Bluecirc appoints new Marketing Director

February 29, 2024 - Bjorn Ronge has been appointed Business Development Director of Bluecirc, a technology supplier that came as a spin-off company of MoreFish, Norway. The company specialises in providing technology for RAS systems while for the design and construction the expertice of MoreFish will be used.

Bjorn Ronge

Bjorn has been in aquaculture for over a decade, coming into the industry with a background in engineering with biotechnology and business and marketing, he began working with seaweed production before moving onto fish feed where he has specialised for the past eight years.

This background in engineering is what helped him succeed at PTAqua, where he worked until 2023 before recently starting at Bluecirc, as he could use his technical knowledge to help push his projects forward.

“My new role is more about investigating the market, finding potential clients, and products from Europe and rest of the world and trying to transfer those to the Norwegian market and vice versa. As I have a background in Engineering, I find this opportunity to work with Bluecirc and technology products really exciting”, says Bjorn.

Technical knowledge is not the only thing Bjorn brings to the table however, his many years as a Marketing executive experience brings a large network with him and his relationships with various suppliers and farmers will help to break the new company into the market and expand their business and successfully and quickly as possible.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

Shortlist announced for record Aquaculture Awards 2024

February 28, 2024 - The shortlist for the Aquaculture Awards 2024, announced today, has been drawn from a record number of entries, up more than 20 percent on last year's awards.

Aquaculture UK 2022

With almost 100 nominations reflecting the wide range of talent across the sector, the judges had a particularly difficult task selecting winners this year. 

The awards, to be presented on May 15 at a gala dinner during Aquaculture UK in Aviemore, including 13 separate categories covering everything from innovation to community initiative, sustainability to animal welfare, and the best of the suppliers and new start-ups.

They recognise both hands-on diligence and high-tech brilliance, honouring those individuals and businesses whose endeavours set them apart from their peers. This year the aquaculture community can get involve in the judging process by voting for the winner of the Outstanding Contribution award, chosen from four shortlisted candidates, each of whom has carved out a distinguished career in their field.

Cheri Arvonio, Awards Director, said: "The Aquaculture Awards champion the achievements of the sector over the past year and highlight the exceptional people making a difference, whether at home or abroad.

"We're thrilled with the level of engagement this year and look forward to welcoming all those in the running, our award sponsors and some 600 guests for a night of celebration, socialising and Highland fun."

The full shortlist can be viewed, HERE.

The awards night, to be hosted by Fred MacAulay, takes place on May 15 at the Macdonald Resort in Aviemore, venue for Aquaculture UK, which runs from May 14-15.

For tickets to the Aquaculture Awards, contact Aquaculture UK organiser Diversified Communications via aharrison@divcom.co.uk. 

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

Optimar joins forces with Kaldbakur

February 27, 2024 - As of February 26, 2024, the Icelandic investor Kaldbakur has acquired Optimar International AS after negotiations with the company's former shareholders, the German investment firm Franz Haniel & Cie GmbH, as well as Optimar AS management and employees. As part of Kaldbakur's portfolio, Optimar will continue to serve its customers worldwide as an independent company.

  

Optimar, headquartered in Valderøya just outside Ålesund, is a world leader in automated fish processing systems for use aboard fishing vessels, on land, and in aquaculture. As a global company with branches in Norway, Spain, Romania, and the USA, it is known by its customers in more than 30 countries for offering innovative product development and world-class service.

Reliable long-term partner for the global fishing industry

Kaldbakur serves as the investment vehicle for the owners of the Icelandic seafood company Samherji, a leading family-owned vertically integrated company founded in 1983 that operates a fleet of fishing vessels, fish processing factories, and land-based fish farming facilities. Through the acquisition of Optimar, Kaldbakur aims to strengthen its strategic network in the region. 

"Optimar is a reliable, long-term partner for the global fishing industry with strong customer relationships. We are excited about the opportunities our partnership will bring to both Optimar and our broader portfolio," said Eiríkur S Jóhannsson, CEO of Kaldbakur.

Haniel acquired Optimar in 2017 and has since supported the development of the company in a partnership.

Like coming home

"Kaldbakur is the perfect strategic partner for Optimar at this time and has committed to offering its deep knowledge and proven expertise to further shape the company's future. We sincerely wish both the Optimar and Kaldbakur teams much success in their new partnership," said Thessa von Hülsen, investment partner at Haniel.

Optimar CEO Georg Saint-Denis said in a comment that Optimar is very pleased with this agreement and feels that this is the right and good owner for Optimar. "This is a bit like coming home for Optimar. The companies know each other well through a long and good collaboration and see this as a strategic turning point for Optimar."

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

Aqua 2024 is taking shape

February 26, 2024 - Co-organised by the European Aquaculture Society and the World Aquaculture Society, Aqua 2024 will take place from August 26-30 in Copenhagen. The event will highlight the latest aquaculture research and innovation to underpin continued growth of this exciting food production sector. It will be a showcase for Denmark, and its innovation leadership in several key technologies crucial for future aquaculture, but also a meeting exchange platform for experts from around the world.

The theme of Aqua 2024 is 'Blue Food, Green Solutions'.

The organisers have identified a wide range of sessions - by topic and also by species - for the scientific conference and abstract submission is now open. To submit your abstract to the session of your choice before the deadline of April 5, click HERE.

If you are a student, please submit your abstract before April 5 to have a chance of being selected for the Aqua 2024 Student Spotlight Award and the possibility to pitch your work at the opening plenary session to a global aquaculture audience.

Aqua 2024 is also working with their partners to prepare exciting programmes for the Industry Forum and Innovation Forum, as well as pre- and post-conference tours.

To book your booth at the trade show, visit HERE.

Remember to register early for AQUA 2024 and to ensure that you pay the cheapest registration fee by joining EAS. After joining, head over to the registration page to get the Member Rate.

The Aquaculturists

---

Hilucia by Innovafeed: a new brand to unlock the power of Hermetia Illucens

February 26, 2024 - In order to support the acceleration of its production and sales growth, which more than doubled in 2023, Innovafeed today unveils its new brand Hilucia, redesigning its offer around a complete range of high-quality ingredients for animal and plant nutrition, with minimal environmental impact. Hilucia embodies the combination of the exceptional upcycling capabilities of the Hermetia illucens larvae with the cutting-edge technology developed by Innovafeed's teams.

"Enhanced and expanded with two new products - Protein for Monogastrics and Oil for Aqua - the Hilucia range reaffirms Innovafeed's anchoring and leadership in its four main markets: pets (Hilucia for pets), livestock (Hilucia for monogastrics), aquaculture (Hilucia for aqua), and agriculture (Hilucia for plants)." Elizaveta Le Floch, Chief Business Officer of Innovafeed.

The culmination of several years of development

The Hilucia range is the result of an extensive effort made in recent years by Innovafeed's teams and is based on four fundamentals:

1. Strategic partnerships developed with major players in each industry such as Cargill for aquaculture (insect proteins), Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) for pet food (Insect proteins and oils), and Hello Nature for agriculture (insect frass). These partnerships ensure that Innovafeed maintains a strong momentum across all markets - both in France and abroad.
2. Committed to minimising the environmental impact of the company and its products. Accredited as a B Corp company since 2022, Innovafeed recently realised its first Impact Report in January 2024; and since February 2024 has been a certified member of the Pet Sustainability Coalition in the pet segment.
3. Nutritional expertise acquired through trials conducted at both laboratory and commercial scales. The Hilucia range is based on a deep understanding of the needs of each species. It is thus tailored based on in vivo studies to provide the best zootechnical performance possible. This is particularly the case in aquaculture, where Innovafeed is involved in the Millennial Salmon project among others, which includes eight leading organisations across the value chain and aims to bring to market the most sustainable farmed salmon in the world.
4. The strict adherence to the most demanding quality standards. The recent acquisition of a Marketing Authorisation (AMM) for its organic fertiliser in France is a recognition of Innovafeed's expertise and excellence, opening up the opportunity to offer an innovative and effective solution in a broad market of 7 million tonnes (according to Unifa) with growing demand. This authorisation complements an already ongoing deployment in several other European countries with our partner Hello Nature, a global specialist in organic fertilisers.

The combination of an exceptional insect and a unique production model

Hermetia illucens larvae transforms low-value plant-based raw materials into high-quality nutrients with unparalleled efficiency: they use 1.5kg of dry feed to produce 1kg of body mass in just 15 days.

Leveraging these exceptional capabilities, Innovafeed has created a unique model of 'industrial symbiosis' that maximises the natural productivity of Hermetia illucens larvae. This model is based on the clustering of facilities with suppliers of the two main inputs required for insect rearing: agricultural co-products for larval feed and energy. The facilities are directly connected by pipelines, which significantly reduces environmental impact, transport needs, and production costs.

High-quality ingredients with low environmental impact

The ingredients of the Hilucia range aim to meet the growing demand for high-quality food products - it is estimated that global protein demand will increase by 40 percent by 2030 - while meeting sustainability requirements, both in resource use and CO2 emissions.

Leveraging a deep understanding of the needs of each species, Innovafeed is working to provide nutritional solutions that offer the best possible zootechnical performance. For example, it has been shown that Hilucia Protein for Shrimps could significantly reduce morality and increase performance in shrimp farming.

Furthermore, a life cycle analysis was conducted on the ingredients in the Hilucia range, and it was demonstrated that they generate at least 50 percent fewer carbon emissions compared to the most commonly used plant and animal proteins, oils and fertilisers on the market (such as fish meal, vegetable oils, poultry manure, etc.), while also having a lower impact on biodiversity, land use and water consumption.

A commitment to transparency for consumers

With Hilucia, Innovafeed creates a simple and identifiable brand that signifies quality with sustainability, responding to consumers' need for transparency. Innovafeed even offers customers the option to feature a 'powered by Hilucia' logo on their packaging. As testified by Gabriel Huertas del Pino, Co-founder, and CEO of Arch Pet Food: "Partnering with Innovafeed marks a significant to excellence, sustainability and innovation in the pet food industry and we're proud to display the label and story directly to our customers on-pack in our new Smart Future Formula. Together, we're setting new standards for what pet owners can expect, bringing a new era of quality, trust and transparency to the table!"

The stakes are high in pet food: in the United States alone, over 4 million tonnes (according to Pet Food Institute) of animal-derived products are currently used to formulate dry food or wet food!

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

BioMar appoints new VP for Asia

February 23, 2024 - To lead the growth strategy for the Asian markets, BioMar appoints the experienced animal nutrition and aquaculture profile Cedric van den Bossche as Vice President for the Asia division, which today comprises the business units in Vietnam and China.

Cedric van den Bossche

Cedric van den Bossche is joining BioMar with more than 15 years of experience building up businesses in the Asian markets, mainly working in general management roles for ADM and NEOVIA in China, Indonesia and India.

You may also be interested in:

• BioMar inaugurates new Hatchery R&D facility
• Auchan, BioMar and Earthworm Foundation join forces in a unique collaboration to launch new sustainable shrimp product

As VP for Asia, he will be working out of China, developing the product portfolio and the market strategies for the Asian markets together with the local teams. Furthermore, he will take lead looking into new opportunities for developing BioMar across Asia.

"I am truly happy welcoming Cedric as a part of our executive management. We have during the last years built on a solid position in the Chinese market, created a strong global position within the shrimp feed segment, and started the penetration of the Vietnamese market. There is huge potential for further growth in Asia and I am sure Cedric is bringing both the right entrepreneurial spirit and the solid management experience we need to accelerate the further growth in the region", explains Carlos Diaz CEO BioMar Group and continues:

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Francois for his enormous contribution to BioMar during his career. He has been instrumental in managing and developing many markets around the world, and I wish him all the best in this new stage of his life". After a transition period, Cedric van den Bossche will take over from Francois Loubere, who has decided to retire after more than 30 years in BioMar.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

ASC farms supported with extended feed supply transition period

February 22, 2024 - Following extensive industry consultation, Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) has extended the transition period for ASC certified farms to switch to ASC compliant feed.

Farms now have until October 2025, as opposed to January 2025, to change their supply of feed to come from mills that have been certified against the Feed Standard. The change in feed supply is necessary for producers to continue meeting the ASC Farm Standards and to retain their certification.

You may also be interested in:

• Vimifos and Skretting first feed mills to attain ASC Feed Certification
• ASC Certification proves beneficial for Vietnamese shrimp farmers

Feed mills that haven't already started the certification process should prioritise obtaining ASC Feed Standard certification. There is an incentive to join the programme as soon as possible: those feed mills that get certified in 2024 will not have to pay license fees on the volume of complaint feed they produce this calendar year.

The demand for responsible feed globally continues to grow. With certification, feed mills ensure their readiness to meet this escalating demand and will secure their place in the evolving market landscape, as well as clearly demonstrating their commitment to greater environmental and social responsibility.

The new timeframe supports farms by giving them more time to make changes to their feed supply chain. It also ensures that the available volumes of complaint feed produced by certified feed mills will be sufficient to meet demand.

The extension deadline coincides with the planned launch of ASC's new Farm Standard, which will create a single farm-level standard to provide greater consistency and brings together requirements across all farmed seafood species currently targeted by ASC.

ASC farms will continue to meet the feed requirements outlined in their respective farm-level standard to provide greater consistency and brings together requirements across all farmed seafood species currently targeted by ASC.

ASC farms will continue to meet the feed requirements outlined in their respective farm species standards until they switch to sourcing from a certified feed mill.

Alexandra Warrington, Senior Coordinator, Feed Standard at ASC, explained, "The decision to extend the compliance deadline for the Feed Standard highlights our dedication to close collaboration with the industry. This extension period reflects our commitment to supporting farms in their journey towards more responsible practices, allowing them the necessary time to adapt and ensuring a robust supply of compliant feed is available to them in the market."

There has been strong uptake of the Feed Standard already, with Vimifos and Skretting achieving ASC certification for multiple feed mill sites in Mexico and Chile respectively. With more sites already in the audit process, ASC's Feed Standard is generating a wave of positive change in feed production and continues to gather momentum.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

New study reveals the transformative power of aquaculture in Zambia

February 20, 2024 - A new study reveals for the first-time substantial benefits from adopting smallholder aquaculture for Zambian farmers. The research, published in Agriculture & Food Security, provides compelling evidence of how fish farming diversifies livelihoods and improves food and nutrition in rural areas.

"Showcasing the role of aquaculture to food and nutrition security of rural homesteads in Africa is a relatively difficult thing to prove. For the first time our study in northern Zambia shows that smallholder aquaculture can be a game-changer for local farmers," said Alexander Kaminski, PhD researcher at the University of Stirling's Institute of Aquaculture who undertook the research at WorldFish. "By integrating fish farming into their agricultural practices, households not only diversified their income sources but also significantly improved their dietary variety and overall food security."

The research compared households with and without fishponds, demonstrating that those engaging in fish farming experienced a noticeable enhancement in their livelihoods. These benefits extended beyond a mere income generation leading to a richer, more nutritious diet and a more resilient agricultural system. The study found that adopting aquaculture gave households two time more likelihood to improve their food security status.

Shakuntala Thilsted, CGIAR Director of Nutrition, Health and Food Security and WorldFish Global Lead for Nutrition and Public Health at the time of the research highlighted the implications of the findings. "This study provides clear evidence that fish farming is an invaluable component in the fight against food and nutrition insecurity in Africa. It provides evidence that nutrition-sensitive homestead aquaculture can enrich diets and create sustainable farming systems that benefit the entire communities."

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

QYSEA introduces QY-MT: a groundbreaking AI underwater measurement system for submersible robots

February 19, 2024 - QYSEA Technology has announced the official launch of QY-MT (QYSEA Measurement Tool), their self-developed AI underwater intelligent precision measurement system. This technology harnesses the robust subsea capabilities of QYSEA's FIFISH underwater robot, heralding a new era of AI intelligence for underwater robot measurements.

The QY-MT intelligent measurement system seamlessly integrates underwater data through QYSEA's advanced AI visual algorithms. It features real-time and offline dual measurement modes, ensuring precision even with offline videos. Designed with customisable shapes and adaptive capabilities for complex underwater environments, QY-MT aims to enhance operational efficiency and revolutionise professional subsea measurement methods.

You may also be interested in:

• The first modular AI underwater robot for professional underwater operations
• FIFISH V-EVO QYSEA’s latest addition to the award-winning V6 series

QY-MT's applications cover five major scenarios: bridge inspection, water resources and hydropower, underwater infrastructure, ship inspections, and offshore wind power, marking the introduction of an intelligent tool for underwater detection in these critical areas.

Powerful AI solution

The QY-MT system demonstrates remarkable adaptability in measuring various irregular shapes, leveraging the FIFISH Underwater Robot's 4K camera system and an AI software measurement platform to precisely identify complex shapes, thereby simplifying challenging non-destructive underwater measurements.

The AI-based algorithm seamlessly adjusts to measurement ranges, ensuring visualised measurement data accuracy at a centimeter-level precision. The system includes a movable ruler with customisable colours to suit different environmental conditions. Additionally, it supports one-click screenshot saving of measurement results, making it ideal for various industry inspection tasks.

Multi-measurement capabilities

QY-MT streamlines the measurement of length and height for chosen underwater objects, offering adaptable units in centimetres or inches for effective data display on the system screen. Overcoming underwater measurement challenges, QY-MT facilities drawing curves and arcs, intelligently measuring the length of curved objects within a plane, thereby optimising efficiency in underwater measurements.

Expanding its capabilities, QY-MT caters to underwater polygonal target objects, enabling precise angle data retrieval through the angle measurement option. Furthermore, it tackles complex irregular underwater objects by harnessing powerful AI computing capabilities, ensuring the capture of area and perimeter data with high precision in a single click.

As a pioneer in AI underwater robots, QYSEA Technology stays committed to exploration and self-revolution, continuously pushing the boundaries of imagination. With the global introduction of the QY-MT intelligent measurement system, QYSEA infuses new vitality into underwater measurements, leading the industry's ongoing transformation.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

MiAlgae announces appointment of Chris Haacke as Commercial Director

February 16, 2024 - MiAlgae, an exciting Edinburgh-based company that grows algae using by-products from the local whisky industry to make a high-quality Omega-3 product, has announced the role as they build new revenue streams and promote business growth.

Chris Haacke

Chris joins MiAlgae from French company Agronutris, who specialise in the rearing and transforming of insects into sustainable proteins and fats for animal nutrition, where he held the role of Director of Business Development. 

Chris has a long history in aquaculture having worked in various commercial roles in the Pan Fish Group from 1992 to 2005, including Sales and Marketing Director for Pan Fish Scotland, and then moved to a global marketing role with MSD Animal Health Aquaculture.

In 2017, he joined the animal nutrition sector, as Global Aquaculture Lead for Corbion Algae ingredients. There he was responsible for the global aquaculture growth strategy, and strategic account management. As leader of the Aquaculture Business Development Team, he was dedicated to the commercial development of a groundbreaking new technology, taking it from a niche position to a mainstream ingredient, helping to support the continued sustainable growth of the aquaculture industry.

Founder and Managing Director of MiAlgae, Douglas Martin commented: "We are extremely excited to welcome Chris to the team. He has the experience and talent we need to take MiAlgae to the next phase of its growth".

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

Medellín, Colombia epicentre of aquaculture in 2024

February 16, 2024 - Medellín will be the headquarters of the Congress on Aquaculture in Latin America 'Innovation and Sustainability for Global Aquaculture', which will include LACQUA 2024, The 8th Latin American conference on native fish culture and the 11th Colombian aquaculture congress, from September 24-27, 2024 at the Plaza Mayor Convention Center. 

This event is the result of collaboration between entities such as WAS-LACC, the Latin American Association on Native Fish Farming, the Colombian Academic Association of Aquaculture, the CES University, the University of Antioquia and Fedeacua.

The congress will bring together experts on topics of global relevance, addressing the development, sustainability and growth of aquaculture in Latin America and the Caribbean. Participants will have the opportunity to send summaries of their most recent research and work to present orally or in poster format throughout the three days of the event and the pre- and post-congress courses. In addition, it will stand out with the presence of the largest aquaculture trade fair in Colombia.

The deadline for reception of abstracts is March 31, 2024.

Registration for the Aquaculture Congress in Latin America 'Innovation and Sustainability for Global Aquaculture' offers differential rates for Colombians. Interested parties are encouraged to register before August 1 to take advantage of the early registration discount characteristic of LACQUA24 events.

Consult the following links for all information related to programming, rules for submitting abstracts and rates for participants:

Colombians
Internationals
Register HERE

The trade fair has been characterised as the ideal space for entities and companies since it offers the opportunity to show the public their offer of products and services to more than 1800 attendees that we expect in 2024. More than 100 companies have participated in previous events and on this occasion the following companies are participating: TGV de Colombia, Feeding Systems SL, USSEC, Trovan, The Center for Aquaculture Technologies, CEDIA, Keenebec River Biosciences, TecnoAqua, Aquatic Equipment & Design Inc, Faivre, Prilabsa, Global Motor, Madan Technologies, Kaiser Compressors, AquaLabo, Ormendes SA, Aquamanager, Hanna Instruments, Itacol. There are still stands available for what will be the largest aquaculture trade fair in Colombia.

The Aquaculturists

---

IFFO's estimates of the 2023 fishmeal and fish oil production and insights for 2024

February 13, 2024 - A taste of the many statistics and analyses found in the market intelligence reports that IFFO dedicates to its members is reported below, covering IFFO's analysis on marine ingredient market trends.

In Peru, which accounts for 20 percent of global fishmeal and fish oil production in average years, recent observations show unexpected sea warming off Peru's central coast, despite El Niño weakening. In the North-Centre area, the next acoustic research cruise for the first fishing season of 2024 is expected to commence mid-February.

You may also be interested in:

• IFFO’s Members Meeting will take place in Miami from 16-17 April
• IFFO’s China Workshop to explore the value points and global market dynamics of marine ingredients

IFFO's preliminary estimate of the overall cumulative fishmeal production for the countries analysed in its reports is at around 1.738 million metric tonnes (MT) in 2023, around 23 percent less than in 2022. The primary factor contributing to this decline can be attributed to the 52 percent year-over-year decrease in Peru, whose fishing activities were heavily affected by the El Niño phenomenon, with the cancellation of the April-June fishing season in the North-centre, and a lower-than-average fishing quota for the last quarter of the year. Interestingly, the European countries analysed in this report were the only ones to show an increase in cumulative fishmeal output in 2023.

Regarding fish oil, the total output in 2023 was down by 21 percent compared to the previous year. The significant supply drop in Peru (down by 85 percent year on year) was the main cause of this negative performance, resulting from both fewer landings and lower oil yields.

Chile was the only region that managed to register a year-over-year increase in production, thanks to healthier catches and higher-than-average oil yields in the souther regions.

Bearish conditions in both pig and aquaculture markets cause drop in China's fishmeal imports

At present, fish processing in China is focused on frozen fish caught in the past months. On the trade side, the year-on-year drop in China's 2023 fishmeal imports can be attributed to the bearish conditions in both pig and aquaculture markets. The aquaculture sector finds itself in a quandary due to an oversupply of aquatic products and a sluggish demand. According to the China Feed Industry Association, the aquafeed output in 2023 reported a 4.9 percent year-on-year decrease. Industry insiders don't expect much change in the first half of 2024.

The pig sector, which is a significant user of marine ingredients in feed, continues to grapple with an oversupply. According to the latest release from the National Bureau of Statistics, pork production in 2023 increased by 4.6 percent year-on-year - the highest production since 2014. In turn, pig feed output increased by 10.1 percent year-on-year in 2023. Oversupply and higher feeding costs are squeezing pig farmers' margins forcing them to drastic cost-cutting measures, including new feed formulations.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

Alltech awarded three EcoVadis sustainability medals

February 13, 2024 - Alltech, a leading global animal health and nutrition company, has been awarded a silver medal from EcoVadis - putting it in the top 25 percent of sustainable companies globally. The EcoVadis silver medal testifies to Alltech's purpose of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty and its commitment to prioritising the efficient production of nutritious food while minimising environmental impact, implementing environmentally and economically sustainable solutions, promoting fair labour practices and fostering ethical business conduct.

Dr. Mark Lyons (right), president and CEO of Alltech, is shown with Tara McCarthy (left), global vice president of ESG at Alltech.

Alltech has also earned the EcoVadis platinum medal for its production site in Springfield, Kentucky, USA, which puts it in the top 1 percent of the over 200,000 businesses assessed by EcoVadis. Alltech Coppens, which produces industrial feeds for the aquaculture sector, earned gold-medal status, putting it in the top 7 percent of sustainable companies globally.

You may also be interested in:

• Alltech announces new appointments within its global marketing team
• Raisioaqua, Finland’s only fish feed factory, is now operating as Alltech Fennoaqua Oy

"We are delighted to have received multiple EcoVadis medals, as an external endorsement of Alltech's ongoing commitment to the journey that is sustainability," said Tara McCarthy, global vice president of ESG at Alltech.

EcoVadis is the world's most trusted provider of business sustainability ratings, intelligence and collaborative performance improvement tools for global supply chains. Backed by a powerful technology platform and a global team of domain experts, EcoVadis assesses companies on environmental, social and ethical performance in over 200 purchasing categories and 175 countries.

"At Alltech, we see opportunities in every challenge. We are dedicated to delivering smarter, more sustainable solutions to advance the health and performance of animals while also lowering their impact on the environment," said Dr Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. "These awards from EcoVadis recognise the actions we are taking to align our business with our Planet of Plenty purpose - working together to provide nutrition for all, revitalise local economies and replenish the planet's natural resources."

Alltech previously released its 2022 Alltech Sustainability Report, which demonstrates the actions the company is taking to align the business with its commitments to the United Nations Global Compact, the UN Ten Principles and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, the report outlines the steps Alltech has taken to promote an inclusive work environment and highlights its team members' efforts to make a difference in the communities in which they live and work.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

IFFO's Members Meeting will take place in Miami from 16-17 April

February 9, 2024 - From 16-17th Aril, IFFO will gather its members in Miami, USA. Registrations are open and the detailed agenda is available here. The speakers will explore how the marine ingredients industry is ensuring the efficient use of marine materials and contributing to global nutrition.

More than 20 industry experts, scientists and value chain representatives will share their insights, focusing on responsible fishing and the expectations that now face the industry, as well as the impacts and future social license. Market presentations will cover an in-depth analysis of agri-commodities, fish oil, fishmeal, algal oil and omega-3 with country and regional insights.

You may also be interested in:

• IFFO’s China Workshop to explore the value points and global market dynamics of marine ingredients
• IFFO unveils its Annual Conference’s detailed agenda

The programme includes two Market Forums, a Challenges and Opportunities session and a buffet dinner.

Chaired by IFFO's Dr Enrico Bachis, the Market Demand session will cover changes in the feed sector (speaker TBC) and fishmeal consumption in North America (Scoular) as well as an update on the omega-3 market (GOED), fish oil trade (Marex Global Sourcing) and China market (IFFO). Certification standards in the marine ingredients sector will be discussed with an update on MarinTrust's marine ingredients factory standard.

The supply of marine ingredients session will offer a general panorama of agri-commodities (RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness), a deep dive into fishmeal/fish oil global and regional market trends (IFFO), a focus on regional trends (Valofish, EU Fishmeal and Marine Ingredients Denmark,) as well as an update on algal oil (Veramaris). Market Forum Supply is only open to delegates who are Producer Members or Premium Non-Producer Members of IFFO.

Taking a technical and regulatory lens, the challenges and opportunities forum, chaired by IFFO's Dr Brett Glencross, will explore what impacts the footprint of fishing generates (Heriot-Watt University, UK, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, FishFacts), the role of certification in fisheries (RFM Program) and how to improve the impacts of aquafeed (Sustainable Fisheries partnership). IFFO will give an overview of he latest regulatory and technical works.

This meeting is only open to IFFO Members. Registrations are open until April 5, 2024.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

The countdown is on to the largest Aquaculture UK ever

February 9, 2024 - Aquaculture UK, to be held from 14-15 May in Aviemore, Scotland, has expanded to accommodate overwhelming demand for exhibition space at what has become the highlight in the Aquaculture sector's calendar.

Aquaculture UK 2022 Day 1

The biennial show provides a platform for all the latest developments in the industry over the past two years and brings together the entire aquaculture community for two days of business and networking in the Scottish Highlands.

Along with advances in farm infrastructure, predator netting, feeding systems and humane harvesting, Aquaculture UK visitors will be able to see first-hand the most up-to-date technology that is transforming the way fish are farmed.

The exhibition offers a chance to engage with forward-thinking companies and scientific organisations exploring new frontiers - in artificial intelligence, genetic selection, data capture and more - to deliver ever more sophisticated solutions to the challenges of farming.

Among this year's first-time exhibitors are marine engineering innovators AAE Technologies; ocean robotics experts RAD Propulsion; the recently integrated Agri-Tech Centres; and the University of Cambridge.

Also new this year are several national and regional delegations, including the Chile Aqua & Food Tech Cluster, the Canada Pavilion, and Killybegs Marine Cluster, while the Danish Pavilion returns with an exciting display of technical expertise. 

The big-name suppliers that are the backbone of the sector will be out in force again, covering the spectrum of the supply chain, from feed to pharmaceuticals, and from biomass cameras to boats and barges.

Jamie Young, Sales Director at Gael Force Group, said: "We have always found Aquaculture UK to be very sociable trade show. The whole occasion manages to strike a balance between relaxed atmosphere and an environment where attendees can get a better idea of the quality of our products. We can't wait to welcome visitors and continue to build stronger relationships in Aviemore this May."

Meanwhile, Kilburnie based W&J Knox, building on 246 years of design, supply and servicing of nets and Lift-Up systems, has further enhanced its diverse range of ideas and products, working with main supplier Garware Technical Fibres and the technical teams at Selstad in Norway.

"Knox has recruited a strong team of engineers with a range of disciplines with the capability of making the life of our customers much easier," said Managing Director Finlay Oman. "Diversity and high capacity have always been key to our success, with the company continuously evolving.

"Please drop by our stand and ask for more information - about anti-fouling coatable DHPE netting, a refined net interface system, Lift-Up and recycling routes for netting materials."

For the first time, Aquaculture UK will host an 'innovation theatre', designed to showcase the fast-changing technology driving the sector. In a tent just outside the main exhibition hall, the theatre will feature 30-minute presentations, which are open to anyone with an innovative idea or invention to promote.

Companies lined up so far include RS Aqua; the University of Stirling; Global Underwater Hub; Vonin; Benchmark; Umitron; UKRI - Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council; Seneye and Moredun Scientific.

There will also be breakfast briefings across the two days, from 8:30-9:30am, and a full conference programme, to be announced soon.

Cheri Arvonio, Event Director at show organiser Diversified Communications, said Aquaculture UK offered unrivalled access to the people and products shaping the future of aquaculture. "We have increased the size of the show this year, with 30 additional exhibitors, to reflect the growth of the sector as new technology and services enter the space.

"As the countdown to May begins, excitement is building already for what promises to be a truly bumper show.

"We can't wait to open the doors to Aquaculture UK 2024 and welcome the aquaculture community to our biggest exhibition yet."

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

Bioriginal acquires food-tech leader, POS Biosciences

February 8, 2024 - Bioriginal Food & Science Corp, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cooke Inc, has acquired POS Biosciences Corp of Saskatoon, from Canopy Growth Corp.

POS (Proteins, Oils and Starches), formerly known as KeyLeaf Life Sciences, will operate independently, guided by Jim Shields, the new Managing Director. Bioriginal will become POS's largest vendor and customer, gaining access to POS's state-of-the-art oil processing, concentration and molecular distillation facility designed to create value added oils and proteins. POS Will also provide research and development services to Bioriginal using its eleven laboratories and six pilot plant processing areas.

You may also be interested in:

• Cooke Aquaculture Scotland deploys first Shetland hybrid feed barge
• Cooke reduces carbon footprint with second Orkney hybrid barge installation

"We are grateful for the opportunity to acquire POS," says Shannon Sears, President and CEO of Bioriginal. "POS's world-leading processing technology combined with its team of scientists in new product development will play a key role in driving innovation for the human and pet nutrition industries."

This is the fifth acquisition for Bioriginal in the past twelve months having purchased Softgel Co of Colorado, The Factory of The Netherlands, Kroppenstedter Ölmühle of Germany and Cana Corp of Japan. As a result of this transaction the Bioriginal group has eight manufacturing facilities on two continents supported by regional offices in Anahiem, California, Den Bommel, Netherlands and Yokohama, Japan, as well as eighteen warehouses around the globe.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

BioMar inaugurates new Hatchery R&D facility

February 8, 2024 - BioMar's Aquaculture Technology Centre at Hirtshals Denmark opened a new wing dedicated to research and development in the hatchery segment. the Larviva Hatchery Hub trial facility was officially opened by BioMar's CEO Carlos Diaz.

Henrik Aarestrup, Simon Wadsworth, Joana Amaral and Carlos Diaz

"We have a solid and fast-growing share in the hatchery segment, but we still see untapped potential as the segment continues to evolve," noted Carlos Diaz at the opening.

You may also be interested in:

• Gabriela Heim to become Commercial Manager of BioMar Chile
• Auchan, BioMar and Earthworm Foundation join forces in a unique collaboration to launch new sustainable shrimp product

In recent years the hatchery sector has seen consolidation with larger units and standardisation of protocols, as well as the introduction of new species with unique feeding behaviour.

"This facility is a dream come true for our Global Hatchery Team. Our goal is to ease production, reduce costs and provide stronger larvae," said Global Hatchery Product Manager, Joanna Amaral. "We have successfully reduced the need for rotifers and Artemia with early co-feeding and this new Larviva Hatchery Hub will enable us to continue to develop both diets and feeding protocols," stated Joana Amaral.

High performance hatchery feeds are essential for creating strong and healthy fish and shrimp early in life as this leads to better survival rates and a more robust animal.

"The new facility is very advanced and versatile. It enables us to do trials with a very high degree of control over all production parameters. We can simulate conditions that our customers experience in different hatcheries around the world and do trials with both marine and freshwater larvae," explained Simon Wadsworth Global R&D Director of BioMar Group.

BioMar's Larviva hatchery feeds were first introduced in 2008 and are sold worldwide to both fish and shrimp species.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

Topian strengthens Saudi Arabia's aquaculture industry with new partnership agreement

February 8, 2024 - Topian, the NEOM Food Company working to future-proof food systems, marked the first day of the Saudi International Marine Exhibition & Conferences (SIMEC) with three strategic partnership agreements, aimed at strengthening Saudi Arabia's position as a global leader in sustainable aquaculture.

Topian signed a key agreement with The National Livestock and Fisheries Development Program (NLFDP). Image Courtesy: Topian

Topian signed a key agreement with The National Livestock and Fisheries Development Program (NLFDP), focused on research and technological development, sustainable aquaculture practices in the Red Sea, and establishing a national seafood market.

You may also be interested in:

• Blue Aqua and SCD Probiotics partner to build manufacturing plant in Singapore
• US Embassy partners with Seychelles Fishing Authority and Seychelles investment board for workhop on ‘promoting sustainable aquaculture development’

As part of its commitment to envision a future marked by sustainability and innovation, Topian signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pure Salmon, a global leader based in Abu Dhabi, specialising in land-based aquaculture facilities featuring Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) technology, to establish a facility at NEOM that will cover the full value chain of salmon production. The facility, which will be the first of its kind in the region, will address the high demand for salmon in the Kingdom and neighbouring countries by delivering local products market by freshness, quality and taste.

Topian also signed an agreement with the National Aquaculture Group (NAQUA), aiming to contribute to the development of the local aquaculture sector, and to further commercialise NAQUA's seafood products across the Saudi market.

Dr Ali Al-Shaikhi, CEO of the National Livestock and Fisheries Development Program and Director General of Fisheries at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, stated that this agreement focuses on advancing the livestock and fisheries sector in four crucial areas. "These encompass research, technological development and innovation to foster the growth of a sustainable aquaculture sector. The agreement specifically aims to develop collaborative procedures, establishing best practices and standards suited to the unique aquaculture ecosystem of the Red Sea. Additionally, the two entities will work together to create a scientific regulatory framework for licensing and monitoring activities. Furthermore, the agreement seeks to enhance the local seafood market, boosting the consumption rates of locally produced items, and implementing innovative genetic techniques to improve camel breeding practices."

Stephane Farouze, Chairman and Founder of Pure Salmon, said: "We are thrilled to announce Pure Salmon's strategic collaboration with Topian, the NEOM Food Company, to reshape the future of the aquaculture industry. This partnership underscores our shared commitment to innovation, sustainability and food security - a commitment that resonates with the Saudi Vision 2030. We look forward to working with NEOM to drive positive change and deliver high-quality protein solutions in the Kingdom and beyond."

Diego Illingworth, Chief Executive Officer of the National Aquaculture Group (NAQUA), said:"We are very pleased with the Memorandum of Understanding between Topian and NAQUA. This MoU represents a collaborative effort to explore new opportunities in aquaculture. Through this partnership, we aim to enhance our production methods and business strategies, focusing on efficiency and sustainability. The synergy between our companies is expected to lead to beneficial outcomes in terms of innovation and market reach. We are optimistic about the potential of this collaboration to contribute positively to the aquaculture sector in KSA and we look forward to the results of our combined efforts."

Topian aims to drive sustainable aquaculture in the Kingdom by leveraging more robust and advanced technologies. A robust and dynamic aquaculture sector will support the enhancement of food security and self-sufficiency through sustainable production of fresh and healthy seafood within Saudi Arabia and beyond. Topian recently joined the Saudi Agrifood Tech Alliance, spearheaded by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. The Alliance is a national initiative that aims to unify and mobilise key stakeholders in the food and agriculture sectors with the goal of accelerating the nationwide adoption of innovative AgriFood technologies.

The partnerships underscore Topian's commitment to ensuring food security, enhancing local fish production, and reducing the carbon footprint caused by fish imports. Aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on the Life Below Water and Climate Action goals, Topian continues to transform the food system and contribute to the Kingdom's socio-economic and environmental objectives.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

Phibro Saúde Animal announces Eduardo Urbinati as aquaculture manager in Brazil

February 6, 2024 - Phibro Saúde Animal, a global animal health and nutrition company, announces the hiring of Eduardo Criscuolo Urbinati to manage the company's aquaculture business in Brazil. The professional will be responsible for supporting the line of fish and shrimp products, technically training the commercial team and meeting demand generation and sales.

Eduardo Urbinati

Urbinati has a degree in biological sciences from Centro Universitário de Araraquara, in 2009, and a master's degree in aquaculture from Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), a title obtained in 2012, after studying the relationship between prostaglandin F and ovulation in pacu breeders. With 15 years of experience, he has worked for large companies and held leadership roles.

"It is a great pleasure to arrive at Phibro to contribute to the growth of the company and Brazilian aquaculture, objectives that go hand in hand, considering that our products - such as PAQ-Gro and PAQ-Protex - are fundamental to a successful activity, with healthy animals, more productivity and profitability", comments the new manager.

Urbinati will also work to expand the business of the PhiShield line of autogenous vaccines for aquaculture. This type of immuniser is formulated from pathogenic agents present in schools, generating personalised and effective protection against these same microorganisms. This modern technology, in fact, is a bet by Phibro, which opened a factory dedicated to its production in 2023, in Guarulhos (SP).

Phibro's country manager in Brazil, Mauricio Graziani, highlights the biologist's competence: "The experience and competence that Eduardo Urbinati adds to our team will certainly be differentiators in meeting our goals and developing a strategy increasingly based on the needs of our clients, always following sustainable principles."

For More information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

SAIC celebrates a decade of its impactful skills programmes

February 6, 2024 - The Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) has boosted the skillset of almost 500 individuals across the aquaculture sector since the launch of its skills programmes in 2014.

Alison Gray and Jillian Couto-Phoenix

SAIC has equipped 200 academics with the skills to thrive in the seafood industry, including MSc scholarships, PhD funding, and paid work-placements. Its programmes have also upskilled a further 294 private sector workers and university researchers through a range of mentoring initiatives, leadership courses and digital skills training.

You may also be interested in:

• SAIC to deliver funding boost for aquaculture research in 2024
• SAIC appoints aquaculture expert to new director role, as Sarah Riddle moves on

To commemorate the milestone, SAIC brought together industry leaders in skills development, a mix of early to mid-career professionals, and new entrants into the sector for an afternoon of networking and discussion at Dunblane Hydro. The 'Nurturing Talent in Scottish Aquaculture' event showcased the diverse initiatives in place to upskill the existing workforce and support the next generation of talent.

Jillian Couto-Phoenix, head of skills at SAIC, and Alison Gray, founder and director of Skillfluence, delivered the welcome address, highlighting the importance of skills and knowledge exchange in driving innovation with impact and safeguarding a sustainable future for the sector.

Up next was a leadership showcase, which involved a reflective Q&A session with a group of individuals who took part in SAIC's nine-month leadership cohort. This was followed by a fireside chat with a panel of early to mid-career professionals who discussed their personal experiences and successes from the innovation centre's various skills initiatives.

The event concluded with an open discussion on the power of mentoring programmes, shining a light on the Women in Scottish Aquaculture (WiSA) network and its impact on encouraging more women to enter and progress in the sector. 

Heather Jones, CEO of SAIC, provided the closing remarks and encouraged the room to take advantage of the numerous collaborative working groups and partnerships that are helping to drive the whole sector forward.

Julian Couto-Hoenix said: "Over the last ten years, SAIC has existed primarily to connect industry needs with academic expertise via a portfolio of research and development. However, to facilitate the sharing and translation of this knowledge into new and improved practices, a connected pipeline of talented individuals is needed to turn these ideas into reality. Therefore, alongside our research and development, SAIC has been nurturing talent by creating cohorts of professionals from across organisations within the aquaculture sector with the purpose of innovating, leading and guiding careers.

"It was energising to hear from professionals from across a range of disciplines, telling us that our programmes have helped them to develop key skills which they have implemented at work and seen positive results. The keystone is consistent funding for skills and talent programmes - something. a sector with big plans to grow and scale needs to bump up the list, given the demonstrable positive effect."

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

Elanco announces sale of aqua business for $1.3 billion

February 6, 2024 - Elanco Animal Health Incorporated recently announced it has entered into an agreement to sell its aqua business to Merck Animal Health for approximately $1.3 billion in cash, which represents approximately 7.4x the estimated 2023 revenue of the Elanco aqua business.

"A strategic decision resulting from a disciplined process over the last year, the sale of the aqua business allows us to prioritise our investments in larger markets with greater earnings potential over the medium and long term, while creating balance sheet flexibility," said Jeff Simmons, President and CEO of Elanco Animal Health. "We are focused on delivering consistent high impact innovation and continue to have confidence in our late-stage pipeline with six potential blockbuster products expected in the US market by 2025. Further, we are advancing our next wave of development projects, which we believe will contribute meaningful growth for Elanco through the second half of the decade. Importantly, the proceeds from this transaction combined with improved free cash flow from the business, will accelerate deleveraging with net debt to adjusted EBITDA expected in the high-3x to low-4x range by the end of 2025."

The transaction reinforces Elanco's focus and investment on its most significant value creation opportunities, notably in pet health and livestock sustainability. In addition to the expected US approvals in the first half of 2024 for Credelio Quattro, Zenrelia and Bovaer, Elanco is pursing a portfolio of clinical development projects that the company expects to have differentiated profiles and blockbuster potential in significant markets with meaningful growth and earnings potential. Elanco's targeted areas of focus include next generation products for pet parasiticides, dermatology and pain, as well as livestock sustainability. Additionally, the company is opportunistically pursuing platform-aligned targets, such as monoclonal antibodies, and other major emerging spaces of high unmet need.

"We are excited for the acquisition of Elanco's aqua products, solutions as well as the capabilities and expertise the team brings to our business," said Rick DeLuca, president, Merck Animal Health. "We believe this acquisition, coupled with our commercial and scientific prowess, will deliver enhanced benefits for our aqua customers. The addition of this innovative portfolio of cold water and warm water aqua products across vaccines, anti-parasitic treatments, water supplements and nutrition, Will establish Merck Animal Health as a leader in aqua."

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

Vimifos and Skretting first feed mills to attain ASC Feed Certification

February 5, 2024 - Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) is delighted to celebrate the first two pioneers to achieve certification against the requirements outlined in ASC's Feed Standard: Mexican-based feed producer Vimifos and the Chilean branch of global operation, Skretting. This marks a significant milestone in ASC's mission to transform seafood farming towards more environmental and social responsibility.

Both Vimifos and Skretting undertook a rigorous audit process over several months for their sites. The conclusion of the audits has established that their processes and performances meet the Feed Standard's robust environmental and social requirements. SCS was the independent certifier for Vimifos, whilst Control Union carried out the audit of Skretting Chile.

You may also be interested in:

• ASC Certification proves beneficial for Vietnamese shrimp farmers
• First farm achieves ASC certification through ASC Improver Programme

Vimifos was the first to achieve multi-site certification for three of its feed mills in Mexico that produce feed for shrimp, tilapia, trout and marine fish. Skretting has also achieved multi-site certification for two feed mills in Chile that produce feed for salmon.

Chris Ninnes, ASC CEO, said: "This is not only a milestone for Vimifos, Skretting and ASC, but pivotal for the whole industry to strengthen the credibility of fed seafood farming now and into the future. Our Feed Standard sets a higher benchmark for feed production. We applaud Vimifos and Skretting for their commitment to venturing into new territory with us - they are the trailblazers and their certification paves the way for the rest of the industry.

"There is no responsible seafood farming without responsible feed. Companies involved in its production face increased by reporting demands to assess the 'upstream' environmental and social impacts from feed-ingredient supply chains. By setting strict requirements for the sourcing of all major feed ingredients, ASC addresses environmental and social risks down to raw material level. Ensuring responsibility soured feed supports responsible seafood farming and thereby responsible sourcing of seafood products on shelves. With these first certifications, the journey towards more responsibility coming from greater transparency and traceability in feed production has gathered significant momentum."

Skretting CEO Therese Log Bergjord commented: "We are extremely proud to be the first salmon feed company in the world to achieve ASC Feed Standard Certification. This is a highly demanding standard that moves in the right direction towards ensuring a positive impact across our supply chain, but we know that the journey doesn't end here. We're already implementing the learnings from Chile to accelerate the certification process across the rest of our operations and, with that, ensure that our customers can keep relying on Skretting to maintain their own certifications for fish and shrimp."

With two further feed companies currently in audit for four sites in Thailand and Ecuador, the programme is gathering strength and increasing in global coverage. This progress shows that ASC is collaborating with a wider sphere of influence to drive positive change in the feed production industry.

As global demand for farmed seafood continues to grow, it is vital that the entire aquaculture supply chain transforms towards more environmental and social responsibility - the Feed Standards is a significant step in the right direction.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

Ittinsect secures public funding for pilot production facility

February 5, 2024 - A funding boost from Invitalia, Italy's Development Agency, is set to propel the realisation of Ittinsect's pilot plant, which will produce 2500 tonnes of sustainable proteins when operating at full capacity.

Ittinsect Feed

This marks a key step toward the biotech company's goal of scaling up to an industrial-scale production of proteins derived from 100 percent circular economy processes by 2025. This initiative highlights the importance of scaling up sustainable aquafeed for safeguarding our oceans.

You may also be interested in:

• Insect meal in commercial Skretting feed
• Closure of Dogger Bank Impact on European Aquafeed and Food Security

Ittinsect will deploy €602,500 to build a section of its inaugural production facility. The facility will prove both the technical and economic advantages of Ittinsect's products at scale, laying the groundwork for the company's first industrial plant. This scale-up will also bolster the recruitment of specialised personnel and the pursuit of new patents, solidifying Ittinsect's position as the preeminent innovator in the market.

Ittinsect's CEO, Alessandro Romano, underscored the significance of national support from Italy's National Development Agency, stating, "We are honoured to secure this funding, building upon the trust already received from the Lazio Region during the project's pre-seed phase. The backing from Invitalia confirms the regional interest has transcended into a national one. Our goal is now to extend the public support to an international level"

Invitalia's funding, facilitated through the Smart Start Italia initiative, totals €482,000, covering 80 percent of the €602,500 project expenses.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

Agronutris becomes a B Corp company

February 2, 2024 - Agronutris, a French biotech company specialised in rearing and transforming black soldier flies into proteins for food, has just obtained B Corp certification, an international certification recognising the responsible approach taken by Agronutris.

Agronutris joins the exclusive community of more than 8000 companies worldwide that are B Corp certified. This is the result of a several month long in-depth audit carried out by the independent international NGO B Lab.

"We are delighted to welcome Agronutris to the B Corp movement. The development of a fairer and more sustainable food supply chain is a key issue for the future of the sector. Agronutris' experience of shared governance is a model that we find particularly interesting: transparency, collaboration and interdependence are key values of the B Corp movement. By choosing to put people at the heart of its business, Agronutris is shaking things up." says Augustin Boulot, CEO of B Lab France.

This certification confirms Agronutris' strong commitment to the five 'pillars' of environment, customers, employees, governance and communities; with a special mention for governance and the development of its employees.

A symbiotic approach to sustainability

"At Agronutris, we are trying to create a collective adventure that offers an environmentally virtuous circular economy solution. Together, we are building a collaborative culture based on shared governance and freedom and aim to create relationships of transparency and trust with stakeholders. We believe that these are the ingredients for sustainable performance," explains Mehdi Berrada, co-founder of Agronutris.

Since its creation, Agronutris has made sustainability the backbone of its entire venture. This holistic approach is based on a vision, a mission and values shared by all its employees. The 'how is just as important as the 'why'. People are at the heart of the company's project, with particular highlights being paid to the development of its employees and the quality of its relationships with its partners.

By making the bold choice of 'shared governance', Agronutris is also at the forefront of innovation in management. Its organisational methods have been completely rethought to make them democratic spaces of freedom, co-construction and trust. At the same time, the hierarchical and functional organisational systems have been replaced by a neural organisation in project mode, based on strategic goals that encourage individual and collective commitment.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---

BioMar appoints new MD for Vietnam

February 1, 2024 - From February, the BioMar Viet Uc joint venture in Vietnam will be headed by Managing Director Duong Anh Tu, who has extensive commercial experience from the feed and food sector in Asia.

Duong Anh Tu

During his career, Duong Anh Tu has been dedicated to managing commercial development, especially within the Vietnamese animal nutrition industry. He has vast experience with local and global companies, including Olam Global Agri and Cargill.

You may also be interested in:

• Gabriela Heim to become Commercial Manager of BioMar Chile
• Auchan, BioMar and Earthworm Foundation join forces in a unique collaboration to launch new sustainable shrimp product

BioMar has, during the last years, created a strong global market position within the shrimp feed segment, positioning innovative grower feed solutions as well as high-end hatchery feed among the market leading products. The new product portfolio has a strong potential to help Vietnamese farmers in the current situation of adverse market conditions.

"We have chosen Duong Anh Tu to lead the next phase of our growth of the shrimp feed business in Vietnam. He has a proven ability to lead the development of innovative solutions for the local markets, and we are sure he will be a strong asset for the organisation as well as for the customers", explains Francois Loubere, Vice President of BioMar Asia.

Duong Anh Tu will replace Franck Bodin, who was hired to launch the business in Vietnam and has been instrumental in establishing the BioMar Viet Uc feed brand in the local market.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---