Moleaer's nanobubble tech excels in semi-contained system

Moleaer, a nanobubble technology company, has announced the results of its partnership working collaboratively with salmon producer Grieg Seafood BC and CPI Equipment, a manufacturing company specialising in aquaculture equipment.

Grieg Seafood's semi-closed containment system, coined the CO²L Flow System, was created utilising Moleaer's nanobubble technology and CPI's ODiN system. The system itself optimises water quality and oxygen to ensure healthy fish growth in a protected environment, designed to reduce the transmission of pathogens. By utilising Moleaer's technology, this resulted in a 75 percent reduction in oxygen use.

"We are committed to implementing sustainable, long-term solutions to address some of the challenges we face as ocean farmers.  Using Moleaer's technology, we can safely deploy sea lice barriers down to 15 meters without compromising mixing and dissolved oxygen levels inside the net pen. This is important for us as maintaining optimal conditions within the new CO²L Flow System when the barriers are down is critical to the health and welfare of our fish," said Dean Trethewey, Seawater Production Director of Grieg Seafood.

The aforementioned technology injects trillions of oxygen-rich nanobubbles into water supplies, to increase the dissolved oxygen (DO) levels at a reduced cost and highest transfer efficiency.

"The aquaculture industry requires sustainable solutions that enable increases in output without jeopardizing our environment. Our technology is unique because we're delivering nanobubbles with proven benefits in reducing oxygen and energy costs, while remediating the surrounding environment, and producing better water quality and higher output of fish," said Nicholas Dyner, CEO of Moleaer.

Based in the US, Moleaer has established the first nanobubble industry there by developing the first nanobubble technology generator. It has deployed more than 700 nanobubble generators worldwide since 2016.

For more information on Moleaer visit their website, HERE.

For more information on Grieg Seafood BC visit their website, HERE.

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Thai Union embraces satellite technology

In collaboration with Sea Warden, a satellite data analytics company and Wholechain, a supply chain traceability company, Thai Union has begun to utilise satellite imaging for shrimp farming producers.

The goal of the project is to generate Key Data Elements (KDEs) – which are elements with impact on an organisation's operations and decisions – for automated shrimp farms. They are equipped with traceability technology and combined with the KDEs collected through satellite imaging, are capable of supporting sustainable farming practices by providing insight into shrimp health and wellbeing.

Satellite imaging is an "emerging technology within aquaculture," the Thai Union said in a press release. It has countless benefits for a number of industries include agriculture, forestry and wild capture, but has only begun to emerge as a technology within the aquaculture sector. KDEs have been discussed in more recent years by those advocating for greater sustainability and traceability within food production, so that customers are better equipped with knowledge about the source of their food in purchase decisions.

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Image credit: Sea Warden. The full GIF can be accessed HERE.

Thai Union said that they believed insights provided from satellite imaging was a "promising way" in reducing risk and reaching sustainability targets.

''Accessing reliable information for shrimp farms across wide geographies can be both challenging and expensive," said Adam Brennan, Group Director of Thai Union. "We see exciting potential in the use of satellite imaging to improve our transparency, assess risk and monitor the performance of our shrimp farms. We will continue to explore ways to use satellite technology as it continues to evolve."

In the pilot portion of the project, Sea Warden applied machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to generate KDEs, based on a 24-month period of activity at multiple shrimp farms within Thai Union's network. Wholechain then transferred the KDEs through Thai Union's supply chain with the insights provided from Sea Warden.

"Satellite-derived KDE's are a simple and independent way for retailers, certifiers, and processors to provide greater farm-level transparency. Satellite data maximizes investments into traceability systems like Wholechain's blockchain technology to more effectively reduce risk and increase confidence across the supply chain," explained Zack Dinh, Sea Warden co-founder.

Thai Union is a leading seafood producer and producer of shelf-stable tuna products, as well as a founding company of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), which commits itself to the long-term sustainable use of tuna fisheries.

For more information on Thai Union visit their website, HERE.

For more information on Sea Warden visit their website, HERE.

For more information on Wholechain visit their website, HERE.

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Agreement signed to deliver on UAE's first shrimp RAS farm

Prime Aquaculture, a subsidiary of Emirates National Aquaculture, has signed an agreement with Jafza, an economic free zone located in the western part of Dubai, to build UAE's first shrimp RAS farm. The farm is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2023, to assist in cultivating shrimp and meeting growing demand by increasing output.

The UAE's dependence on imports to meet shrimp demands results in more than 51,000 MT of shrimp being imported per annum, while the local consumption ranges between 38,000 to 50,000 MT. Once the RAS facility has been built and is in operation, the farm will be producing over 1000 MT of shrimp per year, currently three times more than current shrimp production.

Current farming methods in the UAE incorporate an open pond system requiring a lot of space, which can be reduced in the shift towards RAS production, as it encourages sustainability through the recirculation of water and maintaining control of the water's physiochemical qualities. 

The RAS facility will consist of a shrimp farm, hatchery, and primary and secondary processing units. In order to promote sustainable food production, it aims to utilise modern technologies and solutions.  Prime Aquaculture will be incorporating the most up-to-date technology to ensure the shrimp being produced are of a high standard.

Abdulla Bin Damithan, the CEO and Managing Director of DP World UAE and Jafza explained the lucrative business of UAE's food trade, going on to say that aquaculture is "one key driver of this vital industry's growth. Taking these factors into consideration, through our partnership with Prime Aquaculture FZE, we look forward to boosting shrimp production and ensuring quality produce with advanced technologies such as RAS. The shrimp farms will maintain high-intensity culture systems ensuring absolute biosecurity."

Imtiyaz Andul Razak Kalsekar, Managing Director of Prime Aquaculture, concluded: "During the pandemic, when travel restrictions were imposed, the importance of local production was highlighted. We, at the Emirates National Aquaculture, plan to enhance the UAE's food security by doubling the current aquaculture production over the next three years. Establishing our shrimp farm in Jafza is a massive step towards achieving this objective."

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SAIC projects to deliver £50 million in additional annual turnover by 2026

Projects funded by the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) will deliver additional turnover of £50 million per annum for the companies involved by 2026, according to new research.

The economic impact assessment produced by Frontline Consultants and independent economist Steve Westbrook analysed 60 projects funded by SAIC over its first and second phases. It found these initiatives had a combined value of £52.7 million, 60 percent of which – £31.4 million – was contributed by business partners within the aquaculture sector.

Supported by the expected £50 million per year increase to turnover, the projects will create 600 new full-time equivalent jobs by 2026 – largely across rural and remote areas of Scotland where well-paid, year-round, skilled jobs are particularly important for local communities. £30 million of the additional turnover figure is directly attributable to SAIC.

The innovation centre also leveraged nearly £10 million (£9.8 million) of external funding from UK and European sources over the course of these projects. Overall, for every £1 of SAIC funding granted to research projects, a further £4.67 was leveraged from businesses in the aquaculture sector and other funding sources.

Heather Jones, CEO of SAIC, says, 'This report highlights the clear benefits of investing in aquaculture innovation and what SAIC exists to do: support increased economic impact with a reduced environmental footprint in UK aquaculture.

'The work we have funded has delivered new products and processes, enhanced fish health and wellbeing, created new revenue streams for businesses, and even supported the development of new companies, along with a range of other outcomes.

'Perhaps just as importantly, the report demonstrates that our work has helped maintain Scotland's competitiveness in the global aquaculture sector and sustained jobs in remote and rural communities.'

One of the companies to benefit from SAIC's funding is AquaGen Scotland. With SAIC's support, AquaGen Scotland worked with the University of Stirling's Institute of Aquaculture, Cooke Aquaculture Scotland, and Dawnfresh to identify biomarkers in salmon that indicate a greater resistance to a bacterial infection called Flavobacterium psychrophilum.

The research breakthrough allowed AquaGen Scotland to begin selective breeding in Scotland that would produce salmon with greater natural resistance to the bacterium, supplying the first resistance-selected eggs early in 2021.

Andrew Reeve, managing director at AquaGen Scotland, says, 'The genetic markers we discovered through the project are a valuable tool in our breeding work and enabled us to develop a new product with significant benefits for fish health and wellbeing. SAIC played a crucial role in making this work happen and bringing us together with the right academic and sector experts to reach a new research milestone.'

Ms Jones adds, 'The project with AquaGen Scotland underlines the wide-ranging benefits that investing in research and development can provide, not only to the companies directly involved, but the wider sector as well. Through collaboration we can tackle the sector's main challenges and make Scotland a centre of excellence for innovation in aquaculture.'

For more information about SAIC visit the website, HERE.

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Microalgae no longer considered a niche ingredient in BioMar

BioMar's facility in Brande, Denmark significantly scales up the inclusion of microalgae into their raw material portfolio. The use of microalgae in the flagship product line produced in Brande enables BioMar to ramp up the sustainability criteria as this ingredient contributes to a reduced dependency on wild fish stocks.

Experience with algae-based raw materials
The expansion of an extensive raw material portfolio composes one of the most important cornerstones for pioneering innovation at BioMar as the search for novel ingredients to advance innovation and sustainability is ongoing.

The research and development on algae-based ingredients in BioMar dates back in 2013 with extensive internal and external research projects. A recent example was the 'Alga4Fuel&Aqua' project, a collaboration between BioMar Hellenic, the University of Thessaly and other key stakeholders.

The first commercial feeds containing microalgae hit the markets in 2016, and by 2021 BioMar had reached one million tonnes of salmon feeds containing microalgae. Now with the upscaling of microalgae in the raw material portfolio at the Brande facility in BioMar, it is now no longer considered a niche ingredient.

Anders Brandt-Clausen, Managing Director, BioMar Baltics, explains, 'microalgae has been a game-changing strategic ingredient for us for years, and still is. We are now delighted to increase the volumes we use significantly and raise the sustainability bar for our flagship products. Microalgae is no longer a novel idea, it has become a commercial reality.'

Sustainable and nutritious profile
Marine ingredients such as fishmeal and fish oil are excellent sources of nutrients vital for fish nutrition, however they are finite resources. By including microalgae high in long chain omega fatty acids in feed diets, it is now possible to bypass the wild fish and go straight to the original source of marine omega 3s. This helps to relieve pressure on our oceans while ensuring that the fish are getting the optimal nutrition required, and it also lowers the Fish In : Fish Out ratio.

An important element in reaching high ambitions
BioMar has a philosophy to source the raw materials and ingredients that don't compete with the human supply chain.

That is why concrete actions were taken with a set of ambitions, that included a target of BioMar feeds being 50 percent circular and restorative by 2030. Circular raw materials are those originating from by-product and waste streams and BioMar define restorative ingredients as raw materials that significantly shift the balance between ecosystem impacts and human production systems towards a net-positive environmental outcome.

AlgaPrime™ DHA, supplied by Corbion, is to be included in the formulation of BioMar's high performing flagship diets, and will aid in furthering the sustainability profile of product series such as Blue IMPACT, EFICO Enviro and ORBIT.

'We see this as the birth stage for the next generation feeds with a highly sustainable profile from Brande. Adding microalgae paves the way for the upcoming developments on our sustainable feeds that our farmers will directly benefit with a reduction in their own on-farm footprint,' Anders Brandt-Clausen concludes.

For more information about BioMar visit the website, HERE.

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Bakkafrost to add three new wellboats

Bakkafrost, a leading producer of salmon based in the Faroe Islands, announced the deliverance of a new, 7000m³ wellboat with freshwater production capability this summer, 2022. It is expected to "bring a significant uplift of the freshwater treatment capacity," Bakkafrost explained in a summary of its Q4 report of 2021.

It is also expecting two new wellboats with large freshwater treatment capability, which are due to begin operation in Q2 and Q3 of 2022, respectively. The company explained that demand for these wellboats had risen, due to an increase in sea lice levels and its consequent effect on the number of treatments needing to be carried out. It attributes increased mortality in fish farmed in Scotland with compromise gill health, caused in part by blooms of jellyfish and the stress caused by handling during treatments.

Other aims of the wellboats include the mitigation of compromised gill health, ensuring improved fish health overall and reducing the risk of mortality owing to complications.

The salmon producer has a number of wellboats in its fleet, reporting in June of 2020 that they were in possession of 60 wellboats and announced in the same year a new hybrid wellboat, 109 metres long and with the capacity to carry 1000 tonnes of salmon.

For more information on Bakkafrost visit their website, HERE.

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With EuroTier 2022 taking place in November, the exhibition is starting to take shape

The EuroTier trade fair, which will be held in Hanover November 15 to 18, 2022, will launch with an extensive range of professional event offerings under the guiding theme "Transforming Animal Farming".

EuroTier's accompanying technical program is broken down into the six DLG spotlights "Cattle", "Pork", "Poultry", "Aquaculture", "Feeding and Feed" and "Direct farm sales". These DLG spotlights will be the forum to discuss industry topics, both in-person at the trade fair in Hanover and online in digital events. With the new award scheme "DLG-Agrifuture Concept Winner" launched this year, the DLG (German Agricultural Society), as organiser of EuroTier will recognise visionary and pioneering concepts in international animal husbandry. EuroTier 2022's technical program offers exhibitors many opportunities to get involved in a wide range of topics. The closing date for stand registrations is March 15, 2022.

Against the background of changing social, economic and climatic conditions, technical innovations are crucial for the future viability of livestock farming. EuroTier 2022 provides answers to the world's most pressing future issues in the key livestock sectors and related areas. "Animal welfare and health, environment and climate, sustainability, marketing and digital farming are just some of the hot topics that will shape the exhibition and its technical program at EuroTier 2022," says Sven Häuser as responsible for EuroTier's technical program at DLG.

"With the traditional networking events like 'TopTierTreff' for cattle genetics, the bpt Congress for veterinarians, Cattle & Pig Event and the International Poultry Event, the world's leading trade fair for animal husbandry professionals will once again be leading the way," he adds.

Under the guiding theme of "Transforming Animal Farming," the accompanying technical program of EuroTier consists of the six DLG Spotlights "Cattle," "Pig," "Poultry," "Aquaculture," "Feeding and Feed" and "Direct farm sales." Enabling exhibitors and visitors to find what they are looking for quickly, the DLG spotlights also offer a compact overview of current topics with special events, professional discussion forums and additional digital offerings.

Award-winning technical solutions and visions
With three different award schemes as part of EuroTier, the DLG will be honouring the outstanding importance of technical solutions in shaping sustainable animal husbandry. In addition to the presentation of the world's technical solutions, the EuroTier Innovation Award and the Animal Welfare Award, this year the DLG has launched the "DLG-Agrifuture Concept Winner" award for concepts and visions that are still in the development phase and not yet on the market.

New: Platform for startups in DLG-AgrifutureLab
New at EuroTier 2022 is the dedicated start-up area "DLG-AgrifutureLab" for newly founded innovative companies. This prime location within the trade fair allows both national and international company founders to launch their presence prominently, attracting plenty of footfall. The German Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) supports the participation of German startups at the trade fair.

World's leading trade fair with additional digital offerings
In addition to the in-person trade fair taking place in Hanover, the world's leading trade fair for animal husbandry offers exhibitors and visitors an additional digital program on the "DLG Connect" platform (www.dlg-connect.com), an interactive platform developed by DLG as part of its objective to further knowledge in the international agricultural sector. EuroTier exhibitors can use this platform to deliver targeted information about their products and innovations in preparation for their presence at the trade fair. Visitors benefit from the opportunity to network specifically with exhibitors in the run-up to EuroTier and also benefit from up-to-date specialist information.

Ideal complement: EnergyDecentral
EnergyDecentral, the leading trade fair for decentralised energy supply, will be held in Hanover in parallel to EuroTier. This international trade fair has established itself as the leading platform for decentralised energy supply. It maps the entire value chain of sustainable energy production: resources, energy generation and smart energy. This trade fair thus represents an optimal extension of the professional offering of EuroTier.

Professional partners of EuroTier and EnergyDecentral
The trade partners of the world's leading trade fairs include the German Association of Practicing Veterinarians (bpt - the German Federal Association of Practicing Veterinarians); The German Livestock Association (BRS- Der Bundesverband Rind und Schwein); Deutscher Verband Tiernahrung (DVT - German Association of Animal Nutrition); ISN - Interessengemeinschaft der Schweinehalter Deutschlands; German Poultry Association (ZDG -Zentralverband der deutschen Geflügelwirtschaft; European Pig Producers (EPP); European Poultry Club; and VDMA Power Systems and German Biogas Association (Fachverband Biogas).

Registration by March 15, 2022
Exhibitors who register by March 15 2022 will receive more favourable conditions and have a better chance of securing their desired placement in the halls.

For more information about the event visit the website, HERE.

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Almex Company Profile

Almex specialises in single screw extrusion equipment, from the extrusion unit to complete installations. They are a family owned, independent company.

Almex extruders and Contivar Expanders are in use worldwide at fishfeed, oil extraction, petfood, animal feed plants, the food industry and the processing and chemical industries.

Almex started early 1970's with repair and installation of extruders. For use in Europe these units needed much modifications, so they decided to design and built in the Netherlands a complete range of extruders for 500 to 15.000kg/hour capacity. These extruders did find their way to clients worldwide. Today the largest extruder has a diameter of 400mm, a barrel length of 4800mm and a drive of 500kW.

For more information visit the Almex marketplace listing on the International Aquafeed website, HERE.

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Taiwan Smart Agriweek and Taiwan International Fisheries and Seafood Show due to take place September 2022

Supported by the Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan (ROC), the 'Taiwan Smart Agriweek' and 'Taiwan International Fisheries and Seafood Show' will be held by MY Exhibition Co., Ltd. at Hall 1, Taipei Nangang Exhibition Centre from September 1-3, 2022. With a seven-year history, the agriculture and fishery exhibitions have become an important B2B platform for the industries.

This year, at the time of post-pandemic, the events are drawing much more attention from the market. In view of the relief in the epidemic situation, it is expected to attract potential buyers from 30 countries made up around 15,000 domestic and international visitors. It is a great chance to explore business opportunities worldwide!

"Go Smart, Grow Together" is the core vision of Taiwan Smart Agriweek. The seamless cooperation among the industries, the government, universities, and academic research groups co-formed an agri-food production chain that finally shaped these exhibitions' skeleton. The exhibition will have eight pavilions: Smart Agriculture Technology, Sustainable & Circular Livestock, Eco-Friendly Farming, Smart Livestock Farming, Precision Livestock Farming, Nutrition and health, Agriculture Cold Chain, Agrifood Processing & Integration Services.

On the other side, "Taiwan International Fisheries and Seafood Show", the only fishery B2B trade show in Taiwan, consist of six pavilions: Marine Intelligent Technology & Fisheries Equipment, Smart Aquaculture & Fish Seeding Technology, Sustainable Aquafeeds, Seafood Value-added Process, Quality and Safety of Aquatic Products and Fishery Circular Economy. These two exhibitions are aiming at helping all parties in the industry deal with problems they are facing and seamlessly transform into smart agriculture, like the application of B2B selling and effective marketing promotion.

Despite the pandemic threat last year, the organisers applied virtual and on-site models to the exhibitions. Mass of Digital Marketing and International media broadcasting boosted international exposure and provided various business opportunities for the agriculture and aquaculture industry. The organisers were also honoured to have the Department of Agriculture in Pingtung County Government and Agriculture Bureau of Kaohsiung City Government be their exhibitors. Even after undergoing epidemic adverse situation, both events attracted exhibitors from 36 countries, and the number of visits reached 11,000. It also made a remarkable weekly transaction of US$36.32 million.

This year, with the assistance of advanced technology, exhibitors will connect overseas buyers online. The live broadcast platform can serve seamless display of the commodity to ensure that business matchmaking is working throughout the exhibition. Inherited the practice from last year, both the on-site exhibition and the 24hr virtual online exhibition will be in service.

Seminars that received favourable feedback last year will be held again. Elites from local or worldwide will be invited to share their knowledge. Participants can reach out globally even when in Taiwan. The professions in the industry could 'Go smart, go together' to lead Taiwan agriculture and aquaculture business to a new stage.

A new section, 'Agri-food', specialised for cross-zone new crops, will be introduced at the Taiwan International Smart Agrifood Expo. This pavilion is a reliable business platform for newbie farmers of cross-zone crops, now open for registration.

For more information visit the event website, HERE.

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New lease agreement for RAS facility

NaturalShrimp recently signed an agreement with Jefferson County, Florida, to lease NaturalShrimp ten acre land, it revealed in a press release dated the 17th February, 2022. The land will be used for a 250,000 square foot production facility for shrimp, and Jefferson County will be helping to identify and pursue up to US$25 million in funding grants.

The land was explained to be suitable for NaturalShrimp's business as it can accommodate a 250,000 square foot production facility and is faourably located, on a four-lane state highway and within the County Opportunity Zone.

The agreement also extended to coordinating with local high school and college work programmes to provide training and support for potential employees for NaturalShrimp. It has also signed a letter of intent with the Water Quality Association (WQA) to develop an advanced training and certification programme for water treatment professionals, to expand the number of skilled aquaculture workers based in Florida.

"After extensive due diligence, the site in Jefferson County, Florida is an ideal location for our next shrimp facility, and we are privileged to be working with the County to advance our development plans," explained Gerald Easterling, the CEO of NaturalShrimp. "The new facility will enable us to effectively scale up production output predicated upon growth in demand for NaturalShrimp within the large Florida market."

"The size and scope of our planned Florida facility will require many skilled aquaculture workers that are qualified to operate next-generation equipment that require the highest water quality standards with the lowest environmental impact," Easterling added. "Training and credentialing water treatment professionals will not only provide the talent we need but will also help to boost workforce development in the region."

For more information on Natural Shrimp visit their website, HERE.

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Large scale fish farm proposed at edge of Malta’s waters

A fish farm well over the size of a football pitch is being proposed on an offshore site at the limits of Malta's territorial waters, 22km south of the town of Marsaxlokk.

According to an article recently published by MaltaToday, the proposal for a 'fish rearing open sea facility' on a 9,954sq.m offshore site is being constructed by Seaculture Ltd.

FAO Fishery Country Profile - MALTA

Shay Brosh, one of the directors of the company, filed for patents in both the US and Europe for 'open-sea aquaculture systems' which employ a semi-submersible platform with vertical columns, with storage and maintenance facilities for supporting aquaculture.

The system comprises an assembly of aquaculture cages, with vertical cavities for the corresponding columns of the platform.

The technology was presented as a solution to rough sea conditions through a flexible fish cage system for open sea aquaculture, so the cages can be lowered at rough sea, thus avoiding damage to the fish. During calm sea periods, cages may be placed in shallower waters.

Maintenance facilities would comprise a computerised centre for monitoring cages, manage and control the feeding process, detect signs of diseases, and allow the crew to continuously supervise the aquaculture.

Open sea aquaculture has the advantage of being located further away from the coast than near-to-shore farms, having less of an impact on coastal areas.

But concerns have been expressed in scientific literature with regards to the escape of fish, water pollution from uneaten feed and waste products, and the possible spread of water-borne disease from cultured to wild fish.

Transport Malta is objecting to the proposed location, as the area chosen has a high shipping traffic density, adding that such proposals should be made in sites with less maritime traffic.

The concessions will be awarded through a three-stage procedure: starting with a pre-qualification questionnaire, followed by a shortlisting of companies who would be invited to participate in a next stage of dialogue meetings with each shortlisted company.

To find out more about this story, please follow this LINK.

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The effects of Covid-19 on salmon demand

The strong rise in home consumption of salmon was a response to the restrictions or close-down of restaurant and outdoor dining. Now as society opens up the retail sales remains high. Consumers seem to have embraced salmon as a convenient and healthy food for home preparation.

'The global demand now is extremely strong, with continued strong demand from retail while the food service is coming back to normal,' says Arild Aakre, Head of Global Sales, Cermaq.
 

Image credit: Mike McCune on Flickr
(CC BY 2.0)

The US market one example despite a 14 percent growth. has shown strong prices throughout the year, Chilean salmon import prices are up 28 percent compared to 2020.

It is not new that consumers know the health benefits of eating salmon. Now it seems like they have experienced also how easy it is to prepare for everyday meals as well as for special occasions.

'Many, like me, have a limited number of dishes we normally make ourselves. And while this long period of home living has been a challenge, it has also been an opportunity to discover and test new dishes. Salmon seems to be a winner,' continues Mr Aakre.

Increasing consumption of seafood including fatty fish as salmon, is in line with dietary guidelines. An additional reason for consumers may be the fact that salmon has a small carbon footprint, compared to meat from land animals. This is also the basis for the Blue Food Assessment concluding that growth in global food production must come from the ocean.

Visit the Cermaq website, HERE.

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Dibaq Aquaculture to participate in Aquafuture Spain 22

The Dibaq Aquaculture Team will participate in March in the I International Aquaculture Industry Exhibition, Aquafuture Spain'22, intended as a reference point for professionals of  the international aquaculture sector, where they can learn about the latest technological innovations and market strategies, always with a focus on sustainability and sustainable management of resources. A place to share experience and knowledge, where we can learn and teach, and where we can explore the possibility of entering new markets.

As part of this event, Dibaq Aquaculture Colleagues, Eloy Meseguer Hernández (Marine Aquaculture Manager, Marine Biologist PhD) and Antonio José García Saorín(Veterinary-Nutrition, Health & Welfare Aquaculture Office) will offer a lecture titled "Production, Nutrition and health in the cultivation of Seriola Dumerili" on the 24th at 13:00 in the Presentation Room of the fair.

On the other hand, Jose Luis Tejedor (General Manager at Dibaq Aquaculture) will participate in the INNOAQUA roundtable organised by the Acuiplus Cluster on "Optimising the care of aquaculture species: functional and sustainable nutrition as a guarantee of health and well-being" which will take place on March 24 at 12 noon at the Silleda Fairgrounds as part of the Aquafuture Fair.

For more information about Dibaq visit the website, HERE.
For information about the event visit the website, HERE.

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Roxanne Nanninga named as Chief Sustainability Officer for XpertSea

XpertSea, a Canadian company transforming how seafood is farmed and traded, has named Roxanne Nanninga its Chief Sustainability Officer. With this addition to its executive team, XpertSea deepens its commitment to sustainability as a core component of its strategy, by rewarding responsible farming practices and bringing more transparent, environmentally-conscious seafood to market.

Ms Nanninga joins XpertSea from her previous role as Senior Director of Sustainability at Thai Union North America, where she led wide-reaching initiatives for responsible aquaculture and traceability as part of Thai Union's global sustainability team. She has worked in multiple sectors, from environmental non-profit to international corporations to founding a startup, to address the complex challenges facing global fisheries and ocean conservation. In each role she has focused on solving complex challenges with a triple bottom line approach, leveraging cross-sector partnerships and multi-stakeholder collaboration to drive social and environmental performance alongside profits. She holds a masters degree from Duke University in Environmental Management and International Development.

'Roxanne is a leader for change in the seafood industry and we're thrilled that she has joined XpertSea at this time of growth for our company," says Valerie Robitaille, XpertSea's CEO. 'With her vast experience driving implementation of responsible practices across global supply chains, Roxanne will play an important role in helping XpertSea achieve its mission of bringing more traceable and sustainable seafood to the world."

'Working at the intersection of technology, finance, and seafood operations creates a fantastic opportunity to drive change in the industry," says Ms Nanninga, XpertSea's Chief Sustainability Officer. 'The world is increasingly connected and demands healthy, responsibly-produced food to feed our changing planet. I believe that we, at XpertSea, can empower farmers, buyers, and seafood consumers to produce and consume more responsibly by realigning incentives and bringing a new level of transparency.'

'We are thrilled with the appointment of Roxanne Nanninga as Chief Sustainability Officer of XpertSea,' says Amy Novogratz, co-founder and managing partner at Aqua-Spark and an XpertSea board member. 'Roxanne's track record in guiding some of the world's largest seafood companies to taking a sustainable path, combined with XpertSea's commitment to increasing sustainable seafood production while powering a transparent global shrimp marketplace, makes it clear that shrimp is moving toward a more ecological and socially just future.'

In 2021, XpertSea raised $20M USD in a Series B funding round and was ranked as one of Canada's fastest-growing companies by Deloitte Fast 50 and The Globe and Mail newspaper.

For more information about XpertSea visit the website, HERE.

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Fully funded Aquaculture MSc scholarships are currently available for 2022 entry

Fifteen fully funded places on an MSc in sustainable aquaculture are currently being offered by Aquaculture Courses and University of St Andrews and pre-application is now open.

The full CSC scholarships, which cover all tuition fees for the two-year distance learning masters in Sustainable Aquaculture are open to students living in certain Commonwealth countries.

The online course starts in September 2022 and applicants must have a degree (2:1 or above) in a scientific subject and live in one of the following Commonwealth countries:

• Bangladesh
• Belize
• Cameroon
• Eswatini
• Ghana
• India
• Kenya
• Kiribati
• Lesotho
• Malawi
• Mozambique
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Papua New Guinea
• Rwanda
• Samoa
• Sierra Leone
• Solomon Islands
• Sri Lanka
• Tanzania
• The Gambia
• Tuvalu
• Uganda
• Vanuatu
• Zambia

"Our courses have attracted students from over 40 countries and more than 90 students have graduated at postgraduate level," says course director, Dr Neil Hazon.

Those interested in the opportunity who are eligible, must first apply to the University of St Andrews to enrol on the Online Sustainable Aquaculture MSc course. Successful applicants can then apply for CSC scholarship funding.

"In particular applicants should demonstrate how they can promote the development of sustainable aquaculture within their country," says Dr Hazon.

The pre-application window is February 15 – April 5 2022, to allow time to complete the full application process as you must receive an offer from University of St Andrews before you can apply for CSC scholarship funding.

Those interested need to act quickly and complete the pre-application process HERE.

Details of the Sustainable Aquaculture course are available HERE.

Full details of the Commonwealth Distance Learning scholarships are available on the website, HERE.

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Technology expert Chris Hyde joins SAIC’s board of directors

The Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) has appointed Chris Hyde, chief technology officer of Aberdeen-based marine technology specialist OTAQ, to its board of directors.

The move will strengthen links and foster relationships between the aquaculture sector and Scottish SMEs, drawing on Mr Hyde's experience in tech companies and start-ups. He currently heads up engineering and new product development for OTAQ across its aquaculture and offshore energy markets.

Mr Hyde brings more than 25 years of aquaculture industry experience to SAIC's board. He previously held roles at aquaculture technology specialist Mohn Aqua Group (now part of Gael Force) and subsea energy systems specialist Bennex Group (now part of Siemens Energy) before becoming part of the founding team at OTAQ.

Working with SMEs in aquaculture and neighbouring sectors is a core focus for SAIC, with innovation and new technology supporting sustainable development that can help to secure the future of the sector.

Mr Hyde says, 'Working closely with fish farmers over my whole career, I have learned a great deal about aquaculture – both in terms of how the sector operates around the world and the challenges it faces. I have led and operated within SMEs throughout my working life and look forward to bringing this experience to the SAIC board.'

Commenting on the appointment, David Gregory, chair of SAIC, adds, 'Chris is a great addition to the strategic knowledge and extensive sector connections available on the SAIC board, bringing a wealth of experience in terms of running SMEs, as well as expertise in aquaculture and subsea energy. Chris shares SAIC's passion for aquaculture and the role it plays in feeding the world, with technology and innovation central to increasing the sector's economic impact while reducing its environmental footprint.'

For more information about SAIC visit the website, HERE.

The Aquaculturists

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Wenger Company Profile

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.

Today, Wenger offers a range of premium single-screw extruders, twin-screw extruders, dryers/coolers, flavor coating and enrobing systems, and control systems. A new generation of proud employees works toward customer satisfaction daily in their multiple plants, in their world-class research and development center, and in sales and service offices around the globe.

Wenger equipment is unmatched in quality. Perhaps even more importantly, they've built a reputation for having lasting partnerships with customers. Lasting because of their dedication, ingenuity, and responsiveness – and their promise to carry out that commitment for generations to come.

For more information visit the Wenger marketplace listing on the International Aquafeed website, HERE.

The Aquaculturists

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The deadline for AquaFarm’s R&D award has been extended

Along with the postponement of the trade show, Pordenone Fiere decided to extend the deadline for submitting the application for the AquaFarm R&D award contest. The new deadline is April 20th.

The contest is addressed to researchers and start-ups from all over the world to reward projects, products and services that aim to improve productivity in aquaculture.

All participants of the AquaFarm contest will be able to exhibit a poster of the project during the show. The first three classified will have the opportunity to present their research or innovation in front of the audience of the event and will receive a cash prize to support their business. The jury is composed by experts in technology and economics as well as representatives of producers' associations, who are most interested in the adoption of the innovations presented:

• Fabio Massa, Senior Advisor Aquaculture
• Pierantonio Salvador, President of API (Italian fish farmers association)
• Giuseppe Prioli, President of AMA (Mediterranean Aquaculture Association)
• Paolo Anselmo, President of IBAN (Italian Business Angels Association)
• A representative of Pordenone Fiere

For more information visit the AquaFarm website, HERE. 

The Aquaculturists

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AquaFuture Spain reaches 100 percent occupancy of its exhibition area

The international aquaculture fair AquaFuture Spain 2022, which will take place from March 23 to 25 this year at the ABANCA International Fair of Galicia, has already reached 100 percent occupancy of its exhibition area.

This hiring of all the available space occurs after four extensions of the initial plan of the event due to the high demand by the firms in the sector and has meant that the event considers the registration of companies to be finished.

An excellent response from the aquaculture industry that far exceeds the initial expectations of the organising company, Ok Eventos, which began working on the project a year ago with the aim of reaching 80 companies and will eventually have more than 150 in its exhibition. . An important figure to which is added the great interest generated by the fair at an international level, with 24 different countries from Europe, Asia, Latin America, North America or South Africa being represented.

These companies will make up the so-called ExpoFuture, an exhibition space for companies and other entities linked to the aquaculture value chain, where they can present the latest market innovations and promote the establishment of business lines and synergies. It will also have the presence of official bodies and public institutions representing and supporting the aquaculture sector, as a commitment to a sustainable and competitive sector and lastly and very importantly with the productive sector showing the variety, quality and versatility of its products in the market, as well as its applications in modern and traditional cuisine.

There will be six round tables that will be broadcast via streaming and will take place in the conference room, which will be named after Carmen Sarasquete, in honour of this recently deceased biologist. A native of Santa Uxía de Ribeira and a graduate from the University of Santiago de Compostela, she was the first female member of the Cadiz Academy of Medicine and Surgery without being a doctor, as well as a member of the Cadiz Artistic, Literary and Scientific Athenaeum.

On the other hand, during the three days more than twenty presentations are scheduled in the ABANCA room, while eight culinary sessions with aquaculture products have been confirmed in the Show Cookings-Xacobeo 21-22 area, allowing their applications both in the modern and traditional cuisine.

Great interest from the sector to visit Aquafuture Spain´22
In addition to a high demand from companies to participate in Aquafuture Spain, the organisation is also receiving numerous requests for accreditation from companies, large and small producers, researchers and other professionals in the aquaculture sector to visit a fair that is professional in nature and has high expectations of national and international influx.

The organisation has made available to readers the possibility of downloading the accreditation through the following QR code.

For more information visit the AquaFuture website, HERE.

The Aquaculturists

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