ADM announces planned acquisition of PT Trout Nutrition Indonesia

December 22, 2023 - ADM, a global leader in human and animal nutrition, announced recently that it has reached an agreement to acquire PT Truow Nutrition Indonesia, a subsidiary of Nutreco and leading provider of functional and nutritional solutions for livestock farming in Indonesia.

Incorporated in 2007, PT Truow Nutrition Indonesia is a leading premix manufacturer, providing innovative and comprehensive nutrition solutions for the animal industry. Their premix production facilities feature full automation solutions with intelligent process optimisation and they are industry 4.0 ready with professional project management and execution.

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With the planned acquisition, ADM will be strengthening its premix and feed additives & ingredients (FA&I) business and strategically positioning itself to meet the anticipated market growth to sustain the rising demand for protein. The acquisition encompasses two premix production facilities - known as the Pasuruan site in Surabaya and the Cibitung site in Jakarta - as well as laboratories, warehouses and offices across Indonesia.

"This acquisition will complement our regional footprint and will represent a step forward in achieving our vision of leading the animal nutrition industry," said Gerald Wilflingseder, president of AGM's animal nutrition business in APAC. "It will enable us to enhance our premix production capabilities, ensuring that we are strongly positioned to provide localised solutions and customised services swiftly to customers in Indonesia and the broader region. We believe this move will not only enhance ADM as a major player in premixes and FA&I in Indonesia but also reinforces our reputation as the preferred partner for customers looking for full animal nutrition solutions offerings."

Once the acquisition is complete, ADM will integrate PT Truow Nutrition Indonesia into its wider footprint in Indonesia, creating new opportunities to broaden the portfolio of products and solutions offered to customers. In addition, Dr Pierre Domps, general manager of animal nutrition Indonesia at ADM, commented, "Our commitment extends beyond products and solutions; we strive to provide a spectrum of services. We will provide customised solutions and services backed by international technical expertise and support from our lab services. This approach ensures comprehensive support for local production, enabling a tailored strategy to meet the unique market demands in Indonesia and the Asia-Pacific region."

For more information, visit HERE.

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Uniting industry leaders on how to transform African aquaculture

December 21, 2023 - The Global Salmon Intitiative (GSI) in partnership with FutureFish and funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, recently hosted a first-of-its kind leadership roundtable for the African aquaculture sector focused on identifying opportunities to mobilise greater investment into sustainable and equitable development of the sector.

From Left to Right:
Back Row: Flavio Corsin (AquaSpark), Dave Okech (Aquareach), Ben Gimson (Gatsby Africa), Caesar Asiyo (Victory Farms), Bon Tjeenk Willink(DeHeus), Permit Shava (Lake Harvest), Esther Ninshuti (Dalberg).
Front Row: Gerry McCollum (Chicoa Fish Farm), Ulric Daniel (Yalelo), Francisco Murillo (Tropo Farms), Ibrahim Turay (Eden Group SL), Neil Wendover(FUTUREFISH)- Missing: Andrew Ahiaku (ACELI Africa).

The meeting held alongside the recent World Aquaculture Society (WAS) conference in Lusaka, was attended by business leaders from local companies Chicao Fish Farms, de Heus, Flosell, Lake Harvest, Tropo Farms, Victory Farms and Yaleo as well as key industry investors Aceli, AquaSpark, Aquarech, Eden Group and Gatsby Africa.

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"The Global Salmon Initiative model has taught us over the last ten years, that when we unite business leaders under a progressive vision, we can identify common barriers and we can act together to greatly accelerate progress. This Lusaka meeting has now shown us that the GSI model of collaboration has broader application and clearly has the potential of accelerating the development of aquaculture in Africa by mobilising the collective insight initiative and will to action of local business leaders." added Avrim Lazar, GSI Convenor and meeting facilitator of this roundtable.

Following the discussions, the attendees have outlined a number of initiatives which they hope to take forwards to help strengthen the business case for the continued development of aquaculture in Africa.

The key themes of the group's agreements, focused on:

• The opportunity for aquaculture to play a much larger role in assuring food security in the region.
• The potential that working together can have in significantly accelerating progress.
• The opportunity to work together and mobilise action through collective working-groups to:
• increase training of and the inclusion opportunities for women leaders in the sector
• Share knowledge and build greater awareness of biosecurity challenges
• Increase awareness from the investment community of the opportunities in the sector
• Utilise and adapt digital technology to increase the productivity of small-holders.

"While it is recognised, there are a number of barriers impacting possible development in the sector at this time, we are optimistic that through greater collaboration, raising awareness of the local opportunities and activating the necessary discussions to drive change, the African aquaculture market can not only grow but can do so in a way which empowers local communities and respect biodiversity," added Michael Phillips, Director and co-founder of FutureFish.

For more information, visit HERE.

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Scientists make guide for assessing gene editingThe gene editing project that Robinson and Robledo are leading involves a large group of top scientists that have been gathered from around the world – here they are at the Roslin Institute in Edinburgh.

December 20, 2023 - It all started with finding a solution to prevent salmon lice infection and harm. The cooperation between scientist from a range of different disciplines and backgrounds is now providing lessons that will help improve the welfare, health and sustainability of many other animals and plants.

The gene editing project that Robinson and Robledo are leading involves a large group of top scientists that have been gathered from around the world – here they are at the Roslin Institute in Edinburgh.

"We are trying to understand the genetic mechanisms that affect how salmon become resistant to lice," says Robinson.

He is Australian and a senior scientist at Nofima in Norway, and he has just settled down in a chair in an office in Scotland. Accompanying him is Diego Robledo. He comes from Spain, but he conducts research at the Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh. The project that Nick Robinson leads really is international.

Lice and salmon

Sea lice live by eating skin and blood. Salmon become sick and lice are a problem both for fish welfare and for the industry. But there are salmon that do well against salmon lice:

In wild coho salmon, this occurs naturally. The cells of the salmon surround the lice and kill them", explains Diego Robledo.

Coho and also pink are two salmon species native to the Pacific Ocean that combat sea lice naturally in a way that Atlantic Salmon (the salmon we know from Norwegian rivers and fish farms) are unable to manage.

Welfare and survival

"Our genomic research is helping us to understand which genes are involved in providing resistance against sea lice in the Pacific salmon species, and the next step in our project is to test the function of these genes in Atlantic salmon using gene editing. Early next year, we will be ready to introduce gene edited Atlantic salmon to sea lice in a closed biosecurity facility. We want to see whether small and precise changes disrupting the function of these genes can cause the immune cells in Atlantic salmon to encapsulate the lice and kill them, like occurs in coho, or to prevent attachment like occurs in pink salmon", says Nick Robinson.

He emphasises that there is no question of the project editing genes in fish that are going to be grown in the ocean, sold and eaten. The scientists will test which genes can affect whether salmon are able to repel lice infestation. They will look at what happens exactly where the lice attach themselves to the salmon and the importance of genes in relation to stopping the lice.

"The benefits could be large in the future if it is possible to use the knowledge gained from the project to produce a resistant salmon. Lice create wounds that would become infected. If we can help the fish to become resistant to lice, it has benefits for fish welfare. By potentially changing the whole epidemiology of lice infection on farms we could also relieve the lice pressure on wild salmon", he says.

Salmon lice are also more tempted to settle on Atlantic salmon than on other salmon species, such as pink salmon. If scientists find out why, it can help salmon avoid lice altogether.

Risks and benefits

In the project, the scientists will edit genes that their research suggests will keep salmon healthy and the lice away. However, is gene editing safe to use on salmon that are to be farmed and sold? "In each instance, there needs to be a thorough evaluation of how the edit might affect the welfare and health of the fish, the aquatic ecosystem and society. This should involve consumer and other interest groups in the decision-making process. The benefits should be weighed in relation to any potential harms", says Robinson and Robledo. Therefore, they have written a guide along with their collaborators from Nofima, University of Edinburgh and Deakin University in Australia that helps assess the risks of gene editing.

"The guide was written to help assess risks and befits so that informed decisions can be made", says Robledo. "How to edit the genes, how to make gene editing part of a research programme, how case-by-case applications might affect wild animals, how society views the approach, what benefits it might bring to animal health and welfare, ecology, environmental footprint, human nutrition and local communities?"

"The changes we are making are quite small. We don't take genes from other animals, we make slight adjustments to the genes that salmon already have", explains Robinson.

Pigs and cucumber

Their gene editing guide can just as easily be used on other fish, animals and plants. "We focus on aquaculture, but the guide is just as relevant for other species", says Robledo. "The questions that need to be asked are the same for livestock or plants. We haven't seen anything like this guide to gene editing risk assessment published or proposed for these other food species", says Robinson.

The scientist emphasise that gene editing should not replace regular breeding. This is where you select animals with the best genetic variants for the traits you want, and breed these animals in favourable combinations, so that the best genetic variants are passed on to the next generation.

For more information, visit HERE.

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Auchan, BioMar and Earthworm Foundation join forces in a unique collaboration to launch new sustainable shrimp product

December 20, 2023 - The French retailer Auchan, feed manufacturer BioMar, Ecuadorian shrimp farmer Edpacif and international NGO Earthworm Foundation have joined forces to develop a new product line that sets a new standard for responsible shrimp.

                                                                                    New product line in Auchan stores.

Mr.Goodfish label will soon be displayed on

the tag.

"Our customers are asking for more responsible seafood. To ensure we can provide it, we need commitment from the entire value chain. This is the whole purpose of our collaboration with Earthworm Foundation" said Oliver Vandebeulque, Auchan Seafood Manager.

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Henrik Aarestrup, Vice President at BioMar, was the first to be contacted by Earthworm: "During the project, we utilised our sustainability impact assessment tool (BioSustain LCA) to minimise the carbon footprint of the shrimp feed through meticulous recipe optimisation. We replaced fish oil with microalgae and sourced 100 percent of the marine protein from high-quality trimmings," said Aarestrup. In a first for BioMar, the project also saw BioMar's team of sustainability consulting introduce recommendations to shrimp producer Edpacif on how to reduce the carbon footprint of the farming process.

Auchan is therefore testing a new way to commercialise shrimp products. Vandebeulque explains: "We decided to also selll trays with only the shrimp tails. This innovation has two benefits: the carbon footprint associated with product transport is reduced by 40 percent; and the shrimp heads are processed and reused locally in Ecuador for animal feed, further increasing circularity in the production."

"Equally important is the fact that none of the ingredients used in the shrimp feed come from deforested or even tropical areas" added Aarestrup. "Shrimp feeds can contain up to 50 percent soy, so responsible sourcing of this key ingredient is crucial to achieving good environmental outcomes."

"A responsible shrimp also needs to take into account social sustainability," explains Florie Loth, Ocean Program Manager at Earthworm. "In Ecuador, our shrimp-related activities focus on capacity-building initiatives to drive social change. While the project helped enhance access to stable employment for the local community, Earthworm teams also worked with Edpacif to improve working conditions and provide better housing for workers."

Marcelo Velez, Edpacif S.A President, said: "We are grateful to Auchan, Earthworm and BioMar for the opportunity to work together on this important project, along with our partner Eurotrade Fish. The project allows us to strengthen our ESG commitments and improve our practices, while delivering an ethical product of the highest quality."

The new product line will be granted the Mr Goodfish label. Launched in March 2010 in France by Nausicaá, National Sea Centre, the Mr Goodfish program aims to raise awareness of responsible seafood consumption. The program covers three pillars: responsible feed, optimal farming conditions for animal welfare and environmental impact.

As part of the project, Mr Goodfish and Earthworm worked in partnership to add a social pillar to the specifications for the Ecuadorian shrimp.

"We believe the project is raising the bar for shrimp products," said Loth. "Our hope is that it will inspire others to adopt more sustainable practices - practices that help preserve biodiversity and protect human rights."

The new product line is now available in French Auchan hypermarkets.

For more information, visit HERE.

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Richard Liu appointed Business and Partner Development Maker for Symrise

December 19, 2023 - In a strategic move to further solidify its presence in the Chinese market, the Aqua Feed division of Symrise announces the appointment of Richard Liu as the Business and Partner Development Manager for the Chinese market, effective December 2023.

Richard Liu

His responsibilities include:

• Continuation of sales and development: Richard will build upon the momentum of the past three years, ensuring the ongoing success of sales and development initiatives in the Chinese market.
• Product innovation: To address the unique needs of the China aquafeed market, Richard will lead the launch of new products, aiming to meet current demands and to expand the market presence of Symrise in aquafeed solutions
• Strategic partnerships: Richard will establish key partnerships with Chinese entities, contributing to the development of new products made in China.

Extensive qualifications underline Richard's appointment. He holds a master's degree in food quality management from Wageningen University & Research (Netherlands). His academic background and industry experience position him as an asset to the strategic aquafeed objectives of Symrise in the Chinese market.

"It feels exciting to join a world leading company by working in an increasing and promising market. The demand for high quality proteins grows constantly to meet out human food consumption requirements. In this area, we can contribute to the aqua market of China with our expertise", explained Richard Liu. 

Symrise Aqua Feed specialises in developing, testing and manufacturing sustainable ingredients and palatability enhancers. They help aquafeed manufacturers produce high performance diet and feed with low carbon footprint.

For more information, visit HERE.

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AlgaEurope 2023 highlights achievements and future prospects in the algae biomass sector

December 18, 2023 - Jointly organised by EABA and DLG Benelux, AlgaEurope 2023, the esteemed annual conference highlighting breakthroughs and trends in the algae biomass sector, saw an extraordinary gathering of 407 delegates from 40 countries and 221 organisations. Hosted in Prague, Czech Republic, from December 12-15, the event unfolded over four days featuring a curated program delivered by 112 expert speakers. The content spanned scientific, technological and business dimensions within the global algae biomass sector.

Exploring an array of subjects, AlgaEurope is one of the most comprehensive conferences in its field. More than 20 plenary sessions covered Physiology, Biorefinery, Food, Feed, Biostimulant, Bioremediation and Biomaterial among others. The conference featured distinguished keynote speakers, including Sónia Ventura (Portugal), Susana Coelho (Germany), Angela Wulf (Sweden) and Robert Hendrickson (USA), offering profound insights and expertise.

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One of the highlights of the conference was the poster presentation area, providing researchers with a platform to present their work. Some 136 scientific authors presented their work. The introduction of the Poster Presentation Award this year recognised outstanding contributions.

"Another year of great success with key topics which have unraveled the promising future of the algae sector. The EABA community is growing very fast and this is also reflected in the success of AlgaEurope. We have a unique conference and it has become the reference event in the algae sector," said Carlos Unamunzaga, President of EABA.

Beyond the informative sessions, attendees engaged in various networking components, such as the Algae Happy Hour and the Conference Dinner at the Municipal House. A notable addition this year was the AlgaEurope App, providing enhanced connectivity.

Moreover, the trade show aspect of the conference drew substantial interest, with a record-setting of 25 companies that showcased their cutting-edge products and services, further highlighting the industry's growth and innovation.

Kuno Jacobs, Managing Director of DLG Benelux, expressed satisfaction, stating, "Once again AlgaEurope has proven to be the leading event in Europe and beyond for the algae community, drawing together 407 delegates from 40 countries, supported by 13 sponsors, and featuring the participation of 25 trade show exhibitors. AlgaEurope becomes more and more a platform where science, technology and industry meet, and it is our ambition to further develop and strengthen the position of AlgaEurope in the coming years."

The organisers would like to thank all sponsors for their contributions and support. Sponsors of this year included A4F, Beckman Coulter Life

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First national interpretation guide for Integrated Farm Assurance standard published

December 14, 2023 - Colombia's technical working group for aquaculture, led by ICONTEC and supported by UNIDO's GMAP Colombia project; Norad - Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation; the country's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism and Colombia Productiva - has completed the first national interpretation guide for the Integrated Farm Assurance standard version 6 for aquaculture.

What are national interpretation guides?

The National Interpretation Guide is a document that provides guidance on how to implement the GLOBALG.A.P Principles and Criteria (P&C) at the national level, according to the legal and structural conditions of that country. The guides include the translation of documents into the local languages and incorporating national legislation that is required. The final national interpretation guide is important for both the implementation and the audit process.

For more information, visit HERE.

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Aquaculture Africa 2023 Conference lives to its billing as the African Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society celebrates five years of existence

December 12, 2023 - The 2nd Aquaculture Africa Conference (AFRAQ23) took place on November 13-16, 2023 at the majestic Mulungushi International Convention Centre in Lusaka, Zambia. Themed 'Resilient value chains in the blue economy' AFRAQ23 attracted nearly 1200 attendees from industry, academia, government, development partner delegates spanning from 73 countries around the world, but mostly Africa. The event also happened at a time when WAS-AC was celebrating five years of existence. The Chapter was formally established in November 2018.

The event was graced by the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, Honourable Makozo Chikote and other senior state dignitaries from Zambia and other African countries. High-level guests from WAS, FAO, WorldFish, Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA), Southern Africa Development Co-operation (SADC), Africa Union (AU) also featured at the Opening Ceremony of AFRAQ23.

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Other highlights during the Opening Ceremony included the inaugural WAS-AC honours and awards ceremony, which saw Dr Sherif Sadek (Egypt) being recognised for his role in serving as first Chapter President (2018-2022), as well as Chairperson of the inaugural AQUACULTURE AFRICA 2021 (AFRAQ21) held in Egypt in 2022. Dr Sadek is a renowned aquaculture expert, supplier and shrimp production operator from Egypt.

Other special honourees during the occasion include the AUDA-NEPAD for its role in hosting the Secretariat of WAS-AC; the South African government through the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DFFE) for its role in supporting the establishment of WAS-AC since 2017. Aller Aqua, the Chapter's founding Gold Sponsor and Gold Sponsor to AFRAQs was also specially recognised for its industrious role in developing aquaculture in Africa. The government of Zambia received a special appreciation award for its contribution to hosting AFRAQ23.

The conference scientific and technical programme was well packed with multi-sessions that resonated to the conference theme of 'sustainability', balancing global and African perspectives - thanks to the efforts as led by renowned Programme Chairs, Professor Peter Britz (Rhodes University, South Africa) and Prof Cyprian Katongo (University of Zambia - which
was also the hosting institution). The programme featured 44 sessions, 225 abstracts and 49 posters.

What was most unique at AFRAQ23 was the presence of a number of developmental organisations who hosted a number of special side-sessions and workshops covering some various key thematic areas. These include AUDA-NEPAD, FAO, World Bank, WorldFish, Aquaculture Network for Africa (ANAF), the American Soybean Association's World Initiative for Soy in Human Health Program (WISHH), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), COMESA, SADC, Aquaculture Without Frontiers (AWF), WAVMA and others. The presence of major industry players such as Aller Aqua, Yalelo, Lake Harvest Aquaculture, Aquaspark, Grand Group for Fish Feed, Chicoa Fish Farm Mozambique and others, as well as several SMEs in aquaculture from Zambia and Africawide was noteworthy.

Like in all WAS global events, the technical and scientific programme was complemented by a major international trade show which featured 55 booths from 22 countries, including a Zambia aquaculture pavilion which showcased the country's aquaculture industry and some projects. An aquaculture tour concluded the AFRAQ23 programme with delegates having the opportunity to visit some active aquaculture sites in Siavonga/Lanke Kariba and around Lusaka.

The WAS-AC Executive Board of Directors also had the opportunity to convene its Annual Board Meeting, where decisions on the way forward for the Chapter were made. This also saw Ms Foluke Areola from Nigeria being inaugurated as new President of the Chapter for the 2023-2025 term, taking over from Dr John Walakira (Uganda). WAS-AC also physically launched its Africa Student Forum following recent WAS student policy and strategy changes and launched a platform for Portuguese speaking countries (PALOP).

No doubt, there was just something for everyone at AFRAQ23 as the event catered to the broad range of interests in aquaculture - providing a learning, information-sharing and networking opportunity for entrepreneurs, business, scientists, technical specialists, educators, students, policy-makers and public officials.

The conference was hosted by the Government of Zambia through the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. Aller Aqua was once again the Gold sponsor. WISHH, GIZ and WorldFish were silver sponsors. The WAS AC is thankful to all attendees, various session sponsors, exhibitors, collaborators, media partners and everyone who contributed to make the event a success.

For more information, visit HERE.

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Gael Force Group signs exclusive agreement with Nauplius Workboats to build steel feed barges

December 11, 2023 - Gael Force Group, an aquaculture equipment and technology supplier, and NS 9415 accredited manufacturer, today announced that it has signed an exclusive agreement to partner with Dutch shipyard Nauplius Workboats for the building of its range of SeaFeed steel feed barges.

Left: Gerrit Knol, Technical Director and Naval Architect of Nauplius. Right: Stewart Graham, Managing Director of Gael Force Group.

Partnering with Nauplius will enable Gael Force to strengthen and increase its barge building capacity while offering its customers favourable delivery times and a competitive package on its steel barges. The Scottish aquaculture supply partner has experienced increased demand for barges this year and will continue to developing and delivering a strong programme of new build and refurbished concrete barges from its main engineering yard in Inverness.

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As part of the agreement, the structural build of the steel barge hulls, surface treatment and painting will take place at Groningen, Netherlands, before being towed across to Inverness for mechanical and electrical full fit-out and installation of the SeaFeed system by Gael Force. The barge range covers feeding capacities up to 800T with the ability to flexibly accommodate options for hybridised power and secondary machinery and processes.

Commenting, Stewart Graham said: "Along with our own team's experience in design and build, Nauplius' levels of technical knowledge and overall experience in the sector offers us complete confidence that this partnership will bolster our robust and reliable range of feeding barges for fish farming. As both companies are running a lean cost base and are very efficient producers we believe we have a high quality and highly competitive offering. While this increases our production capacity to meet strong demand and we envisage this to be of great benefit to our Scottish customers, there is also potential for us to service our international customers, particularly those producers in Norway, Iceland and the Faroes."

He added: "We are immediately building two 400T SeaFeed barges with one already pre-sold to a major Scottish salmon producer, which we will be able to announce later this month. There are a number of other customers already interested in the second build."

Commenting, Technical Director and Naval Architect of Nauplius, Gerrit Knol said: "We are delighted to be partnering with Gael Force o n this long term collaboration in support of the aquaculture sector in Scotland, and overseas. Our ship design and build quality is already widely appreciated and we are pleased to bring our expertise into this partnership."

For more information, visit HERE.

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Farm360 by Innovasea

December 11, 2023 - Formerly Aquanetix, Farm360 is an easy-to-use, cloud-based software platform that gives user complete control and better understanding of their aquaculture operations through accurate, up-to-date tracking and monitoring of farm activities and performance. It enables owners and operators of fish and shrimp farms to optimise production, lower costs and maximise profitability.

Data-driven excellence

• Real-time collection of data involving feedings, fish health and environmental conditions
• Efficient stock management updated daily
• Production planning to define harvest of stocking plans and create precise budgets
• Full traceability for transparency, credibility and compliance
• Business intelligence through automated reporting and data visualisation

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Why Farm360?

Farm360 adds many advantages to your aquaculture operations, including:

• Better control of farm operations through real-time data
• Smarter decision-making throughout the organisation via a holistic view of farm operations
• Accurate long-range forecasting for better business planning of sales and production

For more information, visit HERE.

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Ottawa anti-salmon farming billboards removed for false advertising

December 8, 2023 - Anti-salmon farming billboards around Ottawa have been removed for false advertising. The false statements included claims from eco-activist group Wild First that "Open-net pen salmon farms are banned in Washington, Oregon, California, and Alaska." Based on this inaccurate information, the ads called on Ottawa to "remove all salmon farms from BC waters."

The letter of complaint filed by the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) has provided clear evidence that the farming of finfish (including salmon) is not banned in California, Oregon or Washington. In Alaska, net pens are commonly used to raise salmon for commercial purposes.

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"In an age of misinformation, we are pleased that the right thing happened - false ads that did not stand up to the truth test were removed," says Tim Kennedy, CAIA President and CEO. "Activists with deep pockets who don't live or work where our salmon farmers live and work are trying to drive policy decisions in Ottawa that would cancel people's livelihoods using a storyline based on old data and false information."

"These anti-salmon billboards included statements by the activist group Wild First that were both false and potentially economically harmful to British Columbia businesses and organisations and their employees that the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance represents. Modern, sustainable, in-ocean salmon aquaculture is the second biggest agri-food export in British Columbia and key to the blue economy future for people living in rural, coastal and indigenous communities."

The billboard agency was given clear evidence showing state regulations in California allowing persons to lease water bottoms or the water column for the purposes of aquaculture including marine finfish farming. In Washington state, where aquaculture has been encouraged since the passage of the Aquaculture Act in 1985, the farming of native fish species in the marine environment (net pens) is allowed and despite political rhetoric by anti-net pen groups in Washington, there is no net pen ban or moratorium. No regulations in any of the four states ban the use of netting (net pens) for the purpose of containing fish.

"In Alaska, the use of net pens is common practice in their salmon aquaculture programs," added Kennedy. Detailed in the Alaska Department Fish and Game's Salmon Fisheries Enhancement Report, the state's aquaculture program grew approximately 1.9 billion juvenile salmon in a combination of land-based hatcheries and ocean-based net pens in 2022. Approximately 43 million aquaculture-raised salmon returned as adults that same year to be captured within the commercial and sport fishery.

One example evidenced by CAIA is the Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association. The Association collects salmon eggs late summer that are incubated through the fall and winter, then put into marine pens in late winter or early spring. The fry (young fish) are reared in marine net pens for approximately five months before being released into the wild in late spring to supply the commercial fishing industry and sport angling sector.

In 2020, the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) published nine peer-reviewed reports that concluded that salmon farming in British Columbia poses "no more than a minimal risk of harm to the Fraser River Sockeye salmon."

This year, the world-leading FAIRR Initiative released their 2023/2024 Coller FAIRR Protein Producer Index. Seven of the top 10 protein producers in the world are salmon farmers, with two British Columbia salmon farming companies ranked first and third in the world.

The Coller FAIRR Protein Producer Index assessed 60 of the largest publicly traded global meat, dairy and aquaculture companies on social governance themes aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Speaking to the Coller FAIRR results, Kennedy adds: "There is such an incredible opportunity for the modern, sustainable, in-ocean salmon farming sector in Canada. In addition to playing a leadership role in environmental and wild salmon stewardship, Canadian salmon farmers are producing a healthy and secure Canadian food, creating year-round jobs, and they are opening new economic opportunities for rural, coastal and Indigenous communities."

For more information, visit HERE.

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Coastal BC Fist Nations release new plan for in-ocean salmon farming in their traditional territories

December 8, 2023 - Coastal First Nations from British Columbia went to Parliament Hill recently to release a new, positive plan for modern, sustainable, in-ocean salmon farming in their traditional territories.

The Coalition of First Nations for Finfish Stewardship (FNFFS) has developed a Nations-led, science-backed and industry supported plan for salmon aquaculture that is responsible, realistic, and achievable, and will drive the following five outcomes for their rural communities:

• Wild salmon revitalisation
• Economic Reconciliation
• An Indigenous-led Blue Economy
• Social and ecological well-being for their territories and communities
• Food security and affordability for their communities and all Canadians

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"As conservationists, our coastal Nations have travelled thousands of kilometres to Parliament Hill to present a solution to what's been a divisive issue in BC: a real, achievable plan for salmon farming that enables our remote communities to continue to thrive socially, economically and culturally while working to revitalise wild salmon," says Dallas Smith, spokesperson for the Coalition.

"We have proven we can be both salmon stewards and salmon farmers in our sovereign territories, and by asserting our rights and title with this comprehensive plan, we fully intend to lead this process to achieve what's best for our communities," Smith adds.

Nations that participate in the Coalition span from western and central Vancouver Island to BC's central coast. They have been working alongside the Department of Fisheries, Oceans a
nd the Canadian Coast Guard (DFO) and the Province of British Columbia to develop a framework for the modernisation of salmon farming in the traditional waters.

The plan announced today ensures that the future of salmon farming in BC is led by the Nations in whose territories the farms operate, while retaining good, sustainable, year-round jobs and building economic and scientific capacity in Indigenous communities. It also integrates the vision for a new Indigenous Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences (iCAHS) based in Campbell River, BC.

"Because of thee work and dignity that comes with the salmon farming industry, we have had no suicides in my community of Klemtu for the past 18 years. Think about that," says Isaiah Robinson, Deputy Chief Councillor for Kitasoo Xai'xais nation, located 800km north of Vancouver, on the Central Coast. "My community now has 99 percent employment and 51 percent of our income comes from the salmon farming sector. It makes no sense to shut it down. There is no industry that can fill that space."

With 40 percent of the fish farms in BC closed in recent years, nearly 400 jobs have already been lost, small businesses have been impacted, and food bank lines are longer in communities like Port Hardy on Northern Vancouver Island. Considering the impact on remote communities, any further decision-making regarding the future of the sector must be done so with Rightsholder Nations at the table, and with their communities top of mind, says Smith.

"With new technology and best practices, and the guardianship and monitoring of our Nations, the salmon farming industry is even more modern than it was 10 or even 5 years ago. Salmon farmers have innovated far more quickly than any other industry I work with, and a our request," adds Smith, "But our Nations want to keep working with the industry to truly elevate the potential of our rich marine spaces. To do that, we need the government to also partner with us sit together at the table to implement this plan for modern, sustainable, in-ocean salmon farming that provides a realistic solution for our Nations."

"If Canada is going to walk the talk on true reconciliation, I think every Canadian would agree that the future of modern salmon farming in BC must be shaped by the coastal First Nations in whose territories the farms are located."

For more information, visit HERE.

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The first modular AI underwater robot for professional underwater operations

December 7, 2023 - Leading underwater robotics company, QYSEA Technology, announces the release of its next-generation advanced underwater operations expert, FIFISH E-GO. Delivering an innovative modular design, upgraded power and imaging system, multi-load capabilities, and AI-powered features, FIFISH-GO stands ad QYSEA's most powerful professional-class underwater robot to date. With versatile functionality, the E-GO excels in missions across a range of challenging subsea environments and applications.

FIFISH E-GO

Four Core & Essential Modular Elements

FIFISH E-GO features an all-new modular design with detachable components for its motor, lighting, camera and battery. Module replacements can swiftly restore the E-GO to its underwater operable state within minutes. With extensive expansion capabilities, FIFISH E-GO to its underwater operable state within minutes. With extensive expansion capabilities, FIFISH E-GO can accommodate up to six tools simultaneously, showcasing unprecedented operational strength.

FIFISH E-GO supports hot-swappable batteries, enabling rapid replacement without the need to shut down, and boasts fast charging to reach 90 percent capacity within 50 minutes. The accompanying portable intelligent charging system offers multiple charging modes, providing power to other external smart devices as well.

Advanced Imaging & Enhanced Power

The FIFISH E-GO is equipped with an industry-first 176 degree ultra-wide fisheye lens, delivering a 146 degree ultra-wide field of vision underwater to capture a greater range of elements in a single frame. With an extreme macro adjustment capability, the FIFISH E-GO focuses on underwater at a mere 10cm distance, allowing for clear observation at extremely close distances. Additionally, the FIFISH E-GO features 10,000 lumens of underwater lighting and a 160 degree wide illumination angle, ensuring clarity under dark and turbid oceans.

FIFISH E-GO's ring-wing motors provide added power, enabling the machine to achieve underwater speeds of over 3 knots while maintaining rugged resistance to underwater currents.

Award-winning Design & Build

The all-new biomimetic design of the FIFISH E-GO, inspired by the formidable hammerhead shark, has earned it the prestigious Good Design Award 2023, reflecting a unique and industry-defining design philosophy.

The E-GO's design delivers enhanced stabilisation for the machine during underwater operations, minimising water flow disturbances. Additionally, the ergonomic T-shaped tail fin design enhances operator mobility, enabling swift one-handed handling and rapid deployment.

AI-driven Underwater Operations

QYSEA's self-developed AI Vision Lock function enables the FIFISH to achieve adaptive stabilisation and locking of target objects underwater with a simple touch on the control screen. Furthermore, the AI plankton filtering algorithm automatically optimises visuals, ensuring clearer underwater scenes for professional underwater monitoring tasks across aquaculture, search and rescue, hull check-ups and beyond.

With the addition of add-on tools, FIFISH-EGO can utilise traditional laser scaling and innovative AI automation to accurately and efficiently measure underwater dimensions of objects, identifying damaged areas in underwater structures - such as ship ports, bridge pillars and wind farm structures - with high precision.

For more information, visit HERE.

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SEPA confirms new regulatory framework to help protect Scotland's king of fish

December 7, 2023 - The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) have confirmed a new framework, aimed at offering greater protection for wild salmon populations in Scotland.

Once found in abundance in Scotlands rivers and coastal areas, wild salmon are under threat from a range of pressures including habitat barriers, invasive species and commercial aquaculture. Survival of salmon at sea appears to be a major factor in salmon population trends across the North Atlantic. Rising sea temperatures and dry rivers in the summer may also be contributing to the decline, affecting salmon migration and spawning, and making them more susceptible to diseases and parasites. Stocks have reduced across the North Atlantic from 8-10 million in the 1970s to an estimated 3 million today.

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The Scottish Government's Wild Salmon Strategy and Implementation Plan aims to optimise the number of healthy fish leaving Scotland's rivers and sets out a range of actions to improve Scotland's environment, alongside targeted sector management measures. In October 2021, Scottish Ministers established SEPA as the new lead body responsible for managing the particular risk to wild salmon and sea trout posed by sea lice.

SEPA have since developed and consulted on a Sea Lice Framework which outlines a proportionate, evidence-based regulatory approach to protect young salmon from the parasite. The Framework will help to support the sustainable development of fish farming in Scotland by guiding development to the least sensitive locations, as well as providing an effective and efficient framework to assess risk and apply appropriate management measures, where necessary, in order to protect wild fish.

The Sea Lice Framework includes the creation of wild salmon protection zones and sea lice risk models, built on international best practice and using cutting edge science to triage risk. The zones will be formed in migration bottlenecks in coastal waters on the West Coast and Western Isles. Without locking in or out development, finfish farm operators in these areas will be subject to tighter but achievable levels of sea lice control with opportunities for additional monitoring, engagement and adaption if required.

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands Mairi Gougeon said:

"Salmon is one of Scotland's most iconic species and I am grateful for SEPA's support in developing this framework.

"Our Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture values the role of aquaculture in producing world-renowned healthy and quality seafood, whilst recognising that its delivery and development must be sustainable.

"The framework will support sustainable development of fish farming worth more than £1 billion to our economy, ensuring our communities continue to realise the benefits of aquaculture by guiding development to the least-sensitive locations and protecting the environment, whilst making the development process more efficient and effective."

Peter Pollard, Head of Ecology at SEPA, said:

"We know wild salmon populations are in crisis, and safeguarding their future requires co-ordinated action and a broad range of interests working together.

"As part of an international community working to address this shared challenge, we're one of the first countries to take action to manage the risk posed by sea lice from fish farms to wild salmon.

"Scotland is emerging as a pioneer in sustainable aquaculture and we're confident in the industry's ability to adapt to the changing regulatory landscape, as it has done successfully before now."

SEPA have engaged extensively with leading scientists in Scotland and Norway, other regulators, finfish producers, environmental NGOs, coastal community groups and wild fishery interests throughout the development of the Framework.

The framework will be implemented in phases and will sit alongside SEPA's wider regulation introduced in 2019, which already controls all discharges from marine finfish farms to the water environment.

The framework for protection of wild salmon will be applied when determining applications for proposed new farms and for increases in the number of fish at existing farms on the West Coast and Western Isles from the beginning of February 2024. There are no identified salmon rivers in the Norther Isles.

An adaptive approach to the protection of sea trout populations will be implemented from March 2025 covering the West Coast, Western Isles and Northern Isles.

For more information, visit HERE.

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Aquaculture successes celebrated at 3rd national forum in Dili

December 7, 2023 - Around 200 stakeholders have converged in Dili, Timor-Leste, for the third National Aquaculture Forum to share research and development experiences and foster partnerships for sustainable aquaculture development.

The two-day forum, on November 30 and December 1, was hosted by the partnership for Aquaculture Development in Timor-Leste Phase 2 project (2020-24) funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade who have continuously funded aquaculture development since 2014, with complementary funding from United States Agency for International Development. The PADTL2 project is implemented by WorldFish in partnership with the Timor-Leste Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry.

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The aquaculture forum brings together government officials, development partners, researchers, fish farmers and private sector operators. The event aims to foster collaboration, learning and the continued scaling of sustainable practices within Timor-Leste's growing aquaculture sector.

Eng. Marcos da Cruz MAg ST, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Forestry: 

"Efforts to scale up Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) over the last 10 years have yielded tangible benefits by enhancing livelihoods and improving food and nutrition security. It's imperative for the public and private sectors, along with development partners, to share their experiences and learnings to inform a coordinated approach to accelerate efforts. Our targets of achieving 12,000 tonnes of farmed fish production annually and increasing annual fish consumption to 15kg per person by 2030 remain paramount."

Philip Hewitt, New Zealand Ambassador to Timor-Leste: "The forum is a testament to our collective progress-more than 300 PADTL2 project farmers in six municipalities have achieved a 350 percent increase in productivity through semi-intensive systems and better management practices. With a capacity of producing more than 10 million fingerlings by all five GIFT hatcheries annually, our journey toward sustainable aquaculture is making a real difference."

Dr Essam Yassin Mohammed, Director General, WorldFish: "With key building blocks in place, such as a scalable aquaculture development model, participants can explore opportunities and challenges to accelerate fish farming in Timor-Leste for a brighter future. The successes and lessons learned from Timor-Leste's aquaculture development provides a blueprint for other small island developing states to realise new economic and livelihood opportunities."

For more information, visit HERE.

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Overfishing in the Mediterranean and Black Sea falls to lowest level in a decade

December 7, 2023 - The percentage of overfished stocks in the Mediterranean and Black Sea has fallen below 60 percent for the first time, following a decreasing trend that started a decade ago, according to a report launched today.

Fisher at sea in the Gulf of Lion, France ©MaximeGR

While overfishing remains a concern, The State of Mediterranean and Black Sea Fisheries 2023 report (SoMFi 2023) records a drop of 15 percent in this figure over the last year, an improvement consistent with a continuous reduction in fishing pressure, which has fallen by 31 percent since 2012.

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The report is the flagship publication of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). For the first time, this year's report also includes data on the region's marine aquaculture sector.

Fisheries and marine aquaculture generate revenues of more than US$20 billion

The GFCM, a regional fisheries management organisation, is responsible for wild capture fisheries and marine brackish water aquaculture across the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Fisheries and aquaculture together produced nearly 2 million tonnes of seafood in 2021, figures in SoMFi 2023 show. Economically, the two played an equally important role, generating revenues of more than US$20 billion and supporting 700,000 jobs along the value chain.

"This special edition of SoMFi paints a complete picture of this vital sector, reinforcing just how important it is for livelihoods, food security and nutrition in our region," said GFCM Executive Secretary Miguel Bernal. "We have worked intensely with the countries and their experts to collect and aggregate the best-quality data, and this is what makes SoMFi a key tool to support decision-making and monitor progress toward achieving sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea," he added.

Positive trends in fisheries, but sector remains under stress

Although excessive exploitation of fish stocks has fallen significantly, fishing pressure in the Mediterranean and Black Seas is still at twice the level considered sustainable. However, the report also demonstrates that the GFCM's continued focus on expanding management plans and technical and spatial measures is having positive results for key commercial species. Stocks of European hake in the Mediterranean, turbot in the Black Sea and common sole in the Adriatic Sea, all covered under dedicated management plans, showed a striking reduction in overfishing, some of them already revealed signs of biomass rebuilding.

Some stocks under management plans show a larger than average reduction in fishing pressure. Notable examples include 77 percent reduction for common sole in the Adriatic Sea, which has now reached sustainable exploitation rates and a 73 percent reduction for turbot in the Black Sea.

Guided by its 2030 Strategy and incorporating FAO's vision for Blue Transformation, the GFCM implements 10 multi annual management plans involving nearly 7000 vessels and protects sensitive species and vulnerable marine ecosystems, including deep-water corals, as well as essential fish habitats such as spawning and reproductive grounds, with ten fisheries restricted areas covering more than 17.5 million square kilometres in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

Across the region, catches are still largely dominated by small pelagic fish, mainly European anchovy and sardine. In the Mediterranean, 55 species comprise 90 percent of the catch, while in the Black Sea just five species make up the same proportion.

Overall capture fisheries production levels have remained stable in recent years, with Türkiye, followed by Italy and Tunisia, bringing in the most landings.

Small-scale vessels make up the vast majority of the fishing fleet and provide more than half of the total employment. Although the only account for about 15 percent of catches, these vessels bring in nearly 30 percent of total revenue.

Aquaculture is a rapidly growing sector

SoMFi reports that, in contrast to capture fisheries, the region's marine aquaculture sector is growing significantly. Marine and brackish water aquaculture production has nearly doubled over the last decade, increasing by up to 91.3 percent, with revenues also up by 74.5 percent.

The three main production methods used in the region are marine cages, ponds and suspended culture, while the most commonly farmed species are gilthead seabream, European seabass and Mediterranean mussel.

Türkiye, Egypt and Greece are, in this order, the three largest regional producer, together accounting for 71 percent of the total volume.

This special edition of SoMFi arrives just one year after the previous SoMFi. It communicates its findings in a condensed format and 

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SAIC to deliver funding boost for aquaculture research in 2024

December 7, 2023 - The Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) is supporting further research into fish health and wellbeing initiatives in 2024, with seven successful projects set to benefit from its most recent funding call.

With a combined total value of more than £860,000, the funded research and development (R&D) projects have secured over £300,000 from SAIC with additional support being provided by commercial partners. Research will kick off in early January, or before, with each group targeting a summer completion date. 

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Included among the successful initiatives are projects focused on gill health in Atlantic salmon, parasite management, cleaner fish health and welfare, and managing or preventing disease through immunisation and vaccinations. A number of the projects selected for funding are extensions of previous research supported by SAIC, with teams applying for a funding boost to take concepts to the next stage.

The innovation centre's team of experts as well as its Independent Scientific Panel assessed the seven applications and all were found to match the criteria for its defined priorities around finish health and welfare.

Earlier this year, SAIC announced it had reached the milestone of 100 funded aquaculture innovation projects, with the combined value of the work to date reaching nearly £71 million and involving 92 project partners from academia and the sector.

Heather Jones CEO of SAIC, said: "Continued improvements in finish health will underpin the sector's sustainable future, make a big difference to the survivability and wellbeing of fish and help seafood producers to provide a nutritious protein source that will feed generations to come.

"We are pleased to be supporting further collaborating that could see a range of research concepts translated into a commercial reality. Scotland has a great deal of expertise and experience in aquaculture and in connecting those with our world-class research institutions, we can make positive changes to ways of working across the sector that can pave the way for a more environmentally friendly and economically impactful future for finfish farming."

For more information, visit HERE.

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Stolt Sea Farm begins work on major expansion of flatfish hatchery

December 5, 2023 - On November 28, 2023 Stolt Sea Farm commenced work to expand its sole hatchery in Galicia, Spain. The facility in Cervo, already the world's largest flatfish hatchery, will allow the company to fulfil much of its planned production growth for the coming years.

Stolt Sea Farms Flatfish Hatchery

Stolt Sea Farm (SSF) announced its plans to expand its hatchery operations in August 2023. The work follows the recently completed expansion of its sole broomstick facilities and is a key step in the company's production growth plan.

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In the last three years, SSF has doubled its annual production capacity for sole to 1700 tonnes and the upgraded hatchery will support its plans to double capacity again in the next three years, ensuring SSF is on track to reach its overall annual production target of 23,000 tonnes of turbot and sole by 2035.

"I am extremely proud of the team that has worked hard to achieve this milestone. I'm convinced that the execution period ahead of us will be delivered with both passion and excellence, as is everything our people do at Stolt Sea Farm to ensure future generations continue to enjoy wonderful seafood."

SSF's Cervo facility is already a leader in sustainable turbot and sole production using pioneering techniques - including an innovative recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) for sole - which have kept SSF at the forefront of the land-based aquaculture industry for 50 years.

For more information, visit HERE.

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Diet supplement could turn back the clock on salmon health risks

December 5, 2023 - A diet supplement already consumed by humans for its anti-ageing benefits could be used to help salmon digest feed and improve their natural disease resistance, with feed trials kicking off next month.

Salmon farm

A team of aquaculture and veterinary experts are looking at the impact of adding superseding - a compound found in vegetables, cereals and soybean products - into fish feed to support the breakdown of fatty acids and maintain optimal immune function in adult fish.

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The project is being led by the University of Edinburgh's Roslin Institute and recently received over £150,000 in funding from the UK Seafood Innovation Fund (SIF) with additional support from the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC). Seafood producer Mowi and the University of Stirling's Institute of Aquaculture are also partners in the research.

As the sector continues to move towards a spectrum of more sustainable plant-based feed ingredients, vegetable and algal oils are becoming increasingly common ingredients in farm-raised fish feeds. However, like humans, as fish age it becomes more difficult for them to break down their fat reserves into free fatty acids to be re-used, in a biological process known as lipophagy. rather than the fat reserves being used for energy and muscle growth, they instead build up in the body and can block the immune system, making fish more susceptible to health issues.

Supplementing feeds with spermidine could ultimately maintain the sharpness of the salmon's immune response and natural ability to fight virus-induced diseases such as cardiomyopathies, for which there is currently no vaccine available. The supplement, which is sold as an anti-ageing ingredient for people, will help to break down-stored fats, giving the fish more energy and helping to maintain the balance between omega-3 and omega-6, which is important for anti-inflammatory processes.

The potential impact spermidine has on humans has also been explored in numerous studies, including an ongoing clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of the supplement in maintaining immune responses in elderly humans to the Covid-19 vaccination.

Kanchan Phadwal, research fellow at the University of Edinburgh's Roslin Institute, said: "Just like humans, as fish get older and grow to their full size, their systems slow down and become weaker. Fatty acids are essential for nutrition and disease resistance but retrieval from their storage in fat tissue can be difficult, particularly when derived from plant-based oils and as fish age.

"The spermidine supplement we are planning to use will give fish a helping hand to extract the healthy fats, regulating the immune response and boosting health and wellbeing overall. It is already delivering great results for humans, and we anticipate it will have a similar impact for aquaculture."

Heather Jones, CEO of SAIC, added: "As the sector seeks to minimise its environmental impact, sustainable feed ingredients are increasingly becoming the norm for aquaculture. But this must be balanced to ensure that we are delivering the best recipes for fish health and nutrition. This research is a great example of thinking differently, applying the 'One Health' approach whereby efforts are made to transfer knowledge about the health and wellbeing of one species - in this case, humans - to another, salmon."

For more information, visit HERE.

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Farmed aquatic species publication named best free culinary book in the world

December 4, 2023 - Farmed aquatic food for all tastes: the journey of twelve Mediterranean and Black Sea species from farms to your plates, a publication recently released by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), received the Best Free Culinary Book in the World Award at the twenty-ninth Gourmand World Cookbook Awards ceremony, held in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The publication presents a journey through the Mediterranean and Black Sea aquaculture sector, highlighting its benefits and debunking myths and showcases the region's gastronomic traditions, offering details on how to enhance the culinary value of the region's farmed species. Within its pages, this guide presents twelve species chosen for their importance and potential in the region and emphasises that farmed aquatic foods can be tasty, healthy and sustainable. Each chapter pairs the story of a successful pioneering producer making waves in the region wit an enticing recipe prepared by chefs from in Institut Lyfe, in Lyon, France.

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Through a combination of text, pictures and recipes, the publication offers a unique guide to the traditions and flavours of the region and features traditional recipes as well as tips from chefs and ingredient pairings that can be used at home to create new recipes.

"Working with the GFCM has been a wonderful journey leading to the publication of an outstanding book promoting tasty, healthy and sustainable recipes. It was great to combine our chefs' expertise with that of aquaculture producers from the Mediterranean and the Black Sea and to give young talents the opportunity to express their culinary creativity. Congratulations to all and enjoy the tasting!", commented Agnés Giboreau, Director of the Institute Life Research and Innovation Centre.

"Farmed aquatic food for all tastes represents an immense and unprecedented study of aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. It covers social, economic and geographical information on the aquaculture and food industries, explained in a pedagogical way, showcasing twelve species, from the farm to the plate, with the contribution of experts, farmers and top chefs from the Institut Lyfe Research and Innovation Centre: a masterpiece", said Édouard Cointreau, President and Founder of the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards.

"Aquatic foods are a healthy source of protein and their production is a pillar of food security, employment and economic development. With this publication, the GFCM aims to highlight how aquaculture strengthens the region's culinary heritage, inviting consumers to learn more about farmed species and their gastronomic potential. In this way, the social acceptability of aquaculture is enhanced, a key element to achieving the GFCM strategic objectives and contribute to FAO's Blue Transformation vision" said Houssam Hamza, GFCM Aquaculture Officer.

The Gourmand World Cookbook Awards have been honouring since 1995 the best gastronomy books, printed or digital, as well as food television productions. Winners are selected in the first place at a country level and then by an international jury that determines the Best in the World winners. The awards represent a unique opportunity to build the image of food culture worldwide. Publications from about 70 countries as well as from international publishers and organisations were displayed this year and select nominees in about 150 categories had the opportunity to present their work on stage. The event culminated with an award ceremony which honoured the best works in each category.

This recognition of the GFCM publication by the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards also calls attention to the 35,000 farms engaged in aquatic food farming operations and the 500,000 people employed in the sector, either directly or indirectly. Aquaculture plays an important role in offering a source of employment and economic growth, allowing to increase aquatic food production and meet the growing demand for quality food and it is therefore crucial to continue working to enhance the sector while ensuring its social, environmental and economic sustainability.

This year's awards marked another significant recognition for FAO publications, as 'The status of women in agrifood systems' won the Best Sustainable Food Publication in the World Award. This publication provides a comprehensive picture of the status of women working across agrifood systems, from production to distribution and consumption, shedding light on gender inequalities in terms of working conditions and socioeconomic benefits.

This year's awards marked another significant recognition for FAO publications, as 'The status of women in agrifood systems' won the Best Sustainable Food Publication in the World Award. This publication provides a comprehensive picture of the status of women working across agrifood systems, from production to distribution and consumption, shedding light on gender inequalities in terms of working conditions and socioeconomic benefits.

For more information, visit HERE.

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