Primerdesign launches real-time PCR workflow for onsite detection of norovirus in oysters

June 25, 2024 - Primerdesign (part of the Novacyt Group), a company focussed on the design, manufacture, validation and supply of real-time PCR kits and reagents, today launched the genesig Easy_oys Detection Kit for Norovirus in oysters. The quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay enables rapid and reliable detection of genogroup (G)I and GII Norovirus pathogens in oyster tissue. The user-friendly workflow offers a cost-effective solution that can be used on site to identify the contamination points across the production line, helping to reduce public health risk and minimise shellfish farm closures.

Primerdesign genesig^®Easy_oys Detection Kit for Norovirus in oysters

Norovirus is a major cause of viral gastroenteritis and foodborne transmission is responsible for an estimated 16 percent of cases in the UK. Human sewage discharge around oyster beds results in bio-accumulation of the virus in their digestive glands, with more than 500 genome copies/gram of Norovirus GI/GII presenting a major risk of infection when consumed by humans.

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There is a growing need for methods to detect and quantify viruses in bivalve shellfish to control and risk manage potential outbreaks and spread. The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) in England and the Marine Institute in the Republic of Ireland, the only ISO 15216-accredited laboratories for PCR quantification of Norovirus in oysters in the British Isles, currently perform a limited number of tests from each grower due to resource constraints. This places food safety in jeopardy and farms at risk of closure if a Norovirus outbreak is linked to their oysters.

Quantitative PCR methods offer a fast and accurate means of screening water and food. The genesig Easy_oys Norovirus kit is a qPCR assay optimised for the quantitative detection of Norovirus GI and GII genomes in the digestive tissue of oysters. The highly sensitive kit demonstrated detection of both GI and GII down to 500 copies/gram, making it a suitable risk management tool to ensure that oysters with high infection risk are detected. The kit includes all the reagents needed to conduct viral testing in line with the ISO 15216 guidelines, without any prior lab experience. The complete testing workflow, including the exisgMag extraction kit, genesig Easy_oys Norovirus kit, and the genesig q16 instrument, delivers results within four hours. It was developed in collaboration with oyster farmers and the Shellfish Association of Great Britain, providing them with an easy-to-use and accessible tool to rapidly assess the food safety risk and give them confidence in the quality of their oysters.

Dr Stephanie Anderson, Product Manager, Primerdesign, said: "Many farmers are under pressure to test for Norovirus in order to prevent an outbreak and risk consequent closure. However, the lack of approved commercially available tests currently available in the UK and limited accredited testing facilities often results in delays, presenting a significant challenge to the industry.

"Working together with farmers and the trade association for the UK shellfish industry to optimise our testing solution, we are proud to offer our new genesig Easy_oys Norovirus kit. The workflow offers a rapid, specific and user-friendly Virus monitoring system that delivers results in just a matter of hours on site, providing the industry a vital tool to safeguard oyster quality from farm to plate."

David Jarrad, CEO, Shellfish Association of Great Britain, said: "After many months of working closely with Shellfish Association of Great Britain members, I am delighted to see the hard work come to fruition with the launch of Primerdesign's Norovirus testing workflow. Due to the pollution of our coastal waters, this is much needed by our industry, as we strive to ensure we market a nutritious, wholesome and, crucially, safe product."

Gary Wordsworth, Founder of Othniel Oysters, said: "Oyster growers have long had a need for a simple field test for Norovirus to ensure that our product is safe, I spent a lot of time working with the Primerdesign team over the winter of 23/24 as they produced a kit that would enable a grower to test their oysters in house and get a result back within four hours. I am delighted that this kit is now available as it enables us to test every batch that we send out and reassure our customers that our product is safe."

Kerrie Ferguson, Head of Technical and Compliance, Loch Fyne Oysters Ltd, said: "The training and technical support provided has been exemplary. It makes the introduction and application of new in-hpuse technologies a viable and successful option. It takes away the requirement to depend solely on external testing services which have seen considerable cuts in recent years in relation to aquaculture-based services. The ability to test for Norovirus in house with real time results enables the business to react and respond to challenges caused by factors out of our control."

For more information, visit HERE.

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Successful Seagriculture EU 2024 Conference united the global seaweed industry

June 24, 2024 - The Seagriculture EU 2024 conference, the premier event for the seaweed industry, was successfully held in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands, from June 18-20, 2024. Under the unifying theme 'Bridging Continents,' Seagriculture EU 2024 transcended geographical boundaries, bringing together 224 delegates from 25 countries around the globe. Representatives from more than 123 companies and institutions actively engaged in discussions, networking and knowledge sharing, underscoring the global interest in seaweed farming and its diverse applications.

Seagriculture EU 2024 began on June 18 with an exclusive site visit to Ocean Rainforest, one of the largest seaweed cultivators in Europe, where they have approximately 200,000 meters of seeded seaweed lines deployed on some 220 hectares. Delegates were offered a firsthand glimpse into their operations with expert guides from Ocean Rainforest by their side. Participants were treated to a boat journey to explore the cultivation site in Gøta more closely and witness seaweed harvest in action, an up-close look at the production and hatchery facilities, as well as a visit from land to their other cultivation sites in Funningsfjørõ. All in combination with scenic drives over the Faroe Islands and beautiful weather. The conference organisers have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the delegates of this unique site visit experience to Ocean Rainforest.

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From June 19-20, the Seagriculture EU 2024 conference unfolded with a dynamic program featuring five plenary sessions, two panel discussions and the newly introduced Seaweed Elevator Pitches. This innovative format allowed for the swift coverage of numerous projects, enhancing the depth and breadth of industry insights shared. With nearly 50 speakers participating, including international experts from DG MARE, FermentationExperts, Unilever, Cargill and Future Feed, attendees gained access to diverse perspectives in seaweed farming, innovations and regulations.

Among other highlights of Seagriculture EU 2024 was the trade show where some 10 leading exhibitors showed their latest technologies and equipment. The trade show and networking quality was exceptional, with attendees eagerly engaging with exhibitors. The trade show table tops were well attended and many conference delegates engaged in instant networking and lively exchanges, reflecting the event's dynamic and interactive nature.

"We are excited about the response and success of Seagriculture EU 2024," said Kuno Jacobs, Managing Director of DLG Benelux, the conference organiser. "The enthusiastic participation of seaweed professionals, researchers and policymakers underscores the growing recognition of seaweed as a crucial component of a sustainable future. We are particularly pleased to see a growing number of delegates, not only from the seaweed and aquaculture industries, but also from the feed and food industry and other related sectors each year. This diversity highlights the importance and relevance of the conference in addressing broader sustainability challenges.

"We thoroughly enjoyed working in the Faroe Islands and are grateful for the close cooperation with Ocean Rainforest. Their team's excellence in making the site visit a memorable experience significantly contributed to a unique edition of Seagriculture EU."

In addition to enriching the conference with valuable knowledge and insights, Seagriculture EU 2024 also provided an authentic experience of Faroese culture. After the first conference day, various Faroese companies offered some seaweed bites during the seaweed tasting. Another unforgettable feature was the conference dinner, where delegates enjoyed the melodies of a national choir.

Within Seagriculture EU 2024 the organisers introduced the B2Match conference application, providing participants with an efficient way to communicate, schedule meetings and stay updated on the latest news. The app facilitated more than 160 meetings, helping delegates build new connections and partnerships, and ensuring a seamless and engaging conference experience.

The Seagriculture Conferences act as a driving force for innovation, collaboration and knowledge sharing, fostering advancements in the seaweed industry. By uniting a diverse group of stakeholders, the conference has sped up the adoption of sustainable practices, promoted market expansion and highlighted seaweed as a vital solution to global climate challenges.

Next Editions:

• Seagriculture USA 2024: Ketchikan, Alaska from September 11-12, 2024.
• Seagriculture Asia-Pacific 2025: Adelaide, Australia from March 18-20, 2025.
• Seagriculture EU 2025: Rotterdam, The Netherlands from June 17-19, 2025.

For more information, visit HERE.

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Dsm-firmenich extends Sustell environmental footprinting platform to shrimp industry

June 24, 2024 - Dsm-firmenich, the leading innovator in health, nutrition and beauty has recently launched a shrimp module for Sustell, allowing shrimp farmers to map, reduce the full environmental footprint of their operations and meet environmental sustainability targets.

It is the first ever online life cycle assessment (LCA) platform tailored to commercial shrimp farming. The new module offers on-demand environmental footprinting for for shrimp production of all stages, from hatchery, to nursery, to growout, in addition to a feed module which is critical contributor to LCA in any animal farming system. The new module was developed in collaboration with Grupo Almar, from Ecuador, one of the top five global shrimp producers who will be applying this technology across their farms as they look to deliver on their sustainability ambitions.

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Wolfgang Harten, General Manager/COO of Grupo Almar said, "When we partnered with dsm-firmenich last year, we knew we wanted to implement technologies that help us improve the environmental sustainability of our shrimp production. We knew when we chose Sustell we would be able to go beyond measurement by taking ownership of our full environmental footprint, and now, with the new module for shrimp, we are able to take our sustainability efforts one step further."

Louise Buttle, Sustell Lead for Aqua & Global Key Account Manager at dsm-firmenich Animal Nutrition & Health stated, "With the introduction of a specific module for shrimp in Sustell, shrimp producers now have the platform available to conduct full lifecycle assessment at scale, ensuring a strong return on investment and providing credible and accurate footprinting. Sustell unlocks new value opportunities for producers, from improving farm productivity to ecolabeling and sustainable finance, for example. Sustell for shrimp demonstrates our commitment and continued innovations to further develop the sustainable production of seafood from aquaculture."

Backed by a robust ISO certified methodology, Sustell is the leading SaaS life cycle assessment (LCA) solution for animal protein. Sustell provides the food value chain with a credible, science-based approach to collecting farm data, measuring the environmental footprint and mapping a course for further sustainability of the animal protein industry.

For more information, visit HERE.

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Why investing in responsible aquaculture is good for the people and planet

June 24, 2024 - With global aquaculture set to grow by 35 percent in the next few years, impacts may also increase, making the role of certifications such as the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) even more crucial. As blue food becomes one of the solutions to solving hunger and food security worldwide, the role of blue finance and sustainable investments has become more important today.

'Blue finance' is a buzzword in the aquaculture sector today, but what does it really mean? Blue finance simply means financial flow directed to investments and programmes that support positive impacts for the ocean economy.

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The World Economic Forum estimates that US$175 billion of blue finance will be required to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, 'Life Below Water', by 2030. Banks, insurers and investors all have a part to play in transforming the ocean economy into a sustainable one.

ASC CEO Chris Ninnes said, "Blue Foods are an integral part of global food security, but their potential is not yet fully realised amongst decision makers within the international community. Nor has their ability to both expand production and do this more efficiently than farmed terrestrial protein understood. Through the adoption of credible but pragmatic standards, all of this can be achieved whilst promoting environmental sustainability and social responsibility. By investing in responsible aquaculture, Blue Foods will play a transformative role in the global supply of animal protein and providing farms of all sizes access to finance to implement needed improvements will drive this transformation."

"I'm delighted to see this partnership between FMO and Taprobane Seafoods leading to the first ASC certified farm in Sri Lanka. This is the kind of collaboration ASC is helping to deliver, focused on a continued drive towards sustainability."

Why responsible aquaculture has become a focus for bank investors

ASC interviewed Presan Pahladsingh, an Investment Officer at FMO (the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank), who works in their Agribusiness, Food and Water department to talk about why investing in responsible aquaculture is important in meeting their sustainability goals.

Pahladsingh said, "We are committed to certain UN SDGs and addressing climate change and improving the livelihood of smallholder (female) farmers, is very important to us. Another SDG that we are committed to is Zero Hunger. When you look at aquaculture, it is very efficient in producing food that is highly nutritional.

"That is one of the key aspects why aquaculture (and the seafood sector in general) is one of the industries that we want to look closely into."

FMO puts specific focus in financing seafood farms and shareholders from developing countries to help them develop their capacity and skills and improve their farming practices.

Pahladsingh explained, "We have provided financing to companies in the seafood sector in Zambia, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Latin America. We are also working on getting more feet on the ground in Asia, including India and Indonesia. We see the footprint of the seafood industry globally increasing especially in Asia."

First ASC certified farm in Sri Lanka

One of FMO's financing projects in aquaculture was initiated in Sri Lanka. FMO granted a US$15 million (€13.8 million) loan to Sri Lankan shrimp farm Taprobane Seafoods.

Taprobone Frozen Foods' Erukkalampidy shrimp farm has become Sri Lanka's first to gain ASC certification. The ASC certified farm expands 57 acres producing 1200 metric tonnes (MT) of shrimp annually. The company aims to have all 1000 acres of the farm eventually certified.

Udari Morawake, Taprobane Seafood Head of Sustainability & SCR said, "ASC certification for our farm signifies a notable achievement in terms of environmental sustainability and social responsibility in shrimp farming in Sri Lanka because the ASC is a globally recognised certification programme that sets standards for responsible aquaculture practices."

"Under ASC certification, we have made significant steps in both environmental and social aspects. Environmental improvements are evident through potential measures such as habitat conservation, indicating a commitment to minimising the impact on surrounding ecosystems and sustaining local biodiversity. Additionally, the certification likely reflects efforts in water quality management, showcasing Taprobane's dedication to ensuring a healthy aquatic environment."

Morawake also highlighted the company's significant strides in social welfare and the development of its employees. "This certification emphasises responsible labour practices, suggesting that Taprobane has improved conditions for workers, encompassing fair wages, appropriate working hours and safe working conditions. Moreover, community engagement initiatives have been implemented, fostering positive relationships and contributing to the sustainable development of the local communities involved in shrimp farming. Taprobane invests in comprehensive training and development programmes, fostering continuous improvement in employee skills and knowledge.

"We are really proud of our team and our commitment to empowering women in Sri Lanka's shrimp farming industry. In fact, our farm is the only farm in the country to offer opportunities for women in field activities!"

Obtaining market access for these farms is also one of the goals of blue finance. By achieving the ASC label, Taprobane has increased their buyers worldwide.

Morawake said, "Being Sri Lanka's first ever ASC certified farm certainly helps with our promotion. For Taprobane Seafoods, this certification serves as a valuable tool for setting ourselves apart from other Sri Lankan shrimp processors. It positions us as a preferred choice for partners who prioritise sustainability and social responsibility in seafood production. This recognition reinforces our commitment to delivering high-quality and ethically sourced products to the market."

Investing in responsible aquaculture proves to be good not only for the people, but also for the planet. With companies paying more attention to how they contribute to fulfilling the UN's SDGs, investing in responsible business practices is a must.

"The dream is to have sufficient food for the whole world, while protecting the environment," FMO's Pahladsingh concluded.

For more information, visit HERE.

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ASC hosts Discovery Tour to showcase responsible salmon farming in Norway

June 21, 2024 - To promote responsible salmon aquaculture in Norway, Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) in partnership with Control Union Norge hosted a group of international buyers to showcase ASC certified salmon farming on the islands of Hitra and Frøya in Norway.

Retailers and suppliers enjoyed an educational tour about responsible salmon farming in Norway

The Discovery Tour provided the group with a detailed and educational insight into the most relevant topics in responsible aquaculture and a firsthand look at the ASC Salon Standard in action.

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About half of globally farmed salmon is produced in Norway and the highest volume of ASC certified salmon. There are currently 342 ASC certified salmon farm sites in Norway representing around 40 percent of all Norwegian salmon. Due to the importance of Norway in global salmon aquaculture, connecting stakeholders across the supply chain is vital to sow the positive impact ASC is making on the ground.

Over the four-day tour, 12 attendees from retailers and suppliers, including Sainsbury's Colruty, Frais Embal, Highliner, Disney's, Pescanova, Loblaws and E-mart, were welcomed to the facilities and farms of Leroy, Salmar and Mowi. The tour provides buyers with firsthand insight into salmon farming and demonstrates the role of ASC certification in responsible aquaculture.

Highlights included:

• A visit to one of Leroy's hatchery facilities highlighting the complexity of this part of the salmon lifecycle and value-chain.
• A visit to Salmar's 'Ocean Farm 1', the first large-scale off-shore farm, demonstrating the impressive scale of Salmar's open sea farming innovation and prompted a discussion on the benefits and scalability of this farming method.
• A tour of a Mowi harvest vessel providing insight into Modi's innovative approach on harvesting directly at sea with the welfare benefits through fewer handling steps.

Laetitia Rosing, ASC's Norway Market Development Manager said, "Discovery Tour Norway is a unique opportunity to connect producers to processors and buyers and show them the demand of ASC certified salmon, firsthand what responsible aquaculture entails. Communicating the value behind ASC's label with its strong requirements, verification and traceability from farm to store shelf is critical to ensuring continuing demand for our certification in the marketplace, the ultimate pull for more farms adhering to our standards. The Discovery Tour was facilitated through the support of our sponsor Control Union Norge and we are most grateful they joined us on this learning trip together with our partners."

Winnie Choo, Senior Quality Assurance Manager of Loblaws Canada, said, "The tour was truly enlightening and deepened my understanding of the intricacies and advancements in sustainable aquaculture. I appreciated the opportunity to witness firsthand the innovative practices employed to ensure responsible and environmentally friendly salmon farming. I particularly valued the comprehensive presentations and the guided visits to various facilities which provided a thorough overview of the entire process from hatchery to harvest."

Florent Delpierre of Frais Embal said, "The ASC Discovery Tour on salmon in Norway allowed us to see the entire supply chain from egg to plate by visiting three different farmers. The requirements of the ASC label are significant and are focused on making the industry increasingly responsible. This also allowed us to understand the salmon feeding strategy, which will be a major issue for balance."

Korea's Smart representative Sieun Kim said, "through this tour, I learned how the salmon is handled and managed at a much higher standard than what Korean consumers expect. By connecting with our country representatives, I realised the importance and necessity of ASC certification in Korea. It was truly an honour to be able to participate."

The tour ended with a workshop and networking event. Speakers included Boomer who discussed the complexities and innovation needed in aquaculture feed, highlighting the differences the ASC Feed Standard makes regarding traceability of feed ingredients. The Norwegian Seafood Council provided consumer insights of salmon from markets across the globe and event sponsor Control Union Norge who presented an overview of assurance services for ASC certification.

Several ASC Discovery tours are held each year and offer retailers unrivalled access and in-depth insight into aquaculture producer regions. Tours also give producers the opportunity to connect with the global market and showcase their continuing commitment to responsible aquaculture. If you are a buyer or producer who would like to participate in the future, please contact ASC Global Lead Producer Outreach Marcos Moya at Marcos.moya@asc-aqua.org.

For more information, visit HERE.

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15-year-old develops comprehensive global salmon farm map

June 21, 2024 - Manolin, a leading agriculture data intelligence software company based in Norway, recently had the pleasure of working with 15-year-old Kåre Høgset during his 'work week' project. This initiative, part of Norway's educational system, allows students to gain real-world experience by working with companies in their field of interest.

Kåre approached Manolin with a desire to do something new and exciting that would push his abilities and result in a tangible product for the company and its customers. From the start. Kåre impressed the Manolin team with his extensive backend coding knowledge. Recognising his potential, the team aimed to make him feel proud of his work.

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The project that immediately stood out was the development of the best up-to-date global salmon farm map available online. Tony Chen, CEO of Manolin, commented, "While you can find maps of salmon farm locations online, there is no comprehensive data available that merges all of these together. As we build industry leading risk models for aquaculture farmers, it's crucial for us to be able to access data from as many farm conditions as possible across the entire world. We knew Kåre had the skills to make a new and improved map a reality for the industry."

This project was a perfect fit for Kåre, whose parents both have experience in the aquaculture industry. It offered a unique opportunity to combine his technical skills with a topic close to his family's professional background. Kåre was enthusiastic about the project, noting, "This project was exciting because it allowed me to tackle real-world data challenges and learn alongside Manolin's CTO, John Costantino."

In just five days, Kåre aggregated multiple data sets from around the world and created a clean, smooth and comprehensive interactive map of global salmon farms. His impressive work on the project received high praise from the team. John Costantino, CTO of Manolin, remarked, "For Kåre, being 15 years old and able to tackle the challenges he did is extremely impressive. We are very proud of the work he's accomplished and are honoured to continue expanding on the map in the future."

Manolin say they are proud to support educational initiatives like Norway's 'work week' and provide young talents with opportunities to make a meaningful impact. Kåre's work is a testament to the incredible potential that young people possess and the exciting future of the aquaculture industry.

To view Kåre's project, visit HERE.

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Blue Horizons showcases Purina's commitment to advancing ocean ecosystems

June 21, 2024 - Nestlé Purina has launched three episodes as part of the new Blue Horizons series, a brand new series presented by the World Ocean Council and produced by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions. It includes three films showcasing Purina's commitment to advancing the regeneration of soil and ocean ecosystems.

Overfishing, pollution and climate change have damaged nearly half of the world's oceans, resulting in the dramatic loss of marine habitats. To help tackle this challenge, Purina Europe is partnering with experts to help restore multiple species, which provide vital habitats for marine life such as fish, which s part of Purina's extended supply chain.

Episode one: The Vital Role of Seagrass and Oysters in Ocean Health

In the Netherlands, Purina Europe is working with Oyster Heaven and The Seagrass Consortium, represented by founding partner Sea Ranger Service, to restore seagrass meadows. This episode shows how Oyster Heaven, a marine conservation organisation, is reconstructing lost oyster reefs, Oysters generate biodiversity, provide a home for a multitude of different species and improve water quality, allowing more sunlight to reach seagrass meadows, enabling them to flourish. It also features the social enterprise Sea Ranger Service, which is building solutions to plant seagrass meadows, along with Professor Dr Laura Govers of University of Groningen who is leading the research as part of The Seagrass Consortium. Seagrass is a key habitat-forming species, helping increase biodiversity and capturing carbon.

Episode two: The Disappearing Kelp Forests

The second episode explores Purina Europe's partnerships with Urchinomics and environmental impact company SeaForester to help restore seaweed (in this area, kelp) beds in Norway. An excess of sea urchins, caused by a reduction of their natural predators, has led to overgrazing of seaweed beds. Urchinomics is moving the excess urchins, while SeaForester is using techniques such as mobile seaweed nurseries to restore rapidly disappearing seaweed forests. This will help to restore seaweed which acts a s a natural purifier of water, and also boost biodiversity in the area.

Episode three: How Seaweed Could Transform Modern Farming

As part of Nestle's pledge to source 50 percent of its key ingredients from regenerative agriculture by 2030, Purina is exploring novel agricultural approaches. The company is supporting a consortium study, led by industry and scientific experts including Fera Science Ltd, to explore the role of seaweed-based bio-stimulants on soil health and plant performance. The third episode features the three-year study in action, showcasing the on-farm field trials with UK farmer Ben Hadingham, where the potential impact of the seaweed-based bio-stimulant is being tested on his cereal crops. The science behind the study, led by Dr Aoife Dillon from Fera Science, is also showcased.

The projects in the Netherlands and Norway form part of Nestlé Purina PetCare Europe's wider Ocean Restoration Programme which launched this year. The aim is to restore 1500 hectares - the equivalent of around 37-- football pitches - of marine habitats by 2030. Through the programme, Purina Europe is partnering with a number of expert organisations that are working to restore species that provide critical marine habitats that are being lost.

Kerstin Schmeiduch, Director of Corporate Communications and Sustainability at Nestlé Purina PetCare Europe said: "The Blue Horizons series showcases our commitment to advance regeneration of soil and ocean ecosystems. As part of that, we are committed to addressing the biodiversity loss in our extended supply chain for fish by-products and have taken a multi-species approach to marine habitat restoration. With marine biodiversity declining dramatically, collective efforts are required to help drive restoration at scale."

To watch the episode, visit HERE.

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Aquabyte launches data-driven monitoring system for trout

June 19, 2024 - With the upcoming launch, Aquabyte will be the first system in the world to combine weight estimation, welfare monitoring and automatic lice counting for trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) farming.

"Aquabyte is a market leader in data-driven monitoring of farmed salmon. We have received many requests from both existing and future customers to adapt our system for trout production. With this initiative, Aquabyte becomes the first company in the world to offer a complete monitoring system for trout farming," says Steve Tucker, COO/President of Aquabyte.

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Aquabyte's system uses advanced technology with cameras submerged in the pen, taking over a million pictures of the fish daily. The images are analysed using artificial intelligence and machine learning, providing farmers with daily updates on lice counts, fish welfare status, and weight and biomass estimations without the need for manual handling of the fish.

"There are many similarities between trout and salmon, but the differences are significant enough that systems developed exclusively for salmon cannot be used for trout. Therefore, we have developed new, unique machine learning models specifically tailored to trout. With the new models, the Aquabyte system can accurately calculate biomass, monitor welfare and deformities and count lice on trout," continues Steve Tucker.

Today, there are few, if any, solutions tailored to trout production. Trout farmers have had to use systems developed for salmon, which at best provide inconsistent data compared to the actual status in the pen.

"With our digital monitoring system, farmers gain valuable insights that they can use to make informed decision for improved fish health and profitability, whether they focus on trout, salmon or both species," concludes Steve Tucker of Aquabyte.

Aquabyte's monitoring system for trout has been developed and validated in collaboration with strategic farming partners and will soon be available to all customers.

For more information, visit HERE.

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AQUA 2024 - Copenhagen is the place to be

June 18, 2024 - The AQUA events are co-organised by the European Aquaculture Society (EAS) and the World Aquaculture Society (WAS) and are held every six years. Past events were held in Nice (2000), Florence (2006), Prague (2012) and Montpellier (2018).

AQUA 2024 will take place from August 26-30 at the Bella Arena in the Danish capital of Copenhagen. It will comprise a scientific conference, trade exhibition, industry forums, workshops, student events and receptions. The event will highlight the latest aquaculture research and innovations 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 and exchange platform for experts from around the world.

The overarching theme of AQUA 2024 is 'Blue Food, Green Solutions' and the scientific conference will include more than 60 sessions covering all aspects of aquaculture research.

AQUA 2024 has been organised with the support of local partners, the Danish Export Association Fish Tech, ICES, DTU AQUA, the University of Copenhagen, EUROFISH and the Copenhagen Convention Bureau.

The organisers that they are extremely grateful for the support of their event sponsors, with Gold Sponsor BioMar, Silver Sponsors Biorigin, US Soy, University of Stavanger and the Blue Planet Academy and with Session Sponsors Aquasoja.

Key figures

• Expected conference delegates: 1400
• Total expected participation: 2500
• Number of countries: 90
• Conference sessions: 60 
• Special sessions, industry forums and workshops: 12
• Tradeshow booths: 240
• Tradeshow visitors: 1200

Programme highlights

The Programme Grid, showing sessions and days is now online HERE.

It shows the parallel abstract-based scientific sessions, as well as the forums and special sessions that will take place and specifically targeted towards operators and producers.

Plenary speakers

To put some general highlights to the conference theme, there are two plenary sessions and speakers. On Tuesday, August 27 (9:00-9:40), Dag Sletmo, Senior Vice President Seafood Division, DNB will give an opening plenary 'Analysing the Future.'

FAO says we need to increase sustainable aquaculture production by at least 75 percent by 2040 if we are going to limit global warming to 1.5C, Dag will share his top-down financial perspective on what it will take to grow aquaculture production significantly. The demand drivers are in place, the challenge is increasing supply and at the same time reduce the environmental footprint. That will require new technology, better farming practices and better regulations. As an industry depending very much on government regulations, it also needs a strong social license in order to achieve these goals. And where will the money to finance this come from? DNB Bank's aquaculture activities is very focused on salmon, but Dag will also address aquaculture more generally.

Dag Sletmo is a Senior Vice President in the seafood division in DNB. DNB is the leading bank in Norway and the largest bank globally in salmon farming with clients in Norway, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Scotland, Canada, Chile and Australia.

Prior to joining DNB, Dag worked in Cermag, the global salmon farmer. and ABG Sundal Collier, a Nordic investment bank. He holds an MBA from Columbia Business School in New York and has studied economics and philosophy at NHH and UiB in Bergen.

At the end of the conference, on Friday, August 30 (11:30 - 12:15), Signe Riemer - Sørensen Research Manager Analytics and AI, SINTEF will give her views of 'AI with Knowledge'.

Large language models have democratised AI. Co-pilots and chat-bots are changing most office jobs, but despite their impact, they will not revolutionise aquaculture. For that we need completely different types of AI. Through examples from aquaculture and beyond, Signe will expand the challenges, provide intuitive insights into AI and introduce the latest developments on industrial AI and their potential in aquaculture.

Signe Riemer-Sørensen is Senior Researcher and Research Manager for Analytics and AI in SINTEF. Her research evolves around overcoming challenges for implementing machine learning and artificial intlligence in a broad range of industrial settings where physics plays a role and data is often sparse and noisy. The solutions integrate domain knowledge into the AI, in so-called hybrid AI, fostering robust, explainable and trustworthy models.

This final plenary will be followed by the AQUA 2024 Poster Awards, overseen by the AQUA 2024 Programme co-chairs, Luisa Valente (CIIMAR, Portugal), Lorenzo Juarez (WAS, USA), Kjell Maroni (FHF, Norway) and Anne Cooper (ICES, Denmark).

Industry and Innovation Forums

A regular feature of EAS events is the Industry Forum and the Innovation Forum and these will take place during AQUA 2024.

The Industry Forum will be held all day on Tuesday, August 27 and will address the main event theme, with key questions about the status and future of the sector with regards, to adaptation to climate change, mitigation of its effects, circular approaches and other externalities.

It will be divided into several panel discussions, overseen by our master of ceremony for the day, Lise Walbom, CEO, Food Nation Denmark.

The AQUA 2024 Innovation Forum is being co-organised by EAS, EATiP (European Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Platform) and the European Commission.

It will be held all day on Wednesday, August 28 and will take the tile 'Exploring Inter-Regional Collaboration & innovation Transfer vehicles for Aquaculture.'

The Forum will explore inter-regional collaboration for innovation transfer through the lens of EU policy and initiatives, but also at the global level. It comprises four sessions with a lix of presentation and interactive discussion to address key questions.

• Session one: European Aspirations for Inter-Regional Innovation transfer
  To address: Developing a Sustainable European Aquaculture to 2030.
• Session two: Inter-Regional innovation Landscape in Practice: case studies on how innovation transfer vehicles promote advances in aquaculture 
  To address: Session one considered policy intentions and aspirations. But how is this actually being delivered on the ground and in reality? Examples will be presented.
• Session three: Innovation transfer within the aquaculture research community
  To address: Academic and research networks lend themselves intrinsically to international innovation transfer, with existing well networked stakeholders and organisations operating at the European and international level.
• Session four: Facilitation, Funding models and future calls for inter-regional innovation transfer.
  To address: innovation transfer works well as a concept, but how do we fund and facilitate this work? Resourcing is challenging, but funding options do exist. Examples such as the Mentoring and Accelerator Programme for Blue Grown, along with initiatives supported by the ECBF and BlueBio Alliance, demonstrate the innovation transfer infrastructures supporting the sector.

The detailed programmes for both forums are currently being finalised and will be online at the events website in early July.

Special sessions

We also have several special sessions at AQUA 2024, bridging the gap between science and industry:

• Quantitative Atlantic Salmon Health Assessment
• EUROshrimp Forum
• Aquaculture Stewardship Council workshop on 'Future aquafeed supply chains in a transitioning industry and a changing climate'
• Host Resistance to Sea Lice
• Light and Fish - And Light and other other organisms
• IMTA and low-trophic aquaculture

As above, the detailed programmes of these sessions will be online at the events website in July.

Exhibition

The AQUA 2024 exhibition is just about sold out, with more than 240 booths from suppliers and operators covering all aspects of aquaculture production at the global level. All coffee breaks and happy hours will be held in the exhibition hall to maximise interaction and some 140 trade show visitors are expected.

Tours

Several tours have been organised for the Monday preceding the event.

• AQ24 A_DTU: Tour facilities at the Danish Technical University (DTU) National Food Institute - side streams and research into new ingredients from marine raw materials. Monday, August 26. Morning. Cost: €25 per person. Maximum 30 persons.
• AQ24 B_OxyGuard: Visit OxyGuard International's Danish Headquarters, Monday, August 26. Morning. CostL €25 per person. Maximum 30 persons.
• AQ24 C_MAREL: A visit to the MAREL Progress Point global Demo Center, to see cutting-edge solutions and software for fish processing. Monday, August 26. Morning. Cost: €25 per person. Maximum 50 persons.
• AQ24 D_Aquarium: A behind the scenes tour of the Danish National Aquarium (Den Blå Planet) - Northern Europe's largest aquarium. Monday, August 26. Afternoon. Cost: €60 per person. Maximum 50 persons.

To register, visit HERE.

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Alltech Fennoaqua partners with insect ingredient company Volare

June 13, 2024 - Four companies have partnered to bring a trial batch of rainbow trout to the Finnish markets that has been fed with an insect ingredient. Bringing novel sustainable protein ingredients to the fish diets is important as ingredients are the source of most environmental impacts in the rainbow trout value chain. A trial batch of approximately 150,000kg of rainbow trout will be fed with the new feed and will be available to consumers in Winter 2024-2025.

A partnership t renew the rainbow trout industry one step at a time

This unique collaboration in the Finnish aquaculture industry involves Kalavapriikki, Kalankasvatus Vääräniemi, Alltech Fennoaqua and Volare. Together, they are launching, for the first time in Finland, a new concept where a small share of traditional feed ingredients are partially replaced with sustainable insect meal. Volare farms insects at its Hyvinkää facility, producing high-quality protein meal. Alltech Fennoaqua manufactures the feed at its Raisio factory, Kalankasvatus Vääräniemi farms the rainbow trout, and Kalavapriikki handles distribution.

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Initially, the insect meal inclusion rate is limited to facilitate testing in a real-world commercial setting. "We are renewing the industry step by step through strong partnerships across the value chain. This is just the first step with significant future potential," says Tomi Kantola, CEO at Alltech Fennoaqua.

A sustainable solution for aquafeed

Insect protein production upcycles by-products from food production, thus keeping them within the food chain. Feed ingredients play an important role in reducing the environmental impact of fish farming, and therefore it is important to develop and test sustainable, circular economy-based, and healthy ingredients for fish.

Volare produces black soldier fly larvae meal by upcycling food industry side streams. "Insects are a part of rainbow trout's natural diet and have significant environmental benefits over conventional feed ingredients. Volare has a unique approach to production, with significant energy savings, non-fossil production and zero waste," highlights Jarna Hyvönen, Chief Commercial Officer at Volare.

Catering to consumer wishes

"Our customers want tangible sustainability actions. We have learned that the best concrete steps forward include many parties in the value chan - no one can do this alone. It is really inspiring to work with Vääräniemi and Fennoaqua, with whom we are continually re-inventing the fish industry in Finland to serve our customers even better," says Jari Korhonen, CEO at Kalavapriikki.

The trial batch of rainbow trout products will be available to consumers throughout Finland in autumn 2024.

For more information, visit HERE.

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Ittinsect meets three UN SDG targets

June 18, 2024 - Ittinsect, the pioneering Italian biotech dedicated to making aquaculture independent of marine resources, has closed 2023 on a high note by achieving three Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from the United Nations' 2030 Agenda. These goals, agreed upon by UN member states, form part of the broader Global Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Thanks to the support of 22 European fish farmers who have adopted Ittinsect's innovative feeds, the Italian scale-up is actively contributing to the reduction of human impact on marine biodiversity. Founded in 2021, Ittinsect produces aquaculture feeds through cutting-edge biotechnical processes, using alternative protein sources to traditional fishmeal.

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• Ittinsect secures public funding for pilot production facility
• Cultivating Sustainability Exploring Innovative and Local Alternative Ingredients in Aquaculture Feeds for a Circular Future

The company, deeply committed to the preservation of oceans and seas, closed 2023 with €1.5 million in funding. This financial backing came from private investors such as Katapult Ocean, CDP Venture Capital, Indico Capital Partners and Zest (formerly LVenture), along with national and regional grants from Invitalia and Lazio Innova, and debt instruments from Intesa Sanpaolo.

Achievements detailed

In line with SDG 14, which focuses on conserving underwater life, ittinsect has protected 3,102,353 forage fish from commercial fishing. For SDG 2, which aims at achieving food security and promoting sustainable agriculture, fish farmers using Ittinsect's feed produced 23,276 additional portions of fish at no extra costs. Under SDG 12, which aims to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns, Ittinsect has effectively upcycled 79,680 kilograms of agro-industrial by-products.

These accomplishments were enabled by the company's patent-pending biotechnological processes and a strong commitment to circular economy principles. The rapid adoption of Ittinsect's products within the aquaculture industry reflects the willingness of fish farmers to embrace feeds that reduce environmental impact while enhancing growth performance, health status and reducing mortality rates among farmed fish.

"Our daily mission is to protect the sea from human impact. The team and I are honoured to have made a significant contribution to preserving the marine ecosystem. Our greatest ambition is to see the seas and oceans full of life again - a goal that can only be achieved through the perseverance and dedication that defines us" remarked Alessandro Romano, founder and CEO of Ittinsect.

For more information, visit HERE.

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In-Person Progressus AgriSchool: Aqua Nutrition

June 17, 2024 - The Aqua Nutrition In-Person Progressus AgriSchool will take place from July 16-19, 2024, at Mövenpick Hotel Sukhumvit 15 Bangkok, Thailand, and take your aquaculture practices to the next level. This course offers a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience to enhance your skills in aqua nutrition and feed formulation.

What are the benefits?

• Comprehensive content: Explore the latest trends in aquaculture practices and feeds, with detailed insights into nutrient requirements and functional feeds for optimal growth and health.
• Hands-on experience: Gain practical experience with innovative ingredients and formulation techniques to enhance feed digestibility and improve production efficiency.
• Specialised focus: learn species-specific nutrition and formulation strategies for important fish and shrimp species, including stress management and advanced feed formulation techniques.

Who should attend?

This course is ideal for:

• Aquaculture professionals, including nutritionists and formulators.
• Researchers and academics interested in aqua nutrition.
• QA/QC managers, field feed managers, feed technologists, feed production, sales professionals and FA supplements.

Why should you attend?

Feed formulation precision and continuous optimisation are key to being competitive in today's marketplace. This is the place to learn about and practice these key performance skills. 

• Practical insights: Gain insides into innovative ingredients and formulation techniques used by successful aquafeed nutritionists and formulators.
• Applicable knowledge: Would leave the AgriSchool with new knowledge and ideas that you can immediately apply.
• Networking opportunities: connect with industry experts and industry peers.

For more information, visit HERE.

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The Center for Aquaculture Technologies Canada Changes Name to Onda

June 17, 2024 - The Center for Aquaculture Technologies Canada (CATC), a contract research organisation dedicated to unlocking the answers to aquaculture's most pressing challenges, announced an exciting rebranding initiative that marks a significant milestone in the company's evolution.

At the core of the rebrand is the change in the company name to Onda, which means wave in Latin, embodying their commitment to sustainable research that creates positive ripple effects across the sector. The new logo cleverly links the letterforms in the Onda name with a subtle wave symbolising the dynamic nature of water and reflecting Onda's commitment to adaptability and innovation. This design creates a meaningful link between the past and future, paying homage to Onda's history while paving the way for its future evolution.

The new company name and rebrand comes on the heels of the recent spinoff from their US parent, The Center for Aquaculture Technologies (CAT), announced May 28, 2024. Onda will maintain alignment with their sister company CAT, and continue to be an integral part of the Cuna del Mar portfolio. While operating under separate governance and management structures, both companies remain focused on collaboration and delivering high-quality, industry leading service standards.

Onda's rebrand was led by newly appointed CEO, Myrna Gillis. Gillis brings more than three decades of leadership experience in highly regulated industries including pharmaceutical, life sciences and law. Her experience with, and commitment to, sustainable aquaculture includes initiatives in fish nutrition, breeding, waste management, and bioactive organic nutrient generation. Myrna's impressive leadership includes; a top 50 industry leaders recognition by Grow Up for exemplary leadership, innovation and commitment to the regulated cannabis industry, business leadership award from the Halifax Chamber of Commerce and her excellence and integrity in law was recognised by her peers and governing body with her receipt of the Kings Counsel designation.

"As we look for ways to feed a growing population, aquaculture has the power to provide a sustainable solution; but it must be managed with great responsibility and care. At Onda, we're on a mission to nurture a healthier and more sustainable world, starting with a sustainable aquaculture," said Gillis. "Utilising strategic and collaborative research and cutting-edge technologies we are committed to answering pressing questions to better understand our ocean environments and how we can improve the quality, resilience and health of aquatic food sources."

Located on Prince Edward Island, within the heart of Canada's Ocean Supercluster, Onda's state-of-the-art facilities include an array of wet and dry labs equipped for custom-designed bench top and in-tank trials and challenges for a variety of species. With hundreds of years of experience their integrated team of health, nutrition and laboratory specialists collaborate with pharmaceutical companies, aquatic farms, vaccine manufacturers and feed producers to bring perspective and precision to their most important projects.

For more information, visit HERE.

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Mat-Kuling commissions Bureau Veritas as third party quality qualifier

June 13, 2024 - After an agreement with Bureau Veritas, Mat-Kuling facilities will be incorporating the third-party quality testing service directly in-house. This will solidify Mat-Kuling's position in the aquaculture market with an emphasis on quality and production excellence ensuring that all equipment undergoes inspection according to the specifications of the customer, as well as international and local standards.

Bureau Veritas in MAT KULING Factory

Every day, Bureau Veritas specialists inspect the production line and collaborate with the Mat-Kuling quality team to ensure the highest quality standards are met.

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"Our products were already being delivered in excellent quality. From now on they will also be tested in-house by a third party to ensure that all products have a standard seal and this will allow us to enrich our relationships with the customers." said Bjorn Dorum, Mat-Kuling's Chairman and Co-Founder.

Mat-Kuling prioritises environmental preservation and sustainability in its product delivery, particularly in seafood consumption. Daily inspections are now conducted to verify that materials used in production do not leave harmful traces in the environment, ensuring a standard quality for consumers. This approach involves manufacturers, buyers, consumers, communities and animals, all benefiting from Mat-Kuling's commitment to sustainability.

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Biomega publishes second annual ESG Report

June 13, 2024 - Biomega has today released its second annual Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report outlining the Norwegian-headquartered company's emissions figures and targets, alongside its 2026 strategy.

As a producer of premium Norwegian salmon-based innovative ingredients for the human nutrition, petfood and aquafeed markets, biomega has reported on its 2023 financial year key performance indicators, including its scope one, two and three emissions for its production plant in Norway and scope one and two emissions in Denmark.

The report outlines the biotechnology company's efforts to conduct Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) for its inclusion in the European commissioned LIFE CONQUER project, with a view to expanding these evaluations to all products in 2024 to deliver a comprehensive assessment.

Stig Petersen, CEO of biomega, commented: "biomega has made significant progress to uphold our ESG values throughout 2023. Our commitment to striving for a more sustainable world has been strengthened by our continuous involvement in large-scale projects, such as LIFE CONQUER, the Greenport North initiative to generate green energy sources, and most recently, the Horizon supported project CONVEY, led by Norwegian Hydrogen, which focuses on using surplus windmill energy to produce hydrogen.

"At the core of our operations is our production plants. In 2023, we successfully tested innovative methods for our inbound transportation and, as part of the LIFE CONQUER project, this year we have already started a new process to extract more protein from fish bones to utilise a higher percentage of salmon for the food industry. This feeds into our organisational purpose to support and create circularity throughout the aquaculture industry."

The report, which is available to download of the biomega website, also outlines how the company conducted its first double materiality assessment and showcases its alignment with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).

In addition, it covers LIFE CONQUER environment and climate goals, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 1600 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year, saving 30,000 tonnes per year of water, and upcycling 18,300 tonnes per year of side-stream exploited food raw materials by the end of the project.

As part of its social activities throughout 2023, biomega has made significant progress in its gender diversity outcomes, with 50 percent female and 50 percent male positions held on the board of directors. In terms of governance, the company has now performed audits on suppliers identified with the higher risk regarding human rights, labour rights, biodiversity, ecosystems, marine pollution, end-user health and safety and animal welfare within its value chain, with a view to including a social governance clause in its raw material contracts by the end of 2024.

"Looking ahead, we are concentrating on fully utilising our leftover materials, limiting our emissions impact even further, and continuously improving our organisation to fulfil its purpose of creating circularity in the aquaculture industry. Our second report is therefore a testament to our journey and commitment to a healthier and more sustainable world,"Petersen concluded.

To download the biomega ESG Report, visit HERE.

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Pelagia becomes sole owner of Blue Ocean Technology

June 13, 2024 - In February, Pelagia became the majority owner of Blue Ocean Technology after a share issue. Pelagia has now bought the remaining shares and owns Blue Ocean Technology 100 percent.

Blue Ocean Technology was established in 2012. The company was founded by entrepreneurs with an extensive background in and close ties to the aquaculture industry. The company has developed sustainable, compact and energy-efficient solutions for dewatering and drying aquaculture sludge - with delivered systems along large parts of the Norwegian coast and abroad. Blue Ocean has also come a long way in developing technology to create sustainable, profitable downstream concepts. 

"We are happy to hand over the baton to Pelagia after we have built a good starting point for solving an important challenge for the industry. A comprehensive solution for handling sludge in the farming industry needs an industrial approach that Pelagia has the best prerequisites for success with - and we look forward to the ambitions we set for the company and the industry will come to fruition in the coming years," says Arve Janbu Fresvik - Managing Partner in Momentum Partners and former chairman of Blue Ocean Technology.

Pelagia is an important supplier to the aquaculture industry, with technical solutions for handling trimmings, fish guts and dead fish - as well as contingency solutions for fish in the sea. Furthermore, Pelagia has established solutions both at sea and on land to handle the logistics associated with these services.

"Pelagia has tremendous faith in this segment - and by now taking all of Blue Ocean Technology, we can seamlessly integrate Blue Ocean's technology with our logistics solutions, knowledge and networks in the industry at home and abroad. We have clear ambitions to become the preferred total supplier in the profitable and sustainable handling of aquaculture sludge - both on land and sea," says Egil Magne Haugstad, CEO of Pelagia.

For more information, visit HERE.

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Fluctus hires HMS/QA Manager

June 13, 2024 - Fluctus has strengthened their team with Åsmund Aasebø, who has been hired as HSE/QA Manager in the company.

Åsmund Aasebø

Åsmund is a qualified pedagogue, has several degrees in IT, and comes from a position as responsible for IT and QHSE in Fjord Maritime.

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"Fluctus has grown as a company, also in relation to products and geographical markets. We see a growing need to further structure and document the company's ongoing work with HSE/QA. Åsmund has experience and competence within both the professional field and the industry. We look forward to having him on the team" says Harald Lien, General Manager at Fluctus.

"Becoming part of the Fluctus team is very exciting. Fluctus is a company I have followed since its inception, and it is a bonus that the company is located in the village I grew up in. I have gradually gained many years of experience with quality work and system building, and look forward to being able to contribute my knowledge to the organisations,"Åsmund Aasebø comments.

He starts at Fluctus on August 1, and will work from the company's head office in Austevoll, Western Norway.

For more information, please contact Harald Lien, CEO Fluctus AS / Mobile: +4745111146.

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BioMar Group unveils 2023 Sustainability Report

June 11, 2024 - BioMar Group, a global leader in sustainable aquaculture, has announced the release of its 2023 Sustainability Report. The comprehensive report showcases BioMar's continued commitment to environmental responsibility, innovative solutions and social impact.

Key highlights from the 2023 Sustainability Report:

• Record-Breaking Sustainability Metrics: BioMar advanced its BioSustain programme, setting new benchmarks in sustainability metrics for the aquaculture industry.
• Double Materiality Assessment: The completion of a Double Materiality Assessment (DMA) has strengthened BioMar's sustainability strategy, ensuring alignment with the most critical aspects for both the business and its stakeholders.
• Significant Carbon Footprint Reduction: BioMar achieved notable reductions in its carbon footprint, with targets validated to meet the 1.5°C pathway established by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
• Circular and Restorative Ingredient Integration: Increased use of circular and restorative ingredients has furthered BioMar's commitment to responsible sourcing and sustainable aquaculture practices.
• Capacity Building Initiatives: BioMar's ongoing initiatives have empowered thousands within the value chain, fostering a culture of innovation and responsibility.

Carlos Diaz, CEO of BioMar Group, stated "2023 was a landmark year for BioMar as we made significant strides in our sustainability journey. Our achievements reflect our dedication to not only advancing the aquaculture industry but also ensuring that our practices positively impact the environment and society. This report underscores our commitment to transparency, accountability and continuous improvement - which there is definitely room for."

The 2023 Sustainability Report provides an in-depth look at BioMar's strategies, accomplishments and future goals, emphasising the company's leadership in sustainable aquaculture solutions.

For more information, visit HERE.

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Global aquaculture production reaches a new record high

June 11, 2024 - World fisheries and aquaculture production has hit a new high, with aquaculture production of aquatic animals surpassing capture fisheries for the first time, according to a new report from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).

©FAO/Saikat Mojumder

The 2024 edition of The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) said global fisheries and aquaculture production in 2022 surged to 223.2 million tonnes, a 4.4 percent increase from the year 2020. Production comprised 185.4 million tonnes of aquatic animals and 37.8 million tonnes of algae.

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• FEAP-FAO GFCM collaborate around the 2030 strategy and aquaculture guidelines

"FAO welcomes the significant achievements thus far, but further transformative and adaptive actions are needed to strengthen the efficiency, inclusiveness, resilience and sustainability for aquatic food systems and consolidate their role in addressing food insecurity, poverty alleviation and sustainable governance," said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu. "That's why FAO advocates Blue Transformation, to meet the overall requirements of better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no-one behind."

Aquaculture produces record amount

In 2022 and for the first time in history, aquaculture surpassed capture fisheries as the main producer of aquatic animals. Global aquaculture production reached an unprecedented 130.9 million tonnes, of which 94.4 million tonnes are aquatic animals, 51 percent of the total aquatic animal production.

Aquaculture growth indicates its capacity to further contribute to meeting the rising global demand for aquatic foods, but future expansion and intensification must prioritise sustainability and benefit regions and communities most in need.

At present, a small number of countries dominate aquaculture. 10 of them - China, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Norway, Egypt and Chile - produced over 89.8 percent of the total. But many low-income countries in Africa and Asia are not using their full potential. Targeted policies, technology transfer, capacity building and responsible investment are crucial to boost sustainable aquaculture where it is most needed, especially in Africa. 

Global consumption of aquatic foods rises again

Record production of aquatic foods underlines the sector's potential in tackling food insecurity and malnutrition. Global apparent consumption of aquatic animal foods reached 162.5 million tonnes in 2021. This figure has increased at nearly twice the rate of the world population since 1961, with global per capita annual consumption rising from 9.1kg in 1961 to 20.7kg in 2022.

Of total aquatic animal production, 89 percent was used for direct human consumption, underscoring the critical role of fisheries and aquaculture in maintaining global food security. The rest was destined for indirect or non-food uses, mainly fishmeal and fish oil production.

Supporting further consumption from sustainable sources is crucial to foster healthy diets and improve nutrition worldwide. Aquatic foods provide high-quality proteins - 15 percent of animal proteins and six percent of total proteins worldwide - and key nutrients including omega-3 fatty acids, minerals and vitamins. In 2021, they contributed at least 20 percent of the per capita protein supply from all animal sources to 3.2 billion people.

FAO projects rise in production and consumption

SOFIA also contains FAO's outlook for fisheries and aquaculture, which projects increases in world production and apparent consumption for the period up to 2032.

Aquatic animal production is expected to increase by 10 percent by 2032 to reach 205 million tonnes. Aquaculture expansion and capture fisheries recovery will account for this rise.

SOFIA projects that apparent consumption will increase by 12 percent to supply on average 21.3kg per capita in 2032. Rising incomes and urbanisation, improvements in post-harvest practices and distribution and dietary trends are expected to drive most of this increase.

However, per capita apparent consumption in Africa will continue to decrease, as production projections may not keep up with population growth. This is especially alarming for sub-Saharan Africa where many countries are dependent on aquatic foods to meet their nutritional needs, particularly animal proteins and micronutrients.

The report also presents a scenario showing the potential implications of population dynamics on the supply of aquatic animal food up to 2050. Due to the rising global population, to maintain through to 2050 apparent consumption of aquatic animal foods at the 2022 estimated level of 20.7kg per capita would require an increase in the total aquatic animal food supply of 36 million tonnes, a rise of 22 percent. This highlights the need to accelerate Blue Transformation priority actions in a world where aquatic foods play a more significant role in ending hunger, malnutrition and poverty.

Falling employment but vital livelihoods for millions

In addition to nutrition and food security, fisheries and aquaculture are an important source of livelihoods. According to the latest data, an estimated 61.8 million people were employed in the primary sector of fisheries and aquaculture in 2022, down from 62.8 million in 2020.

Sex-disaggregated data indicated that women made up 24 percent of the overall workforce but 62 percent in the processing subsection. Gender inequality issues remain, including differences in wages, insufficient recognition of women's contribution to the sector, and gender-based violence.

SOFIA is an FAO flagship report that analyses the status and health of global fishery stocks as well as trends in fisheries and aquaculture at a global and regional level. The 2024 edition spotlights the concrete advances of Blue Transformation in action, showcasing the role of FAO, in collaboration with Members and partners, in driving change towards sustainable aquaculture expansion and intensification, effectively managed fisheries, and value chains that prioritise efficiency, safety and equity.

For more information, visit HERE.

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Thai Union Group releases sustainability report

June 10, 2024 - Thai Union Group PCL has released its 2023 Sustainability Report, showcasing significant progress towards the goals set out in its SeaChange 2030 sustainability strategy.

The comprehensive report details Thai Union's initiatives and achievements in environmental stewardship, social responsibility and sustainable development.

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"Thai Union's commitment to sustainability is stronger than ever, and the progress we have made in 2023 is a testament to our dedication to leading positive change within the seafood industry," said Thai Union Group CEO Thiraphong Chansiri. "Our SeaChange 2030 strategy not only sets ambitious goals but also lays a clear path towards achieving them. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I am proud of the strides we have made and remain deeply committed to driving further improvements not just across our operations but the industry around the world."

Key achievements from 2023 include:

• Greenhouse Gas Reduction: Reduced Scope 1 & 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 8.8 percent compared to 2022
• Tuna Monitoring: Increased the percentage of tuna purchased from vessels with electronic monitoring and/or human observers from 71 percent in 2021 to 90 percent
• Sustainable Tuna Sourcing: Sourced 85 percent of the company's total tuna volume from fisheries that are MSC-certified, in MSC assessment, or in a credible Fishery Improvement Program, up 4 percent from 2022.
• Global Environmental Initiatives: Became a signatory to two global environmental initiatives-Ocean Breakthroughs and Transforming our Food Systems at COP27 on Climate Change
• Shrimp Decarbonisation Initiative: Launched a new initiative developed with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Ahold Delhaize USA to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in shrimp farming
• Human Rights: Published its Human Rights Risk Assessment and updated Human Rights Policy

SeaChange 2030 includes broad and aggressive goals that will drive global impact for both people and planet, while actively supporting the delivery of 10 of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The goals include a 42 percent reduction in Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2050; a THB 250 million (more than US$7 million) investment towards the protection and restoration of critical ecosystems; implementation of zero water discharge, zero waste to landfill and zero food loss at its five key global facilities by 2030; ensuring 100 percent of Thai Union's shrimp is produced minimising ecosystem impact, extending its responsible wild-caught sourcing program to all key species, and providing a safe, equitable and decent workplace.

"Each year, we push the boundaries of our industry in sustainability, and 2023 was no exception," said Adam Brennan, Chief Sustainability Officer at Thai Union. "The advancements detailed in our latest Sustainability Report reflect our ongoing efforts to protect our oceans, support our communities and ensure the long-term viability of our business. With SeaChange 2030, we are well-positioned to continue this critical work and inspire others to join us in these efforts."

Thai Union's ongoing drive for positive change was again recognised in 2023, with the Company listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for the 10th straight year and ranked number one on the Seafood Stewardship Index for the third consecutive time for delivering towards the UN SDGs. In early 2023, the Group achieved a B rating from global environmental disclosure non-profit CDP for its commitment and transparency in addressing the threats from climate change.

For more information, visit HERE.

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