June 28 2023 - We're delighted to announce that World Feeds Ltd have been awarded Judges Special Recognition at this year's Aquaculture Awards, held in Inverness.
Following the launch of our innovative feeding systems - designed specifically for cleaner fish used in the global aquaculture industry - in 2019, we've become well-established and trusted within the sector. Our unique VAF Feed Blocks have had a hugely positive effect on fish husbandry, cleaner fish health and welfare bolstering their effectiveness on combatting sea lice. Being recognised for the impact we've made in the industry is an honour
VAF has now been embraced across Scotland, with all major salmon producers including Mowi, Bakkafrost, Loch Duart and Scottish Sea Farms now converted to our diets and feeding strategies as part of their cleaner fish care. We are currently undergoing extensive trials in Norway with Mowi and Lerøy with major new opportunities developing in the region, as well as Canada. We are committed to playing our key part in the continued development of the industry, improving fish nutrition and welfare.
We continue to develop new innovative feeds and delivery methods as has always been the World Feeds way. Next on the agenda, we're bringing our unique approach to animal welfare in hatcheries with larval and broomstick diets on the horizon
Garware Technical Fibres - a leading player in the global technical textile sector and leading global supplier of nets and ropes to the aquaculture industry - was recently recognised as one of the 100 best companies to work for in India - ranked 79 - according to the latest report of Great Place to Work (GPTW) 2023. This award, obtained for a second time in a row, confirms the company's unwavering commitment to fostering a supportive and attractive work environment for its employees; it is thus a testimony of its dedication to the satisfaction of employees, professional growth and general well-being.
Also, it's CEO, Mr. Shujaul Rehman, is recognised as one of "India's 28 Most Trustworthy Leaders" by Great Place to Work. This award reflects Mr. Rehman's steadfast commitment to fostering a culture of trust, innovation and excellence within Garware Technical Fibres Ltd., who as a leader, demonstrates outstanding qualities, which propel the company to new challenges.
"I am honoured to be recognised among the most trusted leaders in India. This distinction is a reflection of the dedication and commitment of our team; together we develop a corporate culture in their workplace, which values trust, empowers our employees and fosters innovation. it is precisely through their hard work and unwavering dedication that we have achieved this remarkable success," Rehman said.
In this way, Garware Technical Fibres Ltd. continues to revolutionise the technical textiles industry with its innovative solutions, unwavering commitment to quality and global reach.
It should be noted that Great Place to Work helps companies become an excellent place to work, providing leaders and organisations with the recognition and tools to create a consistent and positive employee experience, fostering cultures that have been shown to drive business and improve lives. Since 1992, its Certification, Best Workplaces Lists and global benchmarks have become the industry standard, based on data from more than 100 million employees in 150 countries around the world.
June 27 - Guolian (Yiyang) Crayfish Breeding Biotechnology Co., Ltd. recently became the first crayfish farm in the world to earn ASC certification for responsible seafood farming.
Guolian's ASC certified crayfish farm is located on the Guolian (Yiyang) Crayfish Breeding Scientific Research Base in the city of Yiyang in Hunan Province, China. The 850-hectare (2,100-acre) research base is an industry, academia and research collaboration between Guolian and the Chinese Academy of Engineering. The farm's annual capacity is 2,000 tonnes od Red Swamp Crawfish (Procambarus clarkii).
"We're proud to be the first ASC certified crayfish farm in the world," said Mr. Chen Han, President of Guolian Aquaculture Group. "ASC certification is an internationally renowned and highly recognised gold standard in the aquaculture industry, obtaining it is a full validation of Guolian's active efforts to transform and improve crayfish farming."
Major transformations to achieve ASC certification
"In order to achieve ASC certification, we changed our farming practices in several ways," said Dr. Li Changbin, Technical Director of Guolian's Crayfish Breeding Scientific Research Base. "To meet the requirements of the ASC standard, we faced major technical challenges - for instance, in the selection of seeds and with escape management. At the same time we've met the other requirements, such as for water quality, disease prevention and control, and feed."
The ASC Shrimp Standard which also includes crayfish - or more specifically, species under the genera Macrobrachium, Cherax, Procambarus, Astacus and Penaeus - requires traceability of seeds, or young crayfish, to ensure those used on the farm come from high-quality stock. If the quality of seed crayfish is poor and the survival rate is too low, it cannot meet the ASC requirements. When the quality of seeds is good, the survival rate, spawning rate and hatching rate are high, which ensures that ecological resources for the farm have been utilised sustainably.
ASC certification also requires robust escape management practices. Although crayfish have been farmed in China for nearly 100 years, they are still an exotic species, and unregulated growth of crayfish in the wild is strictly restricted by Chinese law.
The most suitable habitats for crayfish in China are in the Yangtze River Basin, where rice paddy farmers have historically struggles economically. In recent years seasonal farming crayfish in rice paddies has become an important industry and alleviates poverty in agricultural communities in the region. Rice paddy crayfish farming can increase the income of local farmers by 200 to 300 percent, greatly improving the living standards of local communities. To achieve balance between the economic benefits of crayfish farming and the ecological need to manage an exotic species, escape preservation is a core requirement to achieve ASC certification.
Along with other efforts, Guolian has installed protective fencing along the edges of the rice field and isolation nets at the entrance of the waterway to meet the ASC requirements for escaping management.
"We're very pleased that Guolian has earned ASC certification and to see the increase overall of ASC certified responsible seafood farms in China," said Chris Ninnes, CEO of ASC. "The robust requirements of the ASC standard are improving ecological protection of cropland-aquaculture in China, improving quality at the seafood farms and contributing to improved livelihoods for local communities. We hope ASC continues to help set the standard for the sustainable development of China's aquaculture industry."
China's annual production of crayfish farming reached 2.5 million tonnes in 2022, making it the world's largest crayfish producer. Global markets for crayfish include the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and more, where demand for ASC certified responsibly farmed crayfish can now begin to meet.
