Lithuania’s ambitious plans for its aquaculture sector

Much of the seafood consumed in the EU is farmed, but only 10 of it is produced in the bloc. Over the last three decades production from EU aquaculture has grown far slower than farmed seafood output in other parts of the world, and policy makers want that to change. e Lithuanian aquaculture strategic plan to increase production focuses on four objectives: increase resilience and competitiveness, play a part in the green transition, engage with consumers to provide information and generate acceptance, and bring about development and innovation. e strategy is being implemented with support from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. More recirculation aquaculture systems growing high value species like African cat sh, rainbow trout, and eel, and more e cient pond farming of common carp and other species in polyculture will allow Lithuania to almost double both volume and value of farmed sh and seafood. e plan foresees the expansion of organic sh production as well. e envisaged boost in aquaculture production in Lithuania may hold useful lessons for other countries as well. Read more from page 24

Micro- and macroalgae are the focus of a growing industry to exploit the nutritional and other important components that these organisms o er. A new project, AlgaeProBANOS, will accelerate algae product development and bring sustainable algae solutions to European markets. e project’s 26 partners will focus on the sustainability and circularity of products from micro and macroalgae while meeting industry’s quality and quantity needs. e four-year project will develop eight new products targeting various markets including food, feed, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals. It will also develop digital tools to assist producers throughout the algae production process, to draw connections between producers and investors, and to o er support to entrepreneurs. e AlgaeProBANOS project will utilise a variety of diverse and innovative approaches to transform Europe’s algae sector in the years to come. Read more on page 46

Trout farming creates environments that are susceptible to infectious disease outbreaks. High population densities, poor environmental conditions, husbandry practices, or hygiene all increase stress in sh. Stress impacts sh immune systems, making them more susceptible to disease. Outbreaks in trout farms threaten stock populations and can cause economic losses for producers. Even isolated systems like recirculation systems (RAS) are at risk of disease outbreak. No matter the production technology, early recognition of an outbreak is crucial to prevent damage to sh stocks and economic losses. To minimise disease outbreaks in trout farms, there are a variety of precautions that producers and regulators take. In farms, the oxygen content and temperature of the water can be closely monitored to enhance biosecurity. Other mitigation strategies include vaccinations, functional feeds, probiotics, postbiotics, but for many farmers it is unclear which of these products are e ective. e EU Animal Health Law, which went into e ect in April 2021 has put measures in place to o er information to sh farmers with clear, streamlined content to clarify these ambiguities. Read Dr Manfred Klinkhardt’s article on page 50

Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of what they eat and how it is produced. ey are concerned about the impact food has on the individual and on the planet, and they seek reassurance that food products meet certain standards. Among the many standards to which companies can choose to be certi ed are those developed by GLOBALG.A.P. eirs is a farm assurance programme that ensures safe, responsible, and transparent practices in the production of fruits and vegetables, owers, and farmed sh and seafood. e organisation was founded in response to food security concerns and has expanded to regulate farming practices globally. Standards cover both aquaculture and feed products, ensuring best practices are deployed in feed mills through hatcheries to grow-out and post-harvest. e organization uses a universal label, the GGN label, to enhance transparency and inform consumers about certi ed products. One of the important features of the GLOBALG.A.P. standard is the emphasis placed on animal welfare, something that resonates particularly well with today’s consumers. Read more on page 55

Events

14 International Carp Conference, 31 August to 1 September 2023, Szarvas, Hungary

Farming carps is a rich source of ecosystem benefits

15 Aquaculture Europe 2023, 18-21 September 2023, Vienna

Balance diversity to account for area specificities

17 DanFish International, 10-12 October 2023, Aalborg

Visitors from all over the world set course for Aalborg

18 Conxemar exhibition and Conxemar-FAO Congress, 2-5 October 2023, Vigo, Spain

Rethinking the seafood value chain in a sustainable way

19 International aquaculture conference in Bucharest fosters collaboration among stakeholders

Efficient and sustainable European aquaculture

21 Seafood Expo Global, Seafood Processing Global, 25-27 April 2023, Barcelona

The biggest show ever

Lithuania

24 The aquaculture sector in Lithuania

Strategic plan with ambitious targets

28 Lithuanian presidency of Baltfish enabled members to reach important compromises

A collaborative forum shapes EU fisheries legislation in the Baltic

29 Farmed in the EU programme promotes aquaculture among school pupils

Success leads to repeated renewals

32 Fish & Fish believes farming eels is the way to rehabilitate stocks

Raising eels for sale and restocking

35 ICECO Fish specialises in salmon and herring products for the overseas and domestic markets Every effort goes into ensuring quality

38 Lithuania’s National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute

Multiple benefits from free testing of farmed fish

41 Akvapona expands production of catfish as demand explodes New facility to produce 1,000 tonnes by next year

Projects

43 Sustainable alternative to antibiotics to fight diseases in trout farming

Bacteriophages could reduce antibiotic use

Worldwide Fish News

44 Mission Ocean: A multi-layered initiative to restore ocean health

EU project to rescue and protect oceans

46 Sustainable and innovative algae products: Bridging the gap to a circular economy

The EU pioneers the transformation of the algae market

Ukraine

48 Ukraine’s seafood business: Impacts of Russia’s war against Ukraine

Fish, love, and war

Aquaculture

50 Proactive management reduces health risks in trout farming Economic success through healthy fish

Certification

55 GLOBALG.A.P. ensures safe, responsible and transparent practices throughout the production process Certifying producers in the aquaculture sector

Technology

57 Raisioaqua, Finland’s only fish feed factory, now operates as Alltech Fennoaqua Oy

Securing aquaculture production in Finland

58 SAIREM microwave and radio frequency solutions—each have their own strengths

Tempering machines that save time and money

60 Cretel designs and manufactures fish processing equipment and washing and drying systems

New fish skinners tick all the right boxes

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62 The UNEP/MAP-Barcelona Convention system

A legal framework for a healthier Mediterranean

54 Fish Infonetwork News

65 Diary Dates

66 Imprint,