US Embassy partners with Seychelles Fishing Authority and Seychelles investment board for workhop on 'promoting sustainable aquaculture development'

August 30, 2023 - The US Embassy was pleased to partner with the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) and the Seychelles Investment Board (SIB) to organise a workshop titled 'Promoting Sustainable Aquaculture Development.'

The workshop was part of a three-day series of meetings, site visits and other engagements to support the development of sustainable aquaculture in Seychelles. During the workshop the participants discussed industry best practices and challenges. The broader initiative is the result of strong collaboration among the US Embassy, Seychelles Fishing Authority, and Seychelles Investment Board.

Jason Heckathorn, Founder and Chief Sustainability Officer of the US-based firm Forever Oceans accepted an invitation from the Embassy to take part in the workshop as a speaker and connect with Seychellois aquaculture stakeholders. Forever Oceans' mission is to raise nutrient-rich fish in a sustainable manner, offshore and in deep water. The company builds automated systems to maintain the enclosures and feed the fish without human interaction. Forever Oceans' innovations have been recognised as a TIME magazine 'Best Invention of the Year', and the company was named one of the top-25 seafood innovators in the world by Seafood Source Magazine.

In his opening remarks at the workshop, US Ambassador Henry Jardine highlighted the importance of aquaculture as a key component of climate-resilient food systems and noted the Embassy has been working closely with the Government of Seychelles and industry associations to promote sustainable aquaculture practices.

"At the 2023 Our Ocean Conference in Panama in March, the United States delegation, headed by Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, made seven commitments totalling more than US$665 million - nearly $9 billion Seychellois Rupees - under the sustainable fisheries area of action. US initiatives aim to improve climate resilience in fisheries and advance transparency in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. The US Embassy is pleased to collaborate with the government of Seychelles and industry associations to protect marine biodiversity and promote sustainable aquaculture practices and fisheries management."

The US Department of State's Bureau of Economic and Business affairs sponsored this effort through its Business Facilitation Incentive Fund (BFIF).

For more information, visit HERE.

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Dr Alejandro Gutierrez spearheads CAT's Breeding Leadership

August 25, 2023 - The Centre for Aquaculture Technologies (CAT) has a proven track record of assisting clients in attaining their production and efficiency goals through the utilisation of cutting-edge breeding technologies.

To meet the escalating demand for genetic services while maintaining their client-focused approach, CAT is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Alejandro Gutierrez as the Director of Breeding. Alejandro will lead the breeding and genetic services team, guiding CAT in expanding its portfolio of clients and breeding services.

Dr Gutierrez has spent more than a decade conducting research and leading teams in the fields on genomics, genotyping and selective breeding. His experience spans numerous species and his research has left a positive mark on the scientific community.

In response to Dr Gutierrez's new position, Dr Klara Verbyla, Vice President of Genetic Improvement, says, "We are delighted with the appointment of Alejandro as the Director of Breeding. His role underscores the continuous rapid growth of the CAT breeding team in response to industry requests and the need for a dedicated leader to guide and drive the team forward. Alejandro has exceptional technical expertise in both applied breeding and genomics with demonstrated experience in people leadership."

Dr Gutierrez echoes this positive assessment, stating, "I am very happy to be joining the team at CAT. I look forward to directly contributing to the delivery of world-class breeding and genetic services, to help propel growth and efficiency in the aquaculture sector."

In the face of rising costs and evolving consumer demand, aquaculture producers are under pressure to find ways to feed the world more efficiently. The CAT breeding team rises to this challenge with a commitment to deliver genetic improvement while upholding environmental considerations to ensure sustainable nourishment for a growing global population.

For more information, visit HERE.

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China halts aquaculture imports from Japan

August 24, 2023 - The 9.0 magnitude Tōhoku earthquake in 2011 and the ensuing tsunami caused a disaster at the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant. The earthquake off the coast of Japan's Honshu Island triggered a large-scale tsunami. This natural disaster led to the shutdown of three reactors at the nuclear power plant. The damage caused by the tsunami and the subsequent nuclear leak caused a major environmental crisis in the region. Japanese authorities and the international community have long been studying the environmental and human health impacts of the incident.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumiyo Kishida announced after a cabinet meeting on August 22 that radioactive waste water from Fukushima would be discharged into the ocean on August 24. This step raised concerns about the expansion of radioactive contamination in the region and the safety of seafood. China has taken a tough step against the plans to discharge radioactive wastewater from Japan's Fukushima region into the ocean.

China issued an official statement saying it was taking action to protect food safety and consumer health. Under the "Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" and related regulations, it was announced that measures will be taken to prevent the risk of radioactive contamination from Japan's Fukushima on food safety and to protect the health of Chinese consumers.

It was stated that the General Administration of Customs of China has completely suspended the import of aquatic products originating from Japan as of August 24, 2023. This step was evaluated as a reflection of the importance China attaches to food safety and health standards. The Chinese government stated that this measure is in line with international trade rules under the World Trade Organization Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures.

The nuclear contamination problem in Japan's Fukushima region continues to cause international concern. The incident has brought to the fore the impact of radioactive wastewater on the environment and food supplies, and has sparked a widespread debate on how countries should approach such issues.

For more information, visit HERE.

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Ace Aquatec launches state-of-the-art biomass camera on global stage

August 23, 2023 - Award winning aquaculture technology company, Ace Aquatec, have today added another innovative product to their suite with the unveiling of their A-BIOMASS - an automated AI camera system which will revolutionise biomass data capture for fish farmers around the globe.

Revealed for the first time today at Aqua Nor 2023, the A-BIOMASS, an advanced underwater camera system, promises to transform the way fish farmers across the globe monitor and grade their fish stocks by using machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) for real-time millimetre accuracy. The fully automated camera is far smaller and easier to deploy than many on the market, weighing in at just 8.5kg, and has been proven to withstand and harshest environmental conditions, having been developed and tested in Scotland's most northernly waters.

The camera system is Ace Aquatec's latest addition to its suite of high-welfare technology products and offers fish farmers a convenient, reliable and cost-effective way to estimate fish biomass without handling or manual invention. The fully automated AI cameras use point cloud technology to track fish, simultaneously differentiating individuals from the shoal. Continuous measurement of fish size enables millimetre accuracy in the grading process and reduces feed waste, meaning less impact on the immediate environment and efficiency savings for farmers. The system can also be operated remotely so fish stocks can be monitored from anywhere in the world, reducing the need to be on site.

The A-BIOMASS for Salmon is the first camera in the series, with modules for Trout, Seabass and Tilapia to follow in 2024.

Keith Davidson, chief technology officer at Ace Aquatec said: "Our biomass camera has been five years in development, incorporating expertise and knowledge from scientists and partners around the world. We've done extensive field testing and data collection to create a system that truly measures biomass and fits in with fish farmers' daily processes and operations. Ace Aquatec is dedicated to supporting aquaculture to increase the welfare of their fish, the efficiency of their operations and the safety of their staff. The biomass camera we are launching today is the first of its kind and will transform the monitoring of salmon stocks. It requires no specialist skills to operate, offering a convenient and reliable solution to farmers across the globe."

Nathan Pyne-Carter, CEO at Ace Aquatec said: "We wanted to develop a product that was not only market-leading, but one that would become the fish farmer's friend, supporting them with a system that is easy to deploy, manage and monitor. The team at Ace Aquatec have dedicated a huge amount of time and expertise to making sure that the biomass we are launching today optimises feed and growth rates and helps farmers stay within their stocking density quota".

For more information, visit HERE.

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Veramaris Manolin big data partnership reveals benefits of optimum omega nutrition in Nowegian salmon farming

August 23, 2023 - Veramaris' partnership with Manolin uses data collected from over 232 million fish and 99 farms to reveal meaningful benefits of higher dietary EPA & DHA levels on biological performance and harvest quality. These results empowered farmers to increase their return on investment through nutritionally optimised salmon feed.

Scientific understanding of the benefits of essential fatty acids in fish nutrition is developing fast, but the implications for commercial salmon farming proved hard to define, until now. A new partnership between Veramaris and Manolin has enabled the use of big data in commercial aquaculture conditions for the first time, with the aim of gaining insights into Omega-3 (EPA & DHA) levels in commercial aquafeed and the effects upon fish performance, quality, health and welfare.

Earlier this year, Veramaris recruited Manolin's experts to conduct research and analyse anonymously provided feed and farm data. Through its innovative 'Harpoon' aquaculture research data intelligence platform, Manolin conducted a focused study analysing data from most Norwegian production zones to provide insights into the impact of dietary EPA & DHA levels on farmed salmon performance.

"Our platform has collected data from more than 900 generations of farm salmon, producing insights for the aquaculture industry and demonstrating the immense potential of leveraging data intelligence in aquaculture research. In addition, our anonymous and unbiased data is well-placed for industry collaborations such as this one with Veramaris," said Tony Chen, CEO of Manolin.

Veramaris has been assisting farmers to make the most of its new algal oil Omega-3 product by resetting omega nutrition specifications in feed to improve farm productivity. "We started by studying performance in research conditions before progressing to individual commercial farm sites, but the study allows us to go so much deeper than this," said Ian Carr, Senior Director for Global Business Development at Veramaris.

The implications of the study are far-reaching and showcase the potential of analysing data in commercial settings to gain insights into fish performance. The results reveal that above average EPA & DHA levels in salmon feed led to significant improvements in metrics including harvest quality - with an average of 76 percent more superior harvests recorded - as well as higher feed performance, ultimately benefiting farm profitability.

The project has provided a proof of concept based on big data to unlock the full potential of Veramaris' Optimum Omega Nutrition (OON) approach. "The results, which used data from some 232 million fish, have deepened our understanding of the impact of EPA & DHA levels on the performance of farmed salmon," said Yann Le Gal, Global Business Development Manager at Veramaris.

Veramaris' OON guidelines, used in conjunction with natural marine algal oil, can effectively support fish farmers to ensure animal welfare and performance are maximised, without creating additional strain on our oceans.

Today, Veramaris and Manolin will showcase early results from the project in respective presentations at the AquaNor conference in Trondheim, Norway.

For more information, visit HERE.

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Fluctus: Feeding systems to China

August 22, 2023 - Fluctus to deliver four feeding systems to China's largest trout farmer

The equipment supplier Fluctus and the Chinese trout farmer Qinghai Minze Longyangxia Ecological Aquaculture signed the contract for four feeding systems and spreaders on AquaNor's opening day.

"We look forward to working with Minze Longyangxia, which we perceive as a solid and exciting company. Fluctus will contribute with extensive experience and expertise within fish farming equipment in general and feeding solutions in particular" says Harald Lien - General Manager of Fluctus.

Of the four feeding facilities, three will have airborne and one water-borne feeding.

"It is particularly exciting that Minze Longyangxia will use Norwegian water-borne feeding technology that provides efficient feeding in a sustainable way. We are experiencing great interest, both in Norway and abroad, for our water-borne feeding solution," Lien continues.

Foreign markets have become even more important for Norwegian suppliers in the past year.

"We are experiencing reduced investments in the Norwegian market, which we assume is still affected by the disorderly process regarding the new tax on fish farming. It is therefore both natural and necessary for the supplier industry to look abroad. The contract with Minze Longyangxia is our largest single feeding system contract ever and marks a milestone for Fluctus" says Lien

Ying Miyan, CEO and chairman of the board of Minze Longyangxia explains their decision: "Having in place reliable and durable feeding systems is an important part of our agenda for digital transformation of our farming practice. Through our communications, Fluctus team has shown not only strong competence and agility, but also a strong service mindset.

"In addition to air-borne feeding that is already common on our farms, we are excited to try Fluctus' water-borne feeding solution - to further improve feeding performance in a more sustainable way, which has always been a main priority of our business."

For more information, visit HERE.

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Online Aquafeed Production School

The third season of the Credo Online Aquafeed School (OAS) commenced today. The programme is jointly organised by Progressus Agrischools and Perendale Publishers, and sponsored by Agentis Innovations, Tietjen, Andritz, Wenger, PLP Systems and International Milling Directory.

The session began with a warm welcome from Yiannis Christodoulou, Managing Director at Agentis Innovations and also the session moderator for OAS, marking the beginning of the program. Then Roger Gilbert, CEO of Perendale Publishers and the session moderator, introduced the trainers and provided an overview of the course and its structure.

Joe Kearns (top left), Yiannis Christodoulou (top right) and Roger Gilbert during QnA Session

Session 1, led by Joe Kearns, the school moderator and in-house trainer, focused on ‘Plant Design and Aquatic Feeds.’ Joe is the Editor of International Petfood magazine and was previously Vice President of the Aquafeed Division for Wenger. The session comprised three parts:

1. General Plant Layout and Production Flow for Aquafeed:
   • Covered aspects such as ingredient receiving, including raw material reception and product shipping.
   • Explored various types of unloading systems and discussed storage systems, including liquid storage.
   • Illustrated the Aquafeed plant flow through diagrams, detailing ingredient storage and preparation processes.
   • Explained the extrusion process, highlighting its significance.
2. Aquatic Feed Products and Their Advancements:
   • Joe delved into feed ingredient sources and specifications, particularly starch formulation.
   • Discussed different types of Aquatic feeds and feeding options, along with the factors influencing them.
   • Explored extrusion dies, addressing concerns like die blockage and density changes.
   • Touched on achieving optimal performance by fitting the knife perfectly to the die face.
3. Basic Raw Material:
   • Explored key considerations in an aquatic feed extrusion project.
   • Discussed product, ingredients, and raw materials, emphasising ingredient selection.
   • Introduced the flow index test for fish meals and compared the solubility of animal proteins.
   • Analysed the impact of raw material protein quality on pellet quality.
   • Discussed two laboratory tests indicating protein functionality and addressed extrusion quality testing for soybean meal (SBM).
   • Explored the effects of varying vegetable protein levels on extrusion moisture.
   • Presented a method to calculate the true cost of the entire process.

The session concluded with a Q&A segment where Joe addressed participants’ questions.

Roger Gilbert concluded the session by thanking the Sponsors and attendees.

This session will be re-broadcasted this Friday 25 August for the U.S & Latin American audience. To register and watch it, click here.

Session 2 is scheduled for August 29, 2023, at different time slots to accommodate various regions: 14:00 Bangkok Time / 09:00 Central European Time, and for the US and LATAM, 10:00 Chicago Time / 13:00 Buenos Aires Time. You can access it here.

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Scottish aquaculture mission to Norway aims for global growth

August 21, 2023 - A Scottish Government-baked delegation is travelling to Norway this week to showcase the strength of the country's aquaculture supply chain and boost international trade opportunities for SMEs.

Some of Scotland's latest aquaculture and marine technology will be demonstrated to an audience of 25,000 people from 75 countries at Aqua Nor - the world's largest aquaculture technology showcase.

The event takes place in Trondheim, Norway, from 22 to 24 August and includes a Scottish pavilion attended by 18 of Scotlands aquaculture supply chain businesses, providing an opportunity to showcase new innovations.

The Team Scotland presence at the event has been arranged by a partnership involving Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC), and the Scottish Governmnet.

Companies joining the shared Scottish pavilion will have access to facilities for technical demonstrations, talks and networking, to support new commercial opportunities. A further 18 Scottish companies are joining the wider delegation with their own stands or as visitors to the event.

Some of the Scottish marine technology on display includes OTAQ's Live Plankton Analysis System (LPAS), which employs machine learning to automatically detect potentially harmful species of phytoplankton. GenusWave is also displaying its advanced audio signalling technology, which helps to protect salmon from predators.

Other organisations taking part are miAlgae, Krucial, Moredun Scientific, Otter Ferry Seafish, Tritonia Scientific, Brimmond, SAMS Enterprise, I&C Process Solutions, KelpRing, Aqualife Services, Underwater Contracting, Veramaris, DSM-firmenich, Fish Farmer Magazine, Tritech and the University of Stirling’s Institute of Aquaculture.

The Scottish pavilion will be officially opened by Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands. She said: "I look forward to opening the Scottish pavilion at Aquanor, made possible through collaboration by businesses, the public sector and our innovation centre, and supported and funded by theScottish Government. The pavilion showcases the innovation, technology and research of Scottish aquaculture to an international audience and will create economic opportunities for the sector, including Scottish small and medium sized businesses.

"Scotland's aquaculture sector is a significant contributor to our economy, generating approximately UK£885 million GVA and an estimated 11,700 jobs while producing healthy and nutritious products. Our recently published Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture sets out our ambition to grow the sector, deliver innovation and makes clear the Scottish Government's support for a sustainable aquaculture industry and supply chain."

Aqua Nor brings together the latest products, processes and services covering farmed finfish, shellfish and seaweed.

As part of a busy three-day pavilion programme, a panel talk between representatives from Scotland, Norway, Canada and the Faroes will explore how different aquaculture-producing nations fund, drive, adopt and commercialise innovation to drive forward sustainable growth in aquaculture.

Heather Jones, CEO of SAIC, said: "The return of the Scottish pavilion, bigger and better than ever before, is a fantastic platform for showcasing the impactful marine technology and innovation coming out of Scotland.

"Some of the SMEs joining the delegation may not have otherwise had the chance to come to Trondheim. This is why we have pulled together as Team Scotland, building on our role as a hub for connecting different areas of the sector and the academic community. I hope to see consultancy, new orders, and product and knowledge expertise exported from Scotland, contributing to our country's international growth."

Elaine Jamieson, head of food and drink and life sciences at HIE, added: "Aquaculture is an important industry in Scotland. In rural parts of the Highlands and Islands it creates opportunities for a broad and diverse range of businesses that provide vital year-round well-paid employment and support community resilience and prosperity.

"Aqua Nor is the global meeting place for the industry and it's great to be part of the team bringing together the Scottish pavilion. The event gives Scotland's public and private sector the opportunity to showcase technology, innovation and products and services.

"Crucially, it also helps to explore new opportunities for international collaboration and trade, and will attract further inward investment to the Highlands and Islands."

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GaelForce gears up for Aqua Nor 2023

Aqua Nor starts soon on the 22nd August, and the team at GaelForce have been working hard to ensure that they have some amazing products to show their visitors!

One of these products is the SeaQureLink Ultra, their brand new Mooring Ring. It has been tested to 190T and is perfect for exposed, high energy environments.

SeaQureLink mooring grid connection node has been designed by Gael Force’s in-house engineering team drawing on over 30 years of experience in the design and specification of specialised mooring systems for aquaculture.

Their robustly engineered shackle plates are manufactured from heavy-duty galvanised steel and contain multiple connection points with ample space for allowing simple access for all connections.

For more information, visit HERE.

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Innovasea adds Atlantic salmon algorithm to real-time biomass solution

August 17, 2023 - Innovasea, a global leader in technologically advanced aquatic solutions for aquaculture and fish tracking, announced today that its AI-driven biomass estimation solution, BiomassPro, is now available for use with Atlantic salmon.

Recent field trials in British Columbia, Canada, have shown the solutions algorithm for Atlantic salmon highly effective at estimating the size and weight of that species in real time.

"The technology behind BiomassPro continues to perform well in the field, which is really exciting," said Rafael Cordero, vice president of engineering at Innovasea. "Customers have been asking for some time when it would be available for Atlantic salmon, but we wanted to take time to fine tune the algorithm and ensure we were bringing a quality product to the marketplace."

BiomassPro is an AI-powered solution that estimates the size and weight of fish stocks in real time to help farms optimise production and reduce feeding costs. It also provides accurate growth projections to improve resource planning and sales forecasting and ultimately boost revenues.

BiomassPro is currently in use at farms in Canada, Chile, New Zealand, the United States, Mexico, Central America and the Mediterranean region. It is available for six species: Atlantic salmon, cobia, king salmon, red snapper, totoaba and yellowtail.

For more information, visit HERE.

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THE TRŪ SHRIMP COMPANIES APPOINTS HAWKINS AS EXCLUSIVE U.S. DISTRIBUTOR FOR TRŪ CHITOSA

August 16, 2023 - The trū Shrimp Companies Inc announced today that trū Shrimp has appointed Hawkins Inc as the exclusive distributor of its trū Chitosan products into the United States' pharmaceutical and medical device industries.

trū Chitosan is derived from the exoskeletons of trū Shrimp's production of consumer shrimp. Chitosan is a molecule refined from the shell of shrimp and is used for numerous pharmaceutical and medical applications. trū Shrimp is the only United States producer of chitosan that meets the strict medical specifications of the United States Pharmacopoeia - National Formulary (USP-NF) monograph.

"From our first introduction, we were impressed by the quality standards set by trū Chitosan," said Chris Meyer, Sales Manager of Hawkins Pharmaceutical. "its trū Chitosan products meet the quality and regulatory standards our customer base demands."

"From the inception of trū Shrimp, we have pursued the production of chitosan from the shells and peels of our shrimp,"stated Michael Ziebell, President and Chief Executive Officer of trū Shrimp. "trū Chitosan is the result of the vision and work of our team and partners. We are honoured to have a company with the certifications and reputation of Hawkins representing trū Chitosan to the medical industry."

The shrimp are grown indoors under controlled conditions free of pollution, disease, preserving chemicals and antibiotics. Those same conditions ensure the quality and consistency of the shell tissue raw material for the chitosan. These processes create an unprecedented chain of custody from genetics to finished chitosan which offers a precise and industry-unique Certificate of Origin critical to medical applications. "Our pursuit of the world's finest chitosan starts with the world's finest shrimp," added Ziebell.

"We are excited to be able to provide trū Chitosan products to our customer base," continued Meyer. "Chitosan is a heavily researched biomaterial by the medical industry. Chitosan is a versatile molecule with multiple uses including topical and internal medicine as well as medical device applications."

For more information, visit HERE.

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Over 5.6 million fish have died on Scottish salmon farms so far in 2023

A reported 900,000 Scottish farmed salmon died between 1st and 30th June 2023, bringing the total morality numbers for the Scottish salmon farming industry to approximately 5.6 million so far this year - 1.6 million more fish compared to the same period last year.

Yearly mortality numbers on Scottish salmon farms:

2018: 3.7 million
2019: 6.3 million
2020: 5.8 million
2021: 9.0 million
2022: 16.7 million

WildFish launches an international restaurant directory as part of its Off the table campaign, calling on all chefs and restaurants to take open-net farmed salmon off their menus.

Since the introduction of open-net farms in Scotland in the 1970s, farmed salmon has negatively impacted our environment, our marine ecosystems and fish welfare. In 2022, the Scottish salmon farming industry reported the death of 16.7 million fish on its farms - a figure that nearly doubled from the previous year, equivalent to 1 in 4 fish. A closer look:

Mass production: intensive salmon farming creates a breeding ground for diseases and parasites. According to a WildFish report, in 2022, a single Scottish salmon farm can be infested with as many as 5 million parasitic sea lice at any one time - juvenile lice spread out from the farms, risking potentially fatal infestations in wild salmon and sea trout.

Impact on wild fish: it's estimated that 440 wild fish are required as feed to produce one farmed salmon or around 2.5kg (wild-caught fish as feed) per 1kg (farmed salmon). The industry relies on wild fish such as wild herring, anchovies and mackerel for this feed; 90 percent of which could be directly eaten by people.

Contamination: despite farmed salmon often being labelled as 'responsibly produced', the Scottish salmon farming industry is the only UK livestock industry to report increasing antibiotic usage trends (since data first published), according to the UK Veterinary Antibiotic Resistance and Sales Surveillance Report published in 2022. The industry also continues to use chemical pesticides, toxic to marine life, that can spread as far as 39km away from the farms. According to an analysis by Inside Scottish Salmon Feedlots, Scottish salmon farm waste is equivalent to the volume of sewage produced by half of Scotland - approximately 35,000 tonnes per year.

More than 4.6 million fish have already died on salmon farms so far in 2023; over 1 million fish more than during the same period in 2022. In May this year, salmon producer Loch Duart reported 76.8 percent of the fish has died on one of its farms (Loch Carnan) over the course of a production cycle.

According to HMRC export data, farmed salmon is currently the UK's largest food export; although the export value of the industry has decreased from UK£617 million in 2019, to UK£614 million in 2021, to UK£578 million in 2022.

Off the table is supported by 50 NGOs and community groups from within Scotland, across the UK and internationally, including Slow Food UK and Chile, Feedback, and Patagonia, as well as Booker Prize-winning author Richard Flanagan.

The campaign is also calling on restaurants and chefs to raise awareness of the detrimental impacts of open-net farmed salmon within the restaurant trade and the hospitality sector.

"There is a lack of transparency when it comes to farmed salmon and the negative health risks and environmental impacts. Chefs and restaurants, as leaders of the food industry, are the ones who drive trends, and they have a responsibility to understand the consequences of what they are endorsing as a 'healthy and sustainable' choice. Off the Table comes with a stark reminder to chefs and restaurants that they should use their power to support healthy coasts and communities, rather than propping up a polluting industry." comments Beth Thoren - Patagonia Inc Environmental Action & Initiatives Director EMEA - following the publication by Patagonia last week of The New Fish: The truth about Farmed Salmon and the Consequences We Can No Longer Ignore written by Simen Saetre and Kjetil Ostli.

Dr Matt Palmer, Farmed Salmon Campaign Manager at WildFish, said: "With high morality rates, poor environmental impacts, ad negative impacts on our wild fish populations, open-net farmed salmon has no place on a sustainable menu. It's really encouraging to see the positive response we've had to our campaign from the hospitality sector so far. We look forward to working with more chefs and restaurants, and members of the public, to grow this movement in the coming months, and help us take open-net farmed salmon off the table."

For more information, visit HERE.

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Seagriculture USA 2023: Chances and changes in the seaweed industry

August 15, 2023 - Seagriculture, one of the leading conferences in the seaweed industry, has been organised in Europe since 2012. The Seagriculture conferences stand as a pivotal platform for fostering collaboration, facilitating the exchange of knowledge, and catalysing innovative ideas within the seaweed industry.

Seagriculture conference 2022

Last year the first edition of Seagriculture USA was made possible with the support of the State of Maine. This year, the highly anticipated second edition of Seagriculture USA 2023 conference is returning to Portland (ME) one more time. Maine is home to numerous companies active in the seaweed industry.

The event will take place from 6-7 September 2023 and is once again supported by the State of Maine and its following state agencies; Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), Maine Technology Institute (MTI), Maine International Trade Center (MITC) and Maine Office of Tourism.

This conference will happen over two days and will share new information about the seaweed industry in the US and around the world. It will show the vast potential of seaweed, highlight the latest developments, nurture collaborations and foster a sense of community within the seaweed industry.

With a spotlight on seaweed investments and scaling up the seaweed industry on one hand, and indigenous communities who will share their stories about working with seaweed on the other hand, this year's event stands out for its innovative perspectives. More information about the conference program and the international line-up, including speakers from Israel, the Netherlands, Norway, Kenya and South Korea, can be found on the website.

The event's accompanying trade show is a key highlight, offering companies within the seaweed industry an exceptional platform to showcase their innovative products and services to other industry professionals. The trade show will facilitate valuable networking and collaboration opportunities, allowing attendees to stay informed about the most recent developments in the field.

Enhancing the conference experience, Seagriculture USA 2023 places a strong emphasis on fostering direct exchanges between conference delegates. In addition to networking coffee and lunch breaks and the trade show, attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to participate in the Speed Networking, a Cocktail Reception and a networking event called 'Networking by the Bay'.

Wade Merritt, President of Maine International trade Centre (MITC) and State Director of International Trade within the Maine Department of Economic & Community Development, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming conference: "We are pleased to welcome global seaweed innovators and industry leaders to gather once again in Maine. Seagriculture USA 2023 offers a diverse range of sessions and networking opportunities, making this a must-attend event for anyone looking to grow their business in the seaweed industry."

Seagriculture USA 2023 will bring together a broad spectrum of participants, from seaweed cultivators, processors and distributors to technology providers, investors, academic organisations, research institutions and government agencies, fostering a convergence of stakeholders. The conference aims to encourage discourse and discussion, facilitating an understanding of the potential and challenges within the seaweed industry.

For more information, visit HERE.

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Ace Aquatec welcomes new Chief Technology Officer

August 14, 2023 - Ace Aquatec, the award-winning aquaculture technology company, has announced the appointment of Keith Davidson as Chief Technology Officer, who brings with him a wealth of experience leading global technology teams.

Having managed teams across the USA, Canada, India, China, Europe and Asia, Keith has worked with technology companies at every stage, from start-ups to multinational corporations. A deep curiosity for all things science and technology led him to the role and his extensive experience of aligning technology strategies with overall business goals will support Ace Aquatec to achieve its aim of developing world-class ethical technology for the growing global aquaculture sector.

Speaking about his new appointment, Keith Davidson said: "There are few professional opportunities that come along where you have the chance to work across almost every engineering discipline. Ace Aquatec products span mechanical, electrical, electronic, software and AI and as a technologist and engineer at heart this is an ideal opportunity to work in a field where technology is truly used for good. I plan to take this opportunity to build on the fantastic work already being done by Ace Aquatec's world class technology team to provide fully integrated intelligent aquaculture products that support our customers to operate efficiently and humanely."

Nathan Pyne-Carter, CEO of Ace Aquatec said: "We're thrilled to welcome Keith to the executive team and everyone at Ace Aquatec is looking forward to working with him on the further development of our high-welfare aquaculture technologies. Keith's core principles clearly align with our ethos, and we are delighted he is joining at a time of growth for the company and sector as a whole."

For more information, visit HERE.

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Government opens more opportunities for sustainable Atlantic bluefin tuna fisheries outside the EU

The government has opened up more opportunities for sustainable Atlantic Bluefin tuna fisheries outside the EU through commercial and recreational fishing which will support the sustainable management of the species whilst also delivering social and economic benefits to coastal communities.

Today's announcement is another step in the government's work to deliver thriving, sustainable fisheries outside the EU. It will see economic benefits to industry and coastal communities, both through increased catching opportunities and income from tourism, and ensure that Atlantic bluefin tuna stocks are managed in a sustainable manner and underpinned by the best available science.

39 tonnes will be used for a new trial commercial fishery which takes advantage of an increased quota share of 65 tonnes for 2023.

The new trial commercial fishery for Atlantic bluefin tuna, delivered by Defra and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) on behalf of the UK Fisheries Authorities, is the first of its type in the UK for decades. License authorisations have been issued to 10 fishermen following an expression of interest process.

Vessels will be permitted only to use low-impact rod and reel fishing gears which use lures, no live bait or chumming will be permitted. The trial fishery will be open until November 2023 and will assist in the evaluation of the sustainability of a small-scale commercial fishery for this species and the social and economic benefits this new fishery could potentially provide to UK fishermen.

After great success in 2021 and 2022, opportunities for recreational anglers to encounter Atlantic bluefin tuna will once again open up in the Catch and Release Tagging programme (CHART), which will be available through 24 charter vessels from fishing ports across South-West and Southern England.

Delivered by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), the tuna caught in CHART will be carefully tagged and released back into the ocean by skippers and their crew. The programme will provide important scientific data to understand and manage Atlanta bluefin tuna whilst also benefiting coastal communities through high-value tourism.

Today's announcement comes after the government announced a major package of measures to deliver a thriving, sustainable fishing industry and healthy Marie environment outside the EU. This included seizing on our new found freedoms outside the EU to introduce a world class system fisheries management underpinned by Fisheries Management Plans, as well as a consultation on the establishment of a licensed recreational bluefin catch and release tuna fishery.

Fisheries Minister Mark Spencer said: "We're committed to the sustainable management of Atlantic bluefin tuna, and today's announcement will help deliver this while providing economic and social benefits to communities around our coast.

"I look forward to seeing the valuable research that this work will deliver, contributing hugely to developing a plan for how we use our quota in the future."

Dave Righton, CHART Principal Investigator said: "We are excited to continue our work with recreational fisheries in CHART 2023, and to build on the results of CHART in 2021 and 2022.

"The 2023 programme will further develop our understanding of the occurrence and demographics of Atlantic bluefin tuna in English waters and is a great demonstration of participatory science that provides valuable data for fisheries management."

In recent years, the number of reported sightings of Atlantic bluefin tuna in UK waters has been increasing. Reasons such as conservation measures and climate change impacts, including abundance of prey and changes to the marine environment are through to have caused this increase in sightings.

The data collected from this work will contribute not only to improving the understanding of Atlantic bluefin tuna in UK waters but will also be supplied to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).

For more information, visit HERE.

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Yumbah Aquaculture acquires Eyre Peninsula Seafoods

Yumbah Aquaculture has completed its acquisition of Australia's largest mussel farmer and processor, Eyre Peninsula Seafoods.

For Yumbah the deal - for an undisclosed sum - provides a substantial boost to both its Port Philip Bay mussel business in Victoria, and its presence on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula where it produces abalone and oyster spat at Port Lincoln.

Eyre Peninsula Seafoods sells more than 2300 tonnes of mussels under the Boston Bay Mussels and Kinkawooa Mussels brands throughout Australia and in export markets.

Key owners and managers, Chief Executive Mark Andrews and Executive Director Andrew Puglisi, will remain with the business following the transaction, as will all Eyre Peninsula Seafoods' current staff.

Yumbah Chief Executive, David Wood, said the transaction was strategically and financially significant, increasing the revenue base of the total business by about 30 percent. "Our ongoing acquisition strategy focuses on well-managed operations of scale, and in this case we also get to leverage our existing Victorian mussel production," he stated. "We've been talking with Mark and Andrew for some time and have been impressed with their foresight to develop not only the water space to grow the product, but also a major processing facility that supports quality mussels reaching consumers around the world."

Eyre Peninsula Seafoods' Mark Andrews said the transaction provided the ability to accelerate growth plans as part of a larger and broader shellfish business. He went on to say: "Yumbah is a recognised innovator and committed to sustainability and growth, and the company's recognition as an Above and Beyond producer by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council reflects Yumbah's values, which strongly align with ours,

"It's an exciting moment for two businesses with operations in Port Lincoln, but also as two South Australian-based companies with a global shellfish outlook."

With this acquisition Yumbah's group portfolio now includes:

• Mussel operations in Victoria and South Australia growing more than 2600 tonnes a year
• Abalone production at four farms in Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia producing more than 750 tonnes a year
• Production of more than 150 million Oyster spat per year from South Australia and Tasmania Hatcheries for farms in South Australia, New South Wales and Tasmania
• Farmed mature oyster production of about 450,000 dozen a year from two sites in Tasmania, with investment committed to grow to 650,000 dozen
• A 37.5 percent holding in ASX-listen Sydney Rock Oyster producer East 33 Ltd

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Introducing Pro-Allo - the new, breakthrough fishmeal that boosts growth and robustnes

August 10, 2023 - Pelagia is injecting a fresh wave of innovation into the aquacultural feed market with the launch of Pro-Allo - a ground-breaking new fishmeal that delivers major benefits in the form of significantly bigger and healthier fish.

Pro-Allo is formulated and manufactured to create the optimal conditions in fish to support allostasis - the biological process of fighting stress caused by factors such as changes in environment and handling. Trials commissioned by Pelagia in seabags found that the inclusion of Pro-Allo in feed reduced the number of vulnerable fish by up to 86 percent compared with feed made using Group 1 fishmeal. Pro-Allo was also shown to improve the specific growth rate by up to 19 percent and feed efficiency by as much as 30 percent.

Pro-Allo is produced in Norway from sustainably-sourced fish and to the same strict standards as high-quality Group 1 fishmeal. However, it offers incremental benefits in three key areas, as follows:

• Improved raw material freshness - Pelagia is sourcing the freshest raw materials from a dedicated supply chain incorporating new quality parameters in relation to storage time, temperature, handling and distribution. Increased freshness in fishmeal is associated with higher growth rates in fish.
• Optimised protein digestibility - Pelagia is applying gentle methods to dry raw materials, which preserves a higher level of protein digestibility, which has been shown to result in greater specific growth rates and lower feed conversion ratios.
• Increased levels of water-soluble components - The water-soluble protein fraction in fishmeal is important for fish growth and wellbeing. Levels of such components in conventional fishmeal vary between 18 percent and 32 percent, in line with industry quality parameters. By contrast, Pro-Allo contains more than 32% water-soluble protein. This represents a completely new approach. Until now, high levels of water-soluble components in fishmeal have been considered a sign of poor microbiology quality. However, Pro-Allo is formulated and manufactured in such a way to maximise the presence of beneficial water-soluble components and reduce the presence of the undesirable growth-retarding components that are usually associated with a lack of freshness. 

Pro-Allo is the result of extensive scientific research and was developed in collaboration with fishmeal expert Dr Anders Aksnes. He commented: "Pro-Allo delivers superior fish wellbeing, growth and robustness by increasing the level of beneficial water-soluble components that appear to support the allostasis phase in fish during challenging periods in their lifecycle. The development of Pelagia's Pro-Allo has the potential to take the fishmeal sector to a new level."

Arnt-Ove Blytt-Tøsdal Kolås, Pelagia's Chief Operating Officer, added: "For many years now, we've seen very little that's new in fishmeal, but Pro-Allo changes that. By optimising the level of beneficial water-soluble components supporting allostasis, it represents a genuine breakthrough - and one that we believe will be warmly welcomed in the world of aquaculture. we're also delighted to ay that Pro-Allo is just the start, and there will be more innovations to come from Pelagia's science-based innovation pipeline in the future."

To explain more about the science behind Pro-Allo, Pelagia has published a wide paper, which is available HERE

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Philosofish leads the way in fish welfare with the installation of Ace Aquatec humane stunners

Ace Aquatec, the award-winning aquaculture technology company which specialises in welfare-first outcomes, has successfully installed two new humane stunners for seabass, sea bream and pagrus with one of the Mediterranean's most forward-thinking fish farming companies, Philosofish.

Philosofish is one of a handful of Greek fish farming companies to adopt this cutting-edge method of humane harvesting across the mediterranean region and has committed to installing the high welfare technology across all new boats going forward, firmly embedding fish welfare at the heart of their operations. The installation of the humane stunners in April 2023 has been transformative for the company's production and efficiency. Beyond providing a more ethical, stress-free harvesting experience for the fish, the installation has greatly improved the quality of the final product. The company's dedication to sustainable practices has resulted in fish that are carefullly harvesterd, leading to enhanced meat texture and appearance that customers who value both ethics and quality appreciate.

With greater market demand for higher-welfare fish, driven in part by more welfare conscious consumers, the stunners will allow Philosofish to uphold the highest fish welfare and quality standards, to meet the demands of a changing industry and lead the way for other farmers in the region.

Nikos Liberis, Philosofish CEO, said: "We opted for Ace Aquatec's humane stunning technology as it aligns with our inherent responsibility towards our fish and our commitment to setting industry benchmarks for animal welfare. Making this investment underlines our vision to inspire change and push the boundaries in the Greek aquaculture industry.

"We consider Philosofish to be a pioneer within the sector. That's why we've adopted in-water stunning, because we believe that it's the right, humane thing to do. As a leader in sustainable fish farming, our goal is to not only embrace progressive practices but to inspire others within the industry to follow suit. We're committed to our pursiut of delivering the highest quality seafood while leading the way in advocating for animal and employee welfare."

Tara McGregor-Woodhams, CSMO of AceAquatec, said: "Philosofish is an innovative and genuinely caring company with strong expertise in the aquaculture industry. They are leading the charge when it comes to fish welfare. It's been inspiring working with Philofish as they install our humane stunners on their harvesting vessels. They are already seeing operational efficiencies and quality improvem
nts as they embrace their role as leaders in humane aquaculture practices in Greece and he wider Mediterranean area."

Costa Skotidas, EMEA Sales & Partnership Manager at Ace Aquatec, said: "Philosofish's lastest vessel, designed by our partners Stamatiou Aquaculture, shows what can be achieved when welfare and sustainability are high ranking strategic priorities. This collabroation signals an important advancement for harvesting standards in the region and will help Philosofish to blaze the trail for improving animal welfare while continuing to deliver high-quality products."

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New US Bill promotes equality between Aquaculture and Agriculture

August 8, 2023 - Congressman Frank Pallone Jr announced the introduction of a bipartisan bill today to support aquaculture and seafood industries.

The supporting Equity for Aquaculture and Seafood (SEAS) Act reforms federal agricultural policy to ensure these industries receive equal treatment within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The bill requires the USDA Secretary to give the same consideration to aquaculture producers as animal agriculture producers to ensure adequate and fair funding levels are made available to aquaculture producers through grants under USDA programs. Representatives Kat Cammack, Suzanne Bonamici, and Lisa Blunt Rochester are original co-sponsors of the bill.

Aquaculture is the production of fish and shellfish in controlled environments and is becoming an increasingly important method of food production as climate change alters the productivity of farming on land. USDA recommends that adults eat at least eight ounces of seafood per week as part of a healthy diet. Despite this recommendation, it awards a disproportionate percentage of program funding to animal agriculture and land-based producers, leaving coastal communities and aquaculture producers without equal access to federal funding. As a result, American investment in aquaculture has failed to keep pace with the rest of the world. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the United States imports 70 to 85 percent of its seafood.It is estimated that more than half of this imported seafood is a product of foreign aquaculture.

"Investing in aquaculture will help ensure all Americans have access to safe and affordable seafood nationwide. When we increase the consumption of American seafood, we can alleviate food insecurity, create new economic opportunities, and reduce our food system's impact on the environment," Pallone said. " The SEAS Act will help us meet the growing demand for American seafood and provides critical Congressional support for USDA's aquaculture programs. My bill makes critical investment in our aquaculture and seafood industries now, so that our food system is resilient in the future."

President of the Baymen's Protective Association, Keith Craffey said: "The SEAS Act is an important first step to ensure seafood and aquaculture are treated fairly at the Department of Agriculture. We are grateful for Congressman Pallone's leadership and his ongoing support of New Jersey's seafood industry. His bill will help USDA meet the growing demand for seafood and help us continue to provide affordable local seafood to people throughout the state,".

"Agriculture in the US is an expanding industry that faces growing pains and the challenges of rapidly changing environment, especially with respect to climate change. Congressman Pallone's leadership on this bill will provide additional resources for this industry to thrive, and to support the innovation necessary to add key stressors such as disease, increasing water temperature, changes in salinity and range shifts in habitat," said Mike De Luca, Director of the New Jersey Aquaculture Innovation Center.

Matt Gregg, President of the New Jersey Aquaculture Association said: "We have to work harder to shrink our seafood deficit and bolster our nation's own production capabilities. The SEAS Act prioritises aquaculture and lays out a framework for its future. We are eager to work with Congressman Pallone to strengthen the domestic production of shellfish,".

New Jersey is home to a vibrant seafood and aquaculture industry, which collectively contributes more than US$3 billion annually to the state's economy and accounts for more than 53,000 jobs in the state. New Jersey's seafood industry has consistently been a nationwide leader in the production of clams, oysters, scallops, and other seafood products.

For more information, visit HERE.

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Asian-Pacific Aquaculture 2024

August 7, 2023 - After the first successful meeting in 2005 in Bali and following the success in 2016 in Surabaya, Asian-Pacific Aquaculture have decided to come back to Indonesia again in 2024. Asian Pacific Aquaculture 2024 (APA2024) will attract thousands of international attendees for a three-day conference featuring industry speakers, showcasing innovative research, workshops, tours and more.

The Asian Pacific Aquaculture 2024 will be organised in collaboration between World Aquaculture Society - Asian Pacific Chapter (WAS-APC) and hosted by Directorate General of Aquaculture, Ministry of Marine Affairs & Fisheries (MMAF) Republic of Indonesia. The APA24, three-day international conference and exhibition will be held at the Grand City Convention and Exhibition Surabaya, Indonesia from the 11th of June to the 14th of June 2024.

The deadline for abstract submission on December 31, 2023, and online abstract submission is encourages at www.was.org. The Theme of the conference has been chosen to be 'Aquaculture - Driving the Blue Economy'.

The first APA24 signing agreement with DR TB Haeru Rahayu, Director General of Aquaculture of MMAF has been signed on June 14, 2023.

APA24 will be the next global exceptional expo to learn and discuss the latest developments in the aquaculture industry in this challenging time and see the rapidly expanding international aquaculture industry in Asia and the rest of the world. At the same time, APA24 also creates a great opportunity to explore, engage, share your knowledge, and meet potential business partners around the world as well as enjoy the amusing touristic attractions and destinations in Indonesia such as Bali beaches, visiting Mount Bromo, Ijen Crater in East Java, etc. Experience the exquisite culinary, culture, and the warm welcome from their people since the day you landed on their doorstep.

For more information, visit HERE.

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Outbreaks of Koi herpesvirus (KHV) disease in 2023

August 4, 2023 - KHV is a serious viral disease of fish and is a listed disease in the United Kingdom. It affects all varieties of common and ornamental carp species (Cyprinus carpio) and can result in large scale moralities. Fish with KHV disease may show the following signs, especially when water temperatures are between 16 to 28 °C: 

• necrotic (white or brown) patches on the gills
• rough patches on the skin and sloughing mucous
• sunken eyes

You must contact the FHI if you suspect an outbreak of KHV. This includes fish with the above signs, or deaths of carp or carp hybrids.

There is no risk to public health.

Sites with KHV disease must undergo a formal monitoring programme immediately following the outbreak. The FHI visit these sites to look for evidence of disease and to inspect compliance with the conditions of the statutory controls in place.

Confirmed designation

If a notifiable disease is confirmed, FHI places controls to limit the spread of the disease (these are known as confirmed designations). The following conditions are applied under disease controls:

• No person may, without the previous consent in writing of the FHI, move any aquatic animal including eggs, and gametes, into, out of or within a confirmed designation area.
• Disposal of dead aquatic animals, including eggs and gametes, must be done by an approved method for disposal of Category 2 animal-by-product waste in compliance with local Environmental Health department requirements.
• Notify the Fish Health Inspectorate immediately should mortalities re-occur or spread to other waters/facilities within the designated area.
• Notify the FHI in advance of all intended physical changes to sites within the designated area - such as site boundaries, number or size of waters, use of the site. FHI written permission will be required beforehand for all such changes.
• All requests for consents required under this Confirmed Designation Notice must be submitted to the FHI with a minimum of 5 working days' notice.
  

New outbreaks

When Laboratory testing confirms KHV disease at a site, the FHI place statutory controls to limit the spread of the disease. These controls restrict movement of aquatic animals.

For more information, visit HERE.

Aquaculture Africa 2023 Conference: Zambia Government commits to hosting

Preparations for the upcoming second Annual International Conference and Exposition of the African Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society (AFRAQ2023), were given a boost last week following the signature of the hosting agreement by Zambia's Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.

Zambian Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, Hon. Makozo Chikoti (centre); Permanent Secretary, Dr Anna Songolo (immediate left); WAS Africa Chapter President, Dr John Walakira (immediate right). Also present at the signing ceremony were senior officials in Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, WAS delegation and its partner Africa Union.

This special gesture means the Government of Zambia is fully committed to collaborate with WAS is ensuring smooth organisation of the event through financial commitments, support the hiring of a convention centre, appointment of State Officials to the conference's National Organising Committee, national promotions, high-level officiation of the event among other roles and commitments.

The hosting agreement was signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Dr Anna Songolo in the presence of the Minister, Hon. Makozo Chikoti, also witnessed by other senior officials from the Ministry. From WAS's side, the President of the African Chapter of WAS co-signed the agreement. Representatives from the African Chapter of WAS co-signed the agreement. Representatives from the Africa Union and Southern Africa Development Community also witnessed this historic occasion.

More and more institutions, companies and organisations continue to express their interest t participate at AFRAQ2023. Zambia, being one of the fastest aquaculture producer countries in Africa, with vibrant aquaculture value chains in action, is undoubtedly the ideal place to be on November 13-16 2023!

For more information, visit HERE.

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