, which shows the importance and potential of diversified sourcing.

Reducing import dependency by developing sustainable fishing and aquaculture in the EU is again emphasised.

68 percent of consumers indicated that they would eat more fish if the prices were lower. People mainly buy their seafood at the supermarket, and they look first at its appearance, then at its price and origin.

Europeans trust the content of labels, especially when the information provided is required by law. 66 percent think the information on products is clear and easy to understand, showing that EU labelling rules are working.

The survey findings are largely confirmed in a new study by EUMOFA, the Commission's European market observatory for fisheries and aquaculture products.

The study, which looked into retailers' strategies and national campaigns promoting seafood consumption, notes the growing importance of farmed seafood products in the EU market, given the need for retailers to ensure a stable supply.

The analysis also finds that various categories of consumers show common attitudes and behaviours across Member States, highlighting the potential for reinforcing the EU internal market for fishery and aquaculture products.

Read more HERE.

Monday, January 30, 2017

The interview - Dr Antje Eckel, founder of Dr Eckel GmbH

A year after gaining a doctorate in Agriculture in 1993, Dr Antje Eckel founded world-renowned alternative feed additive and supportive application company Dr Eckel Animal Nutrition GmbH.

Throughout the 22 years as CEO, Dr Eckel has also held multiple honorary positions including Member of the board of the International Research Association of Feed Technology, and in 2009 was awarded the prestigious Oscar Patzelt Foundation’s special prize as ‘Business Woman of the Year’.

_________________________________________________________________________

What was your main motivation for founding Dr Eckel Animal Nutrition GmbH, and what relevant experience do you possess of the feed additive industry?
I founded Dr. Eckel in 1994 as a trading venture. Just two people - a real start up. We were the first feed additive company in Germany dedicated to animal production free of antimicrobial growth promoters. We faced many challenges in the beginning, but we trusted that we were on the right path. The successful growth showed us that we provided the right solutions for our customers. Since the beginning, customer satisfaction has always been our motivation for pioneering animal nutrition. Being close to the pulse of the industry led to innovations and to the construction of our own production facility in 2009. This enables us to provide the best solutions - to research, innovate and develop is our passion.

So, who are Dr Eckel Animal Nutrition and what is it about the organization that makes them so unique?
At Dr. Eckel, innovation is not just a word. We live innovation. We believe in the power of diversity. This is why we have assembled a highly trained team of agronomists, veterinarians, pharmacists, biologists, chemists, economists amongst others, who all contribute to our common objective: Innovation. This dynamic group of people from 18 different countries, who speak 13 different languages are the foundation for our excellence and our worldwide operation. This is how (and where) creative and effective solutions are formed.

In which areas does Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition currently focus, and do you have any plans to diversify even further by incorporating any other areas of the industry in the future?
Our core business and our focus are feed additives. In our industry, it is not about having too little opportunities, it´s about selection and focus on the right things. This is what we do. When we started the company, everything was about chicks, pigs and cattle. Within the last six years, we changed our innovation focus. Beside land-based animals, we explore and research chances, challenges and opportunities in aquaculture, with all their diversity around the globe. Besides the chicken industry, Aquaculture is the largest growing animal protein industry. Shrimp, tilapia or pangasius need assistance and knowhow; they are part of efficient production for a growing world population. Two of the ‘buzz words’ of our industry at the moment are sustainability and efficiency.

Are these two factors important to Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition, and in which ways do you ensure that these values are incorporated into your everyday working practices?
Well, let me put it this way: In my view, Efficiency is something you can measure. In our industry for example you can measure how much feed you have to feed to animals to get a certain output of protein. However, to be honest this is only part of the truth. Efficiency is also about reducing post-harvest losses, saving resources and increasing the life cycle of animals (e.g. breeding animals in aqua or cows with more lactation periods). Sustainability is a fashionable term, not measurable. Everybody is using their own definition and doing what they think sustainability can be for them. So yes, we are working on efficiency. We do this with many different approaches and we must have sustainability in focus without knowing exactly what that means. Nevertheless, one thing is for sure: Improving efficiency and supporting animal welfare and health are sustainable.

Does Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition have any new or ongoing projects or products that you would like to share with our readers?
In the area of additives for poultry and pig feed, our company was one the first to understand animal welfare as a new consumer demand. Consequently, we are developing animal welfare concepts for aquaculture with focus on stress reduction, hygiene and improved health. For this, we have invested in intensive indoor recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). This enables us to carry out feed trials in-house and consequently speed up the development of new additive concepts. At the moment, we are starting a new research project in aqua for a multifunctional particle system (MPS) to increase hygiene, and with this concept to increase efficiency and “sustainability” in aquaculture, without the use of AGP´s. The project investment is estimated to be half a million euros within 2 years. We envision providing animal welfare solutions for aquaculture with improved efficiency at no added costs. Only this provides a sustainable solution and a real benefit to our customers.

As a family owned company, have Dr Eckel Animal Nutrition tried to maintain the family ‘ethos’ as the business has expanded?
Today, Dr Eckel Animal Nutrition GmbH is almost 23 years old. My husband Bernhard and I were alone in the beginning. Now Dr. Eckel Animal Nutrition has more than 60 employees and we continue to grow. Our innovative spirit attracts many young high potentials that like the challenge of working in a demanding environment. Our sound growth over the years was only possible because we put much emphasis on the development of a motivated, highly dedicated team. When you look at us from the outside, you see pretty much what you expect of an outstanding German “Mittelstand” company: An innovative, fast, energetic, hardworking, trustworthy pioneer of the industry. This is what makes us a reliable partner for our customers. Adapting new structures and bringing in the next family generation will guarantee continued growth and success.

International Aquafeed - January 2017

More International Aquafeed editions

Sunday, January 29, 2017

Leiber company profile

Now with more than 140 employees, with each one a specialist in his or her domain, Leiber has a well-proven team in a company following a clear strategy for more than 50 years: working with values.

“What makes us unique? We focus on what we know best. Yeast. Production on the highest level of quality. Latest technology. New findings from science and research. The performance of a team of specialists.

This is what defines Leiber´s strategic orientation. This is what makes us truly entrepreneurial”, as explained on the Leiber website.

“The markets´ requirements are changing - we are able to follow. This is how we became one of the leading manufacturers of specialised yeast products”.

Visit the website HERE.

30/01/2017: Arild Aakre appointed head of North America Sales organisation

Cermaq has sales offices in Vancouver and Miami including marketing and business development support

Sales North America serves customers with salmon from all regions; Chile, Norway and Canada.

Mr Arild Aakre

“I am thrilled to be part of our commercial team in North America and continue our work to build strong long term relationship with customers. Cermaq as the 2nd biggest salmonide producer in the world should have a more significant role in the biggest salmon market in the world. I am looking forward to contributing to that” says Arild Aakre.

Arild Aakre has extensive experience in Sales and marketing, currently he holds the position as Business Development Director Europe for Cermaq, and was formerly Global Marketing and Business Development Director of Marine Harvest.

He joined Cermaq in February 2016. He will continuehis work with strategic customers in Europe. Cermaq the world's second largest Company in farming salmon and trout, with operations in Norway, Chile and Canada.

Cermaq is a fully owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation with head office in Oslo, Norway.

Read more HERE.

30/01/2017: Evonik to introduce first own developed probiotic (DFM) - GutCare® PY1

Evonik will launch its first own developed probiotic (DFM, direct fed microbial) product GutCare® PY1 at the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) 2017 in Atlanta (USA)

Over the coming years, Evonik, specialist in feed amino acids, also intends to assume a leading role in the field of sustainable and antibiotic-free livestock management.

www.evonik.com

GutCare® PY1 has a positive effect on the healthy balance of bacteria populations in the chicken gut especially under stressful conditions.

“The product can be part of a set of alternative solutions to reduce the use of antibiotic growth promoters. Thus it can contribute to a healthy and balanced nutrition of livestock,” says Dr Emmanuel Auer, head of the Animal Nutrition business line at Evonik.

For the development of GutCare® PY1, a multi-parameter selection process was established to screen more than 500 strains of the bacterial type Bacillus subtilis for probiotic properties. Different scientific in-vitro as well as in-vivo studies demonstrated the ability of Bacillus subtilis DSM 32315 to modify the gut microbiota to inhibit the conditions that encourage different necrotic enteritis outbreak isolates.

This illness, which is commonly associated with certain pathogenic bacteria of the Clostridium perfringens type, causes losses of billions of US dollars to the global poultry industry every year.

The product will initially be introduced in the US market, and other countries will follow. Since the acquisition of the probiotic business of the Spanish company NOREL S. A. in the summer of 2016, Evonik has two probiotics in its portfolio: Ecobiol® (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CECT 5940) for poultry and Fecinor® (Enterococcus faecium CECT 4515) for piglets.

“Our own developed probiotic product GutCare® PY1 ideally complements our product portfolio and expands our options to serve our customers worldwide,” states Peter Freisler, head of Gut Health Solutions at Evonik.

In addition to expanding its product portfolio, Evonik is developing a unique chicken gut simulation model in order to study the mechanisms of action of probiotics in animal nutrition.

“From our perspective, the potential of probiotics for sustainable animal production is far from being exploited. That's why we want to understand in detail how they work within the gut” explains Stefan Pelzer, head of innovation area Gut Health & Diagnostics.

Evonik’s Animal Nutrition business line has over sixty years of experience in the manufacture of essential amino acids and provides solutions for efficient and sustainable animal nutrition to customers in over one hundred countries.

Evonik wants to make an even greater contribution to the efficiency and sustainability of animal feed by complementing its portfolio with innovative feed additives beyond amino acids in order to create additional value for its customers.

Evonik’s products and services in the area of animal nutrition play a key role worldwide in the production of healthy and affordable food, while preserving natural resources and reducing the ecological footprint.

Read more HERE.

Friday, January 27, 2017

Aquatic Asia 2017 Conference – Speakers Announced!

The Aquatic Asia 2017 conference is coming this March in the beautiful city of Bangkok, Thailand!

In total the one-day conference will present 12 highly respected Thai fisheries speakers across three sessions. Each session will be focused on ‘biosecurity’, ‘feed quality’ and ‘water quality’ in farming shrimp and fish species in both ponds and recirculation systems!

As it is drawing near, the conference organisers are proud to announce an impressive lineup of top international speakers to address the conference topics!

Aquatic Asia 2017 will be held at the Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 on April 14, 2017. While VIV Asia is free to attend if registering in advance, the Aquatic Conference 2017 has an early bird registration of US$29 until end of February, US$49 up until March 13 and US$69 onsite registration.

You can register for the conference during the registration process for VIV Asia at: www.vivasia.nl.

A selection of speakers included in the 2017 line-up are:

Dr Holger Kühlwein of Leiber

As International Key Account Manager of Aquaculture for Leiber. Dr Holger is globally responsible for aquaculture-related matters within the business unit Animal Nutrition. His role includes support of distributors and customers, sales, strategic planning, technical support, R&D planning and marketing.

Dr Maarten Jay Van Schoonhoven of Olmix

Dr van Schoonhoven has previously worked as INVE Thailand and Salt Creek international sales manager, a Commercial Manager for Innovation and Nutrition and now holds a position as the Aquaculture Care Manager with Olmix Group. Maarten has also worked with aquaculture supplier Catvis and has a two MSc’s from Wageningen and Cork Universities in both Biology and Aquaculture.

Alex Diana of Dr Eckel

Having graduated in Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management, Alex is currently located in Bangkok where he works as a Technical Sales Manager for Dr Eckel Animal Nutrition GmbH & Co KG and is responsible for the technical support on topics related to the aquaculture business in Asian countries.

Dr Ingrid Lupatsch of AB Agri

Ingrid is Aqua Nutrition Manager at AB Agri, with over 20 years of experience. She has completed a degree in Fishery Biology and holds a doctorate in Animal Nutrition.

Stéphane Ralite of Lallemand

Stephane currently holds the position of Aquaculture Product Manager at Lallemand. His previous roles include various food production and feed roles within the aquaculture industry.

Thursday, January 26, 2017

International Protein LLC company profile

International Protein LLC is a worldwide importer/exporter and manufacturer of animal feed industry.

Their product line includes a wide variety of feed additives, ingredients, proteins, and raw materials for the poultry, swine, aquaculture and pet industry.

Their main office is located in New Jersey, where they handle trading, logistics, product marketing, and new business development.

Visit the website HERE.

27/01/2017: Aquaculture in shared waters

The Aquaculture in Shared Waters program prepares fishermen to start an aquaculture venture, with associated research to understand the attitudes, perceptions and knowledge of fishermen with respect to this change

The project builds on some very successful and innovative earlier programming by the Maine Aquaculture Association and the Maine Aquaculture TrainingInstitute. Income diversity for commercial fishermen in Maine is an important issue, given their overwhelming reliance on the American lobster.

Image: Jeremy Keith

Access to permits, and allocations of resources like scallops, groundfish, or urchins, are scarce. The ability for an individual fisherman to move from one fishery to another during the course of a year has been severely limited over recent decades.

At the same time, the demand for shellfish grown in Maine has been strong and steady, and consequently several Maine fishermen have become involved in aquaculture.

The convergence of capture and culture for seafood production is potentially a very powerful mechanism to harness the expertise of Maine’s fishermen, to tap into the potential of the marketplace, and to produce the high-quality seafood that Maine is known for.

The project uses a mix of meetings and field trips/site visits to introduce students to the issues important in running a successful aquaculture business.

As with any kind of marine profession, there is a lot to know, and so we cover a variety of topics, including: site selection, equipment and husbandry, permitting and regulation, environmental monitoring, marketing and sales, farm management and biosecurity, business planning, and financial management.

We cover all these topics as they relate to a range of species and crops: oysters, mussels, clams, seaweed, scallops, etc.

Guest speakers and experts in the field are a regular part of the program, and by the time students finish the class, they will have a good network of people and agencies to draw from, and the beginnings of a reference library, that will help them in all aspects of aquaculture production.

All instructors are available outside of class meeting times as well, to help students get started on their new farms.

Funding comes from the National Sea Grant Program, and the project has benefitted from partnerships between several organisations: University of Maine School of Marine Sciences, Maine Sea Grant, Univ. of Maine Cooperative Extension, Maine Aquaculture Association, Maine Aquaculture Innovation Centre, Coastal Enterprises Inc., and the Island Institute.
Read more HERE.

26/01/2016: Yorkshire farm world’s first to produce ‘ethical’ form of caviar

Now caviar has found its way to Yorkshire as a new sturgeon farm has been established to ethically produce the luxury dish and restock depleted fish reserves in European lakes.

South Milford-based KC Caviar Limited is the only company in the world licensed to remove the sturgeon eggs used for caviar without harming the fish, which will eventually “retire” to lakes in Hungary and Bulgaria when they reach middle age.

Addey, 63, who set up the company with son Mark, 37, and his daughter Kacey, 15, said: “It was Mark’s idea initially as sturgeon were being depleted and he wanted to help. We set up the farm to make some money and help to restock. “That started more than six years ago and it led us to where we are now.”

Each of the fish has a name and a QR code, which means that customers can find out specifically where their caviar came from. Mr Addey said: “People can trace the history back and order more caviar from one particular fish. When we expand and have 500 fish that might be quite interesting!”

Mr Addey said KC’s process were tied to a surgeon’s natural four season’s egg production cycle, culminating in a controlled ovulation. He said this ensured that the eggs or fish were not harmed in any way, unlike the traditional method of forced stripping, in which the fish are killed.

Read more HERE.

Andritz company profile

ANDRITZ is a globally leading supplier of plants, equipment, and services for hydropower stations, the pulp and paper industry, the metalworking and steel industries, and for solid/liquid separation in the municipal and industrial sectors.

The publicly listed technology Group is headquartered in Graz, Austria, and has a staff of almost 25,000 employees. ANDRITZ operates over 250 sites worldwide.

Visit the website HERE.

26/01/2017: From tiny phytoplankton to massive tuna

How climate change will affect energy flows in ocean ecosystems

The following is sourced from the Nippon Foundation-Nereus Program, via Science Daily.

Phytoplankton are the foundation of ocean life, providing the energy that supports nearly all marine species. Levels of phytoplankton in an ocean area may seem like a good predictor for the amount of fish that can be caught there, but a new study by Nereus Program researchers finds that this relationship is not so straightforward.

Phytoplankton bloom off the coast of France: Eutrophication & Hypoxia

"Using measurements of phytoplankton growth at the base of the food web to estimate the potential fish catch for different parts of the ocean has long been a dream of oceanographers," says author Ryan Rykaczewski, Assistant Professor at University of South Carolina and Nereus Program Alumnus.

"We know that these two quantities must be related, but there are several steps in the food chain that complicate the conversion of phytoplankton growth to fish growth."

Published in PNAS, the study uses a mathematical model to explore the processes that mediate the transfer of energy from the base of the food web to fish.

The authors found that there are large regional differences in fish catch because of how surface ocean and bottom ecosystems channel energy sources.

"Coastal systems where large amounts of nutrients critical for phytoplankton growth are 'upwelled' from deep waters via currents make a contribution to global fish catch that far exceeds what one would expect from phytoplankton production alone," says lead author Charles Stock, Research Oceanographer at NOAA/Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory and Nereus Program Principal Investigator.

These findings allow for better predictions of catch potential in different ecosystems and how climate change will affect fisheries.

Phytoplankton require light, found at the surface of the ocean, and nutrients, which tend to accumulate in deeper waters, to grow and create the energy needed to support fisheries.

Warming of the surface ocean due to climate change is increasing ocean stratification -- the segregation of deep and surface waters.

The effects of this will be amplified in low and mid-latitude areas, where modest to moderate declines in phytoplankton production, of up to 15 percent, could result in fish catch decreases that may exceed 50 percent in some places.

"Changes at the base of the food web among plankton are amplified when examining top and intermediate predators, such as fish," says author Rebecca Asch, Assistant Professor at East Carolina University and Nereus Program Alumnus.

"This indicates that climate change will have a substantially larger impact on species further up the food chain. This is important since these are also the species that we as humans depend upon as sources of protein to feed the world."

This work allows for more confidence in advising fisheries managers and policy markers on the impacts of climate change on fisheries production.

The authors note that there is a need for ecosystem-based fisheries management strategies that consider potentially large regional changes in catch potential and a need for improved constraints on such changes.

Read more HERE.

26/01/2017: Business leaders world-wide agree and commit to disruptive technologies driving sustainability

Disruptive technologies and digital infrastructure have the potential to solve some of the world’s most pressing risks and to transform industries

These include safeguarding the planet's soil and water, and improving inequality and education. This is the main conclusions of the 2017 Global Opportunity Report, released today by DNV GL, Sustainia and the United Nations Global Compact.

www.globalopportunitynetwork.org

The report also demonstrates the commitment of the global business community towards taking action on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the2030 agenda. The Global Opportunity Report is an opportunity and solution based response to the World Economic Forum’s Global Risk Report.

It enables leaders to navigate new markets, new business opportunities and solutions. For the 2017 edition, 5 500 leaders from within business, government and civil society across five continents provide their insights.

They identify and rank 15 sustainability opportunities and in addition showcase 120 practical projects and solutions that already exist around the globe.

These range from micro grids that make cities more resilient to climate change, to bacteria that bring depleted soil back to life, to peer-to-peer trading, and inviting ethical hackers to test cyber security.

The 2017 report’s top findings are:
• Smart water technology is perceived as the biggest market opportunity.
• Providing e-learning to conflict-affected areas is the second-biggest opportunity, giving business the potential to contribute to creating more peaceful societies.
• Rising trust in digital technologies such as blockchain[1] technology and artificial intelligence can help combat many of the global risks such as cybercrime and rising inequality.
• Leaders agree that rising inequality is the biggest of the five risks in the report.

Smart water tech uncovers new market opportunities
Smart water technology took first place in this year’s rankings, being deemed the most impactful and applicable of all 15 opportunities. Technology that automatically saves and reuses water protects this scarce resource while creating sustainable options for citizens. This finding reaffirms a tendency that is present in all Global Opportunity Reports to date — addressing issues found in the SDGs, such as providing and managing access to water, can create a myriad of market opportunities for business.

Lise Kingo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact affirms:

Lise Kingo

“The Sustainable Development Goals not only provide a clear path to a sustainable world which leaves nobody behind, they also outline new markets and opportunities for responsible business. The Global Opportunity Report demonstrates how companies around the world are developing and deploying innovative technologies and business models to address the needs of our planet and society to achieve the SDGs. It is time for all companies to figure out how their own operations, products and services can play a role in creating the world we want.”

Dare to think big, digital and new combinations
The report’s unequivocal take-away message is that businesses are ready to welcome cutting-edge digital technology and seize opportunities that accelerate sustainable development. For example, 38 per cent of the leaders asked in the survey stated that they are likely to grasp the opportunity of intelligent cyber security, which is driven by artificial intelligence. DNV GL CEO and President Remi Eriksen is not surprised that digitalisation is the common denominator throughout the report. He believes digitalisation makes most things possible and expects to see a rapid technology uptake in the next years:

Remi Erikson

“I am certain that over the next five years, concepts such as automation, machine learning, blockchain and cyber-physical systems will acquire real meaning and scale. Most of the technologies are already familiar to us. What's new is the combination of advanced technologies from previously separate domains - like mechanical, biological, electrical, optical and digital. New combinations, and the speed of implementation, will be the building blocks of the new era.”

Business can help meet the demand for education in conflict-afflicted areas
Delivering digital learning to children in conflict zones was ranked the second-highest opportunity in the 2017 report. This is based on the perceived impact to society and the ability of business to immediately pursue the opportunity. The report reveals that business leaders are ready to step up and enter high-risk areas to bring much-needed digital learning to the children there, despite obvious hurdles such as language barriers, remote users and limited infrastructure. With 50 per cent of all out-of-school children residing in conflict-affected areas, this opportunity illustrates the potential for the private sector to use digital technology to advance a public good. According to Erik Rasmussen, CEO and founder of Sustainia, this discovery is a symptom of a new global business approach:

Erik Rasmussen

“Technology is currently used by business to streamline existing industries and win new markets. The report’s findings show that business leaders from all corners of the world are ready to use technology for sustainable disruption – to use technology to deliver on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals”.

Read more HERE.

Pages

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Monday, January 30, 2017

More International Aquafeed editions

Sunday, January 29, 2017

Friday, January 27, 2017

Thursday, January 26, 2017