International Aquafeed November Editor’s column

by Roger Gilbert, Publisher, International Aquafeed magazine

We are nearing the end of the year and we are all beginning to wonder what Christmas 2020 and Chinese New Year 2021, and all the other national holidays, will be like over what is normally our ‘festive seasons’. Our personal as well as our work worlds have been turned upside down as a result of a pandemic which began its global dominance almost a year ago this month.
 

Many have weathered the storm that has spread gradually from country-to-country - and many have not. We now find that science and research is suggesting that ‘herd immunity’ might not be an option as antibodies to the virus dissipate over time. The focus still remain firmly on protection, treatment and the hope of a suitable and safe vaccine.

What this means for us is that we will never be far removed from the virus as we go about our daily lives. Containment is everything and even if successful, many people will go on to suffer the impact and consequences of this viral challenge.

What does this mean for our industry? Are we fortunate in that we work in mostly outdoor and spacious environments, often away from city and town centres and in relative isolation? That might be a good thing, but we will all have colleagues and workmates who are not so fortunate in their roles.

We know that the virus has impacted food processing plants, and fish processing operations may not be exempt.

We have all read about - or experienced first hand - the impact of poorly informed decision-making being taken by importing countries on the trade in fish products, which occurred earlier this year and took colossal efforts to overcome and show that fish supplies were not and are unlikely to be contaminated.

Read more, HERE.

The Aquaculturists

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