ASC Greece Discovery Tour Gives Retail Seafood Buyers and Journalists Immersive Mediterranean Aquaculture Experience

November 4, 2024 - In September, Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) hosted eight retail seafood buyers and North American journalists Greece for a four-day bespoke, immersive tour of Mediterranean aquaculture.

Participants visit the farming pens at the Galaxidi farm in Greece

During the Discovery Tour, which traversed the stunning Peloponnese area of mainland Greece, seafood buyers and reporters had the unique opportunity to visit farms to see for themselves the story behind ASC certified farms. 

You may also be interested in:

• BioMar UK achieves UK’s first ASC Feed certification
• ASC annual UK Awards go to Fish Said Fred, Sainsbury’s and Lyons Seafoods

The experience of getting out on boats and up close to sea pens and speaking directly to the farmers saw many guests change their perceptions of farmed seafood. It also illustrated the high standards that ASC farms operate to.

ASC conducted the tour in collaboration with the Hellenic Aquaculture Producers Organisation (HAPO), which represents the Greek farmed seafood industry.

Tour stops included visits to seabass and seabream farms operated by Avramar and Galaxidi Marine Farm - the oldest farm in Greece - with both demonstrating ASC standards in action and showcasing responsible seafood farming practices from hatchery to harvest.

Tour guests also enjoyed a unique tour around Avramar's R&D facility in Managouli Fokida, where leaders provided a presentation of their commitment to responsible aquaculture and how the company is continually working to drive improvement through science and technology.

Along the way, guests were treated to farm to fork freshness, enjoying ASC certified Avramar and Galaxidi fish at culinary destinations throughout the countryside.

First ASC Discovery Tour including jounralists

Tour guests included seafood buyers from retailers Wild Fork Foods, Migros Group and New England Seafood International as well as journalists representing some of the most widely read and viewed food and lifestyle media outlets in North America. While ASC conducts several Discovery Tours annually, this marked the first time food journalists joined the tour.

"Mission accomplished. There's a lot I didn't know about farmed seafood and how to tell which are a hard pass versus green-light choices," one attending journalist noted. "I guess like everything out there, not all seafood choices are created equal."

Abbie Murdock, Product Developer - Seafood, Wild Fork Foods said, "Being able to see and hear the differences in farm standards was my first big takeaway.

"To have ASC folks next to me describing the feed required, explaining their take on antibiotics and seeing the actual due diligence they require in real time spoke so much to me. I was able to visualise their purpose. Without purpose, what's the point?

"The ability to interact directly with farmers made it all worthwhile," Murdock added. "Without them, without their ambition to make aquaculture better, we'd have nothing. Shaking the hands of farmers and hearing their plans for the future spoke volumes."

Behind the scenes on land and sea

Tour highlights included:

• A day at Galaxidi Marine Farm near Galaxidi for an in-depth tour of their hatchery, pens and packing facilities.
• A sunset boat ride to Avramar nets on the island Pontikos.
• An interactive cooking workshop with head chef Pavlos Sfikakis and the Farm From Greece Cooking Academy, hosted and organised by HAPO in Athens.

Future Discovery Tour plans underway

Several ASC Discovery Tours are held each year and offer retailers unrivalled and unique access and in-depth insights 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. 

The Aquaculturists

---

University of Plymouth Students Undertake Placement Year at Salmon Breeding Hatchery, Landcatch

November 4, 2024 - Students enrolled in the University of Plymouth's MSc Sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries program have commenced their optional placement year at Landcatch Natural Selection, located in Scotland. Known for its pioneering role in Atlantic salmon genetics, Landcatch offers students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to responsible fish production. This placement marks a significant step in their academic journey, providing them with practical skills that are integral to their future careers in the growing aquaculture sector.

Landcatch site

Landcatch, part of the global genetics company Hendrix Genetics, specialises in developing high-quality salmon strains that are both disease-resistant and efficient feed converters. For the students from the University of Plymouth, this is an invaluable setting to apply the theoretical knowledge gained on their course in a real world environment that balances food security with an environmental stewardship.

You may also be interested in:

• Enhancing Marine Ecosystems through Restorative Offshore Aquaculture: Insights from the University of Plymouth
• Sustainable aquaculture and functional brewer’s yeast products: Industry guest lecture at University of Plymouth

The Sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries program at the University of Plymouth is designed to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of marine biology, environmental science and resource management. Through specialised modules, students learn about the biological and ecological fundamentals of aquaculture, as well as sustainable fishery practices. The program emphasises the importance of safeguarding ecosystems while meeting global food demand - a mission closely aligned with Landcatch's ethos.

This placement opportunity is crucial for students to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Practical experience allows students to cultivate skills in fish breeding, health management and environmental monitoring, all of which are essential in today's aquaculture industry. By working alongside industry experts at Landcatch, students are expected to enhance their problem-solving skills, adaptability and technical expertise. Moreover, the placement year will provide the students with networking opportunities, boosting their employability in a highly competitive sector.

"The hands-on experience with an organisation like Landcatch is unmatched" says Dr Daniel Merrifield, the programme lead, "Our students learn about sustainable practices in one of the most advanced hatchery environments in Europe. It prepares them to enter the industry as well-rounded professionals."

In the context of aquaculture, which faces ongoing challenges related to climate change, disease management and resource sustainability, practical exposure is critical. The experience gained through the University of Plymouth's partnership with Landcatch enables students to become proficient in managing real-world challenges, contributing to a sustainable and resilient future for the industry.

"It's a great symbiotic relationship that we have with the University of Plymouth" said Jarl van den Berg, General Manager of Landcatch, "Our support in providing tours, placements and even live fish for Plymouth research studies will help cultivate a new generation of scientists, operators and leaders that can take the industry to new heights. We learn just as much from Darshan and Gauri, as they do from us. With their enthusiasm and curiosity it reminds us to be better everyday"

Darshan Srinivasan Natarajan said: "My placement at Landcatch Natural Selection is proving to be an insightful and rewarding experience in the field of salmon production. The site’s structure is comprehensive, covering all three crucial sections: broodstock, hatchery, and freshwater. My role as a Freshwater Husbandry Operator focuses on the freshwater stage, which plays a vital role in the lifecycle of the salmon. Each day brings new tasks and challenges, from feeding the fish and checking for signs of disease or mortality to monitoring water quality to ensure optimal conditions. We record fish weights weekly, allowing us to adjust feeding protocols as needed to promote steady and healthy growth.

Darshan Srinivasan Natarajan

"I’ve also been part of culling, vaccinating, and tank cleaning—jobs that require both attention to detail and respect for the animals. Although the job can be tough, there's immense satisfaction in knowing my work contributes to sustainable and ethical salmon farming, meeting the world’s growing demand in a responsible way."

Gauri Puthenpurayil commented on her placement stating: "Working at Landcatch Natural Selection in Scotland as a Freshwater Hatchery Operator has been an exceptionally fulfilling experience. This role has allowed me to deepen my understanding of salmon breeding and to gain hands-on expertise in advanced aquaculture practices. Landcatch has provided a supportive environment that fosters both personal and professional growth, allowing me to expand my skills and contribute to meaningful work in sustainable fish breeding.

Gauri Puthenpurayil

"Moreover, the team at Landcatch have been outstanding; my colleagues are approachable, knowledgeable, and always willing to share insights, creating a collaborative and positive workplace culture. Every day presents new opportunities to learn and grow, reinforcing my commitment to, and enthusiasm for, the field. I am grateful to be part of such a dedicated team that values innovation, respect, and cooperation in achieving shared goals in the industry."

The Aquaculturists

---

Former First Minister to lead Black Sea regeneration group

November 1, 2024 - Former First Minister and University of Stirling Chancellor Jack McConnell is to lead an international group which aims to drive regeneration of communities on the coast of the Black Sea.

Port Varna, Bulgaria, on the Black Sea coast, Credit: University of Stirling

War-torn Ukraine is among the countries that will benefit from sustainable economic development sparked by the group.

You may also be interested in:

• New study sheds light on women’s roles, challenges and opportunities in Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries
• Overfishing in the Mediterranean and Black Sea falls to lowest level in a decade

The DOORS Black Sea Special Interest Group, co-ordinated by the University of Stirling, was launched today, October 31, which has been designated International Black Sea Action Day. 

This year is the 28 anniversary of the signing of the Black Sea Strategic Action Plan, which aims to improve the lives of the 16 million people from six countries who live near the Black Sea's shore.

The DOORSBlack Sea Special Interest Group will consider innovative and emerging opportunities for investment in the blue economy in Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine.

The blue economy is the sustainable use of ocean, sea and coastal resources for economic prosperity, improved livelihoods and jobs while preserving the health of marine ecosystems. 

The DOORS Black Sea Special Interest Group brings together carefully selected entrepreneurs, researchers and global states people to champion the distinct opportunities in this unique part of the world. Membership includes former Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynsky, former NATO Secretary General Lord George Robertson, and Galina Teleucǎ, Deputy Mayor of Jurilovca, Romania, a coastal community that has witnessed exemplary investment in blue economy infrastructure.

The themes being explored by the group include renewable energy, sustainable tourism, and aquaculture (fish and seafood farming). Innovative new technologies which can unlock an ability to understand the region's environment in new ways are also being considered.

The group will develop a portfolio of investment opportunities to be published in spring 2025, connecting promising business prospects and budding entrepreneurs with investors.

Special Interest Group Chair Lord McConnell said: "The Black Sea and its coast is a remarkable region of Europe with a distinct history, but an even more promising future. There is definite, untapped potential to develop the region's economic prospects sustainability, building a thriving blue economy that can benefit both people and planet.

"Our selected themes of renewables, tourism and aquaculture not only offer the promise of increased employment and investment but can help to support the region's transition to a greener future through energy security, and a celebration of its shared past. By forging meaningful and transformative connections between innovators, entrepreneurs and investors, the DOORS research project will seize these exciting opportunities, helping to transform that vision of a prosperous, sustainable future into a reality."

The DOORS Black Sea Special Interest Group has been formed as part of Developing Optimal and Open Research Support for the Black Sea (DOORS), a €9 million EU-funded research project, linking science, policy and industry for critical Black Sea regeneration. DOORS involves the University of Stirling alongside 34 partners from the Black Sea states and elsewhere in Europe.

Professor Andrew Tyler, Scotland Hydro Nation Chair at the University of Stirling and Special Interest Group Member, said: "Within living memory, the Black Sea was facing ecological collapse, impacted by decades of pollution, overfishing and the introduction of alien species. The Sea's fragile recovery is now threatened by new challenges, from conflict to climate change.

"New technologies are enabling more sophisticated, joined-up approaches to understanding the Black Sea, its environment and our interaction with its ecosystems. This enhanced understanding can help foster intelligent new approaches to economic development, supporting new businesses and enabling more effective regulation."

A thriving blue economy can also support stability in the region, where the ongoing war in Ukraine is having a marked impact on welfare and wellbeing. The Group hopes that its work can underpin the vital work of economic recovery, both in Ukraine and further afield.

Nadezhda Neynsky, Former Bulgarian Minister for Foreign Affairs and member of the Special Interest Group, said: "War in the Black Sea region is having a catastrophic impact. We have all seen the human tragedy inflicted through Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The environmental impacts of the war, and its impact on livelihoods throughout the region, will also cast a long shadow. Now is the time to plan for the future, to invest in security through prosperity and partnership and to foster new opportunities for the region's people, businesses and communities."

For more information, visit HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---