DNV and Ocean Sovereign sign agreement to comply with French regulations for the deployment of the Ocean Ark

March 22, 2024 - DNV, the independent assurance and risk management provider, has teamed up with Ocean Sovereign to obtain French registration for the deployment of innovative fish farming vessel the Ocean Ark.

The Ocean Ark

Ocean Ark, a patented advanced self-cleaning trimaran superstructure, was developed by Ocean Sovereign according to Marpol, Solas and IMO regulations. The vessel is designed with low density to operate in high offshore waters, drifting with the natural current and natural fish shoals. it is designed to ensure sufficient safety for the environment, fish and crew. The mobile nature of Ocean Ark will help to ensure the health and welfare of the fish and ensure that the fish are kept in their natural habitat.

DNV will support Ocean Sovereign with business-critical challenges and innovations, designed to prevent fish escape and reduce risk of technical failure in operation by delivering:

• Classification of the floating structure/vessel and marine systems
• Certification of mooring/dynamic positioning system
• Certification of aquaculture nets and systems
• Assessing operation and integrity controls during the design lifetime

To achieve this, DNV will work with Ocean Sovereign by setting up a regulatory framework to fulfil local requirements in alignment with rules and standards of the French authorities.

Aquaculture is the fastest growing food producing sector able to meet the nutritional needs of a growing world population. Deploying the innovative Ocean Ark vessel away from marine heatwaves, algae blooms and storms - aquaculture's three Archille's heels - aims to increase fish welfare, produce higher quality protein, and increase world fish production without increasing pressures on fish stocks and coastal habitats.

"Offshore fish production is based on a combination of two well-known concepts, fish farming and offshore technology, and therefore a cross-industry approach and know-how is needed," explains Ocean Sovereign General Manager, Zeyd Fassi Fehri. "At Ocean Sovereign, we are happy to join forces with DNV and benefit from their knowledge gained through decades of experience in these two fields that will allow us to safely deploy the vessels. We believe that DNV's extensive experience in offshore and fish farming will help us to play a key role in the deployment of our vessels under French Registration."

In addition to its high-quality standards and being Europe's largest market for salmon, France also has one of the world's largest maritime exclusive economic zones across the oceans.

"As well as sustainability and fish welfare, the inclusion of local communities is embedded into every Ocean Sovereign project. The deployment of the Ocean Ark offers many synergies and growth opportunities for the existing local aquaculture and fishing sector," confirms Zeyd Fassi Fehri. "To seize these opportunities, agreements have been reached with well-established French aquaculture and fishing stakeholders and will be released shortly."

"DNV is proud to safeguard innovative technology to deliver sustainable seafood products to consumers," said Thomas Vogth-Eriksen, Global Aquaculture Director at DNV Supply Chain & Product Assurance. "As a global leader in advancing the safety, efficiency and sustainability of a range of ocean-based industries, we are particularly pleased to support knowledge-driven solutions that contribute to the sustainable growth of the aquaculture sector."

For more information, visit HERE.

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What to expect at Aqua Farm 2024

March 21, 2024 - A well-developed conference program based on the theme 'Increased seafood consumption through aquaculture development using an environmental, social, governance and health framework' will soon be announced for the SeaWorld, Gold Coast event between 14-17 May 2024.

Two of the recent confirmations are of the highest order. Firstly, His Serene Highness Price Albert II of Monaco will provide a recorded message for the conference delegates.

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, a qualified and keen marine biologist, supports many activities relating to the Ocean; among those in the Monaco Blue Initiative (MBI), which is a unique platform for debate tat brings together major players in Ocean conservation and governance to reflect on the key challenges facing the future Ocean in a concrete and forward-looking way.

Secondly, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) have sanctioned a roundtable on 'Social Responsibility in Aquaculture Production' which is an important topic as this will be a keystone for how businesses throughout the chain will operate into the future.

FAO will issue some direction and the main purpose will be to brainstorm and discuss the best way to frame the aquaculture section of the FAO Guidance on Social Responsibility on the Fishereies and Aquaculture Value Chains, a document they will be providing all the member states for approval at a future Committee on Fisheries (COFI) meeting.

Issues such as how to address social problems in aquaculture to improve decent working conditions, including safety at workspace; how to 'translate' the existing international instruments into a pragmatic approach, including a simple language and, what other topics, cross-cutting aspects should be included?

The Conference has two workshops and two roundtables. Workshops will be the Sunderland Marine Insurance-inspired 'Risk Management Workshop' and a 'Governance in Aquaculture' workshop sponsored by Aquarius Lawyers. The roundtables will be the FAO-driven activity and AISP will lead 'Creating a Road Map for Seafood Consumption.'

Trident sponsor, Vendart Diagnostics is relatively new to the aquatic industry but is a second-time exhibitor at Aqua Farm. Vendart is the supplier of well-tested, reliable Macherey Nagel and LaMotte water analysis products, and under license manufacturers a range of LaMotte reagents in their laboratory, creating quick delivery times and longer shelf life.

Additionally, Vendart is the supplier of the WaterLink Spin Touch FX photometer which enables you to run a complete series of tests on your water sample, including alkalinity, ammonia, calcium, magnesium, total hardness, nitrate, nitrite, pH and phosphate. The process is uncomplicated - all you need is a 3 mL water sample and a disc (either fresh or salt water). Fill the disc, insert it into the meter and tap 'Start Test' and you will achieve precise results within 2 minutes. This system eliminates human error and interpretation and does all the demanding work for you.

Vendart will be one of a number of exhibitors at the expo sitting alongside the Conference. The drink/food breaks will take place in the expo area, allowing the exhibitors to engage and network with all the delegates. The exhibitors will engage through sessions and promote their products/services with interested parties. 

For more information, visit HERE.

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KAS announces $3M funding round to expand production of natural algae astaxanthin

March 15, 2024 - Kuehnle AgroSystems (KAS), a leading microalgal innovation and production company, recently announced that it has raised a $3 million Series A2 funding round led by S2G Ventures. The funding will accelerate the commercialisation of KAS's pioneering method for producing natural astaxanthin from micro algae, a key component in sustainable aquaculture systems as well as a clinically proven human nutraceutical.

KAS has patented an innovative process that uses dark fermentation in closed and vertical tank systems to produce high-quality natural algae astaxanthin. Utilising a more sustainable feedstock and production method than current natural and synthetic astaxanthin production methods, KAS's process results in lower production costs, higher yields, faster growth times and less water and energy consumption.

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid with antioxidant properties present in natural aquatic algae, which is consumed by salmonids and shrimp and gives these species their characteristic red colour. In aquaculture systems, which produce over 50 percent of the seafood we eat globally, astaxanthin is incorporated to provide similar pigments. However, 95 percent of astaxanthin currently used in aquaculture feed is synthetic and derived from petrochemicals. KAS aims to replace synthetic with natural algal astaxanthin, addressing a market that is estimated to be valued at around $3.7 billion.

"Strong consumer preference for natural inputs is expected to accelerate the transition from synthetic to natural astaxanthin," said Claude Kaplan, Chief Executive Officer of KAS. "With our ability to generate greater astaxanthin output volumes, quicker and at a reduced cost compared to light-dependent methods, this funding strongly positions KAS to respond to the rapidly expanding needs of the market."

"KAS's fermentation breakthrough, natural strain development process, and sustainable production method all have the potential to transform the natural astaxanthin market, a key input for more sustainable aquaculture practices that can drive better outcomes for people and the planet," said Larsen Mettler, Managing Director at S2G Ventures. "We are proud to be part of KAS's journey and look forward to supporting the impact they are poised to make in the market."

Existing backers of KAS include Aqua-Spark, Hatch and Cavallo Ventures.

"We continue to be impressed by the KAS team's capacity to leverage their scientific and commercial knowledge to produce a truly innovative solution for replacing synthetic with natural astaxanthin," said Lissy Smit, CEO of Aqua-Spark. 'As the aquaculture industry continues to grow at a rapid pace, we need more companies like KAS that are solving core challenges in the value chain to ensure our food system is healthier and more sustainable for consumers and the planet."

KAS will initially launch with its European-based production partner with the capacity to distribute globally. This new funding will enable KAS to exploit its ability to use standard fermentation equipment, to swiftly expand production through leveraging contract manufacturers, with the option to bring production in-house in the future. And while KAS' process is inherently more resource efficient than competitors, the company's technology also holds future potential for recycling the gas generated during fermentation to produce feedstock to be fed back into the fermentation process creating fully circular algal products.

For more information, visit HERE.

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Aker BioMarine win prestigious Norwegian Export Prize 2024

March 15, 2024 - Aker BioMarine was honoured with this year's Export Award during 'Eksportkonferansen' under the auspices of Eksfin and Innovation Norwar. Aker BioMarine convinced the jury that it is possible to achieve export success through a targeted, sustainable and innovative business strategy.

Aker BioMarine, the winner of the Export Award 2024, has proven over several years that export success can be achieved with pioneering products. The company also masters the entire value chain - from Antarctic krill fishing, research and product development to the production and sale of krill-based ingredients and products. Krill is used as both fish and animal feed. In addition, there is a growing consumer market that sources high-quality proteins from krill.

The jury's statement

"The jury is particularly impressed by the fact that 91 percent of the company's turnover comes from exports. The company's main markets are in America and Asia.

"The company has contributed to the development of a new billion dollar industry and has established itself as the world's leading exporter of a new raw material on the global market. Aker BioMarine strives to minimise bycatch by constantly developing its fishing methods."

"It's great to see a Norwegian company making an export success out of a resource from the sea that can be used for both fish feed and human nutrition. Aker BioMarine is a strong example of innovative Norwegian exports," says the Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industries, Jan Christian Vestre.

Matts Johansen, CEO of Aker BioMarine, accepted the award on behalf of the company and was delighted to receive the award:

"At Aker BioMarine we are very proud to receive the Export Award, in recognition of what we have built up since we started the company. But above all, this is an honour for our employees who dare to think outside the ordinary every day and put in the efforts required to lead an industry that our company has created.

For more information, visit HERE.

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Ocean Harvest Technology granted second patent

March 14, 2024 - Ocean Harvest Technology (OHT) have announced a groundbreaking milestone: the granting of a patent protecting the mode of action of their seaweed blends in production animals' microbiomes.

This patent is a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation and intellectual property protection. It safeguards their OceanFeed proprietary blend seaweed additive products, providing OHT with a significant competitive advantage in the global animal feed industry.

The patented seaweed blend offers a multitude of benefits for animals:

• Acts as a prebiotic, favourably altering gut bacterial composition
• Higher growth rates, increased body weight
• Increases body weight and feed efficiency
• Reduced morality, higher rentability

Mark Williams, CEO of OHT, remarked: "The granting of this patent is a significant milestone for us. It enables us to uniquely protect the specific prebiotic effects our product has in the microbiome of animals, ensuring you receive the highest quality and most effective solution for your animals' nutrition needs."

For more information, visit HERE.

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Danish companies launch innovative products and solutions at Seafood Processing Global 2024

March 13, 2024 - Exhibiting at an exhibition is always a good opportunity to not only meet the key stakeholders of the industry but also to showcase new products and solutions. At Seafood Processing Global (SPG) 2024 in Barcelona, 36 Danish companies join the Pavilion of Denmark to showcase their solutions to the global seafood processing, aquaculture and fishing industries.

SPG is one of the world's leading exhibitions in the field and Danish companies bring some of the most innovative, sustainable and energy efficient solutions to Barcelona.

"SPG is one of our flagship exhibitions for us and we're happy to once again bring a large group of Danish strengths,"says Martin Winkel Lilleoere, Head of Fish Tech at Danish Export Association, and organiser of Pavillion of Denmark.

From Food & Pharma to Seafood Experts

For several Danish companies, it's their first time joining the Seafood Processing Global exhibition in Barcelona. One of these companies is Beritech A/S, which, until recently, primarily focused on production for the food and pharmaceutical industries but has now expanded into the seafood processing market as well.

As such, SPG 2024 will mark the first time Beritech showcases their seafood processing equipment, introducing brand-new and innovative products and solutions that have not yet hit the market:

"Though seafood processing is relatively new for Beritech, we are very excited to finally introduce our new products in Barcelona. At the same time, we are thrilled to bring along some of our new colleagues, as it is because of their expertise in the field that we have been able to expand and innovate so quickly in this area. For us, SPG is not just about showcasing technology but also about connecting with potential clients and building new partnerships," says Lars Jøker, Innovation Partner & Sales Manager at Beritech.

Founded in 2020, Beritech has since recruited several employees and industry veterans with years of experience in the food and seafood processing sectors, amassing significant expertise and a vast network within the industry at large.

Energy saving pumping technology

Another new company to the pavilion of Denmark is LSM Pumps. The company manufactures hose pumps for different industries, including bioenergy, aquaculture - and fishing industries where fish need to be moved gently and efficiently.

LSM Pumps bring a brand new peristaltic hose pump for the fishing and aquaculture industry to SPG. The pump, which is a bit smaller than some of the other models from LSM, id not even on the market yet but has been tested at aquaculture facilities in Denmark. Director Leo Sørensen looks forward to presenting the new pump and meet new business partners in Barcelona.

"Our pumps are highly energy efficient due to the technology, that we use that really stands out from the competitors. it saves up to 80 percent of the energy and reduces emissions. We are looking forward to meeting the industry at SPG and hopefully it will lead to new business partnerships with customers from around the world," says Leo Sørensen, director at LSM Pumps.

LSM Pumps is currently employing 15 people but are so busy that they are looking to double the number of staff and are currently expanding their production in a brand new factory start building this summer in Denmark.

Pavilion of Denmark is organized by Danish Export Association and supported by The Trade Council.

For more information, visit HERE.

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The Fifth Vietshrimp Aquaculture International Fair - Vietshrimp 2024 – “In company with shrimp farmers"

March 13, 2024 - The shrimp industry has always been playing a pioneering role in Vietnam's seafood exports worldwide for over two decades. Shrimp exports account for approximately 40 - 45% of the total seafood export value, equivalent to 3.5 - 4 billion USD each year. In 2023, Vietnamese shrimp was exported to about 100 markets, with the top five destinations being the EU, the US, Japan, China, and South Korea, and ranking in the top four globally alongside Ecuador, India, and Indonesia.

Despite facing many difficulties and challenges, shrimp continues to maintain its dominant position in Vietnam's seafood industry and contributes significantly to the overall growth of our agriculture sector. In 2023, the total area of ​​brackish water shrimp farming nationwide reached 737 thousand hectares, producing approximately 1.12 million tons. Notably, although the farming area did not increase significantly, the total shrimp production increased by 5.5% compared to 2022. However, challenges from various aspects led to a decline in shrimp export turnover in 2023, reaching only 3.45 billion USD, a decrease of 19.8% compared to 2022. In 2024, shrimp export is forecasted to rebound and increase slightly by 10 - 15% compared to 2023, expected to bring in over 4 billion USD.

In 2023, the seafood industry, including shrimp, witnessed a certain decline due to various objective factors: abnormal weather conditions, continuous increases in input costs, high inflation in many countries, significant logistics costs, etc., leading to sluggish export performance and directly impacting domestic raw shrimp prices.

In 2024, the difficulties and challenges of the shrimp industry have not yet been resolved. However, this may only be short-term, as the development prospects of the shrimp industry remain very optimistic, especially from the second half of 2024. To quickly overcome immediate challenges and sustainably develop this important sector, the Government has directed relevant ministries, sectors, and localities to work together to address issues and promptly seize new opportunities. Most importantly, accompanying shrimp farmers and maintaining shrimp ponds to ensure export momentum.

"In company with shrimp farmers" is also the theme of the VietShrimp 2024. The Organizing Committee of VietShrimp 2024 hopes that this will be a major forum for four parties: Management - Scientists - Businesses - Farmers to come together to find the most effective solutions to bring Vietnam's shrimp industry back on track for growth, while realizing the goal of sustainable development for Vietnamese shrimp.

Upon the approval of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the People's Committee of Ca Mau Province, the Vietnam Association of Fisheries, in coordination with the Department of Fisheries, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ca Mau Province, the Vietnam Fisheries Magazine, and many other units will organize the 5th Vietshrimp Aquaculture International Fair in 2024 (VietShrimp 2024). The exhibition will take place from March 20th to 22nd, 2024, at the Ca Mau Province Conference Center. Address: No. 1, Le Duan Street, Ward 1, Ca Mau City, Cà Mau Province.

VietShrimp 2024 is expected to have around 240 booths from 150 domestic and international enterprises and organizations operating in all fields related to the seafood industry in general and shrimp in particular; specialized seminars with the participation and sharing of useful information from many managers, scientists, experts, and businesses devoted to Vietnam's shrimp industry. The 2-day conference program will reflect on Research on technology transfer application promoting circular economy in the Vietnamese shrimp value chain; Dialogue on low-emission and sustainable shrimp industry through circular economy; Quality improvement and value enhancement; Achieving the highest efficiency in shrimp farming.

VietShrimp has been successfully organized four times in 2016, 2018 (in Bac Lieu Province), and 2021, 2023 (in Can Tho City); becoming a major event of Vietnam's seafood industry and a specialized shrimp exhibition with regional and Asian significance. The Vietnam Fisheries Magazine and Vietnammedia Co., Ltd. are the two units entrusted by the Vietnam Association of Fisheries to organize this event.

With the desire to continue bringing Vietnamese shrimp to new markets, affirming its position and brand on the global shrimp industry map, the Organizing Committee of VietShrimp 2024 hopes to continue receiving great attention from millions of shrimp farmers, farms, enterprises, domestic and international experts, relevant departments, press agencies, as well as visitors.

To register for the event, visit HERE.

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Anpario appoints Gerred Fuchs as Technical Sales Manager for Aquaculture

March 12, 2024 - Anpario, the independent manufacturer of natural sustainable feed additives for health, nutrition and biosecurity for livestock and aquaculture production, has announced the appointment of Gerred Fuchs BSc MRes as Technical Sales Manager for Aquaculture.

Gerred Fuchs

Gerred has recently completed a Masters in Aquaculture Feed Additives at the University of Portsmouth, following a BSc in Aquaculture and Fishery Management from Sparholt College. His previous industrial experience include Aquatic Sales, Aquatic Technician for salmonid trials, and researching novel feed ingredients and additives to improve the health, diet utilisation, growth performance and production sustainability of various aquaculture species.

"I joined Anpario as they are a company filled with like-minded individuals who are, resolutely, devoted to fostering collaborative objectives and pertinacious about developing innovative solutions to tackle challenges in the aquaculture sector." said Gerred Fuchs.

Anpario recognise the increasing opportunity for their feed additive solutions within the aquaculture sector, particularly as the demand for antibiotic free production and the need for sustainable technologies continues to grow. The company's core focus is helping customers to build sustainable businesses and optimise protein production without negatively impacting future generations. Anpario is committed to conducting business in a socially, ethically and environmentally responsible manner and this dedication to sustainability is at the forefront of product innovation and development.

Orego-Stim Forte, a water-soluble version of Anpario's leading phytogenic additive Orego-Stim specifically developed for aquaculture provides one such sustainable solution. The product provides a consistent, high-quality source of 100 percent natural oregano oil and quillaja saponins, proven to support health and performance in aquaculture species. 

Gerred will be a valuable asset to Anpario's aquaculture team, utilising his experience to support product development and strengthen technical support across Brazil, India and Turkey, in response to Anpario's deepening focus within the aquaculture sector.

For more information, visit HERE.

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Veramaris secures Canadian authorisation for algal oil in aquafeed

March 12, 2024 - As a key supplier of Omega-3 EPA & DHA-rich oil, Veramaris has completed the necessary three-year registration process for its use in Canadian salmonid farming. The authorisation allows Veramaris to provide Canadian aquaculture with a secure source of ASC- and MSC-certified EPA & DHA - nutrients essential for fish health, welfare and the nutritional value of farm-raised seafood.

Algal oil

The algal oil, produced in Blair, Nebraska, USA, is a regional solution that supports the industry's move towards adopting alternative Omega-3 sources and reducing dependency on fish oil as a primary source of essential fatty acids for salmon feed.

You may also be interested in:

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

"The Canadian registration of Veramaris' algal oil is key to supporting the rising global demand for alternative sources of Omega-3 EPA & DHA. Securing authorisation in Canada is an important step not only for Veramaris but also for the entire aquaculture industry," says Gertjan de Koning, CEO of Veramaris.

The registration has been welcomed by the Canadian aquaculture sector. Tim Kennedy, President & CEO of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance, noted, "Canadian aquaculture is at a pivotal point, and Veramaris' algal oil brings us closer to achieving our sustainability aspirations. This registration not only highlights the strategic value of aquaculture in Canada but also demonstrates the industry's commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship."

Canada is the world's fourth-largest producer of salmonids, including farmed Atlantic salmon. The market authorisation of Veramaris' algal oil is expected to make a positive contribution to the health and welfare of farm-raised salmon and to advance sustainable practices within the Canadian aquaculture industry.

For more information, visit HERE.

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WiSA celebrates female contribution to aquaculture on International Women's Day

March 11, 2024 - Women in Scottish Aquaculture (WiSA) is celebrating the important role of female talent in the valuable seafood production sector and its supply chain, with the winners of its annual awards announced on March 8.

Alison Brough, winner of the rising star award

Coinciding with International Women’s Day – and the fifth anniversary of the network’s launch – the awards recognise those making an impact across five categories. Nominations from WiSA’s almost 400 members were judged by an independent panel, with winners announced during a virtual ceremony held online today. 

WiSA’s rising star of 2024 was awarded to Alison Brough, fish veterinarian at Scottish Sea Farms, for her contribution to sector-wide advancements in fish health and welfare over the past year. Alongside her day job, Alison is the current secretary of the Fish Veterinary Society as well as being involved in other groups such as the Young Aquaculture Society. 

Kimberley McKinnell, head of health at Bakkafrost Scotland, was named role model of the year, recognising her commitment to nurturing the next generation of aquaculture professionals through mentoring and leadership. Meanwhile, Clémence Fraslin of the Roslin Institute was named academic champion for her work as leader of the aquaculture genetics group, focusing on disease resistance in Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout.

Daniel Carcajona, business development manager at SAMS Enterprise, was recognised as WISA’s ally of the year for his continued support for women in aquaculture and enthusiasm for highlighting the impact of female-led companies and research groups. 

Sarah Riddle, managing director of Northern Light Consulting; Anne Anderson, head of sustainability and development at Scottish Sea Farms and Heather Jones, CEO of SAIC, were also recognised for their outstanding contribution to diversity and inclusion in the sector.

The WiSA network – which was founded by the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) on International Women’s Day 2019 – represents all areas of the sector from producers and the supply chain to academia and continues to champion the diverse range of career opportunities for women in aquaculture.

Teresa Garzon, chair of WiSA, said: “The annual WiSA awards provide us with a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women in the sector who are helping to promote diversity and deliver impact in their respective fields. While great progress is being made in terms of inclusion, International Women’s Day is a reminder of the need for balance and support for women and girls in every workplace. Over the past five years, we have seen WiSA making a real impact, bringing together women in the sector for professional collaboration, networking, and career growth.”

For more information, visit HERE.

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Fluctus enters Chilean market

March 11, 2024 - Equipment supplier Fluctus has signed a commercial agreement with Chilean company ITG for the sale of the company's products in Chile. And also, Fluctus will be able to sell ITG's products on the Norwegian market.

"We are experiencing a great deal of interest in our products, especially water feeding, from Chilean producers. ITG is a company with good experience and solid relationships in the market. They have more than 20 years of experience delivering technology and service to the industry, both nationally and internationally, and we are sure that they will represent our products in a good way. They provide us with the local expertise and proximity needed to provide customers with the best solutions," says Harald Lien, Fluctus CEO.

"At the same time, they (ITG) have an interesting product portfolio of cameras, sensors and nanobubble oxygenation that will be available to our customers in Norway," continues Lien.

Claudio Chanceaulme, general manager of ITG Chile, expressed his enthusiasm for the agreement, highlighting the value it will bring to the Chilean market: 
"This agreement allows us to expand our offer of products and solutions that aim at sustainable production, consolidating us as a comprehensive supplier in the local industry and a versatile and reliable business partner."

Fluctus will be present at the ITG booth at the Aqua Sur show in March, and ITG will be present at the Fluctus booth at HavExpo (Bergen, Norway) in May.

For more information, visit HERE.

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Aquaculture Africa 2024 Conference scheduled for Tunisia in November 2024

March 8, 2024 - The 3rd Annual International Conference and Exposition of the African Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society (AFRAQ24) will be held in Hammamet, Tunisia from 19 to 22 November 2024. The event will be hosted by the Ministry of Aquaculture, Water Resources and Fisheries with support from other national entities in Tunisia.

Tunisia, being one of the top and fastest growing aquaculture producer countries in Africa expects to receive thousand of delegates from around the world for the celebration of achievements on all aspects of aquaculture development in Africa, but also to find solutions to some of the challenges hampering the growth of the sector, and to explore new opportunities in the blue economy domain. AFRAQ24 will undoubtedly provide numerous networking collaboration opportunities.

The conference, which is themed 'Blue Farming: New Horizons for Economic Growth', will highlight some of the latest aquaculture research, innovations and investments to underpin continued growth of the aquaculture sector in Africa. The event will comprise of a scientific forum (oral and poster presentations), trade exhibition, industry forums, satellite workshops, student events and other organised meetings. Renowned keynote speakers from Africa and beyond are expected to attend. Visiting Tunisia will also expose participants to some famous and interesting touristic attractions in Hammamet, the Mediterranean and countrywide. Special aquaculture tours will be arranged to nearby marine finfish, shellfish and seaweed farms - that are connected to fish processing, aqua feeds and R&D facilities.

For more information, visit HERE.

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New study sheds light on women's roles, challenges and opportunities in Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries

March 8, 2024 - Women work just under a third of all fishing-related jobs in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. These are the data revealed by Women in fisheries in the Mediterranean and Black Sea region: roles, challenges and opportunities, a new study released today by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division.

However persisting biases mean that these figures likely still underestimate the true contributions of women to the economies of coastal fishing communities. The publication aims to bring the issue of gender equity in fisheries to the forefront of key discussions and offer policymakers a framework from which to build. The full integration of women's knowledge and experience into key decisions promises to improve their lives, as well as those of their families and community members.

Counting women in

Data on women's contributions to fisheries are limited worldwide as women often perform behind-the-scenes tasks to support family fishing enterprises - for example, fixing nets, cleaning fish or bookkeeping - which can be difficult to capture in official statistics. furthermore, when statistics do cover activities along the full value chain, they are rarely reported separately by gender.

"If you don't have evidence, you don't know that the problem is there. If you are not counted, you are invisible," said a Mediterranean gender expert interviewed anonymously for this study.

Women's voices and experience cannot be lost - they might be integrated into fisheries management to achieve the sustainability of marine ecosystems and improve the standard of living in coastal communities. "To find solutions for the problems in the sector we need men and men need women, because we have different knowledge and practices that complement each other," stated a Black Sea fisheries policy expert.

Mixed-methods approach

The publication illuminates this data-poor subject through a mixed quantitative–qualitative approach. First-ever comprehensive estimates of women's contributions to fisheries across the whole Mediterranean and Black Sea region are complemented by qualitative analyses based on key informant interviews conducted with people from five different countries representing a diversity of fisheries contexts in the GFCM area of application. These conversations with fishers, fisheries managers, researchers and gender experts – those individuals with the most experience and highest stake in this issue – brought forward various themes that became the basis for a set of actions recommended to the GFCM and other decision-makers in the region.

The study's recommended actions require varying degrees of commitment from the countries and financial resources, and chief among them is the need for gender-disaggregated data collection all the way along the fisheries value chain. They represent necessary steps towards improving the working conditions of women in fisheries, as well as the overall sustainability and social and economic prosperity of fishing communities.

By the numbers

Up-to-date employment figures are broken down by gender according to GFCM subregion and value chain stage, and they reveal that women's jobs in Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries are overwhelmingly concentrated in the post-harvest stage (which includes work to repair nets and clean boats, sort and clean the catch, and process and market fish).

Women account for 38 percent of regional employment in the post-harvest stage, compared to 16 percent and 10 percent in the pre-harvest and harvest sector stages, respectively. Women’s employment is greater in the industrial fishing segment than in small-scale fisheries, though this figure likely underestimates women’s employment in the small-scale sector, especially in non-vessel-based jobs, given the lack of systematised data collection on this type of employment.

The role of the GFCM

The GFCM is pursuing efforts to address biases against women in Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries, including by supporting the creation and recognition of women's organisations and facilitating women's access to equipment and social protection programmes.

The publication showcases the potential of another recommended action: promoting gender-sensitive projects and trainings by identifying key female stakeholders for participation in meetings and courses and creating an environment where women are encouraged to engage and express themselves. To select interviewees for the study, the authors relied on a network of cooperatives, research institutes, government administrations and other organisations that the GFCM has built up over years of committed action, including by contacting fishers and fisher organisations that had previously engaged with the GFCM in events such as sessions of the Small-Scale Fishers’ Forum.

"It is taking time for the people, our families, to understand the nature of our work and the risks and difficulties we face. Awareness needs to be raised. We are very passionate about our work, we are interested in continuing to progress and achieve stability, and in our right to exist in the sector,” concluded a Mediterranean female fisher interviewed in the study.

For more information, visit HERE.

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New research shows oregano essential oil - strategic tool for vibriosis prevention

March 6, 2024 - An independent trial conducted at Nong Lam University, Vietnam, showed that the inclusion of Orego-Stim Forte to the diets of Litopenaeus vannamei significantly improved shrimp survivability when challenged by Vibrio parahaemolyticus (+17.5%), a pathogen estimated to cause annual losses of over $1 billion in global shrimp production. Results indicated lower Vibrio counts, higher total haematocyte counts (THC) and higher levels of phenoloxidase in groups supplemented with Orego-Stim Forte.

Shrimp harvesting at the end of the feeding trial

Lawrence Brown, Senior Technical & Account Manager at Anpario commented "There is growing interest in plant extracts as aquafeed additives to improve the gut health, performance and disease resilience of farmed aquatic species. This trial demonstrates the potential of Orego-Stim Forte as a functional feed ingredient for vibriosis prevention in shrimp. A conservative estimate is that the increase in survival rates observed using Orego-Stim Forte would deliver an 8:1 return of investment to the farmer."

Oregano oil sources have many well-documented properties, including antimicrobial, antioxidant and immunomodulatory functions. Oregon-Stim Forte, developed and manufactured by independent feed additives manufacturer Anpario, is a leading phytogenic feed additive formulated from a unique source of 100 percent natural oregano essential oil and quillaja saponins.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

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Shrimply the best - start-up aims to solve fishmeal ingredient crisis with modular, land-based system

March 5, 2024 - An Ediburgh-based start-up is aiming to support the growth of the global sector with the development of a new, modular farm system fuelled by food and drink by-products, as a sustainable and decentralised alternative to producing a scarce fishmeal ingredient.

Aquanzo is working with CENSIS - Scotland's innovation centre for sensing, imaging and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies - to farm artemia, a species of brine shrimp widely considered to be the best source of protein available for feeding fish and crustacea. The project has received funding from Innovate UK and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), and is being supported by Boortmalt - one of the world's largest malting companies.

Artemis are typically found in warm, salty water, occurring naturally in salt lakes in the USA, China and Eurasia. The specific conditions in which they grow means the supply of the shrimp is very restricted - particularly for countries far away from their natural breeding grounds, which need to import them. The situation has been exacerbated recently by the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, which have hit supply chains.

The growing scarcity of marine ingredients has meant that feed increasingly relies on plant-based alternatives to fishmeal as a protein source. The current global average for marine ingredients in fish feed is less than 10 percent according to experts - substantially down on 70 percent 30 years ago. However, research testing the composition of feed has found that not only do fish prefer feed containing marine ingredients, they also tend to be healthier compared with consuming plant-based protein.

Rémi Gratacap, co-founder and CEO of Aquanzo, said: "One of the biggest issues aquaculture faces is the sustainability of feed and the dependency of fisheries for fishmeal. It is well known there is a crisis in fishmeal ingredients and we need to decouple aquaculture from maxed-out fisheries and find new ways of providing sustainable sources of protein to help the sector feed a growing world population. Farming, rather than harvesting, important components of feed like Artemia is a better way of ensuring greater control and scale, and is similar to what is already being done with insect farms, only with marine ingredients."

The modular, recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) being developed by Aquanzo at Heriot-Watt University would allow Artemis to be grown wherever they are required using the co-product of agricultural processes - in the first instance, the production of malt for the whisky industry. The water used to process malt is rich in minerals and organic matter - that can be used to raise brine shrimp and is currently largely treated as waste.

Deployed on land near agricultural processing facilities so that there is no impact on the marine ecosystem, the Aquanzo RAS system is expected to reduce the amount of CO2 created in the production of fishmeal by 20 percent compared with harvesting fish. All of the water will be re-used to further enhance its sustainability.

Rémi Gratacap added: "it has been proven that fish prefer marine protein in their feed - studies have shown they eat much more if feed contains marine rather than plant-based protein. The composition of their feed also influences how much they grow and their natural resistance to health challenges. The system we're developing will give fish farmers long-term access to a sustainable source of marine protein, helping to continue aquaculture's growth, enhance the health of their fish, make use of another industry's waste, and support aquaculture's net-zero goals."

As part of the process and technical development, CENSIS engineer will collaborate with Aquanzo on the development of an IoT-enabled array of sensors and a 'data lake' - essentially a centralised repository for data - to help its production team collect, store and process data. The technology will help the company progress towards the development of a fully mobile recirculating system, which can be located wherever agricultural by-products are available and remotely monitor the welfare and growth of Artemia.

Corinne Critchlow-Watton, project manager at CENSIS, said: "The Aquanzo system could help solve one of the biggest challenges aquaculture faces - applying cutting-edge technology to a longstanding problem. The system will use an array of sensors to provide data on the environmental conditions within it and how the Artemia are growing, such as water temperature and pH levels. This project demonstrates how IoT and sensing technology can be used in a range of sectors to help solve what might have otherwise been considered a biological issue."

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

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The NFI Sushi Council begins inaugural year

March 4, 2024 - The National Fisheries Institute recently announced the formation of the NFI Sushi Council. A pre-competitive stakeholder group, the Sushi Council is made up of harvesters, processors, distributors, and end-users at retail and foodservice working to enhance sushi product integrity and promote Industry-led food safety.

"Sushi has achieved household status and is a major contributor to US seafood consumption," Chairman Michael McNicholas, of Culimer USA LLC, said. "The surge in popularity of raw and ready-to-eat products needs to be met with a similarity robust industry voice that advocates and advances the highest standard of handling and preparation for seafood destined for the sushi market."

The NFI Sushi Council will develop and distribute food safety guidance tailored to sushi's specialised supply chain. A working group combining industry, government, and academia has formed under the Council's direction to detail hazards and needed control measures. The resulting guidance will draw on existing compliance documents and stakeholder expertise to produce plainspoken and accessible resources for seafood professionals working in every step of the value chain from fish farm and processing facilities all the way to the sushi counter.

"We rely on strong partnerships throughout sushi's global supply line," said Council Executive Committee member Daryl Gormley of AquaMar. "Our goal is to maintain a superior product from harvest to final preparation, and we're recruiting partners to join this effort now."

The NFI Sushi Council will next meet in Boston at the Seafood Expo North America (SENA) on Sunday, March 10, at 8:30am NFI Sushi Council's Executive Committee will host a panel on March 11 at 2:45pm during the SENA Conference Program to discuss US sushi market dynamics and the council's food safety mission.

Companies joining the NFI Sushi Council before April 1, 2024, will receive the designation of Founding Council Members. Current founding members include Aquamar, BlueNalu, Blue Ocean Mariculture, Culimer USA LLC, Eastern Fish Company, Red Shell Sushi, Shinkei Systems Corp ad True World Foods.

For more information, visit HERE.

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SyAqua Welcomes Dr. Craig L. Browdy as Chief Technology Officer

March 1, 2024 - SyAqua, a pioneering leader in shrimp breeding, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. Craig L. Browdy as its Chief Technology Officer (CTO). With his extensive experience and expertise in marine shrimp research spanning over four decades, Dr. Browdy is set to lead SyAqua's cutting-edge research initiatives and drive innovation in the field of aquaculture.

Craig Browdy

SyAqua has consistently set the standard in shrimp breeding, leveraging advanced technologies to deliver unparalleled genomic selection, quantitative genetics, and breeding science. With over 18 generations of breeding, SyAqua has established itself as a frontrunner in the industry by combining superior growth performance with enhanced disease resistance through a meticulously balanced breeding program and advanced molecular biology techniques.

Dr. Browdy's illustrious career includes serving as the President of the World Aquaculture Society and conducting groundbreaking research in marine shrimp reproduction and genetics. He played a pivotal role in the development of genetically improved specific pathogen-free shrimp as part of the USDA-funded US Marine Shrimp Farming Program Consortium during the 1990s.

At the Waddell Mariculture Center, Dr. Browdy led research into zero-exchange biofloc-based shrimp production systems, pushing the boundaries of sustainable aquaculture practices. His contributions to shrimp genomics research, including the development of shrimp microarrays for studying immune mechanisms, have led to significant advancements in the field and culminated in a patent for RNA interference applications in shrimp gene silencing.

With over 16 years of experience in commercial aquaculture research at Novus International and Zeigler Bros. Inc., Dr. Browdy has spearheaded the development and commercialization of innovative nutritional technologies and products, revolutionizing animal health solutions and feeding programs.

SyAqua is committed to expanding its market share through a Sustainable Shrimp Technologies platform that prioritises scalability, regeneration, knowledge-based decision-making, data-driven insights, and technology-driven solutions. Dr. Browdy's wealth of experience and leadership will be instrumental in driving applied innovation to address industry challenges and capitalize on new opportunities, ultimately enhancing industry stability, profitability, and sustainability.

"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Craig L. Browdy to the SyAqua team as our Chief Technology Officer," said Fred Kao, CEO at SyAqua. "His unparalleled expertise and track record of innovation in aquaculture research will be invaluable as we continue to push the boundaries of shrimp breeding and sustainable aquaculture practices."

For more information, visit HERE.

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Salmon farming in the open ocean

March 1, 2024 - Nine years ago, New Zealand King Salon (NZKS) started the resource consent and consultation process for its Blue Endeavour open ocean salmon farm. Today they celebrate achieving final Government approval to proceed with an aquaculture project that will be a New Zealand-first - and a world-first in farming the King Salmon species in the open ocean.

Young salmon

Carl Carrington, NZKS Chief Executive Officer describes the process to gain resource consent, Fisheries New Zealand approval and to find common ground with iwi, eNGOs and the community as being "very robust."

Carl describes the next steps, having achieved this milestone, as "needing to walk before we can run."

"From here, we will complete our 18-month programme of rigorous benthic (seabed), seabird and marine mammal monitoring. This will provide a baseline of information, against which we can measure the impacts of a working salmon farm.

"The next step will be a 'proof-of-concept' phase, putting in the trial pens from June 2025. This is when it starts to get exciting from a farming point of view - building a smaller-scale pilot farm so that we can trial new infrastructure while monitoring the welfare of our salmon, to ensure they can thrive," Carl says.

Blue Endeavour, when fully operational, could generate NZD$300 million in new revenue per annum. Regional economies will benefit from growth in supporting infrastructure and services required, such as boar servicing, and skilled jobs in farming, engineering, processing and more.

Carl describes New Zealanders' support for this kind of aquaculture as being "incredibly important" to NZKS. "New Zealanders love their Kaimoana, but not everyone is able to catch it for themselves and for their families. Salmon is a highly nutritious source of healthy protein and consumers are also starting to appreciate that farmed salmon has a low carbon footprint compared to many other animal protein sources.

"We have never taken the support we have for our products and what we are doing for New Zealand aquaculture for granted. This drives us to continuously improve our environmental footprint across the company, and was a motivator during the past nine years of dialogue and consultation to get the green light for Blue Endeavour.

"While we have some way to go until Blue Endeavour is fully operational, today is a day for our company to celebrate the successful completion of this chapter," Carl says.

Grant Lovell, NZKS General Manager of Aquaculture, describes the open ocean as "an exciting opportunity and the next logical step for New Zealand's aquaculture industry."

"When we look to the open ocean we are looking at the future for salmon farming in New Zealand - in cooler, deeper waters. It is a bit of a new frontier for our aquaculture industry - but one that we are entering one step at a time, backed by science and evidence-based decision making," Grant says.

During an extensive planning phase, NZKS undertook comprehensive assessments of the environmental effects and applied independent science from the Cawthron Institute, SLR Consulting and Roberson Environmental.

"Putting fish pens out in the open ocean is not for the faint hearted. We will be working in a dynamic environment, with waves up to 10 metres high - anyone that has caught the Cook Strait ferry knows what we are talking about.

"We will be trialling technologies and investing in mooring grid infrastructure to ensure we are able to adapt to the Cook Strait conditions" Grant says.

For more information, visit HERE.

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Tripura crowned champion of India fish consumption

March 1, 2024 - An eye-opening study that's set to shake up dinner tables across India has crowned Tripura as the undisputed champion of fish consumption, with Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana eating the least fish, exposing a culinary divide that spans the country.

The study, 'Fish Consumption in India: Patterns and Trends,' unveiled by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Government of India and WorldFish recently, also found a staggering 72.1 percent of the Indian population, equivalent to 966.9 million individuals, incorporate fish into their diet. The study used primary data from various Government sources including National Family Health Survey reports over the last 15 years.

The research was conducted as a collaborative effort of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and WorldFish, along with the International Food Policy Research Institute, Government of India institutions, including the National Fisheries Development Board of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and the Marine Product Export Development Authority, and other leading organisations.

The data presented in this study not only emphasises the significant growth in fish consumption across India reflective of growing affluence and evolving dietary preferences in the country but also highlights the substantial potential for further expansion.

ICAR's Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science) Dr JK Jena said, "Comprehensive research is essential to grasp how fish consumption intersects with sociodemographic and economic factors at the household level. Recognising the crucial role of fish in ensuring food security and combating undernutrition is vital for the health of our nation."

WorldFish Country Lead for India advocated for the integration of fish consumption into public health and nutrition strategies. "Adopting holistic and adaptable policies to enhance value chains can ensure the sustainability of our aquatic food systems and improve nutritional outcomes," he said.

Key Statistics on Fish Consumption in India from 'Fish Consumption in India: Patterns and Trends'

• Tripura, highest proportion of fish consumers at 99.35 percent.
• Haryana, lowest proportion of fish consumers at 20.55 percent.
• Northeastern and Eastern States, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Goa have more than 90 percent fish consumers, indicating a strong cultural inclination towards fish consumption.
• Northern States: Punjab (26.45%), Haryana (20.55%), and Rajasthan (22.5%) show the lowest percentages, reflecting dietary preferences and possibly the availability and cultural acceptance of fish.
• Kerala leads in daily consumption of fish with 53.5 percent of the population consuming fish daily, followed by Goa at 36.2 percent, West Bengal at 21.9 percent, Manipur at 19.7 percent, Assam at 13.1 percent and Tripura at 11.5 percent.
• Assam and Tripura both lead in weekly consumption at 69 percent, followed by Odisha (66.8%), West Bengal (65.75%), Arunachal Pradesh (65.25%) and Tamil Nadu (58.2%).
• Jammu and Kashmir experienced the most significant increase in fish consumption at 20.9 percentage points over last 15 years.
• Punjab saw a decrease in fish consumers by 2.9 percentage points over the last 15 years.
• The difference in fish consumption between men and women is wider in states with a lower overall consumption rate, potentially indicating men eating fish out of home.
• There is also a notable consumption gap between those who eat fish and those who consume all types of non-vegetarian foods.
• India has observed a notable transformation in non-vegetarian food consumption patterns, with a significant uptick in the population including fish in their diet, climbing to 72.1 percent.
• India is the third largest fish-producing nation, contributing about 8 percent to global fish production, and holds the position of the 2nd largest aquaculture producer. However, in terms of per capita fish food supply, India is positioned 129th among 183 countries.
• Per capita fish consumption increased 81.43 percent, from 4.9kg to 8.89kg, with a 4.05 percent annual growth rate in last 15 years. Among fish-eating populations, annual per capita consumption grew 66 percent.
• The study forecasts that if current trends persist, fish consumption in India is projected to double and reach 26.5 million metric tons in the centenary year of India's freedom (2047-2048), with annual per capita fish consumption expected to reach 16.07kg.

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

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