A & S Thai Works ship their 12th fishmeal plant to a repeat customer

In July 2021, A & S Thai Works will ship the 12th fishmeal plant to a repeat customer in Southeast Asia. The plant is an LFP-160 for processing of 6.7 tons/hr waste from surimi production and other fish byproducts.

Image credit: A & S Thai Works

While many low cost disc dryers in the market need major overhauls, or outright replacement, after few years in production, a disc dryer from A & S Thai Works typically last for 15 years or more. Some of the first dryers that they delivered more than 30 years ago are still in production. There are many reasons for the long production life of our equipment. Some of them are:

• Good design, based on the original Norwegian Stord Bartz dryers
• Improved technology and design due to constant research and development
• Only the best steel qualities from Japan and Europe are used
• Components are sourced from well known quality brands like SKF and SEW
• All machines manufactured at their workshops in Thailand

A & S Thai Works dryers also offer high capacity, good energy efficiency and produce high quality fishmeal.

Although Covid-19 has made travel complicated, most ASTW plants are delivered as turnkey solutions including installation and commissioning. There are no "hidden extras" only what is clearly specified in the quotations and sales contracts.

For customers, that means once a plant has been delivered, installed and commissioned, production can start without delay or additional costs. Should there be need for support or spare parts in the future, ASTW is located close to Bangkok's international airport, and staff are always ready to serve customers and to ship spare parts from their warehouse at shortest notice.

For more information visit the A & S Thai Works website, HERE.

The Aquaculturists

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Scottish Sea Farms has signed a Share Purchase Agreement to acquire Grieg Seafood Hjaltland UK

Scottish Sea Farms has signed a Share Purchase Agreement to acquire 100 percent of the shares in Grieg Seafood Hjaltland UK from Grieg Seafood ASA for the purchase price of GBP 164 million.

Image credit: Scottish Sea Farms

The acquisition is a strategic move by Scottish Sea Farms – which is co-owned 50/50 by Lerøy Seafood Group and SalMar ASA – to deliver optimal biological performance and help meet rising demand for premium quality, Scottish-grown salmon.

With operations on Shetland and the Isle of Skye, Grieg Seafood Hjaltland UK currently operates 21 marine farms, a freshwater hatchery and a processing facility, harvesting approximately 16,000 tonnes (HOG) of Atlantic salmon in 2020.

This complements the geography and nature of Scottish Sea Farms' own operations, which are located across mainland Scotland, Shetland and Orkney and produced approximately 24,000 tonnes (HOG) of Atlantic salmon in 2020.

Commenting on the acquisition, Scottish Sea Farms CEO Jim Gallagher says: 'As farmers, we are constantly striving to create the best growing conditions for our salmon. The purchase of Grieg Seafood Hjaltland UK is a landmark step in our long-term strategy, giving us greater influence over several key biological factors including fish health, stocking regimes and sea lice management.

'We're very much looking forward to pairing the skill and know-how of our existing farming and fish health teams with the local expertise within Grieg Seafood Hjaltland UK, working as one to benefit fish welfare and boost survival. This, in turn, will ensure a more secure and stable supply of salmon for our discerning customers the world over, helping satisfy the insatiable demand for this highly nutritious, low carbon food.'

The purchase price, which is on a cash and debt free basis, is expected to be financed with 100 percent cash consideration from Scottish Sea Farms and the transaction is anticipated to close within Q4 2021, subject to approval by the relevant competition authorities and customary closing conditions.

For more information about Scottish Sea Farms visit their website, HERE.

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Gael Force Group eyes international aquaculture growth

One of the leading Scottish aquaculture supply partners, Gael Force Group is set to proceed with ambitious growth plans with support from the Royal Bank of Scotland, including a multi-million pound investment in research and development.

Image credit: Gael Force Group

The Inverness-based firm is a manufacturer and supplier of equipment, technology, and services for the sustainable farming of healthy, nutritious salmon. With over 200 staff based in locations throughout Scotland, England and Canada, it also serves the commercial fishing and leisure marine markets.

The company, originally established in 1983 by Stewart Graham in Stornoway as a creel manufacturer, is looking ahead to the future with a strategy to expand into global markets, with several initiatives in the pipeline including technologically intelligent solutions required to tackle industry challenges to sustainable growth.

Key among these projects is a multi-million pound aquaculture R&D investment to deliver improved fish health, reduced predation, and create a greener, more carbon friendly way of farming the seas - dramatically reducing 'egg to plate' emissions while enabling on-farm circular economies.

R&D investment is crucial to Gael Force Group's growth plan for the next decade, which has sustainability at its heart. Despite short-term impacts to business due to Covid-19, its long-term strategy is expected to allow the Group, which has achieved 20-25 percent growth year-on-year throughout its 37-year history, to continue with expansion into international markets, as well as to create new job opportunities locally. Royal Bank of Scotland has offered a flexible support package including working capital loans to facilitate a multifaceted approach to growth.

The business has also led an initiative and made significant charitable donations of seed money and resource into the development of plans for a world-leading visitor centre in the Group's former hometown of Stornoway, to commemorate the Iolaire tragedy of 1919. It is hoped the Iolaire Centre will act as a catalyst for the town's regeneration plan and harbour development, a key economic driver for the wider island community.

Robert Foster, Finance Director of Gael Force Group says: 'For almost 40 years, we have been driven to partner with our customers, whether it be the established salmon farmer or the hard-working local fishing community – so we know the importance of lasting, trusted relationships. It's something we have in common with the team at Royal Bank of Scotland, who have made the re-banking process as streamlined as possible. They understand our vision and our shared sentiment for sustainable growth, and we are confident this is the beginning of a fruitful and lasting partnership.'

Barry Fraser, Relationship Director at Royal Bank of Scotland, says: 'As a business and as partners of COP26, Royal Bank of Scotland places a huge importance on sustainability - and the growth plans set out by Gael Force Group reinforced how keen we are to support them on this journey. The company has delivered consistent growth since being established in 1983, and we are looking forward to working with the management team to help deliver their strategy in the years to come.'

For more information visit the Gael Force Group website, HERE.

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Online Aquafeed Production School reaches ninth session of 12

As the Spring 2021 edition of the Online Aquafeed Production School reaches session nine of 12, the completion date of July 22 is beginning to loom ever closer on the horizon.

Welcoming attendees from all over the globe and featuring a broad range of topics from the world of aquafeed production, each Online Aquafeed Production School session features two hours of live training.

www.onlinemillingschool.com/omsaquafeed

Focussing on the Drying and Cooling of Aquatic Feeds, session nine is comprised of two sessions with the first hosted by Joe Kearns.

This section seeks to review drying in general whilst also examing the horizontal dryers used in aquafeed production and associated horizontal coolers.  

The second of the two talks in this session focusses on the counter flow drying and cooling, hosted by Koen van Kessel from dryer and cooler for the feed and food industry specialists Geelen Counterflow.

As is the usual routine, the live training is then followed by a virtual question and answer session with a panel made up of the speakers from that particular day.

Running until July 20, 2021, the weekly sessions are also broadcast on consecutive days in order to accommodate two different time zones. 

Organised and delivered by Progressus Agrischools and International Aquafeed magazine, each session is scheduled for the audience in Europe and Asia, each session is broadcast twice.

The first of the two transmissions is scheduled specifically for the audience in Europe and Asia, with candidates able to join the Tuesday session at 14:00 Bangkok Time/09:00 CET Time.

The Friday session, which is timed specifically for candidates from the US and Latin America, can be joined at 10:00 Chicago Time/13:00 Buenos Aires Time.

If you are reading this and the course has already started, then worry not! All 12 episodes will be available to re-watch on demand for two weeks following the completion of the course.

When finished, all candidates who have either watched or attended all 12 session will be awarded an industry accredited certificate, and a new piece of information to add to their CV.

For more information, visit: www.onlinemillingschool.com/omsaquafeed

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Space 2021 to be held later this year with an in-person event at Rennes Parc-Expo

SPACE will likely be the key event of the agricultural season. All the professionals in animal production will be able to reconnect after having this long period without physical meetings.
 

SPACE 2021 is eagerly awaited, as shown by the high level of exhibitor registration and the enthusiasm expressed by attendees to finally meet up at the Show. Nearly 80 percent of exhibitors are registered to participate in this next edition of SPACE. All sectors (cattle, pigs, poultry) and the animal feed sector will be present.

This year, SPACE will introduce a new format with three days in person, from September 14th to the 16th, at Rennes Parc-Expo. Friday 17th will be a one-day virtual session, mainly aimed at international visitors.

The focus this year is on 'Animal Welfare and Farmer Well-being'. The Espace offers avenues of reflection and practical solutions for livestock farmers to address changes in livestock farming.

Innov'Space
Innov'Space is the leading showcase for innovation in livestock farming. The 2021 crop promises to be very plentiful. All sectors are represented and for the first time the horse and aquaculture sectors will feature too.

SPACE is a unique opportunity for the agricultural profession to share information and ideas. The many conferences scheduled reflect SPACE's ability to offer content for all farmers and for all livestock sectors.

Animal Presentations
On the programme in the main ring this year: National Normand competition, National Rouge des Prés, the Prim'Holstein Atlantique and the National for Bleu du Maine sheep. In total, there are 550 cattle from 13 breeds and 200 animals from 11 sheep and goat breeds.

Given the progress of vaccination campaigns and the improved health situation, events can now be scheduled in September. However, health protocols still need to be in place, so participants will need to show a health pass.

For more information about SPACE 2021 visit their website, HERE.

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Per-Roar Gjerde appointed as new CEO at Pacifico Aquaculture

Pacifico Aquaculture ('Pacifico'), a leader in sustainable aquaculture and the world's first and only producer of ocean-raised striped bass, has announced that veteran aquaculture executive Per-Roar Gjerde will be joining the company as CEO, effective June 22, 2021.

Per-Roar Gjerde
Image credit: Pacifico Aquaculture

Mr. Gjerde brings an extensive background in the seafood industry, most recently serving in several senior executive positions at Mowi, one of the largest seafood companies in the world and the world's largest producer of Atlantic salmon. He joins Pacifico Aquaculture at a watershed moment for the company that just received Fair Trade certification, the first fish farm in the Americas to achieve this distinction.

Prior to joining Pacifico, Mr. Gjerde spent nearly 20 years at Mowi, most recently serving as COO of Farming Americas and Faroes, where he oversaw all aspects of salmon farming in Mowi's Chile, Canada West, Canada East and Faroe Island regions. Mr. Gjerde also held other leadership roles at the organisation including COO of Farming Global, managing director of Mowi Chile and regional director of Mowi Norway Region West.

'I am thrilled about the opportunity to join Pacifico as CEO during this exciting and dynamic moment. The brand has a stellar and proven track record of meaningful progress in sustainable aquaculture, and I am honoured to help shepherd it through this next phase and build on the momentum established by current Co-CEOs Omar Alfi and Daniel Farag,' says Mr. Gjerde.

Mr Alfi and Mr Farag will maintain their board roles at the company and will remain actively involved with the business. 'We are extremely excited to welcome Per-Roar to the team at Pacifico. He shares our vision of building a world class aquaculture business rooted in sustainable values and his deep operational experience will accelerate the continued growth of our incredible team here in Ensenada and across the US,' the Co-CEOs say.

Dustin Beck, Co-Founder of Butterfly Equity which holds a majority interest in Pacifico, adds: 'The appointment of Per-Roar Gjerde as CEO is a critical next step in fortifying Pacifico's role as North America's leading aquaculture platform. Mr. Gjerde's remarkable expertise in all aspects of scaling fish farming businesses will help us achieve unlimited growth opportunities.'

For more information visit the Pacifico Aquaculture website, HERE.

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Hamlet Protein opens their new headquarters

Hamlet Protein, multinational producer of soy-based protein ingredients for young animals, opened its new global headquarters in Horsens, Denmark. The office expansion allows the company to integrate all departments in one fully owned building and is expected to drive efficiency and effectiveness of Hamlet Protein's internal operations.

Image credit: Hamlet Protein

Before Covid-19 struck, working from home was unusual in most organisations. Just like in any other organisation, Hamlet Protein had to rethink the role of the office during the pandemic, and for the current situation where restrictions are being lifted.

Kjeld Johannessen, Chairman of the Hamlet Protein Board, comments: 'Shareholders and Board approved the investment in the headquarter office, as we feel it is in another important step in Hamlet Protein's growth journey. Even though working from home has become common practice during the Covid-19 pandemic, we see a positive impact from bringing teams together under one roof.'

The new headquarters comes with the latest technology in videoconferencing, areas for informal discussions, large meeting rooms and improved insulation techniques to further reduce the company's carbon footprint.

Erik Visser, CEO at Hamlet Protein concludes: 'Despite the abundance of available online communication tools, we believe in the importance of in-person communication. Getting our people together under one roof will drive communication, creativity, and networking. This will ultimately lead to a more successful organisation.'

For more information visit the Hamlet Protein website, HERE.

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EFSA experts assess the role of food producing environments and links to AMR

Fertilisers of faecal origin, irrigation, and water are the most significant sources of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in plant-based food and/or aquaculture. In terrestrial animal production, potential sources are feed, humans, water, air or dust, soil, wildlife, rodents, arthropods, and equipment, says EFSA.

Image credit: TheAnimalDay.org on Flickr
(CC BY 2.0)

For the first time, EFSA experts have assessed the role of food producing environments in the emergence and spread of AMR. They identified the main sources of AMR bacteria and genes, although current data do not allow quantification of the specific contribution each of them makes to this global problem.

EFSA identified the resistant bacteria and genes of highest priority for public health that can be transmitted through the food chain and reviewed the scientific literature to describe their occurrence in those environmental sources.

Measures to limit the emergence and spread of resistance in food production environments include reducing the faecal microbial contamination of fertilisers, water and feed, and the implementation of good hygiene practices. Experts also made recommendations on priority areas for research that would help to close data gaps – thereby helping EU risk managers to implement the EU One Health Action plan against AMR.

Experts worked closely with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Environment Agency (EEA) in developing this scientific opinion.

For more information about the EFSA visit their website, HERE.

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PhD student wins award to further his aquaculture research

Massimo Orioles has been honoured with an aquaculture research bursary to complete his PhD study into red mark syndrome (RMS) in trout.

Massimo Orioles
Image credit: MSD Animal Health UK

The veterinary surgeon, who is carrying out a PhD at the University of Udine in Italy, won the MSD Animal Health UK, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA, award, which was launched in the aquaculture sector for the first time last year, to support preventative healthcare and research within the industry.

'I am hugely grateful to have been selected for this bursary, as the contribution from MSD Animal Health means that I can continue and complete the project,' says Mr Orioles.

Over the next year, the additional funding from MSD Animal Health UK will enable Mr Orioles to complete the final stage of the project, which includes carrying out important analysis which is vital for the research project and extremely expensive.

RMS is a common disease facing rainbow trout farmers, however, the real issue with this disease is that so far no one has established its aetiology, making it difficult to determine appropriate treatment and prevention options.

'The disease spreads quickly through fish, and although mortality isn't particularly high, on average around 30 percent of fish products are downgraded at harvest. The disease is known to respond well to antibiotics, but we want to look at preventative approaches so farmers can continue to reduce the need for antibiotics.'

The aim of Mr Orioles' project is to identify whether temperature affects the development of the disease. As fish usually experience changing temperatures during growth stages, findings could help farmers to decide on different temperature strategies to combat the disease.

'The first stage of the project, which has already been completed, involved a number of different elements, including placing infected fish in three different temperature tanks: 120C, 160C and 190C. The next part of the study will involve following the development of infection microscopically and by taking pictures of lesions and samples. We will then carry out assessments of the fish's tissue via electronic microscopy analysis to see how temperature has impacted disease transmission, which is where MSD Animal Health UK's funding support is vital,' adds Mr Orioles.

First findings of the research will be presented in September at the 20th International Conference on Diseases of Fish and Shellfish. Two final publications, which follow the different stages of this project, will likely be published in Aquaculture sector journals in 2022.

'We are really delighted to have been able to award Massimo with this research bursary. I hope the project will provide the industry with some valuable insights into RMS so that we can identify better disease prevention tools which will support farmers,' says Camilla Wilson, senior technical and account manager at MSD Animal Health UK.

For more information about MSD Animal Health UK visit their website, HERE.

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Artha ramps up shareholding on back of ‘seeing huge potential in Norcod’

Internal share transaction between major investors sees Artha snap up a majority of the shares owned by Isfjord Norway AS.

Jan Severin Sølbæk
Image credit: Artha

Norwegian cod-farming venture Norcod today announced that major shareholder, Danish wealth management and investment company Artha, has boosted its equity position in the company with the acquisition of 800,000 shares in Norcod.

The shares are acquired from former major shareholder, Orkanger-based seafood producer Isfjord Norway AS. Isfjord Norway has sold all of its 1,317,932 shares in Norcod at NOK 92.50 per share in a private placement carried out by Sparebank 1 Markets.

The transaction further cements Artha's objective to maintain a leading role in the development of Norcod as the world's first producer of high-quality farmed cod on an industrial scale. Now well into its establishment phase, with an integrated value chain and various sea sites in production, and a strong focus on responsible farming and fish welfare, Norcod aims to become a leading supplier of fresh farmed cod to global markets hungry for new sources of healthy protein.

'Our purchase of Isfjord Norway's shares represents a superior investment and reflects our strong confidence in Norcod's vision and business model, its sustainability credentials and future robust performance in terms of returns,' says Artha managing director and cofounder Jan Severin Sølbæk.

'The interest shown by Artha is very encouraging especially as we look forward to generating income from our first commercial harvest in a few months' time. In fact, we're delighted with the trust being shown by all our existing shareholders. We're on track following carefully laid plans with a great team in place who are doing a fantastic job,' says Norcod CEO Christian Riber.

For more information visit the Norcod website, HERE.

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Evonik and Vland develop product to improve water quality in aquaculture for shrimp

Evonik and the Qingdao Vland Biotech Group (Vland for short) have developed an innovative product for improving water quality in aquaculture. It is tailored primarily to the requirements of shrimp farming in ponds.

The new product, called AQUAVI® ProPond, is the result of about two years of joint development work and is to be launched in China at the end of the year. Vland will be responsible for production and Evonik for exclusive marketing. This has now been contractually agreed between the partners, who have been cooperating on probiotics since 2015.
 

Image credit: Evonik

AQUAVI® ProPond is part of a system solution from Evonik Animal Nutrition for shrimp in aquaculture that can reduce the need for marine feed sources and significantly improve water quality and animal health. It includes four components that are finely tuned to each other: AQUAVI® ProPond, AQUAVI® Met-Met, omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA from Veramaris algae oil, and AMINOShrimp®.

AQUAVI® ProPond consists of three strains of bacteria that effectively remove ammonia, nitrate and nitrite from the water. Ammonia arises from the excretions of the animals. It can have acute and chronic toxic effects and is therefore a critical parameter for water quality. Nitrate and nitrite are also harmful to animals in higher concentrations.

"Our common goal is to make global aquaculture, which we need to feed the world's growing population in a healthy way, more sustainable," says Dr. Emmanuel Auer, head of the Animal Nutrition business line at Evonik. "Strategic partnerships will move us forward faster in doing so."

"When it comes to sustainability in aquaculture, water quality and the way it is realised play a critical role," says Aron Chen, CEO of Vland.

AQUAVI® ProPond has been extensively tested for safety and efficacy in both laboratory and field trials and will be piloted with the first customers in China, the largest shrimp farming market, starting this summer.

"Our new additive is suitable for improving the animals' living conditions by breaking down toxic compounds, for keeping animals healthy, and for reducing environmental impact caused by too frequent water exchanges," says Dr Christoph Kobler, head of RD&I for the Animal Nutrition business line at Evonik.

Vland is a technology company based in Qingdao, China, specialising in enzymes, probiotics and animal health. Probiotics are already a central component of Evonik's Gut Health Solutions program. Both companies have their own bacterial strain libraries, which served as a starting point for joint work on a probiotic solution for improving water quality in shrimp farming.

AQUAVI® Met-Met is a methionine product specially developed for shrimp, which makes it possible to feed these animals almost without fish meal. Veramaris algae oil provides the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA necessary for healthy shrimp development, replacing fish oil in the feed. Both products thus help to protect marine fish stocks and preserve marine biodiversity. The AMINOShrimp® software helps to adjust the optimal amino acid composition of the feed to the respective developmental stage of the animals.

Visit the Evonik website, HERE.

The Aquaculturists

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Eighth Online Aquafeed Production School session covers aquafeed pelleting process

As the Spring 2021 edition of the Online Aquafeed Production School reaches session eight of 12, candidates and attendees alike continue to be enriched by the weekly episodes.

Welcoming attendees from all over the globe and featuring a broad range of topics from the world of aquafeed production, each Online Aquafeed Production School session features two hours of live training.

www.onlinemillingschool.com/omsaquafeed

Focussing on the pelleting of aquafeeds, session eight is comprised of two sessions with the first covering the defintition and importance of steam, whilst the second focusses on the process after the pelleting chamber.

Both sessions also feature the experience and knowledge of Giuseppe R, Bigliani, who is the President of Feed Technology Solutions for LLC AG Growth International; a company that manufactures portable and stationary grain handling, storage and conditioning equipment.

The live training is then followed by a virtual question and answer session with a panel made up of the speakers from that particular day.

Running until July 20, 2021, the weekly sessions are also broadcast on consecutive days in order to accommodate two different time zones. 

Organised and delivered by Progressus Agrischools and International Aquafeed magazine, each session is scheduled for the audience in Europe and Asia, each session is broadcast twice.

The first of the two transmissions is scheduled specifically for the audience in Europe and Asia, with candidates able to join the Tuesday session at 14:00 Bangkok Time/09:00 CET Time.

The Friday session, which is timed specifically for candidates from the US and Latin America, can be joined at 10:00 Chicago Time/13:00 Buenos Aires Time.

If you are reading this and the course has already started, then worry not! All 12 episodes will be available to re-watch on demand for two weeks following the completion of the course.

When finished, all candidates who have either watched or attended all 12 session will be awarded an industry accredited certificate, and a new piece of information to add to their CV.

For more information, visit: www.onlinemillingschool.com/omsaquafeed

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These exhibitors will participate at Aqua Nor 2021

The organisers of Aqua Nor are proud to announce the impressively sizeable exhibitor list for this year's exhibition. With the total currently sitting at well over four hundred listed exhibitors, more are expected to be added over the coming months.

Browse which exhibitors you can visit in Trondheim, digitally - or both, on our website. The list can be found by following this LINK.

Image source: https://npg.no/en/project/aqua-nor/

Aqua Nor Innovation Award 2021
The Nor-Fishing Foundation has received 21 applications for this year's Innovation Award in connection with Aqua Nor. The general management of Aqua Nor 2021, Kristian Digre and Kari Steinsbø, are very pleased with the result.

The fact that the Foundation has reached potential applicants through its marketing efforts is also clear from the fact that the applications for this year's Award come from as many as 12 nations: Norway, Denmark, England, Ireland, France, Portugal, Turkey, South Korea, Malaysia, Chile, USA and Canada / BC.

Despite the situation the world has been in over the past year, there is no shortage of good, innovative ideas. The applications that have been received are divided into many exciting subject areas.

The jury chooses three finalists
The Jury will process all applications and then submit its recommendation for the three finalist candidates for the Innovation Award 2021 to the Board of the Nor-Fishing Foundation. 

The names of the finalists will be announced at the end of June. The prize of NOK 100,000 (US$11500) will be awarded to the winner during the opening of Aqua Nor in August.

Ordinary exhibition in Trondheim in August – as well as digital
After the Corona lockdowns in 2020, the Nor-Fishing exhibition last year was arranged as a digital event with good results. Aqua Nor 2021 will also have a digital version, but the authorities have now also given the go-ahead for a physical exhibition in Trondheim Spektrum August 24 – 27, 2021. 

The organiser, as well as exhibitors and visitors, are happy that they can once again meet in person at an ordinary physical exhibition.

To read more about this event, select this link HERE.

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Guido Grassi joins Dr Eckel Animal Nutrition as COO

On 1 June, the management team at Dr Eckel Animal Nutrition was reinforced with the experienced Guido Grassi joining as COO.

'We have invited Guido Grassi to take over the position of Chief Operations Officer and, I am happy to say, he has accepted,' says Dr Antje Eckel, founder and CEO of Dr Eckel Animal Nutrition, who was visibly pleased when she announced this exciting new addition to the staff.
 

Guido Grassi, Dr Eckel's recently appointed COO
Image credit: Dr Eckel

'Guido knows the world from Asia to America, he knows business from start-up to multinational, he knows agriculture from crop to consumer', Antje Eckel further explains. 'He is an experienced leader with a hands-on, open attitude, driven by innovation, and enjoys working with diverse teams and an open corporate culture. His pursuit of excellence and his love of breaking unknown ground to achieve the best for customers, not only for now but also for the future, is precisely how we at Dr Eckel have always worked. And on top of that, he's a smart, straightforward and immensely likeable guy who will be a great addition to our team.'

The German family-owned company has always been committed to improving animal welfare and, with its products, to help feed the world sustainably. Constantly growing, the course is already being set for a generational change in the company's management. Against this background, the decision to expand the management board to include the position of operational managing director and to separate operational business from long-term strategic planning is the next decisive step on this path. This will enable Dr. Eckel to continue to succeed in the future with product solutions that are the decisive step ahead and sustainably strengthen the entrepreneurial success of its customers.

Mr Grassi holds a degree in agronomy and an MBA and has many years of management experience in agricultural companies of various sizes and specialisations. Before accepting the position with Dr Eckel, the Argentinian native participated in projects in Asia Pacific, Africa, Latin America, Europe and US, and has worked with global teams, most recently as Country Head Thailand at BAYER and then as Aqua Commercial Head for the Asia-Pacific region at ELANCO.

Thanks to his profound knowledge of the Asian market and his experience in this field, Mr Grassi will enrich the company with new ideas. The greater division of responsibilities within the management team will also free up important resources to prepare the ground for a successful generational change. This will help to further consolidate and strengthen Dr Eckel's long-term strategy and ensure the continued pioneering spirit. This not only at the product level, but also in terms of go-to-market strategies, digitalization, regions and general operations, while seeking continuous improvements in daily processes and operations. In this way, Dr Eckel ensures that it will remain a trusted, solid partner and valuable source of inspiration for its clients in the future.

'At Dr. Eckel, I will be able to interact with several different areas and regions and thrive to innovate, keep differentiating and to continue pioneering with a highly qualified team and a great company culture. Always looking ahead for a better future, thinking globally and discovering new horizons and opportunities are what drives me most in my daily work,' says Mr Grassi.

For more information visit the Dr Eckel website, HERE.

 

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BioMar and Donau Soja form protein partnership aimed at increasing sustainable soy supply in aquaculture

On June 17 BioMar, one of the leading suppliers of feed to the aquaculture industry worldwide and the Vienna based Donau Soja Organisation presented BioMar's successful Protein Partnership with Donau Soja in Croatia. BioMar is the first in the aqua industry to participate in this programme.

'BioMar believes in the Protein Partnership and its focus on training the local farmers in Croatia and improving the socio-economic and ecological situation there. Together we build local value chains and bring added value to production in the rural areas of Europe', says Vidar Gundersen, Global Sustainability Director, BioMar Group.
 

Image credit: BioMar

The Protein Partnership Program aims to increasing sustainable non-GM volumes in Europe and supports European farmers in their entry into sustainable and GMO-free soya production.

BioMar chose Croatia as its partner country due to its proximity to existing supply chains. Specifically, the project involved three Croatian agricultural cooperatives and their 540 farmers. Soybeans are the largest global source of plant-based protein, also in the aqua sector.

The EU imports 35-40 million tonnes annually, sourcing significant amounts from areas with sensitive ecosystems, such as the Amazon rainforest and Cerrado savanna. Protein Partnerships are designed as an alternative to credits from overseas, as a simple tool for building up safe and sustainable non-GMO soya production in Europe, at relatively low costs. They strengthen the first link in the physical value chain, as well as investing in training and certifying farmers and primary collectors.

Investing in sustainable soy production in Europe also contributes to significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and supports local farmers: Soy protein concentrate (SPC) as it is used in fish feed proves to have 70 percent less CO2 emission if produced from European Donau Soja soybeans.

By participating in the partnership programme farmers receive training and advice. Also in non-EU-countries, where 2/3 of the European soya is produced, the significantly higher EU-standards and the Donau Soja requirements, which are expanding on the EU standards, are guaranteed.

For more information visit the BioMar website, HERE.

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Online Aquafeed Production School passes halfway point

As the Spring 2021 edition of the Online Aquafeed Production School passes number six of the 12 session educational program, the organisers and virtually attending candidates continue to enjoy the benefits of its building momentum.

Welcoming attendees from all over the globe and featuring a broad range of topics from the world of aquafeed production, each Online Aquafeed Production School session features two hours of live training.

www.onlinemillingschool.com/omsaquafeed

The live training is then followed by a virtual question and answer session with a panel made up of the speakers from that particular day.

Running until July 20, 2021, the weekly sessions are also broadcast on consecutive days in order to accommodate two different time zones. 

Organised and delivered by Progressus Agrischools and International Aquafeed magazine, each session is scheduled for the audience in Europe and Asia, with candidates able to join the Tuesday session at 14:00 Bangkok Time/09:00 CET Time.

The Friday session, which is timed specifically for candidates from the US and Latin America, can be joined at 10:00 Chicago Time/13:00 Buenos Aires Time.

If you are reading this and the course has already started, then worry not! All 12 episodes will be available to re-watch on demand for two weeks following the completion of the course.

When finished, all candidates who have either watched or attended all 12 session will be awarded an industry accredited certificate, and a new piece of information to add to their CV.

For more information, visit: www.onlinemillingschool.com/omsaquafeed

The Aquaculturists

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GAA’s 2020 Annual Report highlights commitment to UN Sustainable Development Goals

The Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) on June 14 published its 2020 Annual Report.

Image credit: GAA

The 46-page 2020 Annual Report highlights GAA's commitment to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) as well as the non-profit organisation's commitment to serving its almost 400 individual and corporate members and its more than 2,900 Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP)-certified facilities during a challenging year defined by the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately 305,000 people are employed by BAP-certified facilities, which produced an estimated 23 billion meals (based on a 4-ounce serving).

'I am incredibly proud of my GAA associates for their achievements in 2020. We should also be proud of the women and men in the industry who surmounted the challenges of 2020 with courage and commitment. Just think what we can achieve in 2021 and beyond with that same professionalism and passion. This is a great opportunity for us to live up to our aspirations for a healthy global society, where all 17 SDGs are consistently being addressed,' says GAA CEO Wally Stevens in his 'Letter from the CEO.'

Each accomplishment outlined in the 2020 Annual Report supports one or more of the 17 SDGs as well as GAA's vision, 'A world that embraces and enables the role of responsibly farmed seafood in meeting global nutrition needs.'

For more information visit the GAA's website, HERE.
To read the report visit the page, HERE.

The Aquaculturists

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BioMar launches its 2030 Ambitions

On the back of their launch of the BioMar 2020 Sustainability Report, BioMar announce their 2030 Ambitions.

They make a promise, to the planet and its people with a set of ambitious targets that will seek to aid in the restoration of the environment while enabling humanity to thrive. Two key areas are focused on the reduced impact of aquaculture feeds while the third will enable capacity building in our communities.

'Humanity has burdened our planet and pushed beyond planetary boundaries. We must strive beyond sustainability and innovate with solutions that restore the planet while supporting its people. That is why we are setting forward this ambitious plan,' says Carlos Diaz, CEO at BioMar Group.

There are three key areas of Climate Action, Circular & Restorative and Enable People, although each category has several specific targets and objectives. The 2030 Ambitions are aligned with science-based solutions for restoration and the growth trajectory of the aquaculture industry for 2050.

BioMar is setting verifiable science-based targets through the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), with emission reduction targets in line with a 1.5°C future, ensuring BioMar will achieve net-zero no later than 2050. Aquaculture feed represents a significant proportion of the carbon footprint of farmed seafood. The ambition is to reduce the carbon footprint per tonne of feed produced by one-third by 2030, baseline 2020.

BioMar commits to 50 percent of raw materials being Circular & Restorative for both planet and people by 2030. This will be achieved through innovation and sustainable sourcing with industry partners and will likely redefine traditional aquaculture feed ingredients.

There is an increased emphasis on people from employees and local communities to the extended supplier network. The Enable People category will focus on capacity building by committing to enable 100,000 people annually by 2030. These initiatives are designed to have a far-reaching effect across the world and will support the building of resilient societies.

'These new ambitions are intended to positively impact the environmental and social footprint of our feeds. Our farmers will directly benefit through these initiatives, for example with an additional reduction in their own on-farm carbon footprint,' says Vidar Gundersen, Global Sustainability Director at BioMar Group.

In 2015 BioMar Group launched its first ever global sustainability improvement programme set for a five-year period. In the BioMar 2020 Sustainability Report they conclude on this KPI programme and of the 13 ambitious targets set, they hit the mark on 9. This work laid the foundation from which the new 2030 Ambitions have been built.

'We believe in transparency and even though some KPIs might seem too ambitious, we strive to aim high and disclose what we have and have not achieved. We believe in the sustainable future of the aquaculture industry and look forward to continuing to drive change,' concludes Mr Diaz.

For more information visit the BioMar website, HERE.

The Aquaculturists

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