Fish Farmer 2022 Year Book by Fish Farmer Magazine

Fish Farmer www.fishfarmermagazine.com

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29/11/2021 09:22:28

INDUSTRY LEADING SOLUTIONS THAT ENSURE WELFARE & SUSTAINABILITY FOR AQUATIC SPECIES

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15/11/2021 14:23 29/11/2021 09:31:48

2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK

CONTENTS

Land-based farming

Foreword

FISH FARM SURVEY

PAGES 40-67

SHELLFISH SURVEY PAGES

68-79

WELCOME From the Editor Foreword Mairi Gougeon Salmon Scotland Tavish Scott

5 6-7 8-11

6 Shellﬁsh review

126 Feed

158 Comment

Contents – Editor’s Welco

NEWS REVIEWS OF THE YEAR UK farming

Technology Feed Fish health Cages, nets and pens Containment Boats and barges International Land-based farming Breeding and genetics Processing Shellﬁsh Industry review Vince McDonagh Sea lice Vince McDonagh Comment Chris Mitchell Events Your guide to next year Sponsors

12-16 80-83 84-89 96-100 102-104 106-108 114-118 120-125 126-131 132-136 138-143 158-162 144-147 148-151 152-155 156-157 IBC

152

Cages and nets JENNY JENNY HJUL HJUL –– EDITOR EDITOR

JENNY JENNY HJUL HJUL –– EDITOR EDITOR

ContentsContent 4-15 4-14 4-17 News

48-49 4-14 4-17 41-43 42-44 38-39 4-15 46-47 Aqua 2018 Aquaculture Innovatio Nor Preview Brussels News

18-21 16-21 16-17 16-22 extra Industry pioneer News Extra platform Parliamentary inquiry

50-55 44-46 46-49 40-41 18-21 16-21 16-17 16-22 Brussels Aqua 2018 Innovatio Aquaculture extra Industry pioneer News Extra platform New processors’ group Parliamentary inquiry Sti rling course Pictures at the exhibiti on Insurance market

What’s happening in aquaculture What’s happening happening in in aquaculture aquaculture What’s Innovation prize Salmon market robust happening aquaculture What’s Montpellier preview From shrimp toin salmon Investor advice in the the UK UK and and around around the the world world in the the UK UK and and around around the the world world in in

Processing

Fair hearing French connection Farmers must fighthearing back Uphold the codeFair French connection Farmers must Uphold the codefight back Strong voices Strong voices Sea ﬁlice legislation Steve Bracken SSC’s record results Stewart Graham The nal sessions

TIAT

22-24 22-23 18-19 24-27 News extra Salmon market SSPO

22-24 22-23 18-19 24-27 48-50 News Salmon market SSPO Aquaextra Nor Preview

56 48-49 50-58 42-45 52-55 Book review Training Aqua 2018 Aquaculture Innovatio Nor Preview

102

24 20 20-21 28-29 26-27 BTA Shellﬁsh Comment

56 57 53-55 60-63 48-49 24 20 20-21 28-29 26-27 Nor Preview Aquaculture UK Nor Fishing Aqua 2018 Net cleaning BTA Shellﬁsh Comment

26 22-23 30 28-31 BTA Shellfish Shellﬁ sh Comment

60-63 68-69 51 58-59 30 28-31 26 22-23 Seawork BoatUKShow Aquaculture Australia Training Sea Shellfish Shellﬁ shbass Comment BTA

28-31 24-25 32-33 SSPO Comment Scottish Shellﬁ sh Sea Farms

138

Hamish Macdonell Rising stars Marti nBrown Jaﬀ a Orkney anniversary Janet

@fishfarmermagazine @fishfarmermag 34-36 32-33 26-27 26-30 34-35 www.fishfarmer-magazine.com Fish Farmer now onand www.fishfarmer-magazine.com Follow us onistwitter www.fishfarmer-magazine.com www.fishfarmer-magazine.com Follow us onistwitter Fish Farmer now onand shfarmermagazine.com www.fi www.fishupdate.com Facebook and Twitter www.fishupdate.com facebook:and @fishupdate Facebook Twitter

facebook: @fishupdate Facebook and Twitter www.fishupdate.com www.fishupdate.com

News extra Shellﬁ shﬁSea Cleaner sh Farms Scottish Comment

www.fishupdate.com www.fishupdate.com

Janet Machrihanish Orkney farm visit Marti nBrown Jaﬀ arules Restocking

Tel: +44(0) 131 551 1000 Fax: +44(0) 131 551 7901 Contact us Meet the us team Contact Meet the team

13 13

38-41 34-35 28-29 32-33 36-41 Aquaculture Comment Cleaner Orkney Farm visitﬁsh seminar

Rising stars Marti nBrown Jaﬀ a Orkney anniversary Janet Hamish Macdonell

34-36 32-33 26-27 26-30 34-35 69 64-67 70-73 52-54 65-67 News extra Shellfi shfiSea Cleaner sh Farms Scottish Comment Aquaculture Nigeria Networking Research Restocking Janet Machrihanish Orkney farm visit &UK Processing Retail Marti nBrown Jaff arules Meet the team on Boosti ng producti Dave Chris Conley NewsMitchell 38-41 Scottish Sea Farms award 34-35 28-29 32-33 36-41 81-82 76-77 56-59 Aquaculture Comment Cleaner sh seminar Orkney Farm visitfithe Global outlook 68-69 Aquaculture UK From Value Marti nofJaff a chains Vaccines NewAwards player Dawn new era Archive David Litt reports Growth inleChina Developing trends Director Aqua Source Find all you need for the indus 36-39 32-35 34-35 43-45 91 78-79 63salmon Wild decline Cleaner fi&shMarketing Orkney 70 IoA careers Processing & Retail Ne Retail The mackerel hypothesis Transport Leask Marine Sti rling students Opinion 13 13

Editorial Advisory Board: Tel: +44(0) +44(0) 131 131 551 551 1000 1000 Editorial Advisory Board: Steve Tel: Editorial Advisory Board: Tel: +44(0) +44(0) 131Fettes 551 1000Park, Editorial Advisory Board: Steve Publications, Tel: 131 551 1000 Head Office: Special Fax: Fax: +44(0) +44(0) 131 131 551 551 7901 7901 Fax: +44(0) +44(0) 131 551Landsburgh, 7901 Fax: 131 551 7901 Scott Landsburgh, Hervé Steve Bracken, Scott Hervé Migaud, Bracken, Scott Landsburgh, Hervé Bracken, Steve Bracken, Scott HervéLandsburgh, Migaud, 496Chris Ferry Road, Edinburgh, EH5 2DL email: email: email: email: Jim Treasurer, Chris Mitchell, Migaud, Patrick Smith and Jim Hervé Migaud, Patrick Smith, Patrick Smith, Jim Treasurer and Jim Treasurer, Mitchell, Migaud, PatrickJim Smith and Jim Hervé Migaud, Patrick Smith, Patrick Smith, Treasurer and Globalshupdate.com outlook jhjul@fishupdate.com jhjul@fi jhjul@fishupdate.com jhjul@fi shupdate.com Wiliam Jim Treasurer and Dowds William Dowds William Dowds Treasurer, Wiliam Jim Treasurer and Dowds William Dowds Treasurer, William Dowds Jason Cleaversmith and Hamish Jason Cleaversmith and Hamish Marti nofJaff a era Vaccines New player Dawn new Macdonell Editor: Jenny Hjul Macdonell Editor: Jenny Hjul ce: ons, Office: Publications, Head Offi Offi ce: Special Special Publicati Publicati ons, Head Offi Office: Special Publications, Head ce: Special Publicati ons, Head Designer: Andrew Balahura Designer: Andrew Editor: Jenny HjulFerry Editor: Jenny Hjul Balahura Fettes Park, 496 496 Ferry Ferry Road, Road, Fett es Park, Fettes Park,Manager: 496 Road, Fett es Park, 496 Ferry Road, Adverti sing Team Leader: Adverti singAndrew Adverti singAndrew Manager: Team Leader: Designer: Balahura Designer: Balahura Edinburgh, EH5 EH5 2DL 2DL Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH5 2DL 2DL Edinburgh, EH5 Dave Edler Dave Edler Advertising Executives: Advertising Executives: Figure 9. Development Development of salmon salmon nominal nominal catch catch in in southern southern and and northern northern N N Figure 9. 9. Development Development of of salmon salmon nominal nominal catch catch in in southern southern and and northern northern NEAC 1971 to to 2016. 2016. of Figure 9. Figure NEAC 1971 dedler@fishupdate.com dedler@fishupdate.com Text at at top top inserted inserted by by author. author. Filled Filled symbols symbols and and darker darker line line southern southern NEA NEA Text at at top top inserted inserted by by author. author. Filled Filled symbols symbols and and darker darker line line southern southern NEAC. NEAC. Text Text Scott Binnie Scott Binnie The mackerel hypothesis Transport Leask Marine Sti rling students Adverti sing Executive: Eat more fishchallenges Adverti sing Executive: Save Pinneys jobs Carlisle jobs Subscriptions Recruitment Subscriptions sbinnie@fishupdate.com sbinnie@fishupdate.com By Nick Joy Scott Binnie Scott Binnie Maree Douglas Subscriptions Address: Wyvex Wyvex Subscripti ons Address: Maree Douglas Subscriptions Address: Wyvex Wyvex Subscripti ons Address: sbinnie@fi shupdate.com sbinnie@fi shupdate.com sbinnie@fi shupdate.com 29/11/2021 12:35:22 sbinnie@fi shupdate.com Media, TYUB, Media, FREEPOST FREEPOST RTEY RTEY YUBG YUBG TYUB, Media, mdouglas@fishfarmermagazine.com Media, FREEPOST FREEPOST RTEY RTEY YUBG YUBG TYUB, TYUB, mdouglas@fishfarmermagazine.com Publisher: Alister Bennett Publisher: Alister Bennett Trinity House, House, Sculpins Sculpins Lane, Lane, WethersWethersTrinity Sculpins Lane, Trinity House, House, Sculpins Lane, WethersWethers- Trinity

36-39 32-35 34-35 43-45 Wild salmon Cleaner ﬁsh decline Orkney IoA careers

FFYB Contents v2.indd 3

Sea ﬁlice legislation Steve Bracken SSC’s record results Stewart Graham The nal sessions

salmon farming sector in Scotland, when it was to he focus month is on Europe, the internati T HE is no coincidence that andwhere videos of unhealthy Svideos Fish Farmer topictures press, there was sti ll-told no offi cial salmon farming sector in Scotland, when itwent was to he focus this month is on Europe, where the internati onal T HE is coincidence that and of unhealthy Sno Fish Farmer went topictures press, there was sti llthis no offi cial HE biggest date in the aquaculture diary at least inonal HE biggest date in the aquaculture diary -told at least be the subject of athe parliamentary inquiry, embraced be thewere subject ofScotti a be parliamentary inquiry, embraced industry will soon be gathering for the EASalready (European salmon were to news outlets just asjoint the Scotti shthe news from the sh parliamentary inquiry into salmon industry will soon gathering for the (European salmon to news outlets just asjoint the Scotti shScotti news from the sh parliamentary inquiry into salmon Europe -EAS issent looming, and anyone who hasn’t Europe - issent looming, and anyone who hasn’t already opportunity this would provide to explain how it operated. opportunity this would provide to explain how it operated. Aquaculture Society) and WAS (World Aquaculture Society) parliament went back to work at the start of this month. These farming, conducted earlier this year by the Rural Economy Aquaculture Society) and WAS (World Aquaculture Society) parliament went back to work at the start of this month. These farming, conducted earlier this year by the Rural Economy booked, accommodation booked, accommodation as well as stand space, for Aqua as well as stand space, for Aqua Stirling prawn farm Stirling prawn farm Current trends In good health Julie Hesketh-Laird The had nothing and, ifgood given aof fair hearing, to behearing, Meet the new chief executive Current trends In health Julie Hesketh-Laird The had to hide and, ifindustry fair could to benothing Meet the new chief executi conference, staged over days in the southern French images had litt le to do with thefive current state Scotland’s ficould shve and Connecti vity (REC) ee. MSPs have now held five conference, staged over days in theaof southern French images had litt le to do with thefive current state Scotland’s fito shhide and Connecti vity (REC) committ ee. MSPs have now held ficommitt ve Nor isgiven likely to be disappointed. Demand has reached record Nor industry is likely to be disappointed. Demand has reached record Team Scotland address much of the criti cism levelled against it. address much of the criti cism levelled against it. city of Montpellier. As well as highlighti ng the latest technological farms where sea lice levels are in decline and, in fact, at a fivemeeti ngs, in private, to consider their report and we must be city of Montpellier. As well as highlighti ng the latest technological farms where sea lice levels are in decline and, in fact, at a fi vemeeti ngs, in private, to consider their report and we must be proportions for this summer’s show, which marks 40 years proportions for this summer’s show, which marks 40 years Fish Farmer supported this view, but at ti mes felt that salmon Fish Farmer supported this view, but at ti mes felt that salmon in our fast moving Aqua 2018 alsohas feature year low (htt p://scotti shsalmon.co.uk/monthly-sea-lice-reports). pati ent. However, waiti ng forsector, their ons been advances in our fast moving Aqua 2018 will also feature year low (htt p://scotti shsalmon.co.uk/monthly-sea-lice-reports). pati ent. waiti ng forsector, their recommendati ons has been since the event was launched. Erik recommendati Hempel, thewill Nor-Fishing since theHowever, event was launched. Erikadvances Hempel, the Nor-Fishing farmers were being drowned out bywhich the noisier offarming the farmers were being drowned out by the noisier ofcampaign, thewithin sessions on emerging markets and look atinvolves the role fish This latest allofthe usual made harder by leaks from the REC to anti -salmon sessions onpropaganda emerging markets and look at the role ofthe fish This latest campaign, which involves all usual made harder by leaks from within the REC topropaganda anti -salmon farming Foundation’s communications boss, said even aelements rebuilt exhibition Foundation’s communications boss, said even aelements rebuilt exhibition angling which had called foras the investi gati on. But as angling lobby, which had called foras the investi gati on. But asngs farming in alleviati ng poverty. Increasingly, industry anti -aquaculture suspects, Holyrood’s Rural Economy acti vists. The latest these (see our news story onmeeti page 4)the farming in alleviati ngof poverty. Increasingly, industry ngs anti -aquaculture suspects, Holyrood’s Rural Economy acti The latest these (see our news story onmeeti page 4)the hall has not been enough tocame house all those wanting a platform hallvists. haslobby, not been enough tocame house all those wanting aof platform sessions progressed, and eventually farmers’ voices were heard, sessions progressed, and eventually farmers’ voices were heard, we are broadening their scope, subjects such asthat the social Focus cleaner fish and Connecti vity committ ee returned the summer recess to makes reading the industry asfrom it was suggests ee are broadening their scope, subjects such as the social and Connecti vity committ eetackling returned from the summer recess to Scotland makes grim reading for the industry as it grim suggests that committ ee for their products and services. unable tocommitt bag a we Martyn Haines Conference round-up Best the start-ups for their products and services. Scotland was unable tofor bag atackling Showofon highlights acceptability ofopti aquaculture the contributi on itaquaculture makes global became misti c.tointo We now believe MSPs, perhaps with consider its draft report the future ofthat salmon members have been willing to listen tomany those campaigning acceptability ofopti the contributi on it farming. makes toto global became misti c.into Weaand now believe MSPs, perhaps with consider its draft report the future ofthat salmon farming. members have been willing to listen tomany those campaigning to slot for amore national pavilion, aand blow for Scottish businesses slot for amore national pavilion, blow for Scottish businesses food security and saving the planet, aindustry move is toanti welcomed. the excepti on ofvaluable one or Greens cahoots with -farming food security and saving the planet, aThose move that is to be welcomed. the excepti on ofvaluable one Greens in cahoots with anti -farming who want to shut thein asbe expected, shut down this sector, rather thanthat tohave, those who operate Those who want toor shut the industry have, as expected, shut down this sector, rather than to those who operate lacking the resources totwo godown it alone. lacking the resources totwo godown it alone. Also investi gati initi ati veswhich inAquaculture thenow developing world, Harrison will, balance, regard the industry in a Dr favourable Also investi gati ng initi aties, veswhich inAquaculture thecampaigners, developing world, Dr Harrison stepped their acti viti es, involve breaching the has within it.up campaigners, will, on balance, regard the industry inng aon favourable stepped their acti viti now involve breaching the within it.up SAIC However, SAIC (the Scottish Innovation Centre) However, (the Scottish Innovation Centre) has Charothe Karisa ofhopefully WorldFish writes thetake farming al in CharoThey Karisa ofhopefully WorldFishsee writes farming potenti alsee infarm light. They will that farmers their environmental light. will that farmers take their environmental biosecure environments of sites to snatch photographs in course, such stories may beabout inaccurate and, inpotenti any case, the biosecure environments of farm sites to snatch photographs in Of course, such may beabout inaccurate and, in any case, the saved the day, and will spearhead a Team Scotland presence that saved the day, andstories will spearhead aOf Team Scotland presence that Nigeria, both in catf ish and tilapia culti vati on.against Nigeria, both in catfish and tilapia culti vati on. responsibiliti es seriously and that businesses will only ever responsibiliti es seriously and that businesses will only ever invest in Robot soluti the hope of fi nding incriminati ng evidence against farmers. One committ ee’s fi ndings are not binding. Scotland’s fi sh farmers Great Danes Introducti onons the hope of fi nding incriminati ng evidence farmers. Oneincommitt ee’s fi ndings are not binding. Scotland’s fi sh farmers Farming angle Focus on Africa sounds like itofwill encompass all-the elements of a nationalinvest stand sounds like it will encompass all the elements a national stand In Scotland, the summer has been something of a waiti ng game What’s in a name? Dr Nick Lake Phil Thomas In Scotland, the summer has been something of a waiti ng game What’s in a name? Dr Nick Lake growth that is sustainable. Phil Thomas growth that isfibeen sustainable. campaigner fibeen lmed himself searching, unsuccessfully, for minister, dead have always fortunate tochampion, have the support of their Martin Jaffa campaigner lmed himself searching, unsuccessfully, forindustry dead have always fortunate tochampion, have the support offrom their minister, including a visit Rural Minister Martin JaffaEconomy including a visit from industry Rural Economy Minister while the parliament is into recess and thethose members of Holyrood’s while the parliament is in recess and the members of Holyrood’s If the committ ee members, especially who have yet to If the ee members, especially those who have yet fi sh at a Marine Harvest site. Another said he saw ‘hundreds’ of Fergus Ewing, to grow sustainably. fi sh at acommitt Marine Harvest site. Another said he saw ‘hundreds’ of Fergus Ewing, to grow sustainably. Ewing. Ewing. Ruralamore Economy and Connecti vity ee conti nue tosubject weigh up RuralaEconomy and Connecti vity ee conti nue weighlike up visit farm, would tocommitt learn more about the of visit farm, would like tocommitt learn about the subject ofwe infested salmon into achamp, pen, but only have his word against that But itsalmon should not go unchallenged that some MSPs on REC infested salmon in go achamp, pen, but we only have his word against that But itsalmon should unchallenged that some MSPs on theexpect REC Another industry Liberal Democrat MSP for thetheexpect Another industry Liberal Democrat MSP for the the evidence innot their inquiry into salmon farming. don’t the evidence in We their inquiry into salmon farming. We don’t their inquiry, we have plenty of good stories in ourgrowth May issue. their we have plenty of good stories in our May issue. Even of the professional vets and biologists who manage the welfare of committ ee, with their own agendas against the of theEven of theinquiry, professional vets andannounced biologists who manage the welfare of committ ee,Tavish with their own agendas against the growth of the Shetlands Tavish Scott, has announced hisMSPs retirement from Shetlands Scott, has his retirement from the their report unti l the autumn but hope the are using thethe time their report until the autumn but hope the MSPs are using thethe time Salmon Scotland bett er, they could head to the Highlands later this month, where Scott Mitchell Binnie reports bett er, they could head to Highlands later this month, where these farms on a daily basis. industry, are in breach of Code of Conduct for MSPs. As they Chris these farms on aacquainted daily industry, are in and breach ofFarmer the Code of Conduct for MSPs. they political arena, and FishAsFarmer would like to join many friends Barramundi boom Martyn Haines European leaders political arena, Fishbasis. would like tofully join his many friends to become acquainted with the facts about fishhis farming. Editor: Robert Outram to become fully with the facts about fish farming. Doug McLeod Doug McLeod Janet H Brown Montpellier report Dr Marti n Jaff a Doug McLeod Janet H Brown Montpellier report Dr Marti nsupport Jaff asalmon Doug McLeod they meet the aquaculture industry masse at Scotland’s they meetalso the aquaculture industry en masse at Scotland’s If the industry isto proud ofreti high standards, as it says is, it are inwill asector positi on infl uence course of farming, Ifthe the industry isto proud ofreti itsthe high standards, as itacknowledging says is, ititsthe are inwill asector positi on inflthe uence course of salmon farming, inunstinting the in hisfuture unstinting foritlongest Scottish inThis in acknowledging hisfuture support foritthe Scottish This month also sees rement of en Marine Harvest’s month sees rement of Marine Harvest’s longest Designer: Andrew Balahura biggest fi sh farming show. must mount a much more robust defence of itself, through its and of businesses vital to Scotland’s economy, we have a right biggest fi sh farming show. must mount a much more robust defence of itself, through its and of businesses vital to Scotland’s economy, we have a right aquaculture. The industry strong to fight its corner aquaculture. The industry needs We strong to fight its corner serving employee, Steve Bracken. hadvoices no trouble collecti ng serving employee, Steve Bracken. hadvoices no trouble collecti ngneeds We We will certainly be at Aquaculture UK inindustry, Aviemore and Advertising: Janice Johnston We will certainly at Aquaculture UK in Aviemore and look representati body, the SSPO, than itthe has done tothrough date. The to know who they are, and weand hope its representati ve body, the SSPO, than itthe has done to date. The to know who they are, and weand hope industry, through its and Tavish’s will be much missed. and Tavish’s will bebe much missed. warm tributes from his friends colleagues to mark thelook warm tributes from his friends colleagues tove mark the forward toand, seeing many ofatthe you there too. forward toand, seeing many of the you there too. campaigners, we now see, willrest stop at and farmers representati ves, will pressure the parliament to investi gate before campaigners, we now see, will stop at representati ves, will pressure the parliament toand investi gateatbefore Publisher: Alister Bennett milestone along with rest of thenothing, industry, thefarmers team Fish milestone along with of thenothing, industry, the team Fish should be prepared to fivery ght back. thethe REC report published. should prepared to fivery ght back. the RECbe report published. Farmer wish himisall the best for the future. Farmer wish himisall the best for future.

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29/11/2021 09:33:34

2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 5

WELCOME By ROBERT OUTRAM

species we farm and the threats to health and wellbeing that they face.

elcome to the fourth edition of the Fish Farmer Year Book.

During the past year, the industry has also tentatively returned to inperson events, with major gatherings such as Norway’s Aqua Nor and the European Aquaculture Society’s annual conference once again able to take place safely.

Thanks are due, as ever, to our sponsors, advertisers, our contributors over the year now ending and, of course, to you, the readers. The Year Book gives us an opportunity to look back over the big news stories over the past 12 months, as well as chewing over the data in the two major production reports from Marine Scotland Science: the Fish Farm Production Survey and the Scottish Shellﬁsh Production Survey.

We’ve seen further consolidation in the industry and some ﬁercely contested takeover battles, notably over Norway Royal Salmon and Tasmania’s Huon Aquaculture, while the question mark long hanging over Grieg Seafood’s Shetland assets looks as if it has been answered.

The surveys, collated through the past year, give a granular picture of what 2020 meant for aquaculture in Scotland. While the ﬁrst year living under the shadow of the pandemic was certainly challenging, the ﬁgures pay tribute to the resilience of the sector.

This has also been a year when the industry has been called on to answer its critics more urgently than ever before – in Scotland, Norway, Australia, Canada, South America and indeed around the world.

THIS YEAR, THE Despite that, we’ve also seen INDUSTRY HAS international bodies, such BEEN CALLED ON as the United Nations’ Food and Agricultural Organisation, TO ANSWER ITS endorse aquaculture as a major contributor to feeding a growing CRITICS

“The new normal” is an overused phrase, but it does sum up the times we live in. Neither the pandemic, nor Brexit, have stopped change or progress in aquaculture. We have seen investment continuing in new farm developments and new technology, and the academic community has added still further to our understanding of the

human population sustainably and with due regard for the environment. Aquaculture is part of all our futures and I look forward to seeing what 2022 brings.

Sponsored by

Welcome v2.indd 5

29/11/2021 12:38:35

FOREWORD

A VISION FOR THE FUTURE By MAIRI GOUGEON Cabinet Secretary for Rural Aﬀairs and Islands

n my relatively new role as Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, I am delighted to have been asked to write the foreword for Fish Farmer magazine’s Annual Yearbook 2022. Aquaculture is, and will remain, a significant contributor to our rural economy and will be an essential part of our green recovery and transition to net zero. We continue to support and encourage sustainable development of the sector which already adds so much to our economic prosperity. It is a vital component of the Scottish economy and a significant provider of highly skilled jobs in some of our most remote and fragile communities. Our support for this industry was

Foreword v2.indd 6

highlighted from the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic, through emergency financial aid to trout and shellfish businesses who faced severe financial difficulty from the disappearance of domestic and export food markets. Without that much needed aid, the continued existence of many of these businesses was in question. I am pleased to say that this Scottish Government intervention helped preserve the future of Scotland’s aquaculture sector, and the social fabric of our rural communities. Sector resilience It would be impossible for me to summarise the immense challenges that Scotland’s aquaculture sector and everyone who is dependent on it has faced over the last two years following EU exit and during the Covid-19 pandemic. That is why I am incredibly proud to see this vital sector demonstrating remarkable resilience to these pressures every single day. Firstly, production remains stable. Our recent statistics from the Scottish Finfish Production Survey shows that 2020 had the second highest production on record despite the damaging effects of the pandemic. Additionally, data gathered suggests that the sector might achieve an uplift in production of approximately 40,000 tonnes for 2021.

Left: Mairi Gougeon Above: Salmon

29/11/2021 12:39:58

2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK

Exports also remain healthy. I am pleased to report that in the first and second quarter of 2021 the UK exported £303m worth of Atlantic salmon. This is an increase of £89m (42%) on exports in the first and second quarter of 2020. The year to June 2021 (July 2020June 2021) saw a 5% increase in Atlantic salmon export value on the year to June 2020 (July 2019-June 2020) from £512.8m to £540m. Importance of sustainability But I believe there’s more work to be done. A successful aquaculture sector depends on a healthy marine environment, and a core component of future growth for the sector will be sustainability. To meet this shared aspiration it is vital that government, industry and our communities continue to work together. Our Programme for Government makes clear the direction we need to travel in to be successful. Our priorities are: • An immediate programme of work to better-protect wildlife and the environment, through the delivery of priority areas for action set out in our response to the Salmon Interactions Working Group Report, including publication of a Wild Salmon Strategy. • Making regulation more transparent, responsive and efficient. • Delivery of a Scottish Government-led Vision for sustainable aquaculture with an enhanced emphasis on

Foreword v2.indd 7

environmental protection and community benefit. Looking to the future We welcome the industry’s commitment to continued research and innovation which will enable sustainable growth while maintaining the right balance across Scotland’s economic, environmental and social responsibilities. We remain fully committed to taking forward action on fish farm regulatory reform and innovation. Earlier this year I commissioned an independent review of the regulatory landscape to streamline the processes so that fish farm development is more responsive, transparent and efficient. We look forward to receiving recommendations for further work from Professor Griggs at the end of the year. The salmon sector can only be a truly sustainable success story if economic growth goes hand in hand with positive outcomes for Scotland’s communities and Scotland’s natural environment. The sector itself has made sustainability pledges through its charter, A Better Future For Us All, and we support those ambitions. As we look toward 2045, the positive credentials of the sector should not be overlooked. The industry provides a source of home grown, nutritious low carbon protein that is enjoyed at home and abroad. There is growing evidence supporting the health benefits of farmed fish and seafood and we are keen to encourage more people at home to eat more of what we produce here in Scotland. We all know how our climate is changing, how our global population is growing and how our natural environment is under ever-increasing pressure. The transition to net zero emissions is crucial to reversing these pressures, and we welcome and share the aspirations of the aquaculture sector in achieving this goal. In 2022, the Scottish Government will set out its vision for the sector over the next 10 years and beyond, alongside a national strategy for the wider seafood sector. Collaboration will be essential and I look forward to working together with industry to enable positive outcomes for our communities and natural environment.

29/11/2021 12:40:36

SALMON SCOTLAND

Weathering the perfect storm Despite multiple challenges, Scottish salmon producers continue to move forward By TAVISH SCOTT Chief Executive, Salmon Scotland

Left: Tavish Scott Opposite: Scottish salmon for export

Salmon Scotland - tavish v2.indd 8

29/11/2021 12:46:07

2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK

E knew this would be the year of Brexit and so it turned out. What we didn’t expect was that 2021 would also be the second year of Covid, compounding the problems brought about by the UK’s departure from the EU. However, looking back at what has been a complicated and diﬃcult year, the two qualities that stand out are resilience and adaptability. The Scottish salmon sector has shown remarkable fortitude in coping with everything 2021 has thrown at it and, in battling through, it has shown how strong and ﬂexible it is. I am immensely proud of

all in our member companies and the entire supply chain, who have not just weathered the storms that have come our way, but who have made sure our sector emerged from the end of 2021 in a better position than when we started. That start, unsurprisingly, was dominated by Brexit. January was problematic: there is no way of sugar-coating it. There were backlogs and queues, delays and confusion, frustrated customers and angry lorry drivers. The change on 1 January, which required all exports of fish to the EU to have an export health certificate, was one we had prepared for, but that extra level of bureaucracy took its toll. Overnight, we lost the ability to guarantee the day-one-for-day-two delivery to Europe that had become our hallmark. The situation improved, gradually, as all involved – from the certifying officers at the export hubs to the customs officials in France – got used to the new systems. Indeed, by the summer, Scottish salmon exports to the EU were up on the year before. Export volumes were up, but values were down, something that has been a feature of

THERE WERE BACKLOGS AND QUEUES, DELAYS AND CONFUSION

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10 SALMON SCOTLAND

exports to the EU all year. The increased trade into Europe was, partly at least, a symptom of the Covid problems we have been facing for the past two years. Restricted access to distant markets such as China and the US drove more Scottish salmon into the European market. Where we had been sending about half our exports to the EU, by the start of 2021 our members were sending two thirds to the Continent. What this meant was that when the full eﬀects of Brexit hit, our exports were more exposed than they would otherwise have been. It really was a perfect storm: Covid pushed exports to the EU then the full eﬀects of Brexit kicked in, causing problems for that very same European trade. However, through hard work, dialogue and patient negotiation with government and a multitude of agencies, the problems have eased. The extra paperwork is still having to be done, but it is being done more swiftly and more

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efficiently than ever before. Not only that, but next year the whole system will be digitised and put online (a development that should have happened some time ago, to be honest) and we hope that will make the process even better. There are still rumbles of discontent in the background that we cannot ignore. The ongoing war of words between the UK and French governments over fishing licences (and the threat to impose restrictive checks at the border) have not gone away. We can only hope that 2022 does not see our members getting caught up in a dispute in which they have no part. The overall trading picture does look brighter than it has for some time, though. Key markets in the US and China are better than they have been since the start of the pandemic and the UK government is actively looking to promote salmon all round the world to help drive an export-led recovery. At home, considerable attention was focused on the Scottish elections and the SNP’s negotiations with the Greens, a relationship that was formalised several months after the votes had been counted. The entire Scottish salmon sector – 10,000 men and women – were understandably wary of MSPs from a party that promoted the closure of our sector getting into government. However, the eventual power-sharing agreement made it clear that any Green Party aspirations to move against our sector had been ditched and the SNP – which has long been a supporter of Scottish salmon – would still be firmly in charge. The SNP manifesto for the election contained a clear commitment to streamline and improve the cumbersome and hugely inefficient regulatory system for fish farms in Scotland. That is something our sector supports very much.

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2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 11 The incoming administration, with new Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon, moved quickly to appoint Professor Russel Griggs to undertake an inquiry into the regulatory framework for salmon farming. We expect his report early in 2022. This will be one of the key focuses for the sector in the coming year. As I have said many times, we want better regulation, not less regulation. Scottish salmon is losing global market share and we want to get it back. The way to get it back is to speed up and improve the regulatory system that makes salmon farming in Scotland so much more ineﬃcient and more expensive than elsewhere. This is likely to dominate the parliamentary agenda for the next year as far as Scottish salmon is concerned, but we are hopeful of a really positive outcome by the time the process is concluded. The work goes hand in hand with the government’s plan to produce an aquaculture vision for the future. This is welcome and we will play a full part in that too. We are also a more sustainable sector than ever before. Our sector-wide Sustainability Charter and the ﬁrst annual update was recognised by the government’s Cabinet Secretary at COP26 in Glasgow. Our sector is part of Scotland’s drive to be net zero in greenhouse gas emissions before 2045. That United Nations and government target is embraced by producing companies and the supply chain alike. As far as our role as a trade body was

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concerned, we also embraced change. The Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation came to an end – as a name – and Salmon Scotland took its place. This was a clear and deliberate move to modernise the organisation, to give it a more recognisable and accessible name and logo but, more importantly, to reﬂect the change from being a producer body to one representing wider interests. It has become clear over the last few years that the Scottish salmon supply chain is big, extensive and inﬂuential. We have more than 3,500 suppliers in every corner of Scotland. We want to represent their interests and help the entire sector thrive so Salmon Scotland is a good way of announcing that intention publicly and clearly. So it is as Salmon Scotland that we look forward to 2022, hoping that the issues of Brexit will really start to be behind us and the impact of Covid will recede with every month. We really believe we are in a great place as a sector to meet the challenges the next year will bring in producing a healthy, nutritious product that the world wants.

Opposite from top: Feeding salmon; Professor Russel Griggs; A Scottish salmon farm This page from top: Freight transport between the EU and UK now requires much more paperwork; COP26 Glasgow

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12 NEWS REVIEW - UNITED KINGDOM

UK ﬁsh farming Brexit, Covid-19 and welfare allegations combined to make it a challenging year for producers in the UK

J This page from top: Port of Dover; Donna Fordyce; David Duguid Opposite from top: Organic Sea Harvest’s organic salmon; Ben Moffit at Loch Linnhe; Stewart Rendall, Cooke Aquaculture

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ANUARY saw the UK’s seafood exporters struggling with the twin headaches of Covid-19 and new inspection requirements for exports to the European Union, post-Brexit. The leaders of Scotland’s main seafood and food trade bodies called on the UK Government to help resolve delays to EU exports which were causing significant problems for the sector. Dozens of lorry loads of fish failed to leave Scotland on time following the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December. Confusion over paperwork, the extra documentation needed and IT problems all contributed to delays and hold-ups. There has also been a backlog of traffic to deal

with as a result of France’s temporary travel ban introduced to slow the spread of a new Covid-19 variant. The trade bodies said the UK-EU trade deal, which was agreed on Christmas Eve – just one week before the new regulations came into eﬀect – gave businesses no time to prepare for the huge changes necessary. Donna Fordyce, Chief Executive of Seafood Scotland, said: “All our producers have been working incredibly hard to work through all the extra red tape that has been put in place since 1 January, but it is an almost impossible task given the lack of preparation time.” A joint taskforce – chaired by UK Government Minister for Scotland David Duguid – was later set up to deal with post-Brexit problems for the Scottish seafood industry, although it was overshadowed by friction between the UK and Scottish

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2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 13

governments over how to handle the issue. Meanwhile, the Scottish Government rolled out its Seafood Producers Resilience Fund. The £6.45m scheme was aimed at fishers and small aquaculture businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and EU Exit. In March, the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO) estimated that red tape, delays and depressed prices following the end of the Brexit transition period had cost Scotland’s salmon producers £11m in January and February alone. The SSPO also estimated that the sector had suffered an immediate loss of sales to the tune of 1,500 tonnes of product, while producers had also delayed the harvesting of 700 tonnes of fish as a result of the delays and uncertainty.

seven farm employees and two boat workers. Organic Sea Harvest has appealed against the ruling and support also came from Stewart Graham, Managing Director of aquaculture sector supplier Gael Force, who said that jobs would also be lost in his own company as a result of the new site not going ahead. Also in February, Mowi Scotland achieved certiﬁcation from the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) for four seawater salmon farms – at Loch Linnhe, Gorsten, Marulaig Bay and Stulaig – bringing its total of ASC-certiﬁed farms to eight. In March, Cooke Aquaculture Scotland promoted Stewart Rendall to the newly created post of North Isles Manager. He was previously manager of Cooke’s Westray sites. The move was in response to the “continued growth” of Cooke’s Orkney operations, the company said.

“All our

producers have been working incredibly hard to work through all the extra red tape”

In February came news that independent producer Organic Sea Harvest had failed in its bid to secure planning permission for a new farm site on the coast of Skye. Highland Council’s North Planning Application Committee denied the request by a narrow margin The company says the Balmaqueen site would have released investments at £4m, and would have provided direct, full-time employment for

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14 NEWS REVIEW - UNITED KINGDOM

Two competitors in the Scottish salmon farming sector reached an agreement to swap sites. The Scottish Salmon Company (SSC) and Mowi hope that consolidating their operations, located on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides, will help efficiency and sustainable health management. Ownership of SSC’s Trilleachan Mor site on Loch Seaforth, on the east of Harris, and its Scaladale shore base will pass to Mowi. In return, SSC will take over Mowi’s Scotasay and Raineach sites, further south on the islands, and the Mowi shore base at East Loch Tarbert. In April, we reported on the impact of the Netflix documentary Seaspiracy, which put the case against all forms of seafood. In the case of salmon farming, the film’s director argued that it is effectively wild fishing in disguise, as aquafeed contains a high proportion of marine ingredients, and also that it has an unacceptable welfare and environmental impact. The film sparked a backlash from academics and industry figures, who said most of its assertions were misleading or just plain wrong. Dr Iain Berrill of the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation said: “While this film raises some very important

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THE FILM SPARKED A BACKLASH FROM ACADEMICS AND INDUSTRY FIGURES

issues, the claims made against salmon farming in Scotland are wrong, misleading and inaccurate. As a result, this part of the documentary was simply privileged activism masquerading as investigatory film-making.” “Aquaculture is a key part of the answer, not the problem, with regards to concerns over wild fish stocks. The United Nations has recognised this fact, which is why it supports fish farming as crucial to feeding the world’s growing population, now and in the future.” Meanwhile, RSPCA Assured reinstated certification for five leading Scottish salmon farms after it had been suspended following a critical report from animal welfare group Compassion in World Farming (CIWF). The CIWF report Underwater Cages, Parasites and Dead Fish, published in March, alleged poor welfare practices on the part of Scotland’s biggest salmon farmers and was accompanied by graphic images of dead or injured fish obtained by activists working with the organisation. RSPCA Assured said: “Following a thorough investigation, which included visits to the farms by specially trained staff and a detailed review of the footage, we were unable to find any evidence to support the allegations made. As such, we have today lifted their suspension from RSPCA Assured. “Any complaints of poor welfare, or breaches of the RSPCA Assured membership agreement, are not tolerated and we always take them very seriously.” Scottish Sea Farms announced that it had hired Anne Anderson, the SSPO’s Sustainability Director, as its Head of Sustainability & Development. This was a newly created post. In the run up to elections for the

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2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 15

Scottish Parliament on 6 May, several of the parties set out their approach to aquaculture and the marine economy. The Scottish National Party (SNP), which emerged once more as the largest party, promised a more streamlined regulatory system for ﬁsh farming permits with a “single determining authority”, loosely based on the regulatory regime in Norway. Also following the Norwegian model, it appears that producers may face an auction process to secure permits for extra production. The proposals were broadly welcomed by the SSPO, whose Chief Executive Tavish Scott said: “We have been clear; what we want to see is better regulation, not less regulation.”

a number of serious failings in safety practices at the company. The MAIB concluded that the fatal accident ,which claimed the life of Clive Hendry, could and should have been avoided.

In June, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) report on the death of a Mowi employee highlighted

Fergus Ewing, Scotland’s long-serving Secretary for Rural Economy (the brief that includes fisheries and fish farming) stepped down. His successor was Mairi Gougeon, MSP for Angus North and Mearns, who had previously held other roles including Rural Affairs. The post is now designated Rural Affairs and Islands. In July, the big news was that Scottish Sea Farms (SSF) was set to become the new owner of Grieg Seafood’s Shetland assets. The fate of Grieg’s Shetland operations had long been in question and the news that a buyer had been confirmed came as a relief to employees. The sale price was set at NOK 1.9bn (£164m), higher than had been expected earlier this year. SSF Chief Executive Jim Gallagher described the deal as a “landmark step in our longterm strategy”. At the time of writing, it is still awaiting approval in principle

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Opposite: Fish Farm on Loch Ailort This page from top: Mairi Gougeon; Grieg farm, Shetland; AnneAnderson

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16 NEWS REVIEW - UNITED KINGDOM

aimed at conserving wild salmon. The SSPO’s Wild Salmonid Support Fund aims ultimately to invest £1.5m.

from the UK competition authorities. In August, the Scottish Government announced that its review of the fish farming permit regime would be led by Professor Russel Griggs OBE, a former Executive Director with Scottish Enterprise. The review was expected to publish initial findings by the end of 2021. In September, we reported that long-running talks between the SNP and the Scottish Greens had resulted in a power-sharing deal in which both parties agreed a common platform, but also highlighted areas in which they agreed to differ. The platform included a commitment to a vision for aquaculture “that places an enhanced emphasis on environmental protection and community benefits” and a new category of “Highly Protected Marine Areas” in which no commercial fishing or aquaculture would be permitted. The UK Government-led Scottish Seafood Industry Action Group – successor to the Scottish Seafood Exports Task Force – held its first meeting. The Task Force had previously been wound up after producing a report with recommendations for action. The SSPO announced grants of more than £70,000 for projects

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In October, news broke that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency will be taking on new powers as the leading authority for protecting wild salmon, including considering whether new or existing ﬁsh farms present a threat for wild ﬁsh. The reforms were Holyrood’s response to a report in 2020 from the Salmon Interactions Working Group. Industry observers were surprised that such a sweeping change could be brought in ahead of Professor Griggs’ review on farm permits. Meanwhile the UK Government bowed to pleas to postpone new controls on animal-based products from the European Union, which would have matched those currently applied by the EU. These will now be postponed until next year. In November, we reported that the SSPO had taken on a new name – Salmon Scotland – a new brand and a wider remit, to represent businesses involved in all aspects of the salmon industry in Scotland. November also saw the COP26 Climate Change Conference take place in Glasgow. Included on the menu was salmon from Loch Duart, an independent producer that prides itself on its small-scale, sustainable approach. Alongside the climate conference, Salmon Scotland held a panel discussion to explore how to meet one of its key sustainability pledge: reducing the reliance on single-use packaging for transporting seafood. COP26 may be over, but sustainability is likely to remain a key theme in 2022.

“The Scot-

tish Environment Protection Agency will be taking on new powers for protecting wild salmon”

Above: Scottish Sea Farms Managing Director Jim Gallagher

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High quality cage nets and robust mooring solutions made for the harsh conditions of the North Atlantic

Specialized in the tough high energy sites Vonin.indd 17

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18 THE SCOTTISH SALMON COMPANY - CLIENT CONTENT

A Fresh Approach Sustainability and health - for fish, staff, consumers, communities and the environment - are at the heart of SSC’s philosophy

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2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 19

s the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow has aptly demonstrated, moving towards sustainability requires fresh thinking, innovation and, most crucially, strong partnerships with business. World leaders from all regions gathered to embrace the global opportunity to discuss climate solutions, and aquaculture was part of the conversation. Not only does salmon farming have a lower carbon footprint than most other farming sectors, but the industry has also been receiving the recognition it deserves for its role in feeding a growing global population, while also being a significant employer in Scotland and a vital part of our economy. With more than 600 staff across 60 sites on the west coast and Hebrides, the ambition of The Scottish Salmon Company (SSC) is to become the leading and most sustainable salmon producer in Scotland. Our sustainable development strategy is underpinned by a significant investment plan over the next five years, including our commitment to incorporate industry-leading recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) across all freshwater production. Our Healthy Living Plan outlines our five sustainability pillars; healthy business, healthy people, healthy salmon, a healthy environment, and healthy communities. Healthy Business SSC is currently undertaking a significant transformation of its Scottish operations. Fundamental to this is the commitment to develop innovative land-based RAS technology at

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“SSC is undertaking a

significant transformation of its Scottish operations” the freshwater stage of the Scottish salmon lifecycle. RAS technology will totally transform our operations. RAS gives us greater control of the freshwater rearing environment, which ensures we can produce larger 500g smolt, reducing the marine production cycle thereby decreasing the biological risk in the marine environment. This will signiﬁcantly increase production volume and importantly ensure greater consistency and quality for our customers. Our new RAS facility at Applecross will be fully operational by 2023 and there are plans to build two further RAS units in Scotland. Healthy Salmon The health and welfare of our ﬁsh is of the utmost importance to our business.

Above: The Applecross Building Left: Members of the marine team

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20 THE SCOTTISH SALMON COMPANY - CLIENT CONTENT

We launched our inaugural Welfare Awareness Month in June 2021. This aimed to promote good fish welfare and to ensure it is at the forefront of everything we do. Throughout the month, the Biology Team ran a programme of virtual welfare workshops and training which was delivered to staff across the business. We are strengthening farming operations and biological performance in the marine environment, including upgrading shore facilities, farming infrastructure and driving best practice husbandry. We are focussed on increasing freshwater treatments, investing in vessels and freshwater holding capacity. M/S Bakkanes recently joined our fleet and is one of the largest farming service vessels in Scotland. And our new cleaner fish strategy deploys both wrasse and lumpsuckers at an early stage in all marine sites. We have fitted innovative seal and bird-proof nets to protect our stock and minimise stress, and investment in remote feeding technology enables our specialist Feed Technicians to monitor our salmon and their feeding regime regardless of the weather. We are introducing high quality Havsbrún feed across our sites to ensure our Scottish Salmon access the very best quality feed. We are driving improved productivity and increased capacity at our processing facilities with the latest technology and automation. Healthy People Our people are our greatest asset. Their health and safety are paramount; providing a safe working environment and ensuring we nurture a culture of continuous improvement and share best practice through the training and development of our employees.

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Structured training and development opportunities are oﬀered to enable continuous improvement and career progression. SSC’s industry-leading Competency Framework is aligned to Scottish Vocational Qualiﬁcations and sets out comprehensive guidelines for assessing and developing employees across all levels, providing a clear career path for progression, which is aligned with relevant training for every member of the team. We recently launched our employee awards – the Healthy Living Awards – for individuals, teams or groups who have gone above and beyond to contribute to the responsible and sustainable development of the business, showing commitment to the sustainability pillars in our Healthy Living Plan. SSC aquaculture apprenticeships continue to prove an attractive option to “earn as you learn” in a rapidly evolving business and wider industry.

“We’re proud to invest in Modern Apprentices and currently offer more than four different types of apprenticeships across the business, with 21 employees currently working towards their qualifications and a further 27 employees in the process of starting their learning journey this year (2021). The Scottish Salmon Company’s apprenticeships teach knowledge and skills that support the basis of well-paid, skilled employment – especially in rural areas of Scotland.” Debra Nichol-Storie, HR Director

SC COM TI KN

Healthy Communities Scottish salmon farming is an incredibly important sector, particularly for rural areas, making them viable locations for people to settle and raise families; but also for the wider supply chain, with businesses and compa-

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2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 21

nies working in the salmon sector in every part of Scotland. We are committed to creating value and long-term employment in the remote and rural communities in which we live and work across the west coast and Hebrides, and we are the largest private employer in the Outer Hebrides. We are investing in much-needed housing to support recruitment opportunities in local areas where hous-

THE SCOTTISH SALMON COMPANY’S APPRENTICESHIPS TEACH KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

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ing options are limited. We currently have several properties from Harris to Mull and we provide accommodation for a number of employees. Our Community Charter in Scotland pledges our commitment to our people, suppliers and communities. As part of this, our Community Fund encourages staﬀ to nominate local groups, causes and charities in their local community, which promote health and wellbeing or stewardship of the natural environment, to receive funding. Since its launch, over 100 staﬀ nominated community groups have been awarded support through our Community Fund, including community food banks and local schools who needed funding to purchase equipment to take part in outside

Above: Ensuring fish health and welfare

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22 THE SCOTTISH SALMON COMPANY - CLIENT CONTENT

“We’re

proud to invest in Modern Apprentices”

learning. The Community Fund has also supported several local sports teams, as well as group who organise beach cleans, including Clean Coast Outer Hebrides. In 2022, we will be extending our Community Fund for external applications. We are committed to sourcing locally where possible, with a new custom-built C-Ranger vessel from specialist local boat builders Arran Workboats joining our ﬂeet this year.

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Arran Workboats is currently building another new C-Ranger nine-metre boat. It is multiple orders like these that secure employment for the local island craftsmen. It’s been great to work with author and renowned culinary expert Christopher Trotter this year to promote Coasts and Waters: The British Seafood Cookbook, produced with support from our Native Hebridean Salmon. Christopher encourages

Above: SSC staff member, Applecross Right: One of SSC’s marine team members

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2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 23

readers to incorporate more native British seafood into their diet as a delicious, healthy and sustainable source of protein and to support local suppliers. We’re delighted to be a long-term sponsor of the SSC Isle of Skye Half Marathon. This year we tasked pupils from Portree High School’s S5 graphic communication class to design sustainable wooden medals for the event in September, as an alternative to plastic. Angelo Arwen’s design of a runner in front of Skye’s two Cuillin mountain ranges took ﬁrst place and the S4 practical woodwork class fabricated and assembled 900 medals using a laser cutter. The ribbon was made from yarn dyed on the island using locally picked Tansy.

“The Scottish Salmon Company’s medal competition has been a really valuable experience for pupils to develop their skills in a real-life context.” Tony Breen, Head Teacher at Portree High School

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Healthy Environment SSC has a substantial investment programme over the next five years to strengthen and grow the business with sustainability at its heart, which will completely transform the business. Fundamental to this is our commitment to incorporate RAS technology across all freshwater production, which is a real game changer for the business. The first of these full sustainable, freshwater facilities at Applecross will not only be the largest RAS facility in Scotland, but also the most sustainable, with an ambition to be 100% powered by locally produced renewable energy, with water use reduced significantly and plans to treat and reuse waste. Our plans are ambitious and reflect our commitment to unlock a cleaner, greener, sustainable future. We don’t just want to be the best in the Scottish salmon sector. We want to be the ones making it better for everyone.

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24 ELANCO - CLIENT CONTENT

Novel vaccine technologies impact human and salmon health outcomes ew vaccine technologies for COVID-19 have been making headlines all around the world for obvious reasons. Among these newly developed vaccines are some based, not on introducing antigen into the host via the inoculum but, instead, on injecting host muscle with messenger RNA (mRNA) that codes for the production of virus specific immunogenic proteins. Once in the muscle tissue, these mRNA sequences are able to instruct host cells around the site of the injection to start producing virus specific antigens which are then presented to the immune system in order to develop humoral and cell-mediated immune responses (refer Figure 1). These vaccines cannot infect the host because they only contain nucleic acid sequences capable of instructing the synthesis of very specific viral proteins as opposed to a full genome required for replicating an organism. For over 15 years, Elanco have been trailblazing nucleic acid-based vaccine technologies for the prevention and control of viral disease affecting salmon production. The result has been the launch of two DNA plasmid vaccines: the first was in 2005 for protection against Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis (IHN) in North American production sites; and the second, Clynav™, was launched in 2017 to counter the serious disease threat posed by Pancreatic Disease (PD) in Norway, the UK and Ireland. These two salmon vaccines contain a small circular DNA plasmid that is taken up by cells adjacent to the site of injection and directs production of the virus-specific antigens using the host cell machinery in a similar manner to the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

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2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 25

Figure 1: How Elanco DNA plasmid vaccines stimulate humoral and CMI immunity DNA vaccine

HUMORAL IMMUNITY

APC CD4+ T cell

Antigen secreted

Myocyte

Antigen presented to Cytotoxic T Cells with MHC I

Cytokines released

Antibodies released

B cell

Proliferation and activation of effector cells

CD8+ T cell Cytotoxic T Cells

Helper T Cells

CELL MEDIATED IMMUNITY

Improving PD control in Norwegian commercial sites Clynav pioneered the way for the licensing of nucleic acid vaccines by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). This meant that during its development all trials for Clynav had to take place in land-based tanks in order to establish the safety of the technology before using in sea sites. Since 2017, Clynav’s performance in sea sites has been able to be monitored and its field efficacy established. In response to this marked improvement in the control of PD, Britt Bang Jensen a senior researcher at the NVI stated ‘We have started a work to get more data to reveal what has actually happened this year. Understanding this is very important since PD has been a major burden on the fish and aquaculture industry for a long time. Among other things, we will look at the importance of different types of vaccine, including the Clynav vaccine from Elanco.’1 In Norway, Clynav has been used to protect millions of fish and hundreds of millions of doses have been sold in the process.

‘Among other things, we will look at the importance of different types of vaccine, including the Clynav vaccine from Elanco’1 Britt Bang Jensen, senior researcher, NVI

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26 ELANCO - CLIENT CONTENT

Recent trials comparing different PD vaccines In three controlled field studies, the efficacy of commercially available PD vaccines was compared by measuring mortality and growth. A natural, clinical PD outbreak was confirmed with presence of both SAV 2 and SAV 3. In these studies, only the group immunized with the DNA vaccine, Clynav, provided protection against mortality compared with the control group, this was significant in one of the studies2. Similarly, significant protection against PD-induced loss of growth was only found in the Clynav vaccinated group2. Figure 2: Comparative mortality between Clynav vaccinated and Control fish (p<0.005)2

Culmulative mortality (%)

Control 5.76%

6% 5% 4%

Clynav 4.45%

3% 2% 1%

Control

Nov

Oct

Sep

Aug

Jul

Jun

May

Apr

Mar

Feb

Jan

Dec

Nov

Oct

Sep

Aug

Jul

Jun

Clynav

Figure 3: Comparative slaughter weight (growth) of Clynav vaccinated and Control ﬁsh (p<0.005)2

Mean slaughter weight (kg)

6.0

5.5

5.0

5.58

5.02

4.5

4.0 Control

Clynav

Vaccine

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2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 27

Other advantages of DNA vaccines Elanco’s DNA vaccines, including Clynav, have been successful not just because of their proven efficacy and duration of immunity but also for a number of specific additional advantages they offer (refer Table 1). These vaccines are extremely safe because they: cannot cause infection (they don’t contain a micro-organism or the genome for a complete organism); don’t require an adjuvant (safer for the fish and the vaccinator); are administered via the intramuscular route (reducing the potential risk of organ damage); and are extremely stable, easy to store with a long shelf life. Importantly, Clynav reduces the volume of oil adjuvants used. Oil adjuvants are associated with increased inappetence, resulting in loss of growth as well as the increased risk of adhesions and melanisation (dark spots) leading to downgrading of fillets at harvest. More recently, oil adjuvanted PD vaccines are among a number of factors that have been associated with the occurrence of cross-stitch spinal deformities in harvest sized salmon in Norway.3,4,5 Table 1: Advantages of DNA plasmid vaccines vs. conventional vaccine technologies

Advantage

Speciﬁc beneﬁt • No infection risk

Safety

• No oil adjuvant • Intra-muscular injection, less risk of damage to internal organs • Speciﬁcity of immune response

Efﬁcacy

• Innate, humoral and cell-mediated immunity • Long duration of immunity (DOI) from single vaccination

Stability

• Plasmid stability: long product shelf-life, ease of storage and shipping

Consistent manufacture

• Easier to establish consistency of batches

Reduced side effects

• Loss of appetite and growth; less risk of melanin visceral adherence

For more information on Clynav and all Elanco Aqua products and services, please contact your Elanco representative.

Clynav contains pUK-SPDVpoly2#1 DNA plasmid coding for salmon pancreas disease virus proteins: 5.1 – 9.4 μg. Legal category POM-V in UK. For further information call Elanco Animal Health on +44(0)1256 353131 or write to: Elanco UK AH Limited, First Floor, Form 2, Bartley Way, Bartley Wood Business Park, Hook RG27 9XA, United Kingdom Use medicines responsibly www.noah.co.uk/responsible. Advice should be sought from the Medicine Prescriber. For further information consult the product SPC. References: 1. Steep decline in the number of PD cases. October 8th, 2021 accessed at https://www.vetinst.no/nyheter/bratt-nedgang-i-antall-pd-tilfeller on 10.8.2021. 2. Magnus Vikan Røsæg et al. Effect of vaccines against pancreas disease in farmed Atlantic salmon. 2021. Journal of Fish Diseases; DOI: 10.1111/ jfd.13505. 3. Bæverfjord G., et al. ‘Cross-stitch’ vertebral deformities a new side effect of vaccination. 2021. Noﬁma Seminar ‘Fish biology challenges new technology’. Aqua Nor 2021: 24th August. Accessed https://vimeo.com/event/1226587/videos/591515167/ 4. Holm, H. A pathomorphological description of cross-stitch vertebrae in farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). 2020. Aquaculture: 526: 735382. 5. Thorarinsson, R., et al. Effect of a DNA and oil-adjuvanted vaccines for pancreas disease on spinal cross-stitch pathology development, growth and economic impact of commercially reared Atlantic salmon. 2020. ACFFA’s Aquaculture Research, Science and Technology Forum. Elanco and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its afﬁliates. ©2021 Elanco. PM-IE-21-0309 – 11/2021- RLH

Elanco - DPS.indd 27

29/11/2021 09:46:33 19/11/2021 12:27

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28 MOWI – CLIENT CONTENT

TASTI. EASI. HAPPI.

l Piri Piri salmon Poke bow

Growing po ac he d

instore and online Scottish Salmon – available g eg

d salmon with spina Smoke ch,

asp ara gu s&

confidence

Only £4 per pack

recipes mowisalmon.co.uk n a year where holding or your nearest nsbury’s steady may have seemedSai the store today.

r 2021) (selected stores, 1st – 21st Septembe

The customer and the environment are at the heart of irational discover insp To Mowi’s latest initiatives and more, visit

logical plan, Mowi continued to forge ahead in 2021 with several initiatives that have one goal in focus: to increase customer conﬁdence and loyalty for its business and products.

The valued chain

Over 12,000 employees add value, every day, throughout Mowi’s business. With focus on their particular expertise, it may not be obvious to all involved that their contribution to each part of the company’s integrated value chain is connected and working to build customer conﬁdence in our business practices and seafood products. In 2021 – a most challenging year given a pandemic and complications of Brexit – numerous initiatives continued to build on Mowi’s strong reputation that has earned and maintained the company’s ranking as the world’s most sustainable animal protein producer.

The plan

Mowi’s “The Blue Revolution Plan”

MOWI - PED.indd 28

and Salmon Scotland’s Sustainability Charter (A Better Future For Us All) help set a clear sustainability path, that collectively touches on every corner of Mowi’s business, from feed to fork. Speaking at Glasgow’s COP26 in November 2021, Catarina Martins, chief technical oﬃcer at Mowi said: “Our strategy is based on three pillars: being part of the solution to global changes where we have set GHG [greenhouse gas] emissions reduction targets aligned with the Paris agreement and approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative. Within this pillar we have also set speciﬁc targets

Above: Mowi’s Catarina Martins presents at COP26 Right: Farm Manager Gregor Cushnie inspects Isle of Rum housing build

29/11/2021 09:51:55

2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 29

on reducing [the use of] and increasing the recyclability of plastic, for both farming plastic equipment and packaging. “The second pillar of our strategy aims to use an eco-eﬃcient value chain, here we run a number of energy, waste and freshwater use reduction initiatives across more than 30 processing plants around the world. “Finally, we aim to farm in harmony with the sea by using sustainable feed raw materials, certify all our harvested volumes with independent and recognised standards accepted by the Global Seafood Stewardship Initiatives, maintain the level of biodiversity in the areas where we farm and respect the health and welfare of our animals. “This plan will allow us to achieve our goal of producing more food from the ocean, thus meeting the demands of a growing population while respecting the planet and helping local communities to ﬂourish.”

MOWI - PED.indd 29

“We aim to farm in

harmony with the sea” The actions

Bringing the Plan and Charter into action, Mowi Scotland continued with several initiatives that look to beneﬁt the communities, employees, and customers. These actions have included:

Affordable Housing Acknowledging the shortage of affordable housing in many regions where the company operates, Mowi, along with Argyll and Bute Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Communities Housing Trust, has worked with the Colonsay Community Development Company to build a 12-unit affordable housing development on the Isle of Colonsay. This latest development compliments similar Mowi builds on the small islands of Rum and Muck.

29/11/2021 09:52:26

30 MOWI - CLIENT CONTENT

Post-smolt At Mowi’s Capital Markets Day in March 2021, COO Ben Hadﬁeld announced: “We plan a series of semi-closed containment operations in Scotland. This is expansionary biomass and it’s aimed at increasing our post-smolt stocking potential. We do this because we want to reduce the farming cycle and improve harvest volume, and it also improves biology in the sea with increased fallowing and better ﬁsh welfare.

“The aim is an increase in post-

smolt stocking rate up to 800 grams, THIS and we’re conﬁdent that with the we have in Scotland PLAN WILL ALLOW temperatures we can naturally grow salmon to size within 12 months US TO ACHIEVE OUR harvest at sea.” expect this to improve GOAL OF PRODUCING our“WeESGdo(environmental, social and governance) criteria going MORE FOOD FROM forward, with increased fallowing, increased harvest volume, reduced time at sea, and reduced THE OCEAN treatment intervention because of the

MOWI - PED.indd 30

shorter farming cycle.”

29/11/2021 09:53:00

2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 31

Aquaculture Stewardship Council Mowi’s commitment to certifying production units to a standard recognised by the Global Seafood Sustainability Initiative, shows determination to provide consumers with the best choice of responsibly-raised seafood. Mowi was the first company in the United Kingdom to achieve Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification, and continues with an aggressive plan to satisfy market demand for ASC certified salmon. Speaking about the ASC certification, Sam Clegg, Certification Man-

MOWI - PED.indd 31

ager at Mowi Scotland, said: “Our dedication and diligence over the last two years is paying off and we have worked incredibly hard to embed ASC principles into everything we do as a business. The ASC Salmon & Trout standards are recognised as the highest level in environmental and social audits for global aquaculture. We are now poised to attain ASC certification at all viable sites and, based on biomass requirements, we are aiming to increase our total certified sites to 27 by the end of 2022.”

Far left: Health inspection on a farm: Ana Herrero, veterinarian Below: Mowi farmer, Raymond Gosling

29/11/2021 09:53:27

32 MOWI - CLIENT CONTENT

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tinued demand for healthy products in the wake of Covid-19. James Cowan, Head of Sales for Mowi Consumer Products UK said: “We are investing in MOWI to play a dynamic role, inspiring new consumers to eat salmon on new occasions l Piri Piri salmon Poke bow and to inform consumers that not all salmon are equal. “MOWI salmon is high in Omega-3, and freshore and online inst le ilab ava – on Scottish Salm er than fresh for taste. g eg Retailers who support the MOWI brand will inevitably benefit from a halo of the brand driving traffic to stores.” Reporting on results after just twelve weeks post launch, purchasing data revealed over 53% of MOWI sales had been incremental to Sainsbury’s. Further al on ati pir ins To discover Serving it up analysis showed that 6% of sales visit recipes and more, In March 2021, Mowi o.ukcame from new shoppers to the wisalmon.cits moannounced MOWI brand launch or in Sainsbury’s your nearest store, 18% of sales were generatstores across the UK,Sa with other ed by new shoppers to the chiller ry’skey insbu ay. retailers including Amazon Fresh and 29% of sales were incremental store tod added later in the year. through an additional MOWI pack Supported by a marketing cambeing added to the basket. Over paign that spans television, social 36% of sales were from repeat media and print, the MOWI brand customers showing great satisfaction looks to capitalise on the increasing with MOWI products once tried. desire for chilled fish at in-home James Cowan added: “The MOWI dining occasions, as well as the con- launch has supported its key retail partner and it’s encouraging to see these results after such a short time. Our brand tracking survey shows that 47% of Sainsbury’s shoppers would seriously consider buying MOWI so there is more to come.” ed salmon with spinac Smok h, a spa r ag us &

po ac he d

TASTI. EASI. HAPPI.

Only £4 per pack (selected stores, 1st – 21st

September 2021)

“Our dedication and

diligence… is paying off” MOWI - PED.indd 32

29/11/2021 09:53:59

2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 33

The Results Seafood Stewardship Index

world’s most sustainable protein producer for the second year in a row The World Benchmarking Alliance’s by the FAIRR Coller Initiative. (WBA) Seafood Stewardship Index Coller FAIRR Protein Producer has again ranked Mowi second in Index assesses the world’s 60 largest the world, with best performance publicly-listed animal protein pronoted in the ecosystem measureducers, worth a combined USD 338 ment category. The achievement was billion. Firms are ranked against ten largely due to the fact that 100% environmental, social and governof the company’s salmon farming ance (ESG)-related criteria including operations have received third-party GHG emissions, deforestation, antibicertiﬁcation. Mowi were also found otic usage and working conditions. to have leading practices on animal Commenting on this achievement, welfare, medicine use and the susMowi CEO Ivan Vindheim said: “The tainable use of soya in feed. fact that Mowi is ranked as number one yet again is a testament to the World’s Most Sustainable vision of our leadership team and the Protein Producer commitment of everybody at Mowi Mowi has been ranked as the to execute this vision.”

Right: Rosie Curtis, Farm Manager, MacLean’s Nose

MOWI - PED.indd 33

29/11/2021 09:54:31

SAIC - DPS.indd 34

29/11/2021 09:58:13

SAIC - DPS.indd 35

29/11/2021 09:58:49

36 BENCHMARK GENETICS - CLIENT CONTENT

A perfect start State of the art genetics are the key to rearing successful salmon

t starts with optimal genetics. Founded in 1991, Benchmark Genetics has been a long-established and trusted provider of genetic material to the salmon farming industry and, more recently, the expanding global land-based sector. As a result of the long-term breeding programs, the salmon ova produced are steeped with intensive innovation, focused directly on the customer’s requirements.

Benchmark Genetics Norway AS - PED.indd 36

Optimal genetics is key to the quality of the product supplied with in-house benchmarking tests in seawater, indicating that the current growth rate is double compared to what it initially was in 1991 when the program started. With that said, many of the producers have their preferences for more tailored genetics to suit their farming requirements and to improve disease resistance. To do this, Benchmark’s experienced sales team determine the optimal blend of genetic traits enabling to oﬀer a variety of product lines to meet individual customers requirements. The company acknowledge that the success of the farmers highly depends on their ability to take out the genetic potential of the eggs delivered. As a result, Benchmark Ge-

29/11/2021 10:00:20

2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 37

“The

current growth rate is double compared to 1991”

Left: The UK team of experts, from the left Harry Tzyouvas, Ben Perry and Andrew Preston, joined by the Commercial Director, Geir Olav Melingen. Above: The new incubation centre in Iceland has recently been put into operation. 10,000 single incubators will ensure high quality ova for the Scottish industry. Right: Every single egg is undergoing quality checks, photographic scanning and grading before they are packed and delivered.

netics have since 2018 been building a solid and competent salesforce based in Inverness. This experienced team includes Ben Perry, Sales and Technical UK and North America, who has extensive knowledge and passion for salmon aquaculture with a drive to develop and grow this sector using innovation. Ben has a solid clinical background within freshwater and seawater and an extensive knowledge of the Scottish salmon industry developed since 2014. Harry Tziouvas, RAS Sales Manager, has extensive knowledge and ﬁeld experience in Atlantic Salmon ﬁsh health management and seawater production from working in the Scottish salmon industry. Finally, the team also includes Andrew Preston, Global Technical Manager RAS with a strong research

Benchmark Genetics Norway AS - PED.indd 37

and production background in salmon aquaculture and recirculated aquaculture systems (RAS). The UK-based Benchmark Genetics team complement each other with experience in many aquaculture applicable ﬁelds and leverage these experiences to deliver customer support. Benchmark is continuously conducting research to improve the genetic strains with a key focus on growth performance and robustness. Lately, more than 100 families have been placed with a longstanding Scottish client; these will be used further to optimise the selection to production challenges in Scotland. This benchmarking has been conducted for many years in Norway and now has been rolled out globally. In conjunction with R&D, Benchmark has invested in a new incubation facility in Iceland to meet increased demand. The investment will provide increased egg capacity and secure continuity in the supply of biosecure eggs all year to the global market. Interested to learn more about Benchmark Genetics and the product and service concepts? Visit www.bmkgenetics.com or contact the UK Sales Oﬃce: +44 (0)7788 009 2017

29/11/2021 10:00:50

38 ABPMER – CLIENT CONTENT

Restoration hopes An initiative aimed at reversing the decline of native oysters in Wales is under way

Below: Juvenile oysters in elevated cage Opposite: Novel spat collection using coupelles

5,000 juvenile native oysters have been returned to waters in Milford Haven as part of a pioneering restoration project. The native oyster (Ostrea edulis) is a species of Principal Importance in Wales, providing many beneﬁts such as removing excess nutrients, stabilising sedi-

ABP Marine Environmental Research ltd - PED.indd 38

ment, and acting as an important habitat for other marine wildlife. Once widespread throughout Welsh waters, signiﬁcant declines of oyster habitats over the last century, mean their beneﬁts to the ocean have been lost. Historic over-exploitation, changes in water quality, and disease are likely to have driven this decline. Unfortunately, these factors have left too few individuals in the wild to bring about natural population recovery. The Wales Native Oyster Restoration Project, led by Natural Resources Wales and being undertaken with ABPmer, is a four-year Welsh Government funded pilot project investigating the feasibility of restoring the native oyster in the Milford Haven waterway. Working with other marine scientists and aquaculture specialists, the team are using both current and former oyster habitats to test the possibility of introducing native oysters to boost the population. To date, the project has introduced around 25,000 juvenile oysters to the estuary across a number of restoration plots.

29/11/2021 10:04:11

2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 39

Oyster Restoration Phase 1 established restoration plots with the aim of addressing fundamental site-specific questions relating to survivability, recruitment, density effects, the oyster disease Bonamia and non-native species. This phase is ongoing, with monitoring continuing over the next two years. Phase 2 involved the laying of “cultch”, or clean shell material, which gives the oysters a better chance of survival, and encourages young oysters to settle. Monitoring of this phase was completed in March 2021. Results showed successful relay of oysters onto cultch material at two sites. Spat Settlement Phase 3 looked for evidence of reproduction and new oyster communities developing within Milford Haven. This phase was completed in September 2021. ABPmer and NRW developed a spat settlement system to assess the level of spat settlement within Milford Haven, and to act as a baseline dataset for future studies. Coupelles were covered in lime mix and fixed within elevated cages, to replicate spat collection methods used by the French aquaculture industry. Two cages were placed within Milford Haven in late July, just before the expected spawning season, and remained there for three months. Anecdotal industry reports suggest that spat settlement within Milford Haven is currently poor. This was corroborated with project results which found only one native oyster spat on the system. Although the exact reasons for poor settlement on the system are unknown, it highlights the importance of on-going

ABP Marine Environmental Research ltd - PED.indd 39

restoration projects to aid the recovery of native oyster populations. Next steps Monitoring will continue to see how the oysters are surviving, growing, reproducing and if there is evidence of new communities. The ﬁndings will be used to develop recommendations for wider-scale native oyster restoration in Wales and captured in a Wales Native Oyster Restoration Guidance document and related Native Oyster Action Plan. This pioneering project is the ﬁrst native oyster conservation project of its kind in Wales and if successful, could be used as a blueprint for large scale restoration projects, allowing native oysters to be reintroduced across Wales. For more information about this project contact: Vicky West (Marine Ecologist), (ABPmer), Vicky.west@abpmer.co.uk 07816 545685

“This pioneering project is the first… of its kind in Wales” 29/11/2021 10:04:43

40 FISH FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2020

Scottish Fish Farm Surveys 2020

Fish Farm Production Survey v2.indd 40

29/11/2021 13:15:57

2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 41

The year the Covid-19 pandemic hit the UK was a difficult period for all industries and fish farming was no exception. The Scotland Fish Farm Production Survey, compiled by Marine Scotland Science, shows that Atlantic salmon production fell by 5.8% to 192,129 tonnes, although rainbow trout numbers were up 2.3% to 7,576 tonnes. Productivity was also down compared with 2019 numbers. The good news for salmon, however, is that smolt survival continues to increase and now stands at 75.9% for the 2018 intake compared with 73.8% for that of 2017. Detailed findings from the survey are set out in the report that follows.

// // E E xe xe cc ut ut ii ve ve ss u um mm ma a rr y y

Executive summary

The The tables tables below below summarise summarise the the results results from from the the 2020 2020 fish fish farms farms annual annual he tables below summarise the resultsin from the 2020 fish farms annual production survey (slight differences these summary figures from production survey (slight differences in these summary figures from production surveyreport (slight are differences in these summary figures from figures in figures in the main due figures thereport mainare report are due to to rounding). rounding). theinmain due to rounding).

RAINBOW TROUT (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Rainbow Rainbow Trout Trout (Oncorhynchus (Oncorhynchus mykiss) mykiss)

2019 2019 7,405 7,405 6,906 6,906

2020 2020 7,576 7,576 7,032 7,032

(tonnes) (tonnes)

499 499 144 144

544 544 134 134

(tonnes/person) (tonnes/person) (millions) (millions)

51.4 51.4 6.6 6.6

56.5 56.5 6.2 6.2

(millions) (millions)

6.5 6.5

4.7 4.7

Total Total production production Production Production for for the the table table Production for for restocking restocking Production Number Number of of staff staff employed employed Mean Mean productivity productivity Number Number of of ova ova laid laid down down to to hatch hatch Number of ova imported Number of ova imported

(tonnes) (tonnes) (tonnes) (tonnes)

In 2020, 2020, the of rainbow trout increased by 171 tonnes. Employment In the production of trout by tonnes. In 2020, theproduction production of rainbow rainbow trout increased increased by 171 171 tonnes. decreased by 10decreased staﬀ and mean productivity increased to 56.5 tonnes increased per person. The Employment by 10 staff and mean productivity Employment decreased by 10 staff and mean productivity increased to to number of ovaper laid person. down to hatch decreasedofbyova 0.4 laid million and the number of ova 56.5 tonnes The number down to hatch 56.5 tonnes per person. The number of ova laid down to hatch decreased decreased imported decreased 1.8number million. of ova imported decreased by 1.8 million. by 0.4 million million andbythe the by 0.4 and number of ova imported decreased by 1.8 million.

ATLANTIC SALMON (Salmo salar)

OVA AND SMOLTS Atlantic Atlantic salmon salmon (Salmo (Salmo salar) salar) Ova Ova and and Smolts Smolts Number Number Number Number

of of of of

ova ova ova ova

produced produced laid laid down down to to hatch hatch Number of ova exported Number of ova exported Number Number of of ova ova imported imported

(millions) (millions) (millions) (millions)

Number Number of of smolts smolts produced produced Number put to Number of of smolts smolts put to sea sea Number Number of of staff staff employed employed

(millions) (millions) (millions) (millions)

Mean Mean productivity productivity (000’s (000’s smolts/person) smolts/person)

(millions) (millions) (millions) (millions)

2019 2019 11.6 11.6

2020 2020 20.0 20.0

71.2 71.2 0 0

78.6 78.6 0 0

60.2 60.2 51.4 51.4

60.1 60.1 50.5 50.5

53.0 53.0 281 281

52.5 52.5 292 292

183.0 183.0

172.9 172.9

The The production production of of ova ova increased increased by by 8.4 8.4 million million in in 2020 2020 and and the the number number of of ova ova laid laid down down to to hatch hatch increased increased by by 7.4 7.4 million. million. No No ova ova were were exported exported in 2020 and the number of ova imported decreased by 0.1 million in 2020 and the number of ova imported decreased by 0.1 million Fish Farm Production Survey v2.indd 41 from the 2019 figure. The number of smolts produced decreased by 0.9

Top: Trout fillet Above: Salmon fillets

29/11/2021 13:16:29

42 FISH FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2020 The production of ova increased by 8.4 million in 2020 and the number of ova laid down to hatch increased by 7.4 million. No ova were exported in 2020 and the number of ova imported decreased by 0.1 million from the 2019 ﬁgure. The number of smolts produced decreased by 0.9 million. In 2020, the number of staﬀ employed increased Production fish by 11 and mean productivity decreased by 10,100 smolts per person.

PRODUCTION FISH Total productionfish Production

2019

2020

(tonnes)

203,881

192,129

Production of 0-year fish

(tonnes)

Production of grilse Total production Production Production of of pre-salmon 0-year fish

(tonnes) (tonnes) (tonnes) (tonnes)

931 2019 72,243 203,881 59,847 931

1,208 2020 88,025 192,129 57,808 1,208

Production Production of of year grilse2 salmon Mean fish weight 0-year Production of pre-salmon

(tonnes) (tonnes) (kg) (tonnes)

70,860 72,243 2.9 59,847

45,088 88,025 3.7 57,808

Mean fish weight grilse Production of year 2 salmon Mean fish weight Mean fish weight pre-salmon 0-year

(kg) (tonnes) (kg) (kg)

5.0 70,860 5.1 2.9

4.8 45,088 5.3 3.7

Mean Mean fish fish weight weight salmon grilse Number ofweight staff employed Mean fish pre-salmon

(kg) (kg)

5.8 5.0 1,651 5.1

5.5 4.8 1,630 5.3

123.5 5.8

117.9 5.5

1,651

1,630

Mean Mean productivity fish weight salmon

(kg) tonnes/person (kg)

Number of staff employed

THE PRODUCTION OF OVA INCREASED BY 8.4 MILLION IN 2020

Production tonnage decreased by 11,752 tonnes with an increase in the Mean productivity tonnes/person 123.5 117.9 mean harvest weight of year 0 and pre-salmon but a decrease in the mean Production tonnage decreased by 11,752 tonnes with an increase in the mean harvest weight of grilse and year 2 salmon. Staff numbers decreased by 21 and Production decreased by 11,752 tonnes with an increase in the weight of year-0tonnage and pre-salmon, but a decrease in the mean weight of grilse and mean productivity decreased to 117.9 tonnes per person. year-2 Staﬀweight numbers decreased 21 and mean productivity to in the mean meansalmon. harvest of year 0byand pre-salmon but adecreased decrease 117.9 tonnes per person. weight of grilse and year 2 salmon. Staff numbers decreased by 21 and mean productivity decreased to 117.9 tonnes per person.

SMOLTsurvival SURVIVAL (PERCENTAGE HARVESTED) Smolt (percentage harvested) Survival (%)

Years 0+1

Year 2

Total

47.3 Years 0+1

26.5 Year 2

73.8 Total

57.8 47.3

17.9 26.5

75.9 73.8

Smolt survival (percentage harvested) 2017 input year class Survival (%) 2018 input year 2017 class input year class

Above: Salmon ova Below: Salmon The smolt survival rate for the 2018 input-year class increased to 75.9%. Mortality is 2018 input year smolt 57.8 17.9 75.9 The smolt survival rate for the 2018 input year class increased to 75.9%. includedclass in the number of ﬁsh not harvested for human consumption, plus escapes, Mortality is included in the number oforfish not for harvested culls for production or statutory reasons, sampling removal broodstock.for human

consumption, which also consists of fish which have escaped, been culled The smolt survival rate for the 2018 input year class increased to 75.9%. for production reasons, removed for sampling purposes, statutory culls or Mortality is included in the number of fish not harvested for human selected for broodstock production. consumption, which also consists of fish which have escaped, been culled for production reasons, removed for sampling purposes, statutory culls or selected for broodstock production.

Fish Farm Production Survey v2.indd 42

29/11/2021 13:17:04

2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 43

Other Species OTHER SPECIES

Including brown/sea trout (Salmo trutta); halibut (Hippoglossus Other species include brown/sea trout (Salmo trutta); halibut (Hippoglossus hippogloshippoglossus); lumpsucker (Cyclopterus lumpus) and several species of sus); lumpsucker (Cyclopterus lumpus) and several species of wrasse (Labridae sp.). wrasse (Labridae).

Total production Number of staff employed

2019

2020

(tonnes)

41a

43a

(full-time)

(part-time)

Number of ova laid down to hatch

(millions)

19.8b

20.7b

Number of ova imported

(millions)

1.3

0.7

Some figures are areexcluded excludedfrom fromthis thisreport reportas asproviding providingthem themwould wouldreveal revealproduction production Some figures information individual company. information from from an an individual company. Other Species ªªExcluding halibut production. Excluding halibut production. brown/sea trout trutta); halibut (Hippoglossus bbIncluding Excluding halibut down(Salmo to Excluding halibut ova ova laid laid down to hatch. hatch. hippoglossus); lumpsucker (Cyclopterus lumpus) and several species of wrasse (Labridae). In 2020,the the production of other species increased by two tonnes from In 2020, production of other species increased by two tonnes from the 2019 total, the 2019 total, although figure does not include production. although this figure does not this include halibut production. Total halibut employment decreased 2020 Overall, employment 18number in 2020. There an in by 18 in 2020. There wasdecreased an increase by in the of ova laid was down2019 to increase hatch during a 2020, but any of halibut downtotohatch hatch during were excluded fromany this halibut fi41 gure. the number ova ova laidlaid down 2020 but ova43a Total production (tonnes) Number of to staff employed laid down hatch were excluded from(full-time) this figure. 38 22 (part-time) Number of ova laid down to hatch

(millions)

19.8b

20.7b

Number of Confirmed Escape Incidents from Fish Farms NotiNumber of ova imported (millions) 1.3 0.7 fied to the Scottish Government Some figures are excluded from this report as providing them would reveal production Number of reported Number of reported Number information from an individual company. incidents which could incidents which did Species of fish ªExcluding halibut production. have led to an escape lead to an escape of escaped b Excluding halibut ova laid down to hatch. of farmed fish farmed fish Rainbow trout

1,601

In 2020, the production of other species increased by two tonnes from the 2019 total, although this figure does not include halibut production. Atlantic salmon 1 by 18 in 2020. There 1 20 Overall, employment decreased was an increase in (freshwater stages) the number of ova laid down to hatch during 2020 but any halibut ova Atlantic salmon laid down to hatch were excluded from this figure.5 13 204,901 (seawater stages)

NUMBER CONFIRMED ESCAPE INCIDENTS FROMNotiNumber ofOF Confirmed Escape Incidents from Fish Farms FISH FARMS NOTIFIED TO THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT fied to the Scottish Government Number of reported incidents which could have led to an escape of farmed fish

Number of reported incidents which did lead to an escape of farmed fish

Number of fish escaped

Rainbow trout

1,601

Atlantic salmon (freshwater stages)

204,901

Species

Atlantic salmon (seawater stages)

Fish Farm Production Survey v2.indd 43

Top: Halibut Above: Wrasse

29/11/2021 13:17:35

44 FISH FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2020

// 1.Ra i nbow tro ut (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Production survey information was collected from all 21 companies roduction surveyin information collected from allfarming 21 companies activelysites. actively involved rainbow was trout production, 50 active in rainbow trout farmingoperating 50 active sites. This ﬁgure Thisinvolved figure represents theproduction, entire industry in Scotland. represents the entire industry operating in Scotland.

Production

PRODUCTION

Table 1a: Annual production (tonnes) of rainbow trout during 2006-2020 Table 1a: Annual production (tonnes) of rainbow trout during 2006–2020 and projected production in 2021 and projected production in 2021 Year

Tonnes

Percentage difference

Year

Tonnes

Percentage difference

2006

7,492

2014

5,882

2007

7,414

-1

2015

8,588

46 -6

2008

7,670

2016

8,096

2009

6,766

-12

2017

7,637

-6

2010

5,139

-24

2018

6,413

-16

2011

4,619

-10

2019

7,405

2012

5,670

2020

7,576

2013

5,611

-1

2021

9,303*

* Industry estimate based on stocks currently being on-grown.

Production increased in 2020 171 tonnes, anof increase of 2%, to 7,576 Production increased in 2020 by 171by tonnes, an increase 2%, to 7,576 tonnes. tonnes.

PRODUCTION INCREASED IN 2020 BY 171 TONNES Top: Rainbow trout Below: Rainbow trout farm

Table 1b: Production (tonnes) for the table trade during 2011-2020 according to weight category

Year

<450 g

450-900 g

>900 g

Total

<1 lb

1-2 lbs

>2 lbs

Tonnes

2011

1,421

1,004

1,433

3,858

2012

1,195

1,655

2,209

5,059

2013

1,908

825

2,268

5,001

2014

2,334

290

2,704

5,328

2015

2,299

258

5,476

8,033

2016

2,393

234

4,810

7,437

2017

2,000

544

4,453

6,997

Fish Farm Production Survey v2.indd 44

29/11/2021 13:19:16

2010

5,139

-24

2018

6,413

-16

2011

4,619

-10

2019

7,405

2012

5,670

2020

7,576

2013

5,611

-1

2021

9,303*

* Industry estimate based on stocks currently being on-grown.

2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 45

Production increased in 2020 by 171 tonnes, an increase of 2%, to 7,576 tonnes. Table 1b: Production (tonnes) for the table trade during 2011-2020 Table 1b: Production (tonnes) for the table trade during 2011–2020 according to according to weight category weight category Year

<450 g

450-900 g

>900 g

Total

<1 lb

1-2 lbs

>2 lbs

Tonnes

2011

1,421

1,004

1,433

3,858

2012

1,195

1,655

2,209

5,059

2013

1,908

825

2,268

5,001

2014

2,334

290

2,704

5,328

2015

2,299

258

5,476

8,033

2016

2,393

234

4,810

7,437

2017

2,000

544

4,453

6,997

2018

803

223

4,848

5,874

2019

343

228

6,335

6,906

Production for the an increase of 2020 403table in 2020 164 was 7,032 6,465tonnes,7,032 126 tonnes (2%) on the 2019 total. This accounted for 93% of the total Productiontrout for theproduction, table in 2020the wassame 7,032 tonnes, an increase of produced 126 tonnes in (2%) rainbow proportion to that 2019. on thean 2019 total. This for 93% of the total large rainbow trout production, Also, increase in accounted the number of fish in the and small size ranges the same proportion to that produced in 2019. Further, an increase in the number and a decrease in the number of fish in the medium size range were of ﬁsh in the large and small size ranges4and a decrease in the number of ﬁsh in observed. the medium size range were observed. Table 1c: Production Production (tonnes) forrestocking the restocking trade2011–2020 during 2011-2020 Table 1c: (tonnes) for the trade during according weight category according toto weight category Year

<450 g

450-900 g

>900 g

Total

<1 lb

1-2 lbs

>2 lbs

Tonnes

2011

419

334

761

2012

266

323

611

2013

221

365

610

2014

256

270

554

2015

158

382

555

2016

183

441

659

2017

150

480

640

2018

143

382

539

2019

113

370

499

2020

130

368

544

PRODUCTION FOR 2020 WAS 7,032 TONNES, AN INCREASE OF 126 TONNES

In 2020,production production forrestocking the restocking of waters angling waterstoincreased In 2020, for the of angling increased 544 tonnes,to 544 tonnes representing increase of 45ontonnes (9%) onThis theaccounted 2019 total. representing an increasean of 45 tonnes (9%) the 2019 total. for This 7% of total rainbow production in 2020. figures represent tonnage accounted for 7% trout of total rainbow troutThese production in 2020.the These figures Top: Fresh trout fillet of fish supplied angling waters restockingtopurposes; do not represent thetotonnage of fishforsupplied angling they waters foraccount restocking Above: Rainbow for the catchthey takendo bynot anglers. The production of large-sized fishanglers. showed aThe small purposes; account for the catch taken by Trout decrease, while there was an increase in the production of small and medium-sized production of large sized fish showed a small decrease while there was fish.increase in the production of small and medium sized fish. an

Fish Farm Production Survey v2.indd 45

29/11/2021 13:20:53

46 FISH FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2020

Production by Site Table 2: Number of sites grouped by tonnage produced during 20112020 Production by Site

Table 2: Number of sites grouped by tonnage produced during 2011PRODUCTION BY SITE Total 2020 Number sites by pertonnage production tonnage Table 2: Number of sites of grouped produced during 2011–2020 Year

10 <1-25

10 26-100

6 101-200

8 >200

number of sites Total 33 number of sites 34

2013 2011

6 9

11 10

30 33

2014 2012

6 10

11 10

31 34

2015 2013

4 6

10 11

11 8

30 30

2016 2014 2017 2015

6 6

10 11

13 9

32 31

4 4 5 6

8 10 10 10

55 33

11 11 11 13

28 30 29 32

2020 2018

5 4 6 5

9 8 13 10

45 23

10 11 11 11

28 28 32 29

2019

<1-25 2011 Year 2012

26-100

101-200

>200

Number of sites 10 per production 9 6 tonnage 8

2018 2016 2019 2017

Production was reported from13 32 of the 502active sites.11The number 2020 6 32of producers in the 101-200 tonnes size bracket decreased while those in the <1-25, 26-100 and from >200 tonnes size brackets increased. Thesein Production was reported from 32 of the 50 sites. The number of producers Production was reported 32 of active the 50 active sites. The number of figures do not include those decreased sites specialising ininthe production of and ova or the 101–200 tonnes size bracket while those the <1–25, 26–100 producers in the 101-200 tonnes size bracket decreased while those >200 tonnes sizeon-growing. brackets increased. These ﬁgures do not include those sites young fish for in the <1-25, 26-100 and >200 tonnes size brackets increased. These specialising in the production of ova or young ﬁsh for ongrowing. figures do not include those sites specialising in the production of ova or Production by Method young fish for on-growing. PRODUCTION BYrainbow METHOD Table 3: Grouping of trout sites by production tonnages, main Table 3: of rainbow trout sites production tonnages, main methods of methodsGrouping of production in 2020 andbycomparison with production in 2019 Production byand Method production in 2020 comparison with production in 2019 Table 3: Grouping of rainbow trout sites by production tonnages, main Total tonnage and (%) by Number of Production grouping (tonnes) in 2020 methods production insites 2019 Production of production in 2020 and comparison with method method

Production FW cages method

<10

10-25

26-50

51-100

>100

Production grouping (tonnes) in 2020

<10

10-25

26-50

51-100

>100

1 2

0 0

1 1

4 0

1 0

2 0

5 1

3 2

3 6

2 0

0 0

1 0

0 0

SW cages Total

0 4

0 2

1 6

2 7

6 13

SW tanks

FW ponds and raceways FW FW cages tanks and hatcheries FW ponds and raceways SW cages FW tanks and hatcheries SW tanks

2019 2020 Total tonnage and (%) by

2,273 2,279 method (30.7%) (30.1%) 2019 2020 971 1,022 (13.1%) (13.5%) 2,273 2,279 (30.7%) (30.1%) 78 (1.1%) 86 (1.1%) 971 1,022 4,083 4,189 (13.1%) (13.5%) (55.1%) (55.3%) 78 (1.1%) 86 (1.1%) 0 0 4,083 4,189 (55.1%) (55.3%) 7,405 7,576

2019

2020 Number of 6 sites 6

2019

2020

6 4

6 3

12 6

14 9

4 0

3 0

6 28

9 32

Seawater production accounted for 4,189 tonnes (55.3%) and freshwater production Seawater production accounted for 4,189 tonnes (55.3%) and freshwater accounted for the 3,387 tonnes (44.7%). Production from all freshwater Total 4 remaining 2 6 7 13 7,405 7,576 28 32 production the remaining 3,387increased tonnes during (44.7%). Production from all facilities and seawater cage facilities 2020. freshwater facilities and seawater cage facilities increased during 2020. Seawater production accounted for 4,189 tonnes (55.3%) and freshwater production the remaining 3,387 tonnes (44.7%). Production from all freshwater facilities and seawater cage facilities increased during 2020. Fish Farm Production Survey v2.indd 46 6

Top: Inland fish farm Above: Trout farm Opposite: Trout farm in Scotland; Worker with trout

29/11/2021 13:21:45

2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 47

Company and Site Data

Table 4: Number of companies and sites in production during 2011-2020

Company and Site Data

COMPANY AND SITE DATA

Year of companies No. of2011-2020 sites Table 4: Number of companiesNo. and sites in production during Table 4: Number of companies and sites in production during 2011–2020 2011

Year 2012

No. of companies 25

No. of 48sites

2011 2013

23 24

48 46

2012 2014

25 24

48 46

2013 2015

46 45

2014 2016

46 44

2015 2017

24 23

45 44

2016 2018

24 23

44 53

2017 2019

23 22

44 52

2018 2020

23 21

53 50

2019

In 2020, the number of companies authorised by the Scottish 2020 21 50 Government and actively engaged in rainbow trout production was 21. In 2020, the number of companies authorised by the Scottish Government and actively The number of sites registered andauthorised in production was 50. In 2020, the number of companies by the Scottish engaged in rainbow trout production wasin 21.rainbow The number of production sites registered and21. in Government and actively engaged trout was production was 50. Staffing and Productivity The number of sites registered and in production was 50. Table 5: Number of staff employed and productivity per person during STAFFING AND PRODUCTIVITY 2011-2020 Staffing and Productivity Table 5: Number of staﬀ employed and productivity per person during 2011–2020 Table 5: Number of staff employed and productivity per person during 2011-2020 Productivity Year

Full-time Male

Full-time Female

Total Full-time

Part-time Male

Part-time Female

Total Part-time

Total Staff

2011 Year

Full-time 90 Male

Full-time 5 Female

Total 95 Full-time

Part-time 16 Male

Part-time 7 Female

Total 23 Part-time

Total 118

107

2013 2011 2014 2012

85 90 86 74

4 5 7 5

89 95 93 79

16 13 23

5 7 7 5

21 23 20 28

110 118 113 107

51.0 39.1 52.1 53.0

2015 2013 2016 2014

100 85 90 86

10 4 10 7

110 89 100 93

10 16 15 13

6 5 6 7

16 21 21 20

126 110 121 113

68.2 51.0 66.9 52.1

2017 2015 2018 2016

98 100 103 90

12 10 8 10

110 111 100

15 10 17 15

7 6 8 6

22 16 25 21

132 126 136 121

57.9 68.2 47.2 66.9

2019 2017 2020 2018

103 98 97 103

11 12 13 8

114 110 110 111

21 15 20 17

9 7 4 8

30 22 24 25

144 132 134 136

51.4 57.9 56.5 47.2

2019

103

114

144

51.4

2012

Staff

(tonnes/ person) Productivity 39.1 (tonnes/ person)

53.0

PRODUCTIVITY, MEASURED AS TONNES PRODUCED PER PERSON, INCREASED BY 9.9% IN 2020 Left: Raxxx

The overall number of13staff employed in 20 2020in decreased by24 10 to 134. The The overall number of staff 2020 decreased by 10 number to 56.5 134. 2020 97 110employed 4 134 of full-time staffofdecreased four while the number of part-time staffnumber decreased The number full-timebystaff decreased by four while the of by six. Productivity, measured as tonnes produced per person, increased by to 9.9% in part-time staff decreased byemployed six. Productivity, measured as The overall number of staff in 2020 decreased bytonnes 10 134. 2020 with no distinction between fulland part-time employees being made for this produced perofperson, increased by 9.9% by in 2020 with no The number full-time staff decreased four while thedistinction number of calculation. between full and part-timebyemployees being made for this part-time staff decreased six. Productivity, measured ascalculation. tonnes produced per person, increased by 9.9% in 2020 with no distinction between full and part-time employees being made for this calculation.

7 7

Fish Farm Production Survey v2.indd 47

29/11/2021 13:22:11

48 FISH FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2020

Production by Area

PRODUCTION Table 6: ProductionBY andAREA staffing by area in 2020 Table 6: Production and staﬃng by area in 2020 Area

No. of sites

Table production (tonnes)

Restocking production (tonnes)

Mean tonnes per site

F/T

P/T

Total

North*

282

25.9

22.2

East

935

261

99.7

32.3

West

5,432

340.2

83.7

South

383

243

62.6

34.8

All

7,032

544

151.5

110

134

56.5

Staffing

Productivity (tonnes/ person)

Below: Rainbow trout and rainbow trout farm

*From 2018, the North area also included production and staff from the Western Isles

Productivity was greatest in the West at 340.2 tonnes per site and 83.7 tonnes per Productivity was greatest in the West at 340.2 tonnes per site and 83.7 person. tonnes per person.

SEAWATER PRODUCTION ACCOUNTED FOR 4,189 TONNES AND FRESHWATER PRODUCTION 3,387 TONNES

Fish Farm Production Survey v2.indd 48

29/11/2021 13:23:25

2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 49

µ µ

Figure 2: The regional distribution of active rainbow trout sites in 2020

! ! ! ! !

North

! !

! ! ! ! ! !

North

! !

! !! ! ! ! !! !!

East

! ! ! !

! !

West

! !! !! ! ! !! !!

! ! ! ! !! ! !

! ! ! !

East

South !

! !

West

40 !

Miles 100

Figure 1: The regional distribution of active! rainbow trout ! sites in 2020 © Crown copyright and database rights 2020 OS (100024655)

Fish Farm Production Survey v2.indd 49

! !

! 29/11/2021 13:23:53

Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie

50 FISH FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2020

Type of Ova Laid Down Table 7: Number (000’s) and proportions (%) of eyed ova types laid down to hatch during Type of Ova2011-2020 Laid Down

TYPE7:OF OVA(000’s) LAID and DOWN Table Number proportions (%) of eyed ova types laid down to Table during 7: Number (000’s) and proportions (%) of eyed ova types All female Mixed sexlaid down to hatch hatch 2011-2020 Year Triploid no. (%) Total ova diploid no. (%) during 2011–2020 diploid no. (%) 2011 Year 2012

12,673 (84) All female 10,967no. (85) diploid (%)

2,254 (15) Triploid 2,005 no. (15)(%)

215 (1) Mixed sex 7 (<1) diploid no. (%)

15,142 Total ova 12,979

2013 2011 2014 2012

7,857 (80) 12,673 (84) 8,321 (75) 10,967 (85)

1,955 (20) 2,254 (15) 2,710 (25) 2,005 (15)

77 215(<1) (1) 9 7 (<1) (<1)

2015 2013 2016 2014 2017 2015

10,245 (85) 7,857 (80) 7,986 8,321 (80) (75)

1,800 (15) 1,955 (20) 1,943 (25) (20) 2,710 4,670 (66) 1,800 (15)

76 77 (<1) (<1) 5 9 (<1) (<1)

9,889 15,142 11,040 12,979 12,121 9,889

2018 2016 2019 2017

2,366 (34) 10,245 (85) 1,460 (23) 7,986 (80)

5 (<1) 76 (<1) 15 (<1) 5 (<1)

9,934 11,040 7,041 12,121

2020 2018

1,077 (34) (16) 2,366 286 (5) 1,460 (23)

4,843 1,943 (77) (20) 5,369 4,670 (82) (66) 5,943 (77) (95) 4,843

105 (2) 5 (<1) 15 (<1) 15 (<1)

2019

1,077 (16)

5,369 (82)

105 (2)

6,551

2020

286 (5)

5,943 (95)

15 (<1)

6,244

Source of Ova Laid Down

6,318 9,934 6,551 7,041 6,244 6,318

Table 8: Number (000’s) and sources of eyed ova laid down to hatch in SOURCE OF OVA LAID DOWN 2011-2020 Table 8: of Number sources of eyed ova laid down to hatch in 2011–2020 Source Ova(000’s) Laid and Down Table 8: Number (000’s) and sources of eyed ova laid down to hatch in Ova produced in Total imported ova 2011-2020 Great Britain (GB) Year

2011 Year 2012 2013 2011 2014 2012 2015 2013 2016 2014 2017 2015 2018 2016 2019 2017 2020 2018

Own Other Total stock Ova produced stock in Great Britain (GB) 215 189 404 Own Other 14 230 244 Total stock stock 77 537 614 215 189 404 9 655 664 14 230 244 6 888 894 77 537 614 35 349 384 9 655 664 20 547 567 6 888 894 15 495 510 35 349 384 10 22 32 20 547 567 15 1,552 1,567 15 495 510

Northern Southern hemisphere hemisphere Total imported ova 14,738 0 Northern Southern 12,735 0 hemisphere hemisphere 9,275 0 14,738 0 10,376 0 12,735 0 11,227 0 9,275 0 9,550 0 10,376 0 6,474 0 11,227 0 5,808 0 9,550 0 6,519 0 6,474 0 3,712 965 5,808 0

Total

15,142 Total 12,979 9,889 15,142 11,040 12,979 12,121 9,889 9,934 11,040 7,041 12,121 6,318 9,934 6,551 7,041 6,244 6,318

Top: Trout Ova Above: Trout farm for breeding

In 2020, the10total number hatch decreased 0by 0.3 million 2019 22of eyed ova 32laid down to6,519 6,551 In 2020, the total number of eyed ova laid down to hatch decreased by Opposite: Larvae; (4.7%) ova came from both the Northern 2020 on the 15 2019 figure. 1,552Imported 1,567 3,712 965 and Southern 6,244 0.3 million (4.7%) on the 2019 figure. Imported ova came from both the ova in hatchery hemispheres during 2020. The proportion of ova from GB broodstock increased (25% Northern and Southern hemispheres during 2020. The proportion of ova of the total) and the rainbow trout industry remained reliant on imported ova. Data on In 2020, total number of eyed ova laid downand to hatchrainbow decreased by from GB the broodstock increased ofavailable the total) trout the importation of ova into Scotland (25% are also from thethe health certificates and 0.3 million (4.7%) on the 2019 figure. Imported ova came from both the industry remained reliant on imported ova. Data on the importation of ova are shown in Table 9a. Any discrepancy between the figures in Tables 8 and 9a is due Northern and are Southern hemispheres 2020. The proportion ova into Scotland also available from during the health certificates and areofshown to data being obtained from two independent sources. from GB 9a. broodstock increasedbetween (25% of the the figures total) and the rainbow trout in Table Any discrepancy in Tables 8 and 9a is due industry remained reliant ontwo imported ova. Data on the importation of ova to data being obtained from independent sources. into Scotland are also available from the health certificates and are shown in Table 9a. Any discrepancy between the figures in Tables 8 and 9a is due 10 Fish Farm Survey obtained v2.indd 50 from two independent sources. 29/11/2021 13:25:27 to Production data being

Imports from Official Import Health Certificates Table 9a: Number (000’s) and sources of ova imported into Scotland2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 51

Imports from Import Health Certificates from outwith GBOfficial during 2011-2020

IMPORTS FROM OFFICIAL IMPORT HEALTHinto Scotland Table 9a: Number (000’s) and sources of ova imported Source 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 CERTIFICATES from outwith GBOfficial during 2011-2020 Imports from Import Health Certificates 5,250 1,950 1,315 2,500 2,330 5,535 3,518 3,728 5,567 3,703 Denmark Table 9a: sources of ova imported into2017 Scotland from outwith Source 2011(000’s) 2012and 2013 2014 2015 2018 2019 2020 Table 9a: Number Number (000’s) and sources of ova2016 imported into Scotland 520 300 800 1,000 175 20 300 0 0 0 Isle ofBritain Man during Great from outwith GB 2011–2020 during 2011-2020 Denmark N. Ireland IsleSource of Man Norway N. Ireland Denmark South Africa Isle of Man Norway Spain N. Ireland South Africa USA Norway Spain Totals South USA Africa

130 7,320 5,250 0 520 130 0 7,320 0 1,580 130 0 14,800 0 1,580

Totals Spain

14,800 12,682 9,765 10,690 11,385 0 0 0 0 0

USA Table

5,250 7,320

2011 520

1,950 8,332

2012 300

300 8,332 1,950 0 300 0 8,332 0 1,800 300 0 12,682 0 1,800

1,315 5,125

5,535 3,040

3,518 1,240

3,728 1,085

5,567 380

3,703 150

175 710 670 500 5,125 4,780 3,040 1,315 2,500 6,535 2,330 5,535 0 0 0 0 800 1,000 175 20 175 710 670 500 0 0 0 0 5,125 4,780 6,535 3,040 0 0 0 0 2,350 1,700 1,675 750 175 710 670 500 0 0 0 0 9,765 10,690 11,385 9,845 0 0 0 0 2,350 1,700 1,675 750

774 1,240 3,518 0 300 774 0 1,240 0 0 774 0 5,832 0

0 1,085 3,728 0 0 0 1,085 0 855 0 0 5,668 0 855

0 380 5,567 0 0 60 380 0 430 0 60 6,437 0 430

0 150 3,703 1,225 0 180 150 1,225 1,580 0 180 5,258 1,225 1,580

5,832 0

5,668 0

6,437 60

5,258 180

2013 800

2,500 4,780

2,330 6,535

2014 1,000

2015 175

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 20 300 0 0 0

9,845 0

1,580 1,800 2,350in numbers 1,700 1,675 750 and 0sources 855 Seasonal variation (000’s)

1,580 9b: of 14,800 12,682from 9,765outwith 10,690 GB 11,385 9,845 5,832 5,668 6,437 5,258 Totals imported into Scotland during 2020 Table 9b: Seasonal variation in numbers (000’s) and sources of ova Table 9b: Seasonal variation in numbers (000’s) and sources imported into Scotland from outwith GB during 2020of ova imported into Month Denmark N. Ireland South Africa Spain Scotland from outwith variation Great Britaininduring 2020 (000’s) and sources of ova Table 9b: Seasonal numbers

January

430 ova

1,030

February January March Month February April March January May April February June May March July June April August July May September August June October September July November October August December November September Totals December October

125 1,030 227 Denmark 125 681 227 1,030 200 681 125 100 200 227 0 100 681 0 0 200 0 0 100 420 0 920 420 0 0 920 0 3,703 0 420

0 0 150 N. Ireland 0 0 150 0 0 0 0 0 150 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 150 0

0 0 0 South0Africa 0 0 125 0 130 125 0 0 130 0 250 0 125 720 250 130 0 720 0 0 0 250 0 0 720 1,225 0

0 Spain 0 0 0 Spain 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 180 0 0 180 0 180 0

Totals November

3,703 920

150 0

1,225 0

180

Month Denmark N. Ireland Africa imported into Scotland from outwith GB duringSouth 2020

December 0 0 of fish imported 0 0 from Table 9c: Number (000’s) and sources into Scotland Table 9c: Number (000’s) and sources of ﬁsh imported into Scotland from outwith Totals GB during 2011-2020 3,703 150 1,225 180 outwith Great Britain during 2011–2020 Table 9c: Number (000’s) and sources of fish imported into Scotland from outwith GB during2012 2011-2020 Source 2011 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Photos: Aquagen.

Table 9c: Number (000’s) and sources of fish imported into Scotland from N. Ireland 72 155 537 674 746 592 486 391 935 787 Source 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 outwith GB 2011 during2012 2011-2020 N. Irelandwithin 72the European 155 537 746 592 486 of ova 935 into Suppliers Union 674 (EU) accounted for 76.7% imported Suppliers within the European Union (EU) accounted for 391 76.7% of ova787 Source during 2011 2012 2013 Africa 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Scotland 2020 with South accounting for the remaining 23.3%. recent imported into Scotland during 2020 with South Africa accountingInfor the years, therewithin has a recent trend foryears producers to import part-grown trout into Suppliers the European Union (EU) accounted forrainbow 76.7% of ova N. Ireland 72been 155 537 674 746 592 391 935 787 remaining 23.3%. In there has been a486 trend for producers to Scotland from Northern Ireland. imported into Scotland during 2020 Southfrom Africa accounting for the import part grown rainbow trout intowith Scotland Northern Ireland. remainingwithin 23.3%.the In recent years there hasaccounted been a trend for producers Suppliers European Union (EU) for 76.7% of ova to import part grown rainbow trout intowith Scotland Northern Ireland. imported into Scotland during 2020 Southfrom Africa accounting for the 11 remaining 23.3%. In recent years there has been a trend for producers to import part grown rainbow trout11 into Scotland from Northern Ireland.

Fish Farm Production Survey v2.indd 51

SUPPLIERS WITHIN THE EUROPEAN UNION ACCOUNTED FOR 76.7% OF OVA IMPORTED INTO SCOTLAND DURING 2020

29/11/2021 13:25:55

52 FISH FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2020

Trade in Fry and Fingerlings Table 10: Number (000’s) of fry and fingerlings traded during 2011-2020

Trade in Fry and Fingerlings

TRADE IN FRY(000’s) AND FINGERLINGS and fingerlings bought Table 10: Number Fry of fry and fingerlings traded during 2011-2020 Total Table 10: Number (000’s) of fry and ﬁngerlings traded during 2011–2020 number bought Total number 18,396 bought 13,769

Total number sold Total number 16,612 sold 12,088

Year

All female Triploid no. Mixed sex diploid no. (%)and fingerlings (%) diploid no. (%) Fry bought

Year 2011 2012

16,288 (88.5) All female diploid no. (%) 12,543 (91)

1,970 (10.7) Triploid no. (%) 1,226 (9)

138 (0.8) Mixed sex diploid no. (%) 0

2013 2011

6,734(88.5) (84) 16,288

1,239 (16) 1,970 (10.7)

138 0 (0.8)

7,973 18,396

6,749 16,612

2014 2012

5,911 (91) (81) 12,543

1,423 (9) (19) 1,226

7,334 13,769

6,719 12,088

2015 2013

6,104 (84) (87) 6,734

598 (9) 1,239 (16)

290 0 (4)

6,992 7,973

6,971 6,749

2016 2014

6,452 (81) (85) 5,911

1,125 (19) (15) 1,423

7,577 7,334

6,779 6,719

2017 2015

3,989 (87) (73) 6,104

1,446 (27) 598 (9)

2900(4)

5,435 6,992

4,145 6,971

2018 2016

979 (42) 6,452 (85)

1,361 (15) (58) 1,125

2,340 7,577

2,383 6,779

2019 2017

861 (25) 3,989 (73)

2,532 (27) (75) 1,446

3,393 5,435

2,832 4,145

2020 2018

937 (42) (33) 979

1,916 (58) (67) 1,361

2,853 2,340

2,544 2,383

2019

861 (25)

2,532 (75)

3,393

2,832

The established trade between hatcheries0and on-growing 2020 937 (33) 1,916 (67) 2,853 farms 2,544 continued in 2020. Some companies specialised in fry and fingerling The established trade between hatcheries farms continued in 2020. by production. The total number ofhatcheries fryand andongrowing fingerlings bought decreased The established trade between and on-growing farms Some companies specialised in fry and fi ngerling production. The total number of fry 15.9% while the number sold decreased by 10.2%. The disparity between continued in 2020. Some companies specialised in fry and fingerling and fingerlings bought decreased 15.9%, while the number sold decreased by supply and demand due toby trade England and Wales. production. The totalisnumber of fry with and fingerlings bought decreased by 10.2%. The disparity between supply and demand is due to trade with England and 15.9% while the number sold decreased by 10.2%. The disparity between Wales. Use ofand Vaccines supply demand is due to trade with England and Wales. Table 11: Number of sites rearing fish vaccinated against enteric USE OF VACCINES redmouth disease (ERM) and number of fish vaccinated (millions) during Use of Vaccines Table 11: Number of sites rearing fish vaccinated against enteric redmouth disease 2011-2020 Table 11: Number rearing fish vaccinated against enteric (ERM) and number ofof fishsites vaccinated (millions) during 2011–2020 redmouth disease (ERM) and number of fish vaccinated (millions) during Year 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2011-2020 No. of sites Year

26 2011

24 2012

19 2013

21 2014

17 2015

18 2016

18 2017

17 2018

21 2019

18 2020

No. of of No. fish sites

20.3 26

20.4 24

9.9 19

10.0 21

8.3 17

7.3 18

5.4 18

3.4 17

3.4 21

2.8 18

No. of continued to be used as a preventative treatment against enteric redmouth Vaccines 20.3 20.4 9.9 10.0 8.3 7.3 5.4 3.4 3.4 2.8 Vaccines continued to be used as a preventative treatment against fish (ERM), disease a potentially serious bacterial infection caused by Yersinia ruckeri. Vacenteric redmouth disease (ERM), a potentially serious bacterial infection, cination is generally carried out as a bath treatment at the fingerling stage, although caused by Yersinia ruckeri.Vaccination is generally carried a fish Vaccines continued to be used as a preventative treatment against some vaccines are administered by intra-peritoneal injection. A total ofout 2.8as million bathvaccinated treatment the fingerling although some bacterial vaccines infection, are were onat 18 sites. enteric redmouth disease (ERM), stage, a potentially serious administered by intra-peritoneal injection. A total of 2.8 million caused by Yersinia ruckeri.Vaccination is generally carried out as fish a were vaccinated on 18 ORGANIC PRODUCTION bath treatment at sites. the fingerling stage, although some vaccines are Of the 52 sites recorded as being activeinjection. in rainbow A trout production in 2020,fish nonewere administered by intra-peritoneal total of 2.8 million were certifiedon as 18 organic. vaccinated sites. 12

ESCAPES

There was one incident involving the loss of 1,601 fish from a rainbow trout site in 2020. There was one additional incident12 reported where the company confirmed there was no loss of fish.

Fish Farm Production Survey v2.indd 52

VACCINES CONTINUED TO BE USED AS A PREVENTATIVE TREATMENT AGAINST ERM

Top: Trout fingerlings Above: Rainbow trout vaccination

29/11/2021 13:28:07

2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 53

// 2. At lant i c s a l m o n ( Salmo salar ) – ova and s mo l ts Production survey information was collected from all 24 companies Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) – actively involved in the freshwater production of Atlantic salmon, ova smolts farmingand 78 active sites. This figure represents the entire freshwater

roduction survey information was collected from all 24 companies actively involved industry operating in Scotland. in the freshwater production of Atlantic salmon, farming 78 active sites. This ﬁgure represents the Site entireData freshwater industry operating in Scotland. Company and Table 12: Number of companies and sites in production during 2011-

COMPANY AND SITE DATA 2020

Table 12: Number of companies and sites in production during 2011≠2020 Year

No. of companies

2011

No. of sites 98

2012

100

2013

102

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

In 2020, 2020,the the number of companies authorised by the Scottish In number of companies authorised by the Scottish Government for freshGovernment foroffreshwater production salmon water production Atlantic salmon increased of by Atlantic one to 24. A total increased of 78 sites were by oneengaged to 24. Aintotal of 78 sites were actively engaged in commercial actively commercial production, an increase of two from the 2019 ﬁgure. production, an increase of two from the 2019 figure.

Production and Staffing Table 13: Number (000’s) of smolts produced, staff employed and smolt productivity during 2011-2020

Year

Number (000’s) of Smolts produced

Full-time Male

Full-time Female

Total Full-time

2011

43,626

207

225

293

148.9

2012

44,324

218

235

328

135.1

2013

40,457

226

237

285

142.0

2014

45,004

226

244

309

145.6

2015

44,571

208

239

294

151.6

2016

42,894

225

252

294

145.9

2017

46,152

219

250

291

158.6

2018

47,097

210

239

278

169.4

247

281

183.0

Fish Farm2019 Production Survey v2.indd 51,430 215 53

Productivity, Part-time Part-time Total Total Staff (000’s) smolts Male Female Part-time per person

Top: Atlantic salmon Above: Salmon steak Left: Scottish salmon farm

29/11/2021 13:28:38

In 2020, the number of companies authorised by the Scottish Government for freshwater production of Atlantic salmon increased by one to 24. A total of 78 sites were actively engaged in commercial production, an increase of two from the 2019 figure. 54 FISH FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2020

Production and Staffing

PRODUCTION AND STAFFING Table 13: Number (000’s) of smolts produced, staff employed and smolt

Table 13: Number (000’s) of smolts produced, staﬀ employed and smolt productivity productivity during 2011-2020 during 2011–2020 Year

Number (000’s) of Smolts produced

Full-time Male

Full-time Female

Total Full-time

2011

43,626

207

225

293

148.9

2012

44,324

218

235

328

135.1

2013

40,457

226

237

285

142.0

2014

45,004

226

244

309

145.6

2015

44,571

208

239

294

151.6

2016

42,894

225

252

294

145.9

Productivity, Part-time Part-time Total Total Staff (000’s) smolts Male Female Part-time per person

Smolt by 2017 production 46,152 219in 2020 31 decreased 250 33 2% compared 8 41 to 2019. 291 The158.6 2018 47,097 29 in 2020 239 30 9 39 278 169.4 number of staff 210 employed increased by 11 and productivity 2019 production 51,430 32 decreased 26 2% compared 8 34to 2019. 281 The183.0 Smolt in a2020 by decreased by 6%215to figure of247 172,900 smolts produced per person. 2020 50,492 30 263 23 6 29 292 172.9 number staff 233 employed in 2020 increased 11 and productivity Data forof staffing and productivity in 2013 areby shown, however, there are decreased by 6% to a figure of 172,900 smolts produced per person. Smolt productionwith in 2020 decreased by 2% with 2019. Thethe number of staff uncertainties these data due to compared consolidation within industry. Data for in staffing and productivity in 2013 are shown, there employed 2020 increased by 11 and14 productivity decreased byhowever, 6% to a figure of are uncertainties with these due to for consolidation within theinindustry. 172,900 smolts produced per data person. Data staffing and productivity 2013 are shown, butby there areGroup uncertainties with these data due to consolidation within the Smolts Age industry. Table 14: Number of smolts (000’s) produced by type during 2011-2020

Smolts by Age Group

SMOLTS BY AGE GROUP Table 14: Number of smolts (000’s) produced by type Year S½ S1 S1½ during 2011-2020 Total Table 14: Number of smolts (000’s) produced by type during 2011-2020 2011 Year 2012 2011 2013

17,233 S½ 18,795 17,233 19,024

2012 2014 2013 2015 2014 2016

18,795 22,367 19,024 23,850 22,367 25,072

2015 2017 2016 2018 2017 2019

0 S1½ 290 0 154

20,711 18,080 17,822 23,039 18,080 25,823

10 0 0 0

25,239 22,473 21,279 20,711 22,473 17,822

23,850 28,072 25,072 24,058 28,072 25,607

43,626 Total 44,324 43,626 40,457

290 164 154 10 164 0

44,324 45,004 40,457 44,571 45,004 42,894

44,571 46,152 42,894 47,097 46,152 51,430

24,058 22,872 25,607

23,039 27,620 25,823

0 0 0 0 0

47,097 50,492 51,430

was 22,872 a decrease

27,620 11% in

0 number

50,492 smolts

2018 2020 2019

2020there 2020,

26,393 S1 25,239 26,393 21,279

In of the of S½ In 2020, there was decrease of in the of of S½S1 smolts produced and an produced and anaincrease of11% 7% in thenumber number smolts produced. In 2020,ofthere a decrease of 11%produced. in the number of S½ smolts increase 7% in was the number of S1 smolts produced and Systems an increase of 7% in the number of S1 smolts produced. Production

PRODUCTION Table 15: Number SYSTEMS and capacity of production systems during 2016-2020

Production Systems Table 15: Number and capacity of production systems during 2016-2020

Table 15: Number and capacity of production systems during 2016-2020 System

Year System

Cages Year Tanks and Cages Raceways Tanks Total and Raceways

No. of sites with system

Total capacity, 000’s cubic metres

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

49 38

43 36

44 27

49 27

51 27

46 400

55 357

54 346

68 351

62 379

87 49

79 43

71 44

76 49

78 51

446 46

412 55

400 54

419 68

441 62

No. of sites with system 38 36 27 27 27 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Total capacity, 000’s cubic metres 400 2017 357 2018 346 2019 351 2020 379 2016

The types of facility used for the production of smolts in freshwater are cages or tanks Total 87 79 71 76 78 446 412 400 419 441 and 2020, the number of farms using cages remained same as inare Theraceways. types ofIn facility used for the production of smolts in the freshwater 2019 number farms usingIntanks andthe raceways increased by two. In cages terms of cagesand or the tanks and of raceways. 2020, number of farms using The types ofcapacity facility used for production smolts in using freshwater are volume, cage bythe 5,000m³ tankofand capacity increased remained the sameincreased as in 2019 and theand number ofraceway farms tanks and cages or tanks and raceways. Interms 2020,in number of farms using cages by 28,000m³.This resulted a netInincrease volume of 22,000m³ available for the raceways increased byintwo. ofthe volume, cage capacity increased production smolts in Scotland during 2020. remained the same as and in 2019 and the number of farms tanks by 5,000 of m³ and tank raceway capacity increased byusing 28,000 m³.and raceways increased by two. In terms of volume, cage capacity increased This resulted in a net increase in volume of 22,000 m³ available for the by 5,000 m³ofand tankin and raceway capacity increased by 28,000 m³. production smolts Scotland during 2020. This resulted in a net increase in volume of 22,000 m³ available for the Fish Farm Production Survey v2.indd 54 production of smolts in Scotland during 2020.

THE NUMBER OF STAFF EMPLOYED IN 2020 INCREASED BY 11

29/11/2021 13:29:12

Table 16: Number (000’s) of smolts produced and stocking densities by production system during 2016-2020 2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 55 Table 16: Number (000’s) of smolts produced and stocking densities by Table 16: Number smolts produced and stocking densities by production system(000’s) during of 2016-2020 Table 16: Number (000’s) of smolts produced densities by (smolts/m3) Number of smolts produced (000’s) and stocking Stocking densities production system during 2016-2020 production system during 2016–2020 Year 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Number of smolts produced (000’s)

Stocking densities (smolts/m3)

Cages Year

Number of smolts produced (000’s) 15,884 17,207 21,771 18,964 18,331 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Year All Cages others Cages All Total others All others Total

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 27,010 17,207 28,945 21,771 25,326 18,964 32,466 18,331 32,161 15,884

3 )48 40Stocking 48 densities 63 (smolts/m 54 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

2016 587 40

2017 526 48

2018 469 63

2019 477 54

2020 519 48

15,884 17,207 21,771 18,964 18,331 42,894 28,945 46,152 25,326 47,097 32,466 51,430 32,161 50,492 27,010

40 587

48 526

63 469

54 477

48 519

27,010 28,945 25,326 32,466 32,161 42,894 46,152 47,097 51,430 50,492

587 -

526 -

469 -

477 -

519 -

The stocking of cages decreased from 58- to 48- smolts Totalaverage 42,894 46,152densities 47,097 51,430 50,492 per m³ in 2020 compared to 2019, while densities in tanks and raceways The average stocking densities of cages decreased from 58 to 48 smolts decreased from 477 to 519 smolts per m³. The stocking densities of 2019, cages decreased from 58 to 48 smolts m³ in Theaverage average stocking densities of cages from 58 and toper 48 smolts per m³ in 2020 compared to whiledecreased densities in tanks raceways 2020 compared with 2019, while densities in tanks and raceways decreased from 477 per m³ in 2020 compared tosmolts 2019, per while densities in tanks and raceways decreased from 477 to 519 m³. Ova Production to 519 smoltsfrom per m³. decreased 477 to 519 smolts per m³. Table 17: Number (000’s) of salmon ova produced during 2011-2020

Ova Production

OVA PRODUCTION Ova Production Table 17: Number (000’s) of salmon ova produced during 2011-2020

Year Table 17: Number (000’s) of salmon ova produced during 2011–2020 Table No. of 17: Number (000’s) of salmon ova produced during 2011-2020 ova Year No. of Year ovaof No.

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

78,208

57,489

56,904

33,450

11,605

13,689

12,631

15,228

11,618

20,021

2011 78,208

2012 57,489

2013 56,904

2014 33,450

2015 11,605

2016 13,689

2017 12,631

2018 15,228

2019 11,618

2020 20,021

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

In 2020,78,208 over 20 million ova33,450 were 11,605 stripped, an increase of 72% from20,021 the 57,489 56,904 13,689 12,631 15,228 11,618 ova In 2020, over 20 million ova were stripped, an increase of 72% from the number of ova produced in 2019. In 2020, 20 million ova were stripped, an increase of 72% from the number of over ova produced in 2019. In 2020,of over million ova were stripped, an increase of 72% from the number ova20 produced in 2019. Table 18: Source, number (000’s), previous year’s estimate of ova laid number of ova produced in 2019. Table 18: Source, number (000’s), previous estimate of ova laidfor down to hatch down to hatch during 2011-2020 and year’s projected production 2021 Table 2011–2020 18: Source,and number (000’s), previous year’s estimate of ova laid during projected production for 2021 Table 18: Source, number (000’s), previous year’sproduction estimate of ova laid down to hatch during 2011-2020 and projected for 2021 OutPrevious In-house GB wildprojected production for 2021 down 2011-2020 and Yearto hatch duringsourced GB Foreign ova Total year's broodstock

Year 2011 Year 2012 2011 2013 2011 2012 2014 2012 2013 2015 2013 2014 2016 2014 2015 2017 2015 2016 2018 2016 2017 2019 2017 2018 2020 2018 2019 2021 2019 2020

In-house 15,664 broodstock In-house

18,556 broodstock

broodstock Outsourced 14,630 Out- GB broodstock sourced GB

15,664 16,996 15,664 18,556 14,418 18,556 16,996 6,479 16,996 14,418 5,884 14,418 6,479 6,228 6,479 5,884 8,780 5,884 6,228 5,516 6,228 8,780 5,195 8,780 5,516 5,516 5,195

9,981

broodstock 14,630

8,263 14,630 9,981 2,725 9,981 8,263 223 8,263 2,725 4 2,725 223 360 223 4 200 4 360 1,724 360 200 4,480 200 1,724 1,724 4,480

broodstock

GB wild 0 broodstock GB wild 0 broodstock

0 0 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 10 0 10 10 0 10 0 0 0 0 75 0 0 258 0 75 75 258

Foreign ova 34,322

Total 64,616

Foreign ova 34,700

Total 63,237 64,616 66,573 64,616 63,237 70,837 63,237 66,573 68,175 66,573 70,837 64,346 70,837 68,175 65,746 68,175 64,346 70,479 64,346 65,746 71,246 65,746 70,479 78,618 70,479 71,246 71,246 78,618

34,322 41,315 34,322 34,700 53,684 34,700 41,315 61,463 41,315 53,684 58,458 53,684 61,463 59,158 61,463 58,458 61,499 58,458 59,158 63,931 59,158 61,499 68,685 61,499 63,931 63,931 68,685

estimate Previous year's 54,526 Previous estimate year's

55,723

estimate 54,526

49,249 54,526 55,723 48,149 55,723 49,249 65,284 49,249 48,149 59,604 48,149 65,284 60,673 65,284 59,604 67,374 59,604 60,673 71,571 60,673 67,374 70,598 67,374 71,571 68,588 71,571 70,598

2020 4,480 258 68,685 78,618 70,598 68,588 The2021 number of5,195 ova laid down to hatch was 78.6 million, an increase of 7.4 million 2021 on the 2019 figure. The majority of the ova (87.4%) were derived from 68,588 (10.3%) foreign sources, this being an increase of 4.8 million (7.4%) on the 2019 figure. Supplies derived from GB broodstock (excluding wild-origin ova) increased by 2.4 million, a 33.6% increase on the 2019 figure. In 2020, 16 258,000 ova from GB wild broodstock were laid down to hatch. Ova derived from wild stocks are generally held and hatched 16 for wild stock enhancement by the aquaculture industry in co-operation with wild 16 fisheries managers.

Above: Salmon ova from Benchmark Genetics Left: salmon eggs Opposite from top: Working on a salmon farm; Salmon smolts

Fish Farm Production Survey v2.indd 55

29/11/2021 13:29:59

million (7.4%) on the 2019 figure. Supplies derived from GB broodstock (excluding wild origin ova) increased by 2.4 million, a 33.6% increase on the 2019 figure. In 2020, 258,000 ova from GB wild broodstock were laid down to hatch, ova derived from wild stocks are generally held andFISH hatched for wildSURVEY stock 2020 enhancement by the aquaculture industry in 56 FARM PRODUCTION cooperation with wild fisheries managers.

Smolts Produced and Put to Sea Table 19: Actual and projected smolt production and smolts put to sea

SMOLTS PRODUCED AND PUT TO SEA (millions) during 2011-2022

Table 19: Actual and projected smolt production and smolts put to sea (millions) during 2011–2022 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Actual smolts put to sea

42.7

41.1

40.9

48.1

45.5

43.0

46.1

45.5

53.0

52.5

Smolts produced

43.6

44.3

40.5

45.0

44.6

42.9

46.2

47.1

51.4

50.5

Estimated production

35.9

31.3

28.1

39.9

43.4

36.6

39.3

46.1

38.6

52.1

1.5

1.4

1.6

1.5

1.4

1.5

1.4

1.6

Ratio of ova laid down to smolts produced

55.6

54.6

The gure forfor thethe number of smolts put to sea smolts produced Theﬁfigure number of smolts putincludes to sea includes smoltsin England and smolts imported fromand elsewhere, smolt production data relate only to produced in England smoltswhereas imported from elsewhere, whereas those in Scotland. Smolt only producers estimate putting 55.6 million smolts smoltproduced production data relate to those produced in Scotland. Smolt to sea in 2021. The ratioputting of ova laid down to hatch to smolts produced in 2020 producers estimate 55.6 million smolts to sea in 2021. The was ratio greater ratioto in hatch 2019. to smolts produced in 2020 was greater than of ovathan laid the down

Scale of in Production the ratio 2019.

SCALE PRODUCTION Table 20:OF Smolt-producing sites grouped by numbers (000’s) of smolts Table 20: Smolt-producing sites grouped by numbers (000’s) of smolts produced produced during 2011 2020 during 2011–2020 Scale of production Year

1-10 11-25

2650

51100

101250

251500

5011,000

No. of Total sites in smolts >1,000 production produced

2011

43,626

2012

44,324

2013

40,457

2014

45,004

2015

44,571

2016

42,894

2017

46,152

2018

47,097

2019

51,430

THE RATIO OF OVA LAID DOWN TO HATCH TO SMOLTS PRODUCED IN 2020 WAS GREATER THAN THE RATIO IN 2019

2020 1 1 0 4 4 5 10 16 41 50,492 Note: These data refer only to sites producing smolts. The sites holding only ova, fry or parr are excluded.

The number of sites producing smolts in 2020 was 41. The number of sites producing The of sites producing 2020 41. of The number of fewernumber than 101,000 smolts increasedsmolts by threeinwhile thewas number sites producing sites producing lessone than 101,000 byseven. threeThe while the of between 101,000 and million smolts smolts per yearincreased decreased by number number of sites producing 101,000 and one million sites producing in excess of onebetween million smolts per year remained at 16. smolts per year decreased by 7. The number of sites producing in excess of one million smolts per year remained at 16 sites.

Left: Salmon smolt

Production of Ova and Smolt by Production Area Table 21: Staffing in 2020, ova laid down to hatch in 2019-2020, smolt production in 2019-2020 and estimated production in 2021-2022 by region Number of staff Fish Farm Production v2.indd 56in Region Surveyemployed 2020

Ova laid down to hatch (000’s)

Smolt production (000’s)

Estimated smolt production (000’s)

29/11/2021 13:30:26

Note: These data refer only to sites producing smolts. The sites holding only ova, fry or parr are excluded.

The number of sites producing smolts in 2020 was 41. The number of sites producing less than 101,000 smolts increased by three while the 2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 57 number of sites producing between 101,000 and one million smolts per year decreased by 7. The number of sites producing in excess of one million smolts per year remained at 16 sites.

PRODUCTION OF and OVASmolt AND by SMOLT BY PRODUCTION Production of Ova Production Area AREA Table 21: Staffing in 2020, ova laid down to hatch in 2019-2020, smolt

Table 21: Staﬃ in 2020, ovaand laid estimated down to hatch in 2019–2020, smolt production production in ng 2019-2020 production in 2021-2022 by in 2019–2020 and estimated production in 2021–2022 by region region

Region

Number of staff employed in 2020

North West Orkney

Ova laid down to hatch (000’s)

Smolt production (000’s)

Estimated smolt production (000’s)

F/T

P/T

2019

2020

2019

2020

2021

2022

135

34,519

42,702

29,660

26,308

30,529

30,389

100

102

125

Shetland

6,512

5,948

4,560

3,804

3,030

West

23,221

23,810

11,772

16,213

17,409

18,299

Western Isles

6,952

5,738

4,362

3,247

3,155

2,100

320

974

823

1,439

700

263

71,246

78,618

51,430

50,492

55,627

54,643

East and South All Scotland

Above: Salmon smolt

In 2020, the North West and the West were the main areas where ova were laid down to hatch. The North West and the West were the main smolt-producing areas. The greatest number of staﬀ were employed in the North West region. 18

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58 FISH FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2020

µ µ

Figure 2: The regional distribution of active Atlantic salmon smolt sites in 2020

! ! !

Shetland !

Orkney ! !

! !

Western Isles

! ! ! !

!!!

North West

! !

! ! !! !

!! ! ! !

! ! ! ! !

! ! !

! !

! ! ! !

!!!

! !!

West

North

! !

! !!

East & South

! !

! ! !! !

East

! !

! ! !! !!

! ! ! ! ! !

! !

West Fish Farm Production 58 Figure 2:Survey Thev2.indd regional

Miles 100

! !

distribution of active atlantic 2020 ! salmon smolt sites in 29/11/2021

13:31:34

2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 59

International Trade in Ova

Since the introduction of the EU single market on 1st January 1993 and the associated Fish Health Regulations common to all EU member states, a trade in live salmon and ova has been established. In addition, the European Economic Area (EEA) agreement allows trade between the EU and the member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN OVA Trade was based on the same rules as are established within the EU Since the introduction of the EU single market on 1 January 1993 and the associated regarding compartments and zones declared free from listed diseases. Fish Health Regulations common to all EU member states, a trade in live salmon and Thishas situation existed until 1st January 2021Economic and so covers theagreement period of ova been established. In addition, the European Area (EEA) this report. allows trade between the EU and the member states of the European Free Trade

Association (EFTA). Trade was based on the same rules as those established within Trade with Third Countries has also been established, but diseases. only from the EU regarding compartments and zones declared free from listed Thissites situthat existed have met same 2021 health as period are established within the ation untilthe 1 January andstandards so covers the of this report. EU regarding the approval of farms and zones for listed diseases. Exports Trade with Third Countries has established, only from sites that have to countries outside the EUalso arebeen subject to the but health conditions placed met the same health country. standards Marine as those Scotland establishedScience within the EU regarding the by the importing advises potential approval of farms and zones for listed diseases. Exports to countries outsidehealth the EU exporters to ascertain with the importing country any specific are subject to the health conditions by the importing country. Marine Scotland testing requirements that mayplaced be a condition of import. Science advises potential exporters to ascertain with the importing country any speciﬁc health-testing requirements that may be a condition of import.

Imports and Exports

IMPORTS ANDand EXPORTS Table 22a: Source number (000’s) of salmon ova, fry, parr and smolts Table 22a: Source and number (000’s) of salmon ova, fry, parr and smolts imported imported during 2011-2020 derived from health certificates during 2011–2020 derived from health certiﬁcates Ova Import Year

Fry, Parr and Smolts

EU Member States

Iceland

Norway

2011

3,400

2012

10,134

2013

10,700

2014

EFTA

Total

EU Member States

EFTANorway

35,851

39,251

800

23,849

33,983

2,719

35,044

48,463

5,218

3,813

49,831

58,862

1,602

1,748

2015

4,815

8,978

45,926

59,719

2,118

365

2016

5,444

5,324

38,602

49,370

1,956

2017

7,000

13,883

37,025

57,908

2,012

2018

7,250

10,116

48,430

65,796

1,700

2019

10,184

26,352

23,673

60,209

297

2020

17,746

42,106

220

60,072

1,130

The numbers of ova imported decreased by 0.2%. The number of fry, parr and smolts The numbers of ova decreased by 0.2%. The 1.1 number fry, parr imported increased fromimported that observed in 2019, with more than millionof imported from EU member states during 2020. from that observed in 2019, with over and smolts imported increased 1.1 million imported from EU member states during 2020.

Above: Smolts under light Left: Salmon parr

Fish Farm Production Survey v2.indd 59

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Table 22b: Destination and number (000’s) of salmon ova, fry, parr and smolts exported during 2011-2020 derived from health certificates 60 FISH FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2020

Table 22b: Destination and number (000’s) of salmon ova, fry, parr and

Farmed origin ova of derived Fry, Parr Smolts Table 22b: Destination and number (000’s) salmonTotal ova, fry, parr andand smolts smolts exported during 2011-2020 from health certificates Export year exported during 2011–2020 derived from health certiﬁ cates EU Norway Others 0 Farmed0 origin ova 820

2011 Export year 2012

0 EU

0 Norway

Total 820

0 Others

Fry, Parr and Smolts 183

2013 2011

650 0

0 820

650 820

404 183

2014 2012

259 55

2015 2013

93 650

95 650

8 404

2016 2014

335 0

23 0

358 0

173 259

2017 2015

16 93

323 2

339 95

206 8

2018 2016

23 335

0 23

23 358

71 173

2019 2017

0 16

0 323

0 339

263 206

2020 2018

0 23

389 71

2019

263

In 2020, no ova 0were exported. Fry, parr and smolt exports increased by 2020 0 0 0 389 126,000 fish on the 2019 figure.

In 2020, no ova were exported. Fry, parr and smolt exports increased by 126,000 ﬁsh In the 2020, ova were exported. Fry, parr and smolt exports increased by on 2019no ﬁgure.

A TOTAL OF 59.2 Table 23: Number of sites using vaccines and number (millions) of fish MILLION vaccinated during 2011-2020 FISH WERE VACCIVaccines were used to provide protection against furunculosis, infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN), ERM, vibriosis and salmonid alphavirus (SAV). The majority of fish were vaccinated against furunculosis, IPN and SAV, NATED Vaccines were used to provide protection against furunculosis, infectious with smaller numbers of fish being vaccinated against ERM and vibriosis. pancreatic necrosis (IPN), ERM, vibriosis and salmonid alphavirus (SAV). ACROSS A total of 59.2 million fish were vaccinated across 43 sites. The majority of fish were vaccinated against furunculosis, IPN and SAV, ESCAPES with smaller numbers of fish being vaccinated against ERM and vibriosis. 43 SITES Escapes A total of 59.2 million fish were vaccinated across 43 sites. Vaccines 126,000 fish on the 2019 figure. Table 23: Number of sites using vaccines and number (millions) of fish VACCINES vaccinated 2011-2020 Table 23: Number of sites using vaccines and number (millions) of ﬁsh vaccinated Vaccines during during 2011–2020 Year

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

No. of sites

No. Year of fish (millions) No. of sites vaccinated

2011 49.2 67

2012 48.1 63

2013 47.5 63

2014 44.7 56

2015 48.0 55

2016 42.6 47

2017 58.4 46

2018 51.0 43

2019 52.4 46

2020 59.2 43

49.2 48.1 protection 47.5 44.7 48.0 42.6 infectious 58.4 pancreatic 51.0 52.4 (millions) Vaccines were used to provide against furunculosis, vaccinated necrosis (IPN), ERM, vibriosis and salmonid alphavirus (SAV). The majority of fish were vaccinated against furunculosis, IPN and SAV, with smaller numbers of fish being vaccinated against ERM and vibriosis. A total of 59.2 million fish were vaccinated across 43 sites.

59.2

No. of fish

In 2020, there was one escape incident involving the loss of 20 fish from sites rearing freshwater Atlantic salmon. There was one additional incident reported where the In 2020, there was one escape incident involving the loss of 20 fish company confirmed there was no loss of fish.

from sites rearing freshwater Atlantic salmon. There was one additional Escapes incident reported where the company confirmed there was no loss of In 2020, there was one escape incident involving the loss of 20 fish fish. from sites rearing freshwater Atlantic salmon. There was one additional incident reported where the company confirmed there was no loss of fish. 22

Above: Salmon fry Left: Vaccinating salmon smolts

Fish Farm Production Survey v2.indd 60

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2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 61

/ / 3 . At l a n t i c s a l m o n – P ro d u ct i o n

Atlantic Production

salmon – Production

Production survey information was collected from all 11 companies Productioninvolved survey information wassalmon collectedproduction, from all 11 companies involved in actively in Atlantic farming actively 232 active sites. Atlantic salmon production,the farming 232industry active sites. This ﬁgure This figure represents entire operating in represents Scotland.the entire industry operating in Scotland.

Above: Salmon farm Below: Salmon processing

Table 24: Annual production of salmon (tonnes) during 2000-2020 and Table 24: Annual production of salmon (tonnes) during 2000–2020 and projected projected production in 2021 production in 2021 Year

Tonnes

Percentage difference

Year

Tonnes

Percentage difference

2000

128,959

2011

158,018

2.5

2001

138,519

2012

162,223

2.7

2002

144,589

2013

163,234

0.6

2003

169,736

2014

179,022

9.7

2004

158,099

-7

2015

171,722

-4.1

2005

129,588

-18

2016

162,817

-5.2

2006

131,847

2017

189,707

16.5

2007

129,930

-1.4

2018

156,025

-17.8

2008

128,606

-1

2019

203,881

30.7

2009

144,247

2020

192,129

-5.8

2010

154,164

6.9

2021

236,000*

*industry estimate of projected tonnage based on stocks currently being on-grown.

The total of Atlantic salmonsalmon during 2020 was2020 192,129 tonnes, a decrease of The totalproduction production of Atlantic during was 192,129 tonnes, 11,752 tonnesof(5.8%) on tonnes the 2019(5.8%) total. This was 2019 the second level the of a decrease 11,752 on the total.highest This was production recorded in Scotland. second highest level of production recorded in Scotland.

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62 FISH FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2020

Table 25: Number (000’s), production (tonnes) of salmon harvested and Table 25: Number (000’s), production (tonnes) of salmon harvested and mean fish weight (kg) per year class during 2011-2020 mean ﬁsh weight (kg) per year class during 2011–2020

Harvest in year 0 (i.e. in year of input)

Harvest in year 1

Harvest in year 2

Year of smolt input

Year of harvest

Number (000’s)

Production (tonnes)

Mean weight at harvest (kg)

2011

109

307

2.8

2012

127

301

2.4

2013

2014

286

720

2.5

2015

223

626

2.8

2016

114

333

2.9

2017

2018

247

2.9

2019

319

931

2.9

2020

323

1,208

3.7

2010

2011

18,694

91,105

4.9

2011

2012

21,502

97,744

4.5

2012

2013

21,264

106,161

5.0

2013

2014

20,316

101,997

5.0

2014

2015

24,038

114,112

4.7

2015

2016

24,633

111,163

4.5

2016

2017

25,596

126,445

4.9

2017

2018

21,825

110,554

5.1

2018

2019

26,324

132,090

5.0

2019

2020

29,244

145,833

5.0

2009

2011

13,772

66,606

4.8

2010

2012

13,053

64,178

4.9

2011

2013

11,283

57,073

5.1

2012

2014

13,712

76,305

5.6

2013

2015

10,910

56,984

5.2

2014

2016

10,940

51,321

4.7

2015

2017

11,094

63,262

5.7

2016

2018

7,165

45,224

6.3

2017

2019

12,212

70,860

5.8

2018

2020

8,169

45,088

5.5

Fish Farm Production Survey v2.indd 62

THE TOTAL PRODUCTION OF ATLANTIC SALMON DURING 2020 WAS 192,129 TONNES

29/11/2021 13:34:12

Table 26: Number (000’s) and production (tonnes) of grilse and pre2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 63 salmon harvested during 2011-2020 Grilse (January-August)

Pre-salmon (September-December)

Year 26: Number (000’s) and production Table (tonnes) of grilse and preAverage Average Tonnes Table 26: Number Number (000’s) and production (tonnes)Number of grilse andTonnes pre-salmon harvested weight (kg) salmon harvested during 2011-2020 weight (kg) during 2011–2020 2011

2012 2013 Year 2014 2015 2011 2016 2012 2017 2013 2018 2014 2019 2015 2020 2016

7,604

35,146

4.6

11,090

11,337 53,216 4.7 Grilse (January-August) 9,618 47,496 4.9 Average Number Tonnes 9,048 46,686 5.2 (kg) weight 11,243 7,604 13,463 11,337 13,523 9,618 10,815 9,048 14,495 11,243

53,930 35,146 59,853 53,216

4.8 4.6 4.4 4.7

68,116 47,496 53,244 46,686

5.0 4.9 4.9 5.2 5.0 4.8 4.8 4.4

55,959

5.0

10,165 44,528 4.4 Pre-salmon (September-December) 11,646 58,665 5.0 Average Number Tonnes 11,268 55,311 4.9 (kg) weight 12,795 60,182 4.7 11,090 55,959 5.0 11,170 10,165 12,073 11,646

51,310 44,528 58,329 58,665

4.6 4.4 4.8 5.0

11,010 11,268 11,829 12,795

57,310 55,311 59,847 60,182

5.2 4.9 5.1 4.7

18,328 13,463

72,243 53,930 88,025 59,853

10,916 11,170

57,808 51,310

5.3 4.6

2017

13,523

68,116

5.0

12,073

58,329

4.8

2018

10,815

53,244

4.9

11,010

57,310

5.2

2019

14,495

72,243

5.0

11,829

59,847

5.1

2020

18,328

88,025

4.8

10,916

57,808

5.3

Table 27: Percentage (by weight) of annual production by growth stage Table 27: Percentage (by weight) of annual production by growth stage harvested harvested during 2011-2020 during 2011–2020 Year

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Table Percentage (by weight) of production Growth27: stage - annual - by growth - stageharvested during Input year fish <1 2011-2020 <1 0 <1 <1 <1 0 <1 <1 <1 Grilse Year Pre-salmon

22 33 29 26 31 37 36 34 35 46 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 35 27 36 31 35 31 31 36 29 30 Growth stage Year 2 salmon 42 39 35 42 33 31 33 29 35 23 Input year fish <1 <1 0 <1 <1 <1 0 <1 <1 <1 Grilse

Pre-salmon

Year 2 salmon

Opposite: Scottish salmon Below: Salmon harvesting

Fish Farm Production Survey v2.indd 63

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Harvest year 0

Fish Farm Production Survey v2.indd 64

247

931

1,208

223

114

319

323

2015 45,465

2016 42,957

2017 46,116

2018 45,513

2019 52,990

2020 52,492

333

626

720

301

127

2012 41,094

307

286

109

2011 42,733

268

2013 40,936

128

2010 38,490

178

216

211

319

276

824

2014 48,112

2009 38,548

115

2006 41,091

2005 37,168

116

168

2004 39,041

2007 37,853

2003 43,083

2008 36,662

272

2002 50,086

1,227

3.7

2.9

2.8

2.5

2.4

2.8

2.1

2.2

1.9

1.7

1.8

1.9

3.4

3.0

2.2

0.6

0.2

0.3

0.5

0.6

0.3

0.2

0.3

0.06

0.3

0.4

0.2

0.5

1.1

Mean % Number Weight weight (000’s) (tonnes) harvest (kg)

557

Smolt input (000’s)

2001 48,643

Year of smolt input

29,244

26,324

21,825

25,596

24,633

24,038

20,316

21,264

21,502

18,694

18,266

16,338

13,011

13,787

14,036

15,075

19,596

22,602

23,528

Number (000’s)

145,833

132,090

110,554

126,445

111,163

114,112

101,997

106,161

97,744

91,105

85,826

77,621

54,759

60,890

64,099

67,738

85,792

96,205

90,230

Weight (tonnes)

5.0

5.1

4.9

4.5

4.7

5.0

4.5

4.9

4.7

4.2

4.4

4.6

4.5

4.4

4.3

3.8

Mean weight (kg)

Harvest year 1 %

55.2

57.8

47.3

59.6

54.2

50.0

49.6

51.7

50.3

48.6

47.4

44.6

34.4

33.5

37.8

38.6

45.5

45.1

48.4

harvest

Weight (tonnes)

45,224

8,169

45,088

12,212 70,860

7,165

11,094 63,262

10,940 51,321

10,910 56,984

13,712 76,305

11,283 57,073

13,053 64,178

13,772 66,606

13,666 68,070

14,133 66,448

15,881 73,631

14,999 69,000

14,237 67,537

13,920 61,850

15,555 71,988

15,619 73,255

Number (000’s)

5.5

5.8

6.3

5.7

4.7

5.2

5.6

5.1

4.9

4.8

5.0

4.7

4.6

4.7

4.4

4.6

4.7

Mean weight (kg)

Harvest year 2

Table 28: Survival and production in smolt year classes during 2001-2020

Survival and Production in Smolt Year Classes

17.9

26.5

16.7

24.4

22.7

26.7

33.4

26.4

33.9

35.7

37.3

38.6

40.3

36.5

32.3

31.1

32.1

75.9

73.8

76.6

79.1

73.3

76.3

85.4

77.0

82.8

83.3

82.2

71.8

72.5

78.1

75.5

78.0

76.7

81.6

177,425

181,414

172,002

175,051

166,153

158,981

182,767

155,124

155,551

152,610

145,907

121,247

134,732

133,099

135,594

147,918

169,017

164,712

Total % of year class Year class weight % harvested harvest (survival) (tonnes)

3.90

3.93

4.00

3.85

3.45

3.88

4.45

3.63

4.04

3.96

3.98

3.20

3.28

3.58

3.47

3.43

3.37

3.39

smolt (kg)

per

Yield

64 FISH FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2020

SURVIVAL AND PRODUCTION IN SMOLT YEAR CLASSES

Table 28: Survival and production in smolt year classes during 2001–2020

29/11/2021 13:35:17

2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 65 In 2018, the last year for which survival can be calculated, the survival rate from smolt input to harvest increased to 75.9%. Of the 2019 year class, 55.8% of the input has been harvested, 2.2% lower than the average harvest offor fish onesurvival year after in thethe 2018 year In In 2018, the last year which can beinput calculated, survival rateclass. from smolt 2020, ofincreased the fish to were harvested from the 2020 input. This was the input to 0.6% harvest 75.9%. Of the 2019 year class, 55.8% of the input has been 2.2% lower of than theharvested average harvest fishsame one year after input sameharvested, as the proportion fish fromofthe year class inin the 2018 year class. In 2020, 0.6% of the fish were harvested from the 2020 input. 2019. This was the same as the proportion of fish harvested from the same year class in 2019. Smolts to Sea Table 29: Number (000’s) and origin of smolts put to sea during 2011-

SMOLTS TO SEA 2020

Table 29: Number (000’s) and origin of smolts put to sea during 2011–2020 Year

Smolts put to sea (000’s) S½

S1½

Total (000’s)

Scottish Origin %

English Origin (000’s)

Other Origin (000’s)

2011

17,721

25,012

42,733

1,765

2012

17,334

23,480

280

41,094

1,510

2013

19,262

21,534

140

40,936

1,169

2014

23,758

24,212

142

48,112

893

2,072

2015

22,886

22,569

45,465

938

1,082

2016

22,052

20,905

42,957

1,048

611

2017

25,490

20,626

46,116

976

300

2018

21,767

23,746

45,513

1,318

364

2019

24,525

28,465

52,990

751

297

2020

24,809

27,683

52,492

1,070

1,130

The total number of smolts put to sea in 2020 was over 52.4 million. This smolt input The total S½s number of smolts to sea in 2020 was over 52.4 million. comprised (47.3%) and S1sput (52.7%). Four per cent of the smolts stocked to This smolt input comprised S½sfrom (47.3%) and S1s (52.7%). Fourcame percent Scottish salmon farms were sourced outwith Scotland, 2% of which fromof the smolts stocked to Scottish salmon farmsofwere sourcedwith from sources outwith Great Britain. This was an increase 2% compared theoutwith Scotland,observed came from sources outwith GB. This was an proportion in 2019. Staffing 2% of which increase of 2% compared with the proportion observed in 2019. Table 31: Number of staff employed in the production of salmon during STAFFING 2011-2020 Table 31: Number of staﬀ employed in the production of salmon during 2011–2020 Year

Full-time Full-time Total Part-time Part-time Total Male Female Full-time Male Female Part-time

Total Staff

Productivity (tonnes/person)

2011

847

923

1,013

156.0

2012

870

944

115

1,059

153.2

2013

997

1,081

1,180

138.3

2014

1,082

109

1,191

134

1,325

135.1

2015

1,125

131

1,256

107

1,363

126.0

2016

1,182

197

1,379

107

1,486

109.6

2017

1,175

145

1,320

1,389

136.6

2018

1,273

142

1,415

1,466

106.4

2019

1,425

166

1,591

1,651

123.5

2020

1,412

145

1,557

1,630

117.9

In 2020, the total number of staff employed in salmon production was 1,630, a decrease of 21 compared with 2019. The staffing figures collected refer specifically to the production of Atlantic salmon and Fish Farm Production Survey v2.indd 65 do not include figures for staff involved with processing or marketing

Above: Salmon smolt

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SMOLTS PUT TO SEA IN 2020 WAS OVER 52.4 MILLION

29/11/2021 13:35:54

66 FISH FARM PRODUCTION SURVEY 2020

µ µ

Figure 3: The regional distribution of active Atlantic salmon production sites in 2020

Shetland

! !! ! ! ! ! !! ! !! ! !! ! ! !! ! !! ! !! ! !! ! ! ! !! !! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! !! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! !

Orkney

! !

Western Isles

! ! !! ! ! !! ! ! !! ! ! !!!

!! ! ! ! ! !! ! !! ! ! ! !

! ! ! !!!! !! !

! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! !! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

! ! !! !!!! !! ! ! !! !

!! ! ! ! !! ! ! !! ! ! !

West

North West

! ! !

!! !!! ! !!

North

! ! ! !

East & South

! !! ! !

!! ! ! !! ! ! !! ! ! !

! ! !! !

East

! !

! ! !! !!

! !

West

Miles 100

! !

! Figure 3: The regional distribution of active atlantic salmon production sites in 2020 © Crown copyright and database rights 2020 OS (100024655) Fish Farm Production Survey v2.indd 66

! !

! 29/11/2021 13:37:06

2015

1,125

131

1,256

107

1,363

126.0

2016

1,182

197

1,379

107

1,486

109.6

2017

1,175

145

1,320

1,389

136.6

2018

1,273

142

1,415

1,466

106.4

2019

1,425

166

1,591

1,651

2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 123.5

2020

1,412

145

1,557

1,630

117.9

In 2020, the total number of staff employed in salmon production was 1,630, a decrease of 21 compared with 2019. The staffing figures In 2020, therefer total number of staff in salmonofproduction 1,630, a collected specifically toemployed the production Atlantic was salmon and decrease of 21 compared with 2019. The staffing figures collected refer specifically do not include figures for staff involved with processing or marketing to the production of Atlantic salmon and do not include figures for staff involved with activities. Productivity decreased from 123.5 to 117.9 tonnes produced processing or marketing activities. Productivity decreased from 123.5 to 117.9 tonnes per person. produced per person.

Production Methods PRODUCTION METHODS

Table32: 32:Production Production methods, capacity, tonnage and average stocking Table methods, capacity, tonnage and average stocking densities (kg/ densities (kg/m³) during 2018-2020 m³) during 2018–2020 Method

Total capacity

Number of sites

Production (tonnes)

(000’s cubic metres)

2018

2019

2020

2018

2019

2020

2018

2019

2020

Seawater tanks

7.1

6.3

5.1

Seawater cages

217

224

231

19,922 21,628 22,818

For cage sites: ratio of production (kg) to cage capacity (m3)

155,990 203,853 192,111 7.8

9.4

8.4

In majority of fish in seawater cages. There were There 18 tonnes In2020, 2020,the the majority ofwere fish produced were produced in seawater cages. of production from seawater tank sites in 2020. This refl ects sites the high installation were 18 tonnes of production from seawater tank in 2020. Thisand running costs incurred in operating seawater tank systems. Most seawater tank capacireflects the high installation and running costs incurred in operating ty has been redeployed for the production of other species of marine finfish or salmon seawater tank systems. Most seawater tank capacity has been rebroodstock. Sea cage capacity increased by 1,190,000m3 during 2020 and the number deployed for the production of other species of marine finfish or salmon of sea cage sites in production increased by seven. Production efficiency in sea cages, broodstock. measured as the ratio of fish weight in kilograms produced per cubic metre, decreased from 9.4 kg/m³ in 2019 to 8.4 kg/m³ in30 2020.

Company Productivity

COMPANY PRODUCTIVITY Table 34: Number of companies grouped by production (tonnes), staff and Table 34: Number of companies grouped by production (tonnes), staﬀ and productivity (tonnes per person) during 2019-2020 productivity (tonnes per person) during 2019–2020 0-100

101200

201400

2019

2020

2019

1,636 202,217 203,881

2020

1,722 190,389 192,129

2019

1,602

1,651

2020

1,554

1,630

2019

126

124

0.5

123

118

Total Tonnage No. of companies No. of tonnes

Staff (total)

Productivity (tonnes/person) 2020

401- 701- 1,001700 1,000 2,000

>2,000

Total

Above from top: Salmon fillet; Salmon; Scottish salmon farm

The greatest productivity of 123 tonnes per person was achieved in the companies The greatest productivity of 123 tonnes per person was achieved in the producing over 2,000 tonnes. The least productivity of 0.5 tonnes per person was companies producing overbetween 2,000 tonnes. The least productivity of 0.5 from the companies producing 0-100 tonnes. In comparison with 2019, thetonnes per person was from the companies producing between 0-100 average company productivity decreased from 124 to 118 tonnes per person. Overall, tonnes. Inwas comparison with the in average company productivity production dominated by six 2019, companies 2020 which between them accounted decreased from 124 to 118 tonnes perproduction. person. Overall, production was for 99% of Scotland’s farmed Atlantic salmon dominated by six companies in 2020 which between them accounted for 99% of Scotland’s farmed Atlantic salmon production.

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68 PRODUCTION SURVEY 2020

Scottish Shellfish Farm Surveys 2020

Production Survey - Shellfish v2.indd 68

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2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 69

OVERVIEW

• In 2020, 5,661 tonnes of mussels were produced for the table market. • Mussel and Pacific oyster remain the main species produced in terms of value and tonnage. Mussel production decreased by 15% and Pacific oyster production decreased by 33% during 2020. • This decline is largely due to impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic, with many businesses reporting no table trade while the hospitality sector was in lockdown during much of 2020. • During 2020, more than 1.6 million Pacific oyster shells were produced for ongrowing. • There was a very small amount of queen scallop production during 2020, with the biggest producer reporting no production due to the Covid-19 pandemic. There was a decrease in scallop production, from 26,000 to 19,000 shells, since 2019. • There was a decrease in the production of native oyster from 103,000 to 75,000 shells in 2020.

• Active surveillance for bonamiasis, marteiliasis and OsHV-1 μvar continued in 2020. • For shellfish health purposes, 14 out of 313 sites were inspected during 2020 as part of a risk-based surveillance programme implemented under Council Directive 2006/88/EC. Details of this can be found at www.gov.scot/policies/ fish-health-inspectorate/surveillanceprogramme • Movement restrictions remain in place for the presence of Bonamia ostreae at Loch Sunart and the Dornoch Firth (Highland); West Loch Tarbert (Argyll); and Lynn of Lorne, Loch Creran and Loch Etive (Strathclyde). • The UK maintained disease free status with regard to bonamiasis, marteiliasis and OsHV-1 μvar, with the exception of specific compartments under movement restrictions. Immediate notification of increased mortality on farm sites must be reported to Marine Scotland Science, Fish Health Inspectorate.

Above: Scallops Left: Mussels Below: Oysters

• Employment levels increased by 8% from the previous year, with 300 full-time, part-time and casual staff being employed during 2020. • The Scottish shellfish farming industry is estimated to be worth approximately £6.1m at first sale value, a decrease of 23% on the 2019 figure. This decline is largely due to impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic with many businesses reporting lost trade while the hospitality sector was in lockdown during much of 2020.

Production Survey - Shellfish v2.indd 69

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/ / P r o d u c ti o n

/ / P70Theroduct PRODUCTION SURVEYio 2020 n survey reports that the shellfish species cultivated in Scottish waters in 2020 were:

PRODUCTION The survey reports that the shellfish species cultivated in Scottish waters in

he survey reports that the shellﬁsh species cultivated in Scottish waters in 2020

2020 were: were: Mussel:

Pacific oyster: Native oyster: Mussel: Queen scallop: Pacific oyster: Scallop:

Mytilus spp. Crassostrea gigas1 Ostrea edulis Mytilus spp. Aequipecten opercularis Crassostrea Pecten maximus gigas1

Native oyster: Ostrea edulis Production wasscallop: dominated by mussel and Pacificopercularis oyster, although small Queen Aequipecten quantities of scallop, queen scallop (queen) and native oyster were also Scallop: Pecten maximus

produced. The 2020 production data for each species by region are given in

Production was dominated by mussel and Paciﬁc oyster, although small quantities of Table 1. scallop, queen scallop and native oyster were also produced. The 2020 production data for each species region are given in Table 1. Production wasby dominated by mussel and Pacific oyster,

although small

Table 1 quantities scallop, queen scallop (queen)2020. and native oyster were also Table 1 of shellfish Scottish production by region,

Scottish shellﬁsh production by region, 2020. produced. The 2020 production data for each species by region are given in Region Mussel Pacific oyster Native oyster Queen Scallop Table 1. (tonnes) (000s) (000s) (000s) (000s)

OnOnOnOnOnTable Table Table Table growing growing growing growing growing Highland 527 93 1,633 1,113 1 0 0.5 0 19 0 Orkney 0 0 2 25 0 10 0 0 0 0 Shetland 4,427 3,310 75 0 40 0 0 0 0 0 Strathclyde 425 724 1,143 525 34 0 0 0 0 0 RegionWestern Isles Mussel oyster Native 0oyster Queen0 282 0 Pacific 85 0 0 0 0 0 Scallop (tonnes) (000s) (000s) All Scotland 5,661 4,127 2,938(000s) 1,663 75 10 0.5 0 19 0 (000s) Weight OnOnOnOnOn4,127 235 6 by authorised >1 2 NB: This reportTable lists5,661 regions with activeTable shellﬁsh farms operated aquaculTable Table growing Table growing (Tonnes) growing growing growing ture production businesses. Table

Table 1 Scottish shellfish production by region, 2020.

Highland 1,113 1 0 0.5 aquaculture 0 NB: This report527 lists regions93 with1,633 active shellfish farms operated by authorised Conversion to weight used the following assumptions (based on industry ﬁ gures): Orkney 0 0 2 25 0 10 0 0 production businesses. Individual oysters averaged 80g, individual scallops averaged 120g, and individual Shetland 4,427 3,310 75 0 40 0 0 0 Below: Oysters queens averaged 40g. Conversion to weight used the following assumptions (based on industry figures): Individual Strathclyde 425 724 1,143 525 34 0 0 0 oysters averaged Individual scallops averaged 120g; Individual queens averaged 40g. Table = Sales directly80g; for human consumption Western Isles 282 0 85 0 0 0 0 0 Ongrowing = Sales to other businesses for ongrowing. All Scotland 5,661 4,127 2,938 1,663 75 10 0.5 0 Table = Sales directly for human consumption; On-growing = Sales to other businesses for on-growing. Weight 5,661 4,127 235 6 >1 (Tonnes)

19 0 0 0 0 19

NB: This report lists regions with active shellfish farms operated by authorised aquaculture production businesses. name change to Magallana remains controversial (Bayne et al. 2007, ¹¹ A A proposed proposed name change to Magallana gigas gigas remains Journal of Shellfish 36, 545-547) controversial (Bayne et Research. al. 2007, Journal of Shellﬁsh Research. 36, 545-547). Conversion to weight used the following assumptions (based on industry figures):

Individual oysters averaged 80g; Individual scallops averaged 120g; Individual queens averaged 40g. 2 Table = Sales directly for human consumption; Production Survey - = Shellfish v2.indd On-growing Sales to70other businesses for on-growing.

29/11/2021 13:56:39

0 0 0 0 0 0

2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 71

Table production by species is illustrated in Figure 1 (see page 5), while trends in Table production for by thespecies table is market andinon-growing Scotland aretrends presented production illustrated Figure 1 (seein page 5), while in in production Table 2. for the table market and ongrowing in Scotland are presented in Table 2.

Left: Mussel farm Below: Scallops

Table22 Table Trends inproduction production the and 2011–2020. on-growing 2011-2020. Trends in data data for thefor table andtable ongrowing For the table

% 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 change 19-20

Pacific oyster (000s)

3,136 2,706 1,891 3,392 2,693 3,534 5,034 4,031 4,393 2,938

Native oyster (000s)

350

317

260

242

200

201

200

142

103

-33 -27

Queen (000s)

155

273

0.5

-97

Scallop (000s)

-27

Mussel (tonnes)

6,996 6,277 6,757 7,683 7,270 7,732 8,232 6,874 6,699 5,661

-15

For ongrowing

% 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 change 19-20

Pacific oyster (000s)

1,400 3,190 6,216 6,792 5,864 4,584 3,849 4,240 2,405 1,663

-31

Native oyster (000s)

677

1,015 749

323

481

344

327

-97

Queen (000s)

1,490 500

900

300

Scallop (000s) 104

1,470 136

Mussel (tonnes) 282

309

1,281 1,263 1,841 2,619 4,437 2,137 3,493 4,127

0 0 18

Mussel production for the table decreased by 15% in 2020 (see Figure 1) to 5,661 tonnes. The greatest regional contribution to mussel production was from Shetland, Mussel production, for the table, decreased by 15% in 2020 (see figure 1) to accounting for 4,427 tonnes or 78% of Scotland’s total. Pacific oyster production 5,661 tonnes. regional contribution to mussel was decreased by The 33%greatest from 2019. Highland region produced 56% ofproduction Scotland’s total from Shetland, accounting forThere 4,427was tonnes 78%amount of Scotland’s Pacific farmed Pacific oysters in 2020. a veryorsmall of queentotal. scallop production during 2020 as the main producer no production during oyster production decreased by 33% from reported 2019. Highland region produced 2020 to the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. Theinproduction of farmed 56% of due Scotland’s total farmed Pacific oysters 2020. There was a very scallops and native oysters both decreased by during 27%. Historical data all producer small amount of queen scallop production 2020 as thefor main shellfish species show that production levels vary year on year. This can be due reported no production during 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. to a number of different factors such as poor spat fall, algal toxins, poor growth, The production farmed scallops and native both the decreased by 27%. adverse weatherofand fluctuations in market prices.oysters During 2020, biggest impact Historical data for all shellfish species pandemic show that production levels year of vary the table on shellfish production was the Covid-19 with a loss of much ontrade year.toThis can be due to aduring number of different factors such restrictions. as poor spat the hospitality sector periods of lockdown and travel fall, algal toxins, poor growth, adverse weather and fluctuations in market prices. During 2020, the biggest impact on shellfish production was the COVID-19 pandemic with a loss of much of the table trade to the hospitality sector during periods of lockdown and travel restrictions.

Production Survey - Shellfish v2.indd 71

THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON SHELLFISH PRODUCTION WAS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

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72 PRODUCTION SURVEY 2020

10,000

Tonnes

8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 0 6,000

Mussel (tonnes)

'11

'12

'13

'15

'16

'17

'18

'19

'20

Pacific oyster (000s) Queen (000s) Native oyster (000s) Scallop (000s)

5,000 Number (000s)

'14

4,000 3,000

Below: Shucking an oyster; Mussels

2,000

Opposite: Oyster farm

1,000 0

'11

'12

'13

'14

'15

'16

'17

'18

'19

'20

Figure 1 1 Figure Table production 2011-2020. Table productionby byspecies species 2011–2020.

Prices of farmed shellfish fluctuated throughout the year. Their value at first sale

Prices of farmed shellfish fluctuated throughout the year. Their value at was estimated from the following figures obtained from the shellfish farming first saleindustry. was estimated from thelevel following figures obtainedarea from These vary with demand, of production and geographical of the The average price ofThese Pacific oyster £0.33 per shell; native shellfishorigin. farming industry. varywas with demand, leveloyster, of production and £0.60 per shell; scallop, £2.32 per shell; queen scallop, £0.13 per shell; geographical area£892 of origin. average of Pacific oyster was £0.33 per and mussel, per tonne.The The value of the price table trade is estimated from the production figures shown in Table 1. shell; native oyster, £0.60 per shell; scallop, £2.32 per shell; queen scallop, £0.13 per shell and mussel £892 Pacifi per tonne. The value of the table trade is Mussel: £5.0m c oyster: £0.97m estimated from the production figures Native oyster: £0.05m Scallop:shown £0.04min Table 1 (see page 3). Queen: >£0.001m

Mussel: In 2020, the£5.0 million oyster: £.97 million total value at ﬁrst sale for all speciesPacific was calculated at approximately £6.1m, a decrease of 23% from the £7.9m Native oyster: £0.05 million Scallop: £0.04 million estimated in 2019. This decline is largely due to impacts from the Queen: Covid-19 pandemic >£0.001 withmillion many businesses reporting lost trade while the hospitality sector was in lockdown during much of 2020.

In 2020, the total value at first sale for all species was calculated at approximately £6.1 million, a decrease of 23% from the £7.9 million estimated in 2019. This decline is largely due to impacts from the Production Survey - Shellfish v2.indd 72

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2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 73

// Businesses an d si t e s The of authorised, and sites in operation are // numbers B usinesses an dactive si t ebusinesses s presented in Tables 3 and 4. There are many sites that held stock not yet ready for market, others were fallow, and some were located in remote The numbers of authorised, active businesses and sites in operation are areas where production marketing shellfish presented in cost-effective Tables 3 and 4. There areand many sites thatofheld stockproved not yet difficult. 2020, 167 sites produced for sale,located an increase of ready forInmarket, others were fallow,shellfish and some were in remote 1% since 2019, and 60% of these sites were located in of Shetland. areas where cost-effective production and marketing shellfish proved Businesses and sites difficult. In 2020, 167 sites produced shellfish for sale, an increase of The numbers of authorised, active businesses and sites in operation are presented in Tables 2019, 3 and 4. There many that held stock not yet ready for in market, others 1% since and are 60% ofsites these sites were located Shetland.

Table 3 fallow, and some were located in remote areas where cost-effective production were and marketing of shellfi sh proved difficult. In 2020, 2011-2020. 167 sites produced shellfish for Authorised and active businesses

sale, an increase of 1% since 2019, and 60% of these sites were located in Shetland.

Table 3 Number of Businesses Table 3 Authorised and active businesses 2011-2020. Authorised and 2011 active businesses 2012 2011–2020. 2013 2014

Active

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

142 Number 144 of 144 138 Businesses

132

130

129

125

153

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

153

142

144

138

132

130

129

125

Table 4 Table 4 Active and producing farm sites by region 2020. Active and producing farm sites by region 2020.

Table 4 Region Active and producing farm sites by region 2020. Highland

Orkney

Producing Sites

Strathclyde

Western Isles

All Scotland

Region

Sites Active

Shetland

Highland 69

Orkney 5

Shetland 137

Strathclyde 55

Western 47 Isles

All Scotland 313

100

167

Active 69 137 313 Active = Farms in a production growing5cycle that may contain stock 55 or be fallow. 47 Active Producing = Farms in a production growing be fallow. 167 29 3 cycle which 100 may contain 23 stock or 12 Producing = Placing on the market for the table and/or ongrowing. Producing = placing on the market for the table and/or on-growing. business produce more than onecycle species and inmay morecontain than onestock region.or be fallow. ActiveNB: = AFarms in may a production growing which NB: A business may produce more than one species and in more than one region. Producing = placing on the market for the table and/or on-growing. Production Survey - Shellfish v2.indd 73 NB: A business may produce more than one species and in more than one region.

29/11/2021 13:58:13

74 PRODUCTION SURVEY 2020 Figure Figure22 REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION ACTIVE SHELLFISH SITES IN 2019 (NUMBER PRODUCING GIVEN Regional distribution of activeOF shellﬁ sh sites in 2019 (number producing given in brackets)BRACKETS) and numberAND of producing by region/species. IN NUMBERbusinesses OF PRODUCING BUSINESSES BY REGION/SPECIES.

! ! ! ! !! ! !! ! ! ! !! !! ! ! ! ! !! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! !! ! ! ! !! ! ! !!!! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Shetland 137 (100) !!!!!! Shetland

Active shellfish site Several Order

Producing businessess Producing businesses by region/species by region/species

Orkney

Orkney 5 (3) ! !

! ! ! !

Western Isles

! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! !

Western Isles 47 (12)

! ! ! !

! !

Shetland !

! !! !

!! ! !! ! ! !!

Highland Highland 69 (29)

!! ! ! # ## !

! !

! ! !

! !! # !! # !

Western Isles

!! !! ! ! ! ! ! !

! ! !!!!! !

! !

Strathclyde Strathclyde

! !!! ! !! ! !! ! ! !! !!!

Highland

!! ! !!

! !! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! !

Strathclyde

55 (23)

Pacific oyster Native oyster !

Active shellfish site

Several Order

Scallop

Miles 100

Queen Mussel

There were ﬁve Several Orders in place for scallop ﬁsheries in 2020 (see Figure 2), all

There were five Several Orders in place for scallop fisheries in 2020 (see Fig. 2). of which are in the Highland region. all of which are in the Highland region. 6 Production Survey - Shellfish v2.indd 74

29/11/2021 13:58:54

2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 75

Table 5 depicts the number of businesses by region and by species: A) in table production, B) in on-growing production and C) showing no production. Many Table 5 depicts the number of businesses byonregion by species: A) in table businesses cultivate more than one species site, aand practice made possible production, B) in on-growing production and C) scallop showing nobe production. Many by similar cultivation techniques. For example, can grown together businesses more with than native one species onand site, a practice with queen,cultivate Pacific oyster oyster, mussel withmade Pacificpossible oyster. by similar For example, scallop be grown together The highestcultivation proportiontechniques. of Pacific oyster businesses are can located in Strathclyde Table 5 depicts the number of businesses by region and by species: a) in table prowith queen, Pacific oyster with and mussel with Pacific oyster. while the highest proportion of native musseloyster, businesses are in Shetland. duction; b) in ongrowing production; and c) showing no production. Many businesses The highest of Pacific oyster businesses are located in Strathclyde cultivate moreproportion than one species on site, a practice made possible by similar cultivation while the highest proportion of mussel businesses are in Shetland. techniques. For example, scallop can be grown together with queen, Paciﬁc oyster with

Far left: Cleaning oysters. Left: Scallop dish

Table 5 native oyster, and mussel with Paciﬁc oyster. The highest proportion of Paciﬁc oyster Number by region by species 2020. businesses of arebusinesses located in Strathclyde, whileand the highest proportion of mussel businessTable es are in5Shetland. Number of businesses by region and by species 2020. Table 5 a) Production for the table

Number of businesses by region and by species 2020. Orkney

Region Shetland

Strathclyde

Western Isles

All Scotland

15 Strathclyde 2

2 Western 0 Isles

27 All 4 Scotland 2 27

a) Production for the table

a) Production forHighland the table Native oyster

8 Highland 1

1 Orkney 0

Region 1 Shetland 1

Scallop Pacific oyster

2 8

0 1

0 15

0 2

Queen Native oyster

1 1

0 0

0 1

0 2

0 0

1 4

Mussel Scallop

7 2

0 0

18 0

4 0

5 0

34 2

Total Queen

19 1

1 0

20 0

21 0

7 0

68 1

Mussel

Pacific oyster

Total

b) Production for on-growing to other producers

b) Production for ongrowing to other producers

Region b) Production for on-growing to other producers Highland

Orkney

Shetland

Strathclyde

Western Isles

All Scotland

1 Strathclyde 0

0 Western 0 Isles

4 All 1 Scotland 0 4

Native oyster

2 Highland 0

1 Orkney 1

Region 0 Shetland 0

Scallop Pacific oyster

0 2

0 1

0 0

0 1

0 0

Queen Native oyster

0 0

0 1

0 0

0 1

Mussel Scallop

2 0

0 0

15 0

2 0

0 0

19 0

Total Queen

4 0

2 0

15 0

3 0

0 0

24 0

Pacific oyster

c)Mussel No production, 2 actively on-growing or 0 15fallow

c) No production, actively ongrowing or fallow Total

Highland

Orkney

15 Region Shetland

Strathclyde

Western Isles

All Scotland 25

Pacific oyster

Native oyster

Scallop

Queen

7 0

4 2

Mussel

Total

Business production levels by species are shown in Table 6. There were 10 businesses producing more than 200 tonnes of mussels, this remained the same as- Shellfish in 2019. These Production Survey v2.indd 75 10 businesses produced 79% of the total mussel

MANY BUSINESSES CULTIVATE MORE THAN ONE SPECIES

29/11/2021 13:59:20

Native oyster

Scallop

Queen

Mussel

Total

76 PRODUCTION SURVEY 2020

Business production levels by species are shown in Table 6. There were 10 businesses producing more than 200 tonnes of mussels, this remained the same as production in 2019. These 10 species businesses produced 79% the were total10 mussel Business levels by are shown in Table 6. of There businesses production in Scotland. There were four –businesses that produced more than producing more than 200 tonnes of mussels this remained the same as in 2019. These 10 businesses produced of the total mussel production in Scotland. There 200,000 Pacific oysters. The79% production from these businesses accounted for were four businesses produced than 200,000 Paciﬁc oysters. The production 71% of the Scottish that Pacific oystermore total. from these businesses accounted for 71% of the Scottish Paciﬁc oyster total.

Table 6

Table Business // Spat s6e t tproduction l e m e n t levels by species 2020. Business production levels by species 2020. 1-

11-

21-

31-

41-

51-

61-

71-

81-

91- 101-

Species >200 Total Following anecdotal industry of poor spat70 settlement in 10 20reports 30 40 50 60 80 90 and 100 mortality 200

2010, Marine Scotland which Pacific oyster (000s) Science 9 2 developed 2 1 2a questionnaire 3 0 1 1 0 was 2 sent 4 to 27 all authorised aquaculture farming mussels. The results Native oyster (000s) 2 production 0 0 1 businesses 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 Scallopinvestigation (000s) 1 indicated 1 0 0 0 0spat0settlement 0 0 0 0 0 2 of this 2011 that poor and mortality Queen (000s) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0had0major 0 impacts 0 0 on 1 were not widespread in 1Scottish waters, although they Mussel (tonnes) 6 2The5causes 3 2 0associated 0 0 with 1 0 5 10 34 certain individual producers. were environmental variables, guiding the industry to consider focused spat fall monitoring. As a Spat settlement result of talks between the Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers, Marine Following anecdotal industry reports of poor spat settlement and mortality in 2010, Scotland policy and Marine Scotland ascientists, to determine thetofocus of Marine Scotland Science developed questionnaire, which was sent all authorised possibleaquaculture research production and development, a spat mussels. collection was introduced businesses farming Thequestion results of this 2011 investigation indicated poor spat settlement andon mortality were notcollection widespreadand in Scottish to the 2013 survey.that This question focused mussel spat waters, although they had major impacts on certain individual producers. The causes was presented in two parts: is this a spat collection site; if yes, was spat were associated with environmental variables, guiding the industry to consider focused settlement forAs production purposes? spat sufficient fall monitoring. a result of talks between the Association of Scottish Shellﬁsh

Growers, Marine Scotland policy and Marine Scotland scientists to determine the focus of possible and development, a spat question was introduced to the Responses were research received from 225 (100%) ofcollection the sites authorised for mussel 2013in survey. This question focused ontwenty mussel spat collection was presented in two production 2020. One hundred and three (55%)and of these were spat parts: is this a spat collection site?; if yes, was spat settlement sufficient for produccollection 48 (39%) of which reported had sufficient spat for tionsites, purposes? Responses were received fromthat 225 they (100%) of the sites authorised settlement forproduction production purposes. Insufficient spat settlement on sites mussel in 2020. One hundred and twenty three (55%) of these were spat collection sites, 48 (39%) of whichto reported thatwhich they had sufficient spat may require movement of mussels that 8site increases the settlement risk of for production purposes. cient spat settlement on sites may require movement of introduction or spread ofInsuffi diseases. mussels to that site, which increases the risk of introduction or spread of diseases.

Table 7Table 7 Spat settlement responses 2013 - 2020. Spat settlement responses 2013–2020. Year

Number mussel production sites surveyed

Number of responder sites

Number of sites classed as spat collection sites

Number of sites with spat settlement sufficient for production purposes

2013

246

176

2014

259

218

105

2015

249

111

2016

248

108

2017

234

104

2018

232

136

2019

235

128

2020

227

123

Production Survey - Shellfish v2.indd 76

Above: Oyster farming

29/11/2021 13:59:50

// Emp lo ym e n t

2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 77

The industry employed 142 full-time and 158 part-time and casual workers during 2020. The number of full-time staff increased by six while the number Employment The industry 142 full-timeincreased and 158 part-time casual workers during The of part-time andemployed casual employees by 17 and compared with 2019. 2020. The number of full-time staﬀ increased by six while the number of part-time regional breakdown of employment is given in Table 7. The number of people and casual employees increased by 17 compared with 2019. The regional breakdown employed by the shellfish farming industry in Scotland increased by 8% from of employment is given in Table 7. The number of people employed by the shellﬁsh the 2019 total of 277. farming industry in Scotland increased by 8% from the 2019 total of 277.

Table 8 Table 8 Regional employment 2020. Regional employment 2020. Staff Businesses

Fulltime Male

Fulltime Female

Parttime Male

Parttime Female

Casual Male

Casual Female

Total

Shetland

102

Strathclyde Western Isles Scotland

108

125

128

300

Region Highland Orkney

Scottish Marine Regions

The Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 introduced integrated management of Scotland’s seas.

creation of aM National Marine Plan,i o asns required by the Act, sets the wider context // The Scottish ar i ne R eg

for planning within Scotland, including what should be considered when creating regional marine plans. Eleven Scottish Marine Regions have been created under the The Marine Act 2010 integrated of miles. Act (see (Scotland) Appendix 2 map), whichintroduced cover sea areas extendingmanagement out to 12 nautical Scotland’s seas. creation of ofRegional a National Marine Plan, as required by the To support theThe development Marine Plans by Regional Marine Planning Partnerships, tonnages/shell numbers andwithin financialScotland values of including annual shellfi sh producAct, sets the wider context for planning what should tion for mussels and Pacific oysters havemarine been calculated for the regions defiMarine ned under be considered when creating regional plans. Eleven Scottish the Act. Regions have been created under the Act (see Appendix 2 map, page 24) which sea areascommercial extendingconfi outdentiality, to 12 nautical miles. In cover order to maintain mussel production figures were

Above: Diver checking oysters Below: Oyster farming

merged for Argyll and Clyde, and for the West Highlands, Moray Firth and the North To support the development RegionalforMarine Plans by Regional Marine Coast. Similarly, Pacific oysterof production the West Highlands and the North Coast were Partnerships, also required to be merged. Other numbers shellfish species including native oyster (Argyll Planning tonnages/shell and financial values of annual and Solway), scallop and West and queen and West shellfish production for(Argyll mussels and Highlands) Pacific oysters havescallop been(Clyde calculated Highlands) were produced, but these figures cannot be attributed to Scottish for the regions defined under the Act. These regional data are presented in Marine Regions due to commercial confidentiality. Appendix 2 (see page 25-28).

Production Survey - Shellfish v2.indd 77

THE INDUSTRY EMPLOYED 142 FULL-TIME AND 158 PART-TIME AND CASUAL WORKERS DURING 2020 29/11/2021 14:00:18

78 PRODUCTION SURVEY 2020

Health inﬂuences on the industry

In accordance with Council Directive 2006/88/EC, a risk-based surveillance programme targeting 14 shellfish site inspections was undertaken during 2020. On these visits, facilities, stock health, planned biosecurity measures, movement records and details required for authorisation were checked. Records were checked remotely for a further nine sites. The number of site inspections was reduced in 2020 due to Covid-19 travel restrictions in Scotland. Statutory samples were taken from four sites as part of an investigation following confirmation of the presence of Bonamia ostreae in the Lynn of Lorne and the Dornoch Firth. Movement restrictions placed due to confirmation of the presence of Bonamia ostreae remained in force in Loch Sunart and the Dornoch Firth (Highland), in West Loch Tarbert (Argyll), and the Lynn of Lorne, Loch Etive and Loch Creran (Strathclyde) during 2020. Movement restrictions covering these areas prevent the relaying of native oyster from them. Approved zone status for bonamiasis, marteiliasis and ostreid herpes Virus-1 Microvariant (OsHV-1 μvar) continued to protect the health of both wild and farmed susceptible shellfish stocks for the remainder of Scotland’s waters (www.gov. scot/policies/fish-health-inspectorate/movementrestrictions-on-fish-and-shellfish). Most of the reported mortalities during 2020 were attributed to: predation from wild ducks, starfish, crabs and oystercatchers; fouling by sea squirts; adverse weather conditions including storms and temperature extremes; damage due to grading and handling, and from natural causes. It is the responsibility of shellfish farmers to inform Marine Scotland of any abnormal or unexplained shellfish mortality on their sites (see guidance on shellfish mortality in Appendix 1, page 18). In 2020, there was a continued demand for imported mussel and Pacific oyster spat in Scotland. The industry should be aware of the increased disease risk with the introduction, movement and deposit of stock on site and the importance of ensuring good biosecurity practices when sourcing shellfish from other areas. In addition, consignments imported from outside Great Britain are required to be accompanied by a health certificate. The whole coastline of Great Britain is recognised as free from Marteilia refringens infection although there are movement restrictions in place on the River Tamar in Cornwall and Devon. Guernsey, Jersey, Herm and the Isle of Man are all recognised as Marteilia refringens-free areas. The whole coastline of Northern Ireland is recognised as free from Marteilia refringens apart from Belfast Lough and Dundrum Bay. The whole coastline of Great Britain is recognised as free from Bonamia ostreae infection except the following areas, which are covered by movement restrictions: • the south coast of Cornwall from Lizard to Start Point; • the coast of Dorset, Hampshire and Sussex from Portland Bill to Selsey Bill; • the area along the coast of North Kent and Essex from North Foreland to Felixstowe; • the area along the coast in south-west Wales from Wooltack Point to St Govan’s Head, including Milford Haven and the tidal waters of the East and West Cleddau river; • Loch Sunart, Highland;

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From the top: Shucking mussels; mussels served; oysters; scallops; farming oysters Opposite: Oyster farm

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• Dornoch Firth, Highland; • West Loch Tarbert, Argyll; • Lynn of Lorne, Loch Creran and Loch Etive, Strathclyde; and • Menai Strait. Guernsey, Herm and the Isle of Man are all recognised as Bonamia ostreae-free areas. The whole coastline of Northern Ireland is recognised as free from Bonamia ostreae apart from Lough Foyle and Strangford Lough. Jersey is no longer recognised as free from Bonamia ostreae. The whole coastline of Great Britain is recognised as free from OsHV-1 μvar except for the following areas: • River Roach, River Crouch, Blackwater Estuary and River Colne in Essex; • the north Kent coast; • Poole Harbour in Dorset; and • the River Teign in Devon. Guernsey is also recognised as free from OsHV-1 μvar. In the territory of Northern Ireland, Belfast Lough is the only area approved as free from OsHV-1 μvar. Movements of shellﬁsh species susceptible to infection by Marteilia refringens, Bonamia ostreae and OsHV-1 μvar into the Great Britain health zone must originate from another zone or country recognised as free of that disease. Movements are allowed from disease-free areas to non-approved areas, as well as those for direct human consumption without re-immersion in any other sea water areas.

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IN 2020, THERE WAS A CONTINUED DEMAND FOR IMPORTED MUSSEL AND PACIFIC OYSTER SPAT IN SCOTLAND

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80 NEWS- TECHNOLOGY

TECHNOLOGY From AI in fish farms to underwater drones, 2021 saw invention aplenty

T the start of the year, SalmoSim, a salmon simulator startup, secured its ﬁrst commercial contract with California-based Calysta. The simulation is supporting trials for a sustainable alternative protein source that could be rolled out across the global aquaculture industry. Using a gut simulator that mimics the digestive tract of Atlantic salmon, SalmoSim is conducting a trial of Calysta’s single-cell feed ingredient FeedKind protein, which is made by fermenting natural gas. Results from the simulation, taking place at the University of Glasgow, will provide Calysta with valuable data on digestibility. Conventional in vivo trials can cost up to £150,000 each time. The SalmoSim gut simulator was ﬁrst developed as part of a collabo-

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rative research project that began in 2016, funded in part by the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC). The consortium, led by the University of Glasgow, included Noﬁma, Alltech and Mowi, with the Marine Institute and University College Cork both involved in a linked project. Also in January, Benchmark Genetics appointed Bara Gunnlaugsdottir as Head of Digital Technologies, with a brief to develop the company’s strategy and innovation. Her role involves driving the digital strategy and innovation programmes of the business area, including the responsibility for all strategic management systems within production, quality and environment. Gunnlaugsdottir joined the company’s Icelandic operation, StofnFiskur, in 2004 as Production Manager. Before being appointed to the new position, she has been heading the division’s Strategic Business Systems, a job she has held since 2018. On 10 January, aquaculture technology business AKVA was hit by a major cyberattack. It took several weeks to get the business running normally and the company estimated later that the attack had cost it more than £4m. It is believed the attackers were looking to extract a ransom from the company.

This page from top: The SalmoSim team; Bara Gunnlaugsdottir Opposite from top: Lou Cooperhouse, BlueNalu; Observe Technologies screenshot

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Meanwhile, the team at Scottish Sea Farms were celebrating winning an environmental award for their work in recycling hatchery waste into nutrient-rich agricultural fertiliser. The company was presented with a VIBES Scottish Environment Business Award. Scottish Sea Farms was praised by the award organisers for its work to capture fish waste from its new salmon hatchery at Barcaldine, near Oban, and recycle it as fertiliser. In February, we reported that a new type of cultured seafood may find its way from the laboratory to dinner plates in the next year or two thanks to a US $60m financing deal involving pioneering US company BlueNalu. Based in San Diego, California, BlueNalu is a leader in the development of cellular aquaculture in which living cells are isolated from fish tissue, placed into culture media for proliferation, and then assembled into popular fresh and frozen seafood products. The arrangement involves both new and existing investors, including leading names in the seafood sector such as Thai Union. The financing will enable BlueNalu to achieve several significant milestones over the coming year, including opening a nearly 40,000-square-foot pilot production facility, completing the US FDA

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regulatory review for its first products and initiating marketplace testing. BlueNalu plans to introduce a wide variety of cell-based seafood products from its pilot production facility in San Diego. The company anticipated starting with the launch of mahi mahi (a ray-finned fish found in warmer waters), followed by the launch of a premium bluefin tuna. In March, AKVA took a 33.7% stake in software developer Observe Technologies. Observe uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help farmers manage automated feeding and has been working with AKVA as a partner for more than two years. Observe’s software works to co-ordinate feed management using cameras and other hardware. It works across a number of different platforms, so users do not have to replace their existing kit. The company has sold and delivered its AI feeding solution to more than 20 farm sites in five different countries. Also in March, the surprising news emerged that fish farming on the Moon is a possibility within decades, according to a team of French scientists. Future astronauts could take with them live fish eggs and, using water that is believed to lie just under the lunar surface, cultivate them into fully grown fish.

THE SIMULATION IS SUPPORTING TRIALS FOR A SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE PROTEIN SOURCE

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82 NEWS- TECHNOLOGY

British Columbia-based marine science magazine Hakai reports that to test this theory, scientists from the Montpellier University Space Centre and the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (IFREMER) packed sea bass and related meagre fish eggs — which they felt were hardier than adult fish — into instruments that vibrated and shook them to recreate the experience of blasting off in a Russian Soyuz rocket. The results were impressive, with 76% of the seabass eggs and 95% of the meagre eggs surviving the experience. IFREMER scientist and lead researcher Cyrille Przybyla said food autonomy represented “an essential challenge” for the future Moon Village planned by the European Space Agency. In June, Scottish salmon farmer Loch Duart announced the introduction of a new “person overboard” (POB) system, which it said would provide greater safety for all its team who work at sea. Once activated on contact with water, the new POB system sends a distress signal to alert all radios, boats and landing craft in the vicinity that the person is overboard. Loch Duart’s Health and Safety manager, David McKeown, worked with engineering firm Watt Marine Ltd. to develop the system. All Loch Duart staff working at sea will be fitted with a personal location device. If a person goes overboard by accident or due to weather conditions, the device is automatically activated when the life jacket is deployed – all life jackets automatically deploy when in salt sea water. Within 15 seconds of activation, the system sends out a distress signal and alerts all radios, boats and landing craft in the vicinity that the person

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is overboard. Within 45 seconds the personal location device sets off an audible alarm on the farm, and within one minute the personal location device sends a further distress signal to the Coastguard and other vessels within the area. In September, Fish Farmer reported that University of Stirling researcher Dr Lynne Falconer had been awarded a £1.5m grant for a project that aims to help the aquaculture industry use data to mitigate the impact of climate change. Dr Falconer was awarded a UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Leaders Fellowship award for her proposal to use data from salmon farms located on the coasts of Scotland and Norway to develop tools for better decision-making as the industry faces up to the effects of global warming. She was one of 97 Fellows awarded in the current round of the Future Leaders Fellowships scheme, worth a total of £96m. Dr Falconer was also a panellist in Fish Farmer’s Climate Change webinar in August, which was hosted in collaboration with InterMET and also featured Anne Anderson, Head of Sustainability and Development with Scottish Sea Farms; Daniel Fairweather, Executive Director, Livestock, Aquaculture and Fisheries with insurance company Gallagher; and Jonathan LaRiviere, Chief Executive of Scoot Science, an ocean analytics and forecasting business based in Santa Cruz, California. In November, an IT engineer with Scottish Sea Farms (SSF) was recognised with an award for his innovative fish-counting application. SSF’s David Lipcsey was named Digital Professional of the Year at The

“Loch

Duart announced the introduction of a new “person overboard” system”

Above: David Lipcsey Opposite: Saab Seaeye eWROV

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Herald Digital Transformation Awards 2021, after using his programming skills to create software to help count ﬁsh coming into the harvest station at the SSF processing and packing facility at Scalloway, Shetland, where he was working as a supervisor. The application enables the processing team to adjust the ﬂow as and when necessary to minimise stress

and maximise animal welfare. Lipcsey programmed software that was able to capture images of the flow of fish by “listening” to signals from the harvesting system. The app feeds this data back to the wellboat. The skipper can see on a tablet exactly how many fish are going into the harvest station at any given time and increase or reduce the flow as necessary to ensure a smooth flow, minimise stress and further enhance farmed fish welfare. Also in November, Saab Seaeye, a British company building underwater remotely operated vessels (ROVs), signed a potentially ground-breaking deal to sell 10 of its latest eWROV vehicles to marine robotics company Ocean Infinity for its “Armada” fleet. The new eWROV underwater robot will be built at Saab Seaeye’s facility in Fareham, Hampshire, in the Solent Freeport. Saab Seaeye said: “The eWROV will play its part in Ocean Infinity’s mission to use innovative technology to transform operations at sea, enabling people and the planet to thrive. Armada is set to revolutionise the maritime industry.”

Nutritional Analytical Service A commercial analytical service providing advice and analysis to the aquaculture and food and drink sectors across the world. We are recognised as a centre of excellence for nutritional analysis and offer a wide range of analytical parameters. Please contact us for a full list of analytical tests offered. James Dick: j.r.dick@stir.ac.uk Fiona Strachan: fiona.strachan@stir.ac.uk

BE THE DIFFERENCE

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FEED Asian expansion and sustainability initatiatives were key themes for feed producers this year

N January, we reported that a court ruling in Oslo led to a war of words between feed giant BioMar and nutrient specialist STIM over a smolt feed patent. The argument concerned BioMar’s smoltification feed Intro Tuning, which STIM maintained infringed the patent of its own SuperSmolt FeedOnly. Both are specialist products to control smoltification, reducing the number of immature fish transferred to sites in the sea too early and also preventing smolts from maturing too early. STIM AS submitted a request to the Norwegian courts in July 2020 stating that BioMar should be prohibited from the sale of Intro Tuning. According to STIM, the feed violated a new European patent that STIM had recently been granted. The Oslo County Court held hearings in the case in the first week in November 2020. A decision was handed down by the court on 8 December concluding that BioMar’s feed Intro Tuning should not be the subject of an injunction. BioMar hailed the decision as vindication of its position. Håvard Jørgensen, Managing Director of BioMar Norway, said: “We are very

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This page from the top: Håvard Jørgensen; Jim-Roger Nordly Opposite from the top: Antarctic penguins; Deforestation

happy with the outcome of this case. The decision from the court is in accordance with the European Patent Office’s (EPO) understanding of STIM’s patent, and thus as expected. This decision means that fish farmers can continue to choose feed from our product portfolio that promotes growth and health during smoltification and transfer to seawater.” STIM, however, expressed a very different interpretation of the ruling. Its CEO, Jim-Roger Nordly, said: “Jørgensen has no basis for making such a claim. In reality, BioMar succeeded with nothing more than legal filibuster and a reasoning that flies directly in the face of the work that EPO does to protect important innovations against unlawful exploitation.” STIM maintains that BioMar’s substitution of alternative amino acids for SuperSmolt’s key ingredient, L-Tryptophane, does not absolve the larger company from the charge of patent infringement. The dispute has rolled on through the year, with BioMar appealing against a court decision in March that landed the feed group with a fine of NOK 23m (£1.92m). STIM hailed a further victory in July, with the European Patent Office agreeing to widen the scope of STIM’s patent protection.

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2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK

companies are: Aker BioMarine, CNFC, Jeong IL Co., Dongwon Ind. Co., PescaChile, Rimfrost, Fujian Zhengguan Fisheries Development Corporation and Liaoning Pelagic Fisheries corporation.

Also in January, the fishing industry and a coalition of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) agreed to stop krill harvesting in an area of the Antarctic Ocean to protect the penguin population. Krill, which is used as a component in fishmeal for feed as well as pet food and nutritional supplements for humans, is a key part of the birds’ diet. The closure is year-round and permanent, affecting a 4 500km2 area of ocean around Hope Bay in the northern Antarctic Peninsula. The move is supported by the Association of Responsible Krill harvesting companies (ARK) and an NGO coalition of Greenpeace, Pew, WWF and Oceanites. The move expands voluntary restricted zones that came into effect in 2018. It is intended to secure the year-round protection of the largest Adélie penguin colony in the region, and sends a strong statement of intent in support of a marine protected area in the Antarctic Peninsula from industry to the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) and the entire Antarctic community. The companies making the commitment represent 85% of the krill fishing industry in the Antarctic and are all members of ARK. The

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KRILL IS A KEY PART OF THE BIRDS’ DIET

February sustainability in In February, aquafeed remained high up the agenda, with news that three of Brazil’s leading soybean producers had agreed to put in place a 100% deforestation-free soy value chain. The move means that virtually all the soy supplied to the salmon farming industry as feed will be from sustainable sources. The three producers – CJ Selecta, Caramuru and Imcopa/Cerverjaria Petropoli – have worked with the sustainability certiﬁcation organisation ProTerra and WWF Brazil to develop a robust monitoring, reporting and veriﬁcation system. The aquafeed industry welcomed the move, which means that the whole of the European salmon farming sector and the vast majority of the global salmon industry will ul-

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86 NEWS REVIEW – FEED

timately be sourcing its soy feed from suppliers that have banned soy from deforested areas. Also on the topic of sustainability, Skretting Italy became the first aquafeed producer to have the carbon footprint of its portfolio independently certified. Skretting’s Carbon Footprint Systematic Approach was certified under ISO 14067:2018, the international standard that covers the quantification and reporting of the carbon footprint – the carbon emitted into the atmosphere from the entire production chain – of a product. Skretting Italy is now in a position, the company said, to provide certified carbon footprint figures on any of the aquaculture feed products in its portfolio. This should help fish farmers to calculate their own carbon footprint and understand ways in which it can be reduced. The certification was conducted by Norway-based risk management and assurance group DNV GL. Meanwhile, Skretting and Polish Proteon Pharmaceutcals announced a strategic partnership to develop aquafeed solutions to help protect fish from harmful bacteria. The venture involves finding “phages”, viruses that attack bacteria, that can be incorporated into feed. The first target is the Vibrio bacteria, which has been a big problem for aquaculture. If successful, the use of phages could mean the industry is much less reliant on the use of antibiotics. In March, we reported that Brittany-based aquafeed business Le Gouessant Co-operative Group has announced the acquisition of competitor Aqualia. The move reinforces Le Gouessant’s position as France’s largest producer for fish farming nutrition. Aqualia, founded in 2016, has around 20 employees and a mill for manufacturing fish feeds based in Landes, in south-west France. Up

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until the sale to Le Gouessant on 1 March, it was owned by Maïsadour and SCAAL (Les Aquaculteurs Landais), France’s largest farmed trout producer. The move took Le Gouessant’s production capacity to 50,000 tonnes per year and, the company said, it would also enhance its R&D capability. Shrimp feed is a massive part of the aquafeed sector and March saw the announcement of a new shrimp feed research centre in Ecuador for Skretting – which is investing US $6.1m (£4.3m) in the Skretting ARC Guayas

Research Station – and also a major acquisition in Vietnam for BioMar, which acquired a controlling share in the feed operations of Viet-Uc. BioMar said its acquisition of Viet-Uc’s feed business “…establishes a partnership together with one of the leading seafood groups in Vietnam active in shrimp hatcheries, ﬁsh hatcheries and shrimp farming.” Carlos Diaz, CEO, BioMar Group, said: “With this partnership we open an important door into the Vietnamese market, one of the world’s leading shrimp producing countries with a production close to 500,000 tonnes of shrimp. Considering the performance and agility of the Vietnamese shrimp industry during the last decade and not least during this last year of pandemic, I am sure the

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“If suc-

market holds a great potential for growth.” BioMar also reported a solid ﬁnancial performance for 2020, with revenue up 4.2% to DKK 11.65bn (£1.35bn) and earnings up 0.6% to DKK 972m (£112.8m).

cessful, the use April brought news of expansion in for the two feed giants. Skretting of phages Asia announced plans to build a new feed in Vietnam with a capacity of could factory 100,000 tonnes. The new factobeing constructed next mean the ryto isSkretting Vietnam’s existing facilities in Thuan Industrial Zone, industry is Dao Long An. BioMar much less setMeanwhile, up an Asia division, by Francois reliant on headed Loubere as Vice-President, Asia. He was previously VP, West Mediterranean antibiotics” BioMar’s and Africa, and his former role went to Luis Garcia Romero, Commercial Manager in the division.

Opposite from top: Vibrio cholerae; Viet-Uc production; Carlos Diaz This page from top: Luis Garcia Romero (L) and Francois Loubere; Helene Ziv-Douki; BioMar’s promise to planet and people campaign

In May, we reported that Helene ZivDouki had been appointed as President of Cargill’s aquaculture business. She had been a member of the Cargill animal nutrition and health team since 2017 and came in to replace Pilar Cruz, who had been promoted to the post of Chief Sustainability Oﬃcer.

Skretting, this time of an acquisition in Australia. Skretting bought Ridley’s extrusion facility in Westbury, Tasmania. The company said the move was a continuation of Skretting’s long-term commitment to the Australian and New Zealand aquaculture industries. “We have been producing aquafeed from our Cambridge facility in Tasmania since the 1990s and today proudly employ over 90 staﬀ,” said Melissa Abbott, General Manager of Skretting Australia. She added: “I am pleased that we are expanding our manufacturing capacity to enable us to continue our long-term commitment to clients and partners across the broader Australian and New Zealand aquaculture industries. I am very proud of what our team has and continues to achieve, and the role that we play in supporting local communities. It’s an exciting day for the Skretting team.” In July, aquafeed giant BioMar committed to reducing the carbon footprint of its feed by one-third by 2030. The pledge was part of the group’s “2030 Ambitions”, set out alongside BioMar’s 2020 Sustainability Report. BioMar is speciﬁcally promising action on three fronts. First, climate action: BioMar aims to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. To that end, the

June brought more news from

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company says it intends to cut the carbon footprint per tonne of feed by one-third – using a baseline of 2020’s figures – over the next decade. Second, shifting to “Circular & Restorative” production: 50% of ingredients in BioMar’s feed will be “circular” (including raw materials sourced from byproduct and waste streams) and/or “restorative” (materials that “significantly shift the balance between ecosystem impacts and human production systems towards net-positive environmental outcomes”). One example given is the development of a single-cell protein produced from fermented forestry byproducts. Third, a commitment to “Enable People”, focusing on capacity building by committing to enable 100,000 people annually by 2030 through training courses and development programmes for employees, farmers and communities; and engagement in third-party agricultural and fishery improvement programmes and supplier improvement initiatives. Carlos Diaz, BioMar Group CEO, said: “We believe in transparency and even though some KPIs might seem too ambitious, we strive to aim high and disclose what we have and have not achieved. We believe in the

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sustainable future of the aquaculture industry and look forward to continuing to drive change.” In September, Norwegian farm business Sterling White Halibut agreed a six-year supply contract with Danish feed producer Aller Aqua. Halibut, a slow-growing fish, takes four years to reach harvest size and SWH produces in the region of 1,700 tonnes of halibut yearly. The halibut are grown in Ryfylke in Norway and SWH handles the entire lifecycle of the fish, from broodstock through roe and larvae, to grow-out until the fish are ready for harvest. Magne Torgersen, CEO of SWH, commented: “Aller Aqua has shown us that they mean it when they say they want to grow together. Their feed quality, but also their input and availability, has been key in our decision, and we, therefore, have no queries signing a long-term contract. Together we find solutions and our fish have never been better.” In October, alternative protein producer Calysta announced two senior appointments. The company appointed Keysha Bailey as Chief Financial Officer, while Rabobank veteran

Above: Sterling White Halibut signing contract with Aller Aqua Opposite from top: Jacqueline PietersZetsma; FeedKind scoop

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Jacqueline Pieters-Zetsma joined the Board of Directors as an independent non-executive board member. Calysta is a comparative minnow in the aquafeed world, but its process, which involves using the fermentation of natural gas to create protein, holds great potential. The world’s first commercial-scale production facility for FeedKind, Calysta’s proprietary fish and animal feed, is being developed in China by Calysseo, Calysta’s 50/50 joint venture with feed giant Adisseo. Bailey was previously Chief Financial Officer at Rocketship Education. She commented: “I’m delighted to be joining Calysta as the company begins a significant new chapter in its history. I’m looking forward to working as part of the senior team to steer the organisation as it plans to enter the Asian market and works to address the very real challenge of making our global food system more sustainable.” News of the appointments came days after Calysta announced completion of a US $39m equity financing round, led by bp ventures, to support commercial production of FeedKind protein. Joining bp ventures in the round were Adisseo and AquaSpark, as well as other existing Calysta investors. In October, Adisseo was also celebrating an award for the digitalisation of its production processes at the Chemistry Initiatives Awards held in Paris on 6 October. The award recognised the company’s digitalisation strategy, carried out through a successful partnership leading to the improvement of industrial perfor-

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mance, product quality and flexibility. The DISPLAY 4.0 project (Data Intelligence Simplification Process under controL by AnalYsis) has enabled Adisseo to successfully digitalise its European and Chinese industrial processes. In November, Aker BioMarine, the biotech innovator and Antarctic krill harvesting company, announced it was planning to restructure its finances after reporting a somewhat flat third-quarter performance. Aker said it had agreed on a new financing structure with its current bank group and one new bank entering the syndicate. Aker BioMarine reported an adjusted EBITDA of US $15m (£11m), against $27m (£19.8m) for Q3 2020. The company’s net turnover fell by $8m to $62m (£45.4) while net profit was positive at $13.5m (£9.9m). Net cash flow was also positive at $7.3m (£5.3m). Total offshore production was 7,195 metric tonnes for the quarter, 17% below the same period last year.

“White

Halibut agreed a six-year supply contract with Danish feed producer Aller Aqua”

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90 ALLTECH COPPENS - CLIENT CONTENT

Is your trout ready for winter? Feed can deliver enhanced fat digestibility and performance, even in cold water

Below: Trout parr and smolt Opposite from top: Rainbow trout; Alltech Coppens feed

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n cold water, trout become less active and their metabolism slows down. Digestion slows down too and fat digestion, especially, becomes less eﬃcient. This is in line with the trout’s natural lifestyle whereby very little food is available during the winter period. The digestive tract is not accustomed to handle a lot of food.

The enzymatic processes depend on the water temperature and take place at a low rate when the water is cold. However, in a trout farm growth is desirable during the whole year, including the colder months. Feeds that do well in summer may fail to give good results in winter. In intensive trout farms and farms with a restricted water availability, more pollution can therefore sometimes be detected during the winter time. This happens especially when the water temperature sinks to 8 °C and below. The trout adapts its physiology to the cold period and one important aspect is that its requirement for essential fatty acids changes, compared to higher water temperatures. This adaptation is necessary for the fish to keep a good condition and stay healthy. Migrating salmonids go through a similar process when they smoltify. Initially at the onset of smoltification the fish will move into brackish water, changing to a marine diet of shrimp and bait fish. Their camouflage changes to a silvery skin with a dark back and white belly. This helps them to blend in with the surroundings. The marine diet, rich

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in omega-3 fatty acids, assures a high membrane fluidity in the cold sea water so that they can move swiftly. This physiological adaptation assures a good digestion of food during very cold conditions. At Alltech Coppens we aimed to develop a trout feed concept that allowed optimal digestion, health and performance during very cold periods. After extensive research at the Alltech Coppens Aqua Centre we have managed to considerably improve fat digestibility in very cold water and match the trout’s changed requirement for essential fatty acids. Fat digestion is determined by four major factors: the water temperature, the melting point of the fat in the feed, the fatty acid profile of the feed and the feeding level. The melting point of the oil in the feed determines whether the fatty acids can be emulsified well at a

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“The trout adapts its

physiology to the cold period”

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given water temperature. When the oil becomes more solid in cold water emulsification is compromised and digestion reduced. The key is to have the right melting point at a water temperature at 8°C and lower. Our R&D efforts have provided crucial data to get the melting point right in winter conditions! In order to function well in cold water, trout require more of the long chain omega-3 fatty acids (LC-PUFA) as these are structural lipids that are built into the cell membranes. By incorporating more LC-PUFA in the cell membranes, as the water turns colder a high membrane fluidity and functionality is maintained. This is essential for the trout’s physiology, and promotes good fat digestion. The latter, of course, is key to getting a good performance in the cold months.

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The feed rate is also decisive for fat digestion. Since the fish’s metabolism slows down in cold water, it takes a long time for trout to digest a meal. This can take up to a few days. A high feed rate overloads the digestive tract and the trout is less capable of digesting it efficiently. This leads to a poorer FCR and more excrements, which may be visible to the farmer in the form of a higher degree of pollution. Our research has shown that a slightly lower feed rate helps to increase fat digestion and this is in line with the physiological adaptation the trout goes through in winter. In this respect less is more. Apart from a slightly lower feed rate, it is also important to feed rather slowly in the cold period so that the slower trout have sufficient time to take up the pellets and none are

Above: Rainbow Trout Right: Freshwater trout site, Loch Awe

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“In order to function well in cold water, trout require more of the long chain omega-3 fatty acids”

wasted. Making sure that the feed has a high attraction and is palatable to the trout is also important, so that the ﬁsh immediately react when feeding commences. For this purpose the R&D team at Alltech Coppens have done feed trials to investigate the palatability of the diﬀerent ingredients so that the right combinations can be made, in addition to meeting the nutritional requirements. These crucial points have all been addressed in Alltech Coppens’ trout cold water concept. This concept meets the requirements of the trout

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and the challenges of a trout farmer in winter. The two trout feeds that excel in cold conditions are the highly digestible Ultra and Crystal. For advice on feed rates during cold periods please take up contact with the Alltech Coppens team.

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94 ADISSEO - CLIENT CONTENT

Targeting the first lines of defence

Boosting fish resilience to parasitic infestations through enhanced gut and skin mucus protection

isease prevention via functional nutrition is key to reduce the susceptibility to infections associated with intensive farming, and to support ﬁsh in coping with production challenges.

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Gut and skin mucus are primary barriers of defence against pathogens, so their protection is a guarantee for a successful disease prevention program. SANACORE® GM is based on combinations of synergetic natural compounds that oﬀer protection

Above: Gilthead seabream in cage Opposite: Fish farm in the Mediterranean sea

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2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 95

via anti-inflammatory action and promotion of gut integrity and immunity. Previous work showed that this functional additive significantly reduces the prevalence of the gut parasite Enteromyxum and its impact on productivity in Gilthead seabream. A recent study confirmed it ameliorates inflammatory responses and lowers the severity of endoparasitic infection in fish fed plant-based formulations. APEX® BRANCHIA is based on combinations of synergetic natural compounds aiming to reinforce skin mucus defensiveness against the attachment of parasites and bacteria. Research evidence demonstrates the product increases the resilience of fish via the modulation of the

skin mucus composition, resulting in reduced ectoparasite infection rates and secondary bacterial infections.

“Gut and skin mucus are primary barriers” AQUACULTURE

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Species-specific solutions for a sustainable and profitable aquaculture At Adisseo, we offer species-specific nutrition and health solutions to aquaculture customers around the world. There is a lot to gain by optimizing your feed additive strategy. Our aqua experts are passionate to help you find out how to increase your productivity and profitability.

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96 REVIEW – FISH HEALTH

FISH HEALTH Sea lice, viral and bacterial infections, and gill health were all issues for fish farming this year

n January, mandatory reporting of sea lice numbers moved to a weekly basis for Scottish fish farmers. An Order was laid in the Scottish Parliament in December introducing what the Scottish Government call a “step change” in sea lice reporting. It requires average weekly female sea lice numbers per fish to be reported one week in arrears, in place of current arrangements, which require reporting only where specific levels are met or exceeded. The policy was flagged up earlier in December by (then) Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism Fergus Ewing, while giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee. As previously, the Fish Health Inspectorate sea lice reports will

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be available in spreadsheet format via the Scottish Government website. Also in January, we reported that fish health company PatoGen Ltd is to set up a laboratory for preventive and diagnostic services in Oban, Scotland. The move by the Norwegian company is part of its expansion into the UK, which started in 2014. PatoGen established its office at the SAMS campus in Oban in August 2018. Dr Teresa Garzon, PatoGen’s key account manager for the UK, said: “It is an excellent collaboration, and the proactive farmers’ focus on maintaining good fish health and welfare allows us to commit to the next step in PatoGen’s establishment in the UK.” Meanwhile, a novel virus in ballan wrasse hatchlings could be the cause of unexplained high mortality for hatchlings, according to PatoGen. The Norwegian-based company has named the virus Ballan wrasse birnavirus (BWDV). PatoGen worked with a fish farmer to investigate diseased fish for relevant pathogens and histology, and performed a full genome sequencing in which researchers found the genome of the novel

This page from top: Dr Teresa Garzon; Ballan wrasse; PatoGen test tube Opposite: Benchmark CleanTreat tanks

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birnavirus. Downstream PCR studies detected large amounts of virus in fish larvae from groups with increased mortality. PatoGen believes that biosecurity measures against BWDV will reduce the mortality in this critical phase of the ballan wrasse production. The mortality for wrasse occurs after a short period of loss of appetite, and peak mortality typically occurs between days 17 and 25 post hatching (DPH). Samples from fish at the farm were collected weekly from hatching and were examined with PCR for relevant pathogens and histology. The genome sequencing analysis revealed high amounts of gene sequences of a novel virus grouped within the virus family Birnaviridae. The gene sequences of the novel Ballan wrasse virus were genetically different from other known birnaviruses and aquabirnaviruses. The best known birnavirus in Norwegian aquaculture is infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV), an aquabirnavirus known to cause fry mortality in Atlantic salmon. Other birnaviruses are associated with early fry mortality on other marine fish species. The investigation showed that the virus infection is maintained in the population for a long time after the peak mortality and at high levels.

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PatoGen is now offering fish growers a PCR analysis for the Ballan wrasse birnavirus. In February, we reported that Norway had recorded its first confirmed case of infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) at a fish farm owned by family business Elilsen Fisk, at Namsos in the Trøndelag region. Fish in the cages affected were culled. It was not to be the last case of ISA in Norway. Further outbreaks were recorded in Nordland in May, and at the Midt-Norsk Havbruk farm site at Kvingra in central Norway, as well as a Norway Royal Salmon site in the Troms and Finnmark region. In March, Benchmark Holdings announced that it was rolling out its new CleanTreat sea lice solution in the second quarter of 2021. The new treatment system combines Benchmark’s BMK08 lice treatment with the CleanTreat filtering system, which filters out all measurable traces of the chemical after application, as well as capturing any strings of sea lice eggs. Field trials of the system in Norway had proved very successful, the company said. The system was granted marketing authorisation by the Norwegian Medicines Agency in July, clearing the way for it to be rolled out to its first commercial customers over the

A NOVEL VIRUS IN BALLAN WRASSE HATCHLINGS COULD BE THE CAUSE OF UNEXPLAINED MORTALITY

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98 REVIEW – FISH HEALTH

rest of the summer. The European Commission had also set a maximum residue limit (MRL) for BMK08, aollwing its use on salmon destined for sale in the European Union, and the Norwegian Parliament in term ratiﬁed that decision. It was not all plain sailing, however. BMK08, otherwise known as Ectosan, is based on the pesticide imidacloprid, which has been described as “novichok for insects” and in June its use was condemned by members of the European Parliament. It remains to be seen whether the MEPs will be able to override the Commission or whether Ectosan will turn out to be a game changer in the battle against sea lice. In April, Mowi announced the promotion of Meritxell Diez-Padrisa to the post of Fish Health Director. She was previously Production Director, Scotland. In her new role she is responsible for overseeing ﬁsh

health programmes for the group in all regions. Meanwhile, aquaculture tech business Manolin said that trials of its ﬁsh health prediction application showed that it was accurate to 93%. Manolin’s software had been tracking health challenges for salmon farmers across Norway. It uses machine learning to predict the early onset of pancreas disease and infectious salmon anaemia based on a range of data inputs, and is the only commercially available disease-forecasting tool for farmers in Norway. The company’s Chief Technology Oﬃcer and co-founder, John Costantino, said: “This is a true breakthrough moment for our company and the industry as a whole.” In May, one of the bestknown names in aquacultural health changed as Fish Vet Group became Pharmaq Analytic, following the company’s acquisition by Pharmaq’s parent company, Zoetis, in July last year. Operations Director Chris Matthews said: “We are proud that for 25 years our team has led the way in developing aquatic veterinary,

MANOLIN SAID THAT TRIALS OF ITS FISH HEALTH PREDICTION APPLICATION SHOWED THAT IT WAS ACCURATE TO 93% Fish Health v2.indd 98

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ON 3%

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diagnostic and environmental approaches in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Going forward as Pharmaq Analytiq, we are excited to be able to honour that heritage of innovation with the additional resources that [come with] being part of Pharmaq and Zoetis.” Scottish Sea Farms (SSF) celebrated a health milestone, recording zero use of antibiotics for its marine farms and hatcheries. The company said it had kept its marine sites antibiotic-free since 2012, but 2020 was the ﬁrst year it had also managed to extend that to its hatcheries. The company said a “holistic” approach to ﬁsh welfare had made it possible. Ronnie Soutar, Head of Veterinary Services at SSF, said: “We’re very proud to have reached this stage. It is important on a global scale that antibiotic use is minimised and only used when absolutely essential.”

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Opposite from top: Meritxell Diez-Padrisa; John Costantino; Chris Matthews; Manolin app Above: Scottish Sea Farms Barcaldine smolt

In June, we reported that Norway was facing an additional viral threat, following reports that infectious hematopoietic necrosis (IHN) had been detected in Denmark and Finland. Although it had not shown up in Norway, there were fears that it could spread via the import of live fish and fish products. Norway’s Veterinary Institute remained on high alert. In Denmark, meanwhile, the trade association Dansk Akvakultur and the six farms affected by the outbreak drew up a plan, which they presented to the Danish Veterinary and food Administration, setting out how the country could return to IHN-free status Meanwhile, in Chile, one of the country’s biggest salmon producers, Salmones Camanchaca, estimated that the harmful algal blooms that struck the country’s coast in March had cost it at least US$12m (£8.52m).

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Camanchaca reduced its harvest estimates from 55,000–57,000 tonnes to 41,000–44,000 tonnes. Around 3,700 tonnes had been lost to the algal blooms. In September, we reported on a study being launched by a team of researchers in the UK to find better ways to vaccinate ballan wrasse against the bacterium Aeromanas salmonicida. The consortium included the University of Stirling’s Institute of Aquaculture, Mowi, Otter Ferry Seafish, Ceva Ridgeway Biologicals and the Sustainable Aquculture Innovation Centre. In October, as fish health is an international issue, experts from around the world took part in an online conference on gill health, which is emerging as a substantial threat. The International Gill Health Conference cast a light on the problems of amoebic gill disease and complex gill disease, where a number of factors are combined. One of the important conclusions was that it is essential that farmers are aware of the state of health of their stock before applying any treatment for another condition, such as sea lice, as fish with poor

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“MICRO JELLYFISH” ARE INCREASINGLY BEING RECOGNISED AS A SOURCE OF GILL HEALTH PROBLEMS gill health may not survive such treatment. As reported by Mowi Scotland’s Regional Health Manager, Lucy Fry, hydrozoans – also known as “micro jellyﬁsh” – are increasingly being recognised as a source of gill health problems. The Conference was organised by SAIC Events, in collaboration with the Norwegian Seafood Research fund, BioMar, Aqua Pharma, Mowi, Cargill, PatoGen and Salmon Scotland. Above: Salmones Camanchaca Left: Lucy Fry

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pharmaq.com

KEY FACTS

375 DEDICATED EMPLOYEES AROUND THE GLOBE

36 YEARS OF DEDICATED R&D ON FISH HEALTH AND VACCINES

35+ FISH VACCINES AND THERAPEUTICS DEVELOPED AND PRODUCED IN NORWAY

2 BILLION FISH VACCINES DOSES DELIVERED IN 2021

WE MAKE AQUACULTURE PROGRESS

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Pharmaq, which is part of the Zoetis Group, has decades of experience in fish health and the development of vaccines and therapeutics for the aquaculture sector. Pharmaq is one of the world’s leading suppliers of vaccines for farmed fish, and offers numerous vaccines that protect both cold and warm water fish species against viral and bacterial infections. Our production facilities, administration and R&D operations are based in Norway, and we have subsidiaries around the world. A high percentage of Pharmaq’s annual revenues are re-invested in research into emerging diseases and the development of innovative fish health products and vaccines. The key to our success is our continued focus on high quality with the aim of ensuring that we supply the safe and effective products that are essential to sustainable fish farming.

29/11/2021 11:59:55

102 NEWS REVIEW – CAGES NETS AND PENS

Cages, nets and pens Consolidation and innovation dominated our news stories for the sector in 2021

N January, we reported that Norwegian Weather Protection (NWP), which makes industrial seams for aquaculture, agriculture and other sectors was to become part of the FiiZK Group. NWP became FiiZK’s wholly owned subsidiary as from 1 January 2021. NWP’s factory at Frekhaug, outside Bergen, continues to operate as part of FiiZK’s production setup, while functions within sales and administration are now co-ordinated from FiiZK’s head office in Trondheim. Consolidation continued in February with Selstad, the Norwegian aquaculture equipment and services supplier, taking a majority share in net supplier W&J Knox of Scotland. W&J Knox is based in Kilbirnie, Ayrshire, and supplies equipment and services to the aquaculture industry along with nets for camouflage, sports and other industrial applications. The company CEO, Hans Petter Selstad, said the alliance offered several opportunities for the two companies and the industry. He added: “We have known W&J Knox for over 20 years and consider their value proposition to the aquaculture industry to be very strong. In combining this with Norwegian knowledge and experience, we believe that we will

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see some very good synergies.” Managing Director of W&J Knox, Dave Hutchens, said he saw the move as “an important chapter in the history of the company”. In April, one of the most unusual cage designs took a step closer to becoming an operating reality, as Hauge Aqua Solutions embarked on the construction of its first “Egget” enclosed fish farm. The contract for building the Egget was awarded to another Norwegian company, Herde Kompositt. The egg-shaped, fibreglass Egget is designed to help solve some of the problems associated with salmon farming, such as lice, escapes and pollution. It was initially a collaboration with Mowi (formerly Marine Harvest), but in February Hauge announced its intention to go it alone after apparently becoming frustrated with the pace of progress. Mowi is continuing to invest on other closed containment systems. Kim Røssland, General Manager and one of Herde Kompositt’s four partners, said: “We look forward to contributing to this major innovative project that will be able

Above: The ‘Egget’ Left: Hans Petter Selstad Opposite: Frank Byrne (L) and Don MacLeod

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to contribute to a more sustainable aquaculture industry.” In June, we reported that AKVA group had installed Mowi Scotland’s first 160-metre pen installation at Loch Seaforth on the Isle of Harris, and 10 pens were secured on site. In addition to the 10 160-metre pens, AKVA supplied the sites with two new mooring grids, bird nets and fibreglass poles. AKVA also delivered two HDPE nets in partnership with net maker Tufropes. Don MacLeod, Mowi Scotland Seaforth Site Manager, commented: “The installation of 160-metre pens – the largest pens now used in Scotland – is important as we look to raise salmon at exposed locations that offer excellent growing conditions, but also offer increasing weather challenges from storms. The installa-

“We

tion of 160-metre net pens and other associated infrastructure supplied by AKVA group will signiﬁcantly improve our containment systems and safety.” Frank Byrne AKVA group Scotland Pens, Nets and Moorings Manager, said: “We see this a great endorsement of AKVA group and our products, our Polarcirkel pens and moorings, along with the support and knowledge we oﬀer locally. We worked very closely with Mowi to deliver on time to what was a very tight schedule.”

believe that we will see some very good synergies”

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13.09.2021

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104 NEWS REVIEW – CAGES NETS AND PENS

August saw aquaculture supplier Gael Force reaching an agreement for an exclusive deal with net manufacturer Fibras Industriales SA (FISA) to provide nets for fish farming in Scotland. FISA is headquartered in Peru, with a warehouse and sales office in Chile. It produces high-quality netting products, including Supra HDPE high-tenacity containment and predator nets, Raschel polyester and nylon containment and protection nets, and Twisted Knotless Muketsu nets. The partnership will also see FISA exclusively manufacture a new SeaQureNet, which will be a key element of Gael Force’s turnkey offering. Gael Force is also now working with John Howard of Boris Nets, a longtime partner for FISA in the UK with extensive experience in aquaculture. Gael Force has also committed to establishing a net servicing station in the UK. Stewart Graham, Group Managing Director at Gael Force, said: “We have worked alongside FISA in the market for several years and we have been extremely impressed with the consistently robust quality and reliability of their netting products. Together, our partnership is an excellent strategic fit.” In September, SalMar entered into a strategic partnership with Aker ASA, the industrial company specialising in

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energy, seafood and marine biotechnology, to establish a global offshore aquaculture business. The new joint-venture company will be known as SalMar Aker Ocean AS. Aker will invest up to NOK 1.65bn (£136m) in three tranches. The initial aim is to operate in Norwegian waters, but the new company eventually plans to expand internationally. October saw the first sea cage for the Arctic Offshore Farming project in place, north of Tromsø. Arctic Offshore is a subsidiary of Norway Royal Salmon, now owned by SalMar. The large cages are designed to operate in more exposed areas and can withstand a wave height of up to 13 metres. The cage weighs around 3,000 tonnes and a second cage will eventually be taken to the site. The cages were designed by Aker Solutions. The facility will consist of two cages. Each cage is 80 metres in diameter and 22 metres high. The two cages will hold around 1.2 million salmon.

This page from top: Arctic Offshore Farming vessel; Supra net; Eidsfjord Giant; Gael Force MD Stewart Graham

In November, technology took a knock back. The 270-metre long futuristic ﬁsh farming vessel known as the Eidsfjord Giant was awarded fewer than half the number of development permits it had applied for. The Eidsfjord Giant is a closed farming concept at sea with six large containers, with a separate treatment plant for organic emissions. The company, Eidsfjord Sjøfarm, which is part of the Holmoy group, originally wanted 17 permits, but Norway’s Directorate of Fisheries granted just seven.

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Manufacturing bespoke ﬁsh farm nets for over 35 years!

01308 485422 www.collinsnets.co.uk Fish Farmer Yearbook.indd 1 Collins Nets.indd 105

08/11/2021 10:15:28 16:37:49 29/11/2021

106 REVIEW – CONTAINMENT AND PREDATOR PROTECTION

Containment The threat of seal attacks has been a major headache for fish farmers

n January, salmon farmers in Scotland sounded the alarm over predation attacks by seals, following a major incident at a Skye-based farm in which 52,000 juvenile salmon were lost. The Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO, now renamed Salmon Scotland) says that from May 2019 to May 2020 more than half a million farmed salmon in Scotland died as a result of seal attacks, either directly from a physical attack or indirectly from stress. New regulations have also limited the action farmers can take to control seal predation. The Skye attack, on 31 December, was at a farm based at Portree and managed by The Scottish Salmon Company. The site was due to have new “seal proof” netting technology installed by the end of January. A spokesperson for The Scottish Salmon Company said: “Our Portree site has recently been subject to persistent attacks from a large group of

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seals which, despite our best efforts, caused significant damage to one of our nets. Our staff moved quickly to repair this damage but unfortunately a number of fish escaped… we take these matters extremely seriously and have invested substantially in measures to ensure containment and deal with predators like seals.” A change in regulations has meant that, as of the end of January 2021, farmers no longer have recourse to lethal controls to deal with seals. There are also restrictions coming in regarding what types of acoustic deterrent devices (ADDs) or “seal scarers” may be used. A review into the use of ADDs, announced in July last year, is ongoing. Tavish Scott, Chief Executive of the SSPO said: “Salmon farms and seals

This page from top: Ace Aquatec’s RT1; sea lion eating salmon Opposite: Seals in salmon pen after biting through top bird protection netting

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can co-exist quite happily in the marine environment. Seals can however inflict vicious and widespread damage on salmon farms, killing significant numbers of fish in each attack. That is what has happened to The Scottish Salmon Company farm in Skye. The seals ripped open the nets and killed many fish, with others escaping. “This distressing incident shows that our farmers need access to a range of effective tools and measures to deter seal attacks and protect their livestock. Our sector is continuing to make substantial investments in new technologies and management methods which follow government regulations. Our approach is consistent with the clear commitments our member companies have made.” In the 12 months to May 2020, Scottish salmon farming sector investment into preventing predator attacks was £8.4m. Investment into new generation anti-predator nets accounted for £5.3m. In March, the SSPO/Salmon Scotland announced that none of its members was now using any form of ADD that had been shown to disturb protected marine mammals. Only acoustic deterrent devices (ADDs) that comply with both the requirements of Marine Scotland and US regulations were being used. Anne Anderson, then Director of Sustainability for the SSPO said: “Scottish salmon farmers are not using any acoustic deterrent devices that may have been considered to endanger cetaceans such as dolphins, porpoises and whales. All devices the sector does not have total confidence in, with regards to the harming of protected species, have been turned off and removed from the marine environment.

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“It is critical however that farmers have deterrents available to protect their livestock from seal predation. As such the Scottish salmon farming sector is committed to, where necessary, only using acoustic devices that have been scientifically proven to be compliant with the US Marine Mammals Protection Act (MMPA).” Later in the year, Salmon Scotland members went even further, agreeing to switch off all ADDs until Marine Scotland can clarify its position on licensing them – although Fish Farmer understands that a minority of members included the caveat that they would use them in extreme circumstances. Also in March, Fisheries Management Scotland (FMS) said that it estimated as many as 3,000 escaped salmon from Mowi’s Carradale farm site had found their way into rivers in Scotland and northern England. Carradale was hit hard by Storm Ellen in August 2020, and it is believed just over 48,000 fish escape. While FMS said the majority had not made it into freshwater, reports from anglers suggested that a minority had done so. Following the Carradale incident, FMS, Marine Scotland Science and

SCOTTISH SALMON FARMERS ARE NOT USING ANY ACOUSTIC DETERRENT DEVICES THAT MAY ENDANGER CETACEANS

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108 REVIEW – CONTAINMENT AND PREDATOR PROTECTION

Mowi have been working together on a genetic monitoring project, to see what impact the escapes have had on the stock of wild salmon. In August we reported on a cull of sea lions in the US state of Oregon. The US Marine Mammal Protection Act normally forbids the killing of marine mammals – and because of the ecoThis page from top: Mass salmon mortalities nomic sanctions included in the act, following seal attack; it eﬀectively applies to any country OTAQ’s SealFence seeking to export seafood to the US – but a “take permit” can be granted under exceptional circumstances. In this case, the cull was authorised in order to protect wild salmon in Oregon, since it is possible to grant a take permit in order to protect another endangered species.

“516,443 fish were killed in seal attacks”

In November, Salmon Scotland estimated that more than one million farm-raised salmon in Scotland will have been killed by seals in the two years to the end of 2021. Seal attacks cost salmon farmers an average of £12m a year in lost fish, the organisation said. Tavish Scott, Chief Executive of Salmon Scotland, said seal predation was getting worse and he urged government ministers to sit down with sector leaders to discuss possible solutions. He said: “There is no easy fix but we need a dialogue with ministers – and the leaders of other sectors affected – to find ways of tackling what has become an increasingly serious issue for our members.” The figures released by Salmon

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Scotland show that in 2020, 516,443 fish were killed directly in seal attacks (with many hundreds of thousands more so stressed they died later). In the eight months to the end of August 2021, a further 347,917 salmon were killed directly by seals, taking the total since January 2020 to 864,360. With four months left in 2021 and with seal attacks peaking traditionally in the winter, the total is due to pass one million well before Christmas. The salmon killed by seals would have fetched a market price of £12,253,743 in 2020 and a further £8,436,987 in the eight months of 2021 to end of August, adding up to a total lost revenue of £20,690,730. Scotland has 210 active salmon farms, of which about 70% will be stocked at any one time. This means that on average, 2,792 salmon were lost per farm (with a lost harvest revenue of £67,696) in 2020 and a further 1,955 fish (with an expected harvest revenue of £47,399) in the first eight months of 2021. Until the start of 2021, salmon farmers could shoot seals as a last resort and a small number, about 50, were shot every year to protect stocks. This power has since been removed by Scottish Government legislation. Salmon Scotland argues that farmers have a statutory duty to protect their stock but many feel they are powerless to do anything about seals, which are a protected species, as they now can neither despatch the predators nor scare them away using ADDs.

29/11/2021 14:38:27

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29/11/2021 12:00:58

110 TOM MORROW TARPAULINS – CLIENT CONTENT

Saving the environment… and your bottom line

Find out how Tom Morrow’s sea lice barriers can revolutionise your aquaculture operation

Above: A pen in Ireland waiting to be fitted with one of Tom Morrow Tarpaulins’ lice barrier screens Far right: 130 metre Tom Morrow Tarpaulins freshwater bags in use

sk any aquaculture specialist what the biggest issues are facing ﬁsh farms today, and you’re guaranteed that sea lice will be amongst the ﬁrst words out of their mouth. Research published by the Scottish Government earlier this year shows that sea lice are found in far greater concentrations around salmon farms than they are in wild salmon and trout populations. So clearly, work needs to be done to

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protect stock from harm. Tom Morrow Tarpaulins is at the forefront of sea lice prevention techniques – developing innovative tarpaulin-based solutions that reduce the need for chemical usage. The company’s bags, screens and skirts are handmade using the highest quality materials to last longer – and perform better – than any other on the market. Director Gary Cunningham said: “We supplied a new lice barrier screen to one of our clients in March this

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…

year. Since then, they haven’t had to undertake any lice treatments on their fish – but in a normal year, they would have had to start treatments over the summer. “Our screens can make a huge difference to fish health and reduce requirements for chemical treatments. This not only has benefits for the environment, but also makes financial sense, as our hard-wearing tarpaulins are less likely to need to be repaired or replaced.” With more than 50 years’ experience in the team, Tom Morrow Tarpaulins is a world leader in providing sea lice prevention solutions to the aquaculture industry. From its base in the Scottish Highlands, the firm works with clients across the UK – and around the world in the likes of Canada, Norway,

“Our screens can make a huge difference to fish health” Tom Morrow Tarpaulins - PED.indd 111

Australia, Spain and Hawaii – to provide a tailored service that builds on a wealth of technical knowledge. The customers’ needs are always at the heart of everything the team does, and its product range has been designed in conjunction with industry partners who each have unique problems to solve. Archie Johnstone, freshwater lochs area manager at Mowi, said: “We have used Tom Morrow tarps in freshwater for around 15 years – as well as polytunnel recovering and having bespoke tarps created to line sumps. I have always found them to be very helpful and innovative. The quality is very good and they will always help out if they can, even at short notice.” Director Marcus Sanctuary added: “It’s important to us that our products are strong and hard-wearing – allowing our clients the peace of mind that their ﬁsh are safe and well protected from sea lice. “We have spent a great deal of time and eﬀort to source the best quality

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112 TOM MORROW TARPAULINS – CLIENT CONTENT

components we can to live up to the reputation we have built, ensuring every material – down to the thread – is rigorously tested. “We don’t believe in a ‘one size ﬁts all approach’. Instead, we work alongside our clients to ensure the design, manufacture and delivery of each product ﬁts their needs exactly. In doing this, we use no heavy machinery in the manufacturing process. Every item is handmade and closely inspected to guarantee a quality product.” Sea lice barrier screens Tom Morrow Tarpaulins has been developing sea lice barrier screens for a number of years and is recognised

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as producing the most reliable and long-lasting products on the market. The team has worked extensively with the industry to create products which are well constructed and simple to deploy. Their unrivalled strength and longevity ensure salmon are protected from sea lice for many cycles and reduce the requirement for regular repairs. The firm is also currently developing a new brand of freshwater screens. Taking advantage of an impermeable top layer, the new screens afford the same functionality as traditional barrier screens, while also allowing the top portion of the tank to be filled with freshwater for feeding and delousing.

Above: Tom Morrow Tarpaulins’ high quality lice filter bags on board a vessel Far right: One of Tom Morrow Tarpaulins’ freshwater bags being filled

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2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 113

“We don’t believe in a ‘one size fits all approach’”

Treatment tarpaulins Customer testimonials consistently show Tom Morrow Tarpaulins’ cones and bags to outlast other leading brands, providing a level of strength and durability that is unmatched in the marketplace. The ﬁrm’s ﬁrst treatment cone – constructed over a decade ago – is still in regular use and, thanks to quality aftercare and service from the team, is expected to last for many more years to come. The tarpaulins are designed to be as simple as possible to use, made from high quality locally sourced materials.

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Freshwater treatment and storage bags Tom Morrow Tarpaulins is no stranger to innovation and is continuously working to create new products to satisfy the ever-changing demands of the salmon production industry. Constructed from various strong grades of PVC, the ﬁrm’s treatment and storage bags are built to last. But never ones to rest on their laurels, the team is constantly on the lookout for new, innovative materials to work with – including its new marine-spec anti-abrasion material. This provides exceptional wear resistance and increases tarp life span, reduce the need for any costly repairs or replacements down the line – and showcasing Tom Morrow’s commitment to the future of the industry. For more information about Tom Morrow Tarpaulins, and its innovative range of high-quality sea lice prevention products, visit www.tm-tarpaulins. com

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114 NEWS REVIEW – BOATS AND BARGES

Boats and

barges

From giant wellboats to nimble electric craft, here’s how the year at sea looked for the aquaculture sector

N January, we learned that Cermaq Norway had entered into a deal to build an advanced technology wellboat with a larger-than-usual capacity of 6,000 cubic metres for Norsk Fisketransport AS (NFT). The vessel will be ready for operation in the ﬁrst half of 2023 and will have circular tanks for optimal ﬁsh welfare.

In February, the Gåsø Høvding, the world’s largest wellboat, was launched at Turkey’s Seﬁne shipyard. The new vessel is 83.2 metres long

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This page from top: The Gåsø Høvding; Bakkafrost MEST electric boat Opposite from top: Damen delivers new LUV 1908 aquaculture support vessel to Organic Sea Harvest; Ferguson’s Kallista Helen

and 30.9 metres wide. The boat was commissioned for Norwegian shipping operator Frøy Group and designed by Møre Maritime using pumping technology from Cflow. Gåsø Høvding has a total well volume of 7,500 cubic metres. The wellboat is equipped with systems for the sorting and removal of all types of cleaning fish, freshwater treatment with reuse, 12-line hydrolicers and an advanced and automated hygiene system. The group’s Operations Director, Oddleif Wigdahc, said: “There are currently no wellboats to compare with it. Gåsø Høvding takes the wellboat industry one step further.” The vessel was officially handed over to Frøy in November. On a somewhat smaller scale, Faroese salmon farming company Bakkafrost commissioned a fully electric workboat to help reduce the

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group’s carbon footprint. The groundbreaking contract with the MEST shipyard, which is also based on the Faroe Islands, was signed at Bakkafrost’s headquarters at Glyvrar. The winning concept was a catamaran workboat solely based on electric power from batteries. It can be charged up when power is at its maximum sustainable level.

ﬁrst of a new generation of aquaculture support vessels to independent Scottish farmer Organic Sea Harvest. The Landing Utility Vessel (LUV) 1908 has more deck space, higher freeboard and a larger crane than earlier models in the series. The new vessel was built with Damen’s support at Coastal Workboats Scotland in the UK, and will

In April, we reported that Damen Shipyards Group had delivered the

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116 NEWS REVIEW – BOATS AND BARGES

serve Organic Sea Harvest’s farms on Skye. Also taking delivery of a new boat was Scottish Sea Farms. The Kallista Helen, launched in Glasgow in March, is a multipurpose workboat fitted with a state-of-the-art thermolicer system. The 26-metre vessel was built by Ferguson Marine, based in Port Glasgow, and designed by Macduff Ship Design in partnership with Inverlussa and Scottish Sea Farms. The Kallista Helen is on long-term lease to Scottish Sea Farms from Mull-based Inverlussa Marine Services and will be used for lice treatment among other functions, allowing for earlier intervention. Ben Wilson, Managing Director of Inverlussa, said the Kallista Helen, named after his niece, was built with fish health and welfare front of mind: “From the outset, Scottish Sea Farms was looking to minimise fish handling and maximise fish welfare, designing the boat around those.” Meanwhile, the workboat AQS Tor nearly didn’t make it to its customer, support services business AQS. The aquaculture support boat fell from the

cargo deck of the ship that was carrying it during severe storms oﬀ the Norwegian coast. The crew were forced to abandon ship and at one point there were fears both the workboat and the cargo vessel, Eemslift Hendrika, might be lost. After a day of high drama, the Eemslift Hendrika itself was taken in tow after a team from the Dutch company Smit Salvage were landed on deck by helicopter. Another salvage company, Stadt Sjøtransport, was brought in to rescue the Tor. AQS Tor was oﬃcially christened at the Aqua Nor 2021 trade show in Trondheim in August.

This page from top: Ben Wilson; AQS Tor in for repairs at Kolvereid

In May, we reported that Inverlussa Marine Services had ordered a new hybrid catamaran from shipbuilder Moen Marin. The vessel will be the ﬁrst hybrid workboat in Scottish aquaculture. The NabCat 1510 is a 15-metre catamaran that uses electric and diesel power. It is equipped with Scania propulsion machinery, Nogva rotatable gear and propeller system, and Palﬁnger 65tm and 32tm cranes.

“The Kallista Helen was built with fish health and welfare front of mind”

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Harvesting Oceans of Possibilities. The Damen Landing Utility Vessel 1908 is designed to perform diverse tasks in the aquaculture industry. Its scope includes the transportation of people, cargo and feed, with multiple loading and unloading options. Once on location, the vessel supports a wide range of activities including pen maintenance and net clearing.

Pictured here: LUV 1908

Find out more on Damen.com

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a farming service vessel that was delivered to Bakkafrost at Glyvrar in the Faroes. Bakkafrost purchased the 241-foot vessel earlier in the year. A former North Sea energy industry support vessel, the boat will be put to use serving Bakkafrost’s Scottish operations.

In June, Hydroniq Coolers announced the latest in a series of aquaculture contracts to install its hull-integrated seawater cooling system in a new wellboat being constructed by shipbuilder Myklebust Verft. Both companies are Norway-based and the contract was the fourth in a row between Hydroniq and Myklebust Verf. The following month saw news of two other contracts for Hydroniq, to be ﬁtted in vessels being built by Aas Mek. Verksted for wellboat company Solvtrans. In August, the announcement came that Icelandic salmon company Ice Fish Farm had chosen the AKVA group to supply two AC600VR feed barges for its operations in the

This page from the top: Solvtrans vessels; Bakkanes; AKVA barge

In November, a new hybrid workboat for Scottish Sea Farms was delivered that the company hopes will help it to cut its carbon emissions. The 15-metre catamaran, namedLaurence Knight, can run on electric or diesel power, but with batteries capable of supporting operations for ﬁve to six hours at a time its power source will be mainly electric. The workboat was commissioned by Mull-based boat operator Inverlussa Marine Services from Norwegian yard Moen Marin. Scottish Sea Farms estimates that the new vessel will help achieve CO2 savings of around 234 tonnes a year, as well as potentially cut fuel costs by up to 50%.

east of the country. AKVA says it expects the deal to consolidate its position as the leading feed barge supplier in Iceland. Ice Fish Farm, which is now majority owned by Norwegian company Måsøval, is one of Iceland’s fastest-growing salmon businesses. October saw a grand welcoming ceremony for the MV Bakkanes,

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INTERNATIONAL Corporate and political contests produced winners and losers in an eventful year

n January, local government leaders and representatives of the salmon farming industry wrote an open letter to Canada’s Fisheries Minister to protest her decision to phase out 19 salmon farms in British Columbia. The decision to phase out all opennet ﬁsh farming in the Discovery Islands region over the next 18 months was announced by Bernadette Jordan, Minister for Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, in December 2020. The letter said the decision puts at risk 1,500 jobs supported by the farms and indirectly threatens the viability of the industry throughout the province of British Columbia. It also asked Jordan: “What is your plan now to help our communities recover from your decision? What is your government willing to commit at this stage, and beyond, to help us pick up the pieces for the people who live, work and take care of their families here on our coast?” Announcing the shutdown,

THE LETTER SAYS THE DECISION PUTS AT RISK 1,500 JOBS This page from top: Discovery Islands BC; Brier Island, Nova Scotia Opposite from top: Brian Perkins; VegaIslands

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the Canadian Government said that it had consulted with First Nations representatives in the region, who blame ﬁsh farmers for the decline in wild salmon. In February, we reported that two leading ﬁsh farmers in the region, Mowi and Cermaq, had applied to the Federal court of Canada in Vancouver for a judicial review of the Discovery Islands decision. The dispute rumbled on throughout the year. Also in February, we reported that Cooke Aquaculture was planning to invest almost CAN $60m building a post-smolt salmon hatchery in Canada’s Nova Scotia province. The facility will be at Centreville on the 20-mile-long Digby Neck peninsula. The national broadcaster

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CBC.ca said the land based hatchery would be able to produce three million salmon a year, supplying Cooke’s 13 fish farms in the province. The total investment is thought to be around CAN $58.6m. There was a new man in a senior role at the Global Aquaculture Alliance, the international body representing the industry. Brian Perkins, formerly Regional Director, Americas, with the Marine Stewardship Council, was appointed as the GAA’s Chief Operating Officer. Over the course of 2021, the GAA was involved in merging its operations with its sister organisation, Global Seafood Assurances. In March, after years of wrangling, Mowi looked to have finally received clearance to carry out fish farming on a UNESCO World Heritage site in a remote region in northern Norway, close to the Arctic. Despite earlier objections from various environmental groups, including UNESCO, the Ministry of Trade and Industry granted provisional permission for work to go ahead in Rødskjæran on the Vega Islands. The permit was conditional on the

grounds that it was compatible with a new municipal plan for the Vega coastal area. Also in March, a group of Norwegian salmon and trout farming compa-

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nies lost their challenge against the country’s “traffic light” system, which regulates growth within the industry. The companies, mostly based in the south-west of Norway, took their case to a district court in Bergen at the end of January. Their region – designated as production area 4 or PO4 – had been placed into a “red zone”, which prevented future expansion. It also demanded a reduction in existing activity of 6%. The cost to the farmers in financial terms was estimated during the case to be more than NOK 420m (£35m) a year. The system divides the Norwegian coastline into several colour-coded production zones consisting of green, where aquaculture expansion can take place virtually unhindered; amber or orange, where limited expansion is allowed; and red, where fish farming activity must be reduced. However, in a verdict delivered on 17 March, the court rejected the farmers’ arguments and said the imposition of a red-light zone did not signal a permanent ban on growth in PO4, suggesting that the situation could change if the environmental situation improves. Shortly afterwards, the farmers announced their intention to appeal against the decision.

“The de-

cision to phase out all opennet fish farming in the Discovery Islands region... was announced by Bernadette Jordan”

In May, Faroese ﬁsh farmer Bakkafrost paid its shareholders around £25m in dividends for 2020, around a third less than previous years. Bakkafrost is the largest salmon producer and the biggest private employer on the Faroe Islands. It also has operations in Scotland – where it recently acquired the Scottish Salmon

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122 NEWS REVIEW – INTERNATIONAL

AUGUST SAW THE RESOLUTION OF AN EPIC BATTLE OVER THE FUTURE OF NORWAY ROYAL SALMON This page from top: Vibecke Bondø, SalmoNor; Clean Seas salmon Opposite from top: Oyebadejo Augustina; Marta Carvalho; Tierra Del Fuego

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Company – and the US. The group is the world’s third largest salmon producer. The total payout was worth DKK 216m or NOK 294m, with each dividend priced at DKK 3.65 or almost NOK 4.96. A Faroese company that announces its quarterly and annual financial results in Danish kroner, Bakkafrost is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange and the shares are quoted in NOK. In May, aquaculture technology and services group AKVA recorded a “respectable performance” for 2020 despite Covid-19. Financial highlights included: revenues increased by 3% to NOK 3,177m (£274m); EBIT was up from NOK 62m (£5.3m) in 2019 to NOK 147m (£12.7m) in 2020; net profit of NOK 91m (£7.8m) was up from NOK 17m (£1.46m) in 2019; and ROACE (return on average capital employed) increased from 3.3% at the end of 2019 to 8% at the end of 2020. CEO Knut Nesse said: “We are dependent of our customers’ financial capacity and willingness to invest in new technology and sustainable solutions.” Meanwhile, a leading Australian aquaculture company took the unusual step of asking to be listed on the Oslo Stock Market. Clean Seas

Seafood Limited, based in Spencer Gulf, Port Lincoln, South Australia and a producer of kingfish, mulloway and tuna, made a formal application for a secondary listing on the Euronext Growth Exchange, trading home to many of Norway’s emerging fish farming businesses. Clean Seas launched a private offering of new shares to raise capital to more than treble current production of kingfish to around 10,000 tonnes, seeing its first day of trading on the exchange on 20 May. In June, the UK and Norway reached agreement on a trade deal, which ensured that pre-Brexit tariff levels could be retained. Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg said the deal was good for Norway’s seafood industry, although not all producers agreed, and Norwegian farmers also expressed concern that imports of meat and cheese from the UK threatened their own markets. In aquaculture, the big news was the outcome of a bidding war for producer SalmoNor AS. Seafood giant NTS ASA beat rivals Mowi and SalMar. NTS plans to merge SalmoNor with its wholly owned fish farming subsidiary, Midt-Norsk Havbruk (MNH). The deal valued SalmoNor at almost NOK 3bn (£255m). SalmoNor’s General Manager, Vibecke Bondø, said: “The merger of two strong and competent aquaculture companies such as SalmoNor and MNH will be a good industrial solution that triggers significant

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synergies… for us, this is about facilitating further sustainable growth and new jobs on the coast. We also want in the future to be a clear social actor that contributes to building viable local communities.” Meanwhile, Leif Inge Nordhammer became Chairman of ﬁsh farming giant SalMar. He has twice been Chief Executive at the company, in 1996–2011 and again in 2014–2016. He currently runs his own investment company, LIN AS. In July, SalMar announced another acquisition deal, investing NOK 80m (£6.8m) to acquire a 51% stake in the aquaculture company Nekton Havbruk. Based in Smøla in central Norway, Nekton Havbruk is a comparatively small player in the salmon business. It holds two food ﬁsh production licences, but the move will mean further growth for SalMar’s Norwegian operation in the immediate vicinity of some of its existing farm sites. And in South America, Argentina’s southernmost province is to ban open-net salmon farming. The provincial legislature of Tierra del Fuego has approved a bill to outlaw the practice amid “concerns about stability”. The Tierra del Fuego archipelago covers an area of 28,400 square miles (73,700 square kms) of which one third belongs to Argentina and two thirds forms part of Chile. Ironically, it is probably the best

International News V2.indd 123

region in the country for salmon farming. The ban also includes the South Atlantic Islands and the part of Antarctica over which the country has some influence. In August, figures from Iceland showed that the export value of its farmed fish products to June 2021 was up 67% to ISK 3.2bn (£18.4m). The export value of marine products from the country was up 17.9% to ISK 4.1bn (£24m). Aspiring aquaculturalists Oyebadejo Augustina from Nigeria and Marta Carvalho from Portugal were named as the recipients of the annual Women in Aquaculture scholarship programme run by salmon farmer Kvarøy Arctic. The two will each receive a $10,000 award and a hands-on opportunity to spend time at Kvarøy Arctic’s farm sites in Norway. The initiative is hosted in partnership with Seafood and Gender Equality (SAGE). August also saw the return of the Aqua Nor trade show as an in-person event. The event, held once again at Trondheim’s Spektrum Centre, was in a “hybrid” format with many of the events and panel discussions being broadcast live online. It was the industry’s first large-scale in-person event since the arrival of Covid-19, but many people from outside Norway were not able to attend due to continuing travel restrictions. The end of August also saw the resolution of an epic takeover battle to determine the future of Norway Royal Salmon. Despite predictions to the contrary, NTS emerged as the winner. SalMar had looked to be on its way to victory, but as the deadline for acceptance of the NTS offer drew to a close NTS won two key share blocks from Egil Kristoffersen and Sonner and from Norway Fresh, taking its stake to more than 70%. NTS had offered NOK 240 a share and faced a rival bid from SalMar with a higher figure of NOK 270. NTS is a major player in the supply of wellboats and support vessels, and other aquaculture support services but its salmon farming operations are relatively modest.

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124 NEWS REVIEW – INTERNATIONAL

This page from top: Havfarm 1; Huon salmon Opposite from top: Bjørnar-Skjæran; Joyce Murray MP

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In October, we reported that Mowi had obtained a “green” credit facility, giving it access to loans totalling €1.8bn (£1.54bn). The deal, with a number of leading European banks, is linked to the company’s sustainability targets and will last for five years. Less happily, Mowi also confirmed that the number of fish lost in a mass mortality event at one of its sites in eastern Canada could be as many as 450,000. The losses were blamed on low dissolved oxygen levels at Mowi’s farm at the Gorge, on the south coast of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The provincial Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture said the incident was “site-specific” and stressed that no abnormal mortalities had been identified at any other sites. In Norway, the site that holds the giant Nordlaks offshore platform Havfarm 1 was certified by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council. The Chinese-built Havfarm 1 is currently positioned in the Ytre Hadseløya locality in the municipality of Hadsel municipality in Vesterålen. The company has also been fighting a decision by the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries not to allow the conversion of its development licences on fish welfare grounds. In another corporate drama, shareholders in Australian salmon farmer Huon Aquaculture voted in favour of a takeover bid from Brazilian-based

multinational meat processor JBS. In an online meeting on 29 October, Chairman Neil Kearney set out the case for accepting the offer, which values Huon at around A$550m (£300m) and means shareholders would get $3.85 per share. More than 99% of shareholders voted in favour of the offer, putting the takeover beyond doubt. A potential competing offer from businessman Andrew Forrest, through his Tattarang investment vehicle, failed to materialise. Forrest had criticised the deal on the grounds of environmental sustainability and animal welfare. In the United States, a trio of senators from both major parties jointly brought a bill before the US Senate that aims to revitalise the American aquaculture sector. Democrat Brian Schatz and Republicans Roger Wicker and Marco Rubio introduced legislation in the Senate at the end of October to support the development of an offshore aquaculture industry. The bipartisan bill, the Advancing the Quality and Understanding of American Aquaculture (AQUAA) Act, aims to increase production of sustainable seafood through the raising of fish in federal waters. The AQUAA Act would establish national standards for offshore aquaculture and clarify a regulatory system for the farming of fish in the US exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The bill would also establish a research and technology grant programme to fund innovative research and extend services focused on improving and advancing sustainable domestic aquaculture. This year also saw new faces in the fisheries and aquaculture role in both the Norwegian and Canadian gov-

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ernments. In Norway, the defeat of Erna Solberg’s Conservatives meant that Fisheries Minister Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen was replaced by Labour’s Bjørnar Skjaeran. In Canada, Joyce Murray, an avowed opponent of open-net salmon farming, was appointed as Canada’s new Fisheries Minister. She took over from Bernadette Jordan, who lost her seat in the recent Canadian general election. Hopes that Murray, who represents Vancouver in British Columbia, might take a more conciliatory attitude to aqua-

culture may be short-lived. She has been an MP since 2008 and is on record to supporting anti-ﬁsh farming groups by signing a petition calling for an end to open-net farming in the province.

“The AQUAA Act

would establish national standards for offshore aquaculture”

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126 NEWS REVIEW – LAND-BASED FARMING AND HATCHERIES

Land-based farming and hatcheries RAS farm projects saw much investment - and a few setbacks too

This page from top: Årdal Aqua (impression); Andreas Kvame Opposite from top: The Dongwon farm; SalMar’s Tjuin hatchery; Proximar Seafood site

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N enormous amount of investment is going into recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) in ﬁsh farming, but while the rewards are potentially great, so are the risks.

In January, for example, we reported that a 500-cubic-metre tank had burst at pilot RAS salmon farm in Norway just a few days before the facility was due to take its first fish. The incident took place at the Havlandet RAS pilot, which is part of the INC Group. At first it was reported there had been an explosion, but this has since been ruled out. According to the Bergens Tindene newspaper, initial estimates of the cost of the damage to the tank – also known as a bioreactor – is thought to be around NOK 3m (£250,000). It was filled with water at the time. Havlandet, which has more than 17 years’ experience of land-based farming with other fish species, began construction work on the site in January this year, close to the city of Florø in western Norway. In February, it emerged that Grieg Seafood was set to become the first mainstream salmon producer to

invest in a land-based site designed to grow salmon to market size . The joint venture in Western Norway will be called Årdal Aqua. It will produce 3,000 tonnes of postsmolt for restocking at conventional marine sites, as well as up to 2,000 tonnes of market-sized salmon. Årdal Aqua is one-third owned by Grieg Seafood, one-third by smolt and post-smolt company Vest Havbruk and one-third by Stavanger-based investor group Omfar. CEO Andreas Kvame said: “We are working hard to improve biology and ﬁsh welfare, and to reduce our impact. “For a long time, we have invested in post-smolt, where we keep the ﬁsh longer on land before we release it into the sea, as an important part of the solution.” He added: “With Årdal Aqua, we will be able to develop this farming method further. We aim for all of our

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ﬁsh in Rogaland to spend less than one year in the sea.” Meanwhile, Norway’s Fisheries and Seafood Minister, Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen, rolled out a strategy for aquaculture that included development of more land-based farms as a key element. He said: “Our goal with this strategy is to increase value creation. If the industry is to continue to grow, then it must be sustainable. “The strategy will, among other things, look at infrastructure, and access to feed and digitisation, and the permit system is also an important issue.” Norway’s general election later in the year left Ingebrigtsen and his party out of power, but there is no indication so far that the aquaculture strategy is going to look radically diﬀerent under a new minister. Also in February came the news that Norwegian salmon giant SalMar was teaming up with RAS specialist Krüger Kaldnes to build what will be the world’s biggest smolt hatchery. The Tjuin land-based hatchery in Malm, Norway, will have a total area of 17,000 square metres and construction started in May of this year. Construction business Consto was also collaborating on the project. Krüger Kaldnes and SalMar have previously worked together on the Follafoss I and Follafoss II onshore

smolt hatcheries. Meanwhile, in Japan, Israeli company AquaMaof Aquaculture Technologies started work on Proximar Seafood’s land-based salmon farm. AquaMaof worked with Proximar on the design of the facility, which will include a hatchery, nursery and full grow-out areas, as well as management, operational and processing zones. The farm will make use of RAS technology and will be located near Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji. The announcement follows an initial public oﬀering (IPO) by Proximar on Oslo’s Euronext market, which followed a private placement exercise in January. It’s been a busy year for Salmon Evolution, a Norwegian RAS farmer with one production site under construction at Indre Harøy in Norway and a joint venture, “K Smart”, with Dongwon Industries for a 16,800-tonnes production facility in South Korea. Construction on this is due to start in 2022, with ﬁrst growout production targeted in 2024.

“For a

long time, we have invested in postsmolt, where we keep the fish longer on land”

In March, we reported that Salmon Evolution had signed a long-awaited

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deal with the South Korean fisheries giant Dongwon Industries to start working on K Smart. The project will be built on the eastern coastline in Yangyang county in the province of Gangwon, not far from the border with North Korea. As from July, shares in land-based fish farmer Salmon Evolution ASA are now being traded on the Oslo Børs stock exchange. Also in July, specialist turnkey supplier Artec Aqua signed up to the K Smart project. North American salmon producer AquaBounty Technologies is ground-breaking not only as a landbased farmer, but also because it aims to be the first to grow genetically modified (GM) fish for the market. In July, AquaBounty posted a US$6.1m loss for the final three months of 2020, close to double the figure for Q4 2019. Despite that, the company, which is pioneering the development of genetically modified salmon, says the outlook for this year was positive. AquaBounty has started customer feedback trials with its fish and says it is “optimistic”. Q4 Revenues – based on limited sales of non-GM salmon – totalled $50,197 against $46,367 a year ago. Operating expenses were $6.1m, as compared to $3.5m in the same quarter for the previous year, but this was primarily ascribed to an increase in production costs as the biomass of fish in the company’s farms grew from 161 metric tonnes to over 603 metric tonnes. The following month, AquaBounty announced that it had selected an appropriately named venue for its first full-scale site – Pioneer, Ohio.

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The new farm represents an important milestone for the company. It will be AquaBounty’s first large-scale commercial facility, with a planned annual production capacity of 10,000 metric tons – approximately eight times the size of its existing farm in Albany, Indiana, which has an annual production capacity of 1,200 metric tonnes. In July, we also reported that Gigante Salmon AS, based in the coastal town of Bodø, Norway, planned to list on the Oslo Børs. Under the guidance of Sparebank 1 Markets, the company plans to raise NOK 192m (£16m) to help fund its growth plans and has submitted an application to list on EuroNext. Gigante Salmon AS is part of the fish farming group Gigante Havbruk, founded by Kjell Arild Lorentsen in 1988. This summer, the company is planning to start construction of a flow-through land-based salmon farm in Rødøy, Nordland. Work on the flow-through project is due to start this summer. Completion is expected in 2023, when it will be able to produce almost 14,000 tonnes of salmon. Also in July, AquaMaof Aquaculture Technologies Ltd landed two key land-based contracts in Russia and Kazakhstan. The Israeli-based company was selected by investment fund Russian Friends Capital (RFC) to develop two the Atlantic salmon production facilities with a planned production volume of 2,500 metric tonnes each. Design work on both facilities is due to begin next quarter. The facility in Russia, Tuloma Salmon, will be located in the Tula region, a two-hour drive from the capital, Moscow.

IT WILL BE AQUABOUNTY’S FIRST LARGE SCALE COMMERCIAL FACILITY

Above: Gigante Salmon’s CEO, Kjell Arild Lorentsen Opposite from top: Kingfish tanks; Ostend harbour

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In Kazakhstan, the facility will be located in an economic zone adjacent to the border between Kazakhstan and China. We also learned that SalMar chief Gustav Witzøe was among the bigname industry investors behind a plan to build a large land-based salmon farm in the port of Ostend on the Belgian coast. The company, Columbi Salmon, which is behind the project, had just completed a capitalraising exercise that netted NOK 162m (£13.5m). Among the participants are the Refsnes salmon farming family, Witzøe’s investment platform Kverva Finans AS and investment company Ferd AS. SalMar recently strengthened

its longstanding relationship with Refsnes by buying 45% stake in the business. The plan is to build a plant with a salmon capacity of 12,000–15,000 tonnes a year. In addition to ﬁsh, the plant will produce vegetables and lettuce based on waste from ﬁsh production.

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130 NEWS REVIEW – LAND-BASED FARMING AND HATCHERIES

Even the water used for producing smolt will be used to grow salad vegetables using aquaponics. The Kingfish Company, another land-based fish farmer that specialises in the production of farmed yellowtail, came close to doubling its revenues year-on-year for the first half of 2021. Publishing its H1 report, Kingfish said net turnover rose by 95% during the period and at a time when many restaurants in Europe and the United States were closed due to pandemic restrictions. It increased from €1.946m a year ago to almost €3.8m this time. With investment still going into a land-based farm in the US state of Maine, the company is still not in profit, however. It reported a consolidated loss of €3.56m, against a loss of €1.29m in H1 last year, but the company described the results as “excellent”. The Kingfish Maine farm will be similar to the system operated by the parent company in the Netherlands, using the same advanced technology solutions to minimise the impact of effluent. In November, the Maine project received its state level permits, which means construction can now start on schedule. Despite the increasing focus on RAS grow-out facilities, the technology is, of course, well established for hatcheries, and in August it was announced that RAS technology company Nofitech had won a contract with The Scottish Salmon Company (SSC) to help redevelop SSC’s hatchery at the Applecross site in Wester Ross. The agreement was part of SSC’s £49m investment to create a state-ofthe art RAS unit.

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RAS technology, SSC said, would allow fish to be reared for longer in freshwater tanks before being moved to marine sites. Greater control of the freshwater rearing environment means that farmers can produce larger smolt, shortening the marine production element of the cycle and so reducing the biological risk of rearing in the sea. Ian Laister, Managing Director of The Scottish Salmon Company, said: “This contract marks the first important milestone in our commitment to incorporate RAS technology across all our freshwater production, which is fundamental to our growth strategy. Nofitech’s experience in this field will ensure that SSC is at the leading edge of RAS technology not only at Applecross, but at future freshwater facilities.” The programme to redevelop the existing hatchery at Applecross is intended to be the first of three large hatcheries in Scotland, with sites for the other two still to be determined. In November, we also reported that Iceland’s Samherji was to expand its land-based salmon farm at Öxarfjörður in the north east of the country at a cost of almost £8.5m – or ISK 1.5bn. This should raise production to about 3,000 tonnes a year. The expansion, which should take about 12 months to complete, is a precursor to a much larger project to build a 40,000-tonne, geothermal-powered salmon farm at Reykjanes in the south west of the country. It is also part of the company’s intention to grow its still relatively modest aquaculture business. Jon Kjartan Jonsson, managing director of Samherji Fiskeldi, said planning work was nearing the completion stage so construction

“Even the

water used for producing smolt will be used to grow salads”

Opposite from top: Jon Kjartan Jonsson; Bluehouse salmon, Atlantic Sapphire; Atlantic Sapphire Denmark site; Miami Bluehouse salmon

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be stocked into the new ﬁrst phase facility by 2022.

should start shortly, with completion expected within a year or so. As part of an associated carbonoffset scheme, the company is planning to carry out land reclamation and forestry planting work. When up and running, fertiliser from the plant will be used for land reclamation and forestry work. Nothing, however, sums up the rollercoaster ride that is RAS farming in 2021 as much as the saga of Atlantic Sapphire. Back in February, all was looking good as Atlantic Sapphire announced it would be scaling up the second phase of its “Miami Bluehouse” salmon production at its Florida landbased farm. The move was due to increase annual production from 15,000 tonnes gutted weight to 25,000 tonnes, with the first fish expected to

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In April, however, news broke that “technical problems” in the Florida plant had led to the loss of an estimated 500 tonnes of salmon, representing 5% of its expected initial harvest. The company said that the issue appeared to be in one of its RAS growth systems. Further problems arose in August when the wave of Covid infections in the US led to a shortage of oxygen, driven by demand from the healthcare sector. The company’s biggest problem arose not in Florida, however, but in its original facility in Denmark, which was all but destroyed in a catastrophic fire in the early hours of 16 September. The cause of the blaze is still unclear. Thankfully no staff members were injured in the fire. Investors believe the likely insurance settlement of around US $33m will be ploughed into the land farm project now under construction near Miami. CEO Johan E. Andreassen tweeted: “Heartbreaking to see a decade of game-changing innovation gone. Today, we’re relieved that there were no injuries and send our love to the team in DK. We’re proud to see the legacy of all the hard work in DK in the US, where the rest of AS is focused on one thing: EXECUTION!”

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132 NEWS REVIEW – BREEDING AND GENETICS

Breeding and

Genetics

From new hatcheries to genomic analysis, investment in this sector continued to move forward

Above: Benchmark ova at different stages Opposite from top: Jonas Jonasson; The Pure Salmon facility; Charles Høstlund

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N January, we reported that Benchmark Genetics had been awarded a ﬁve-year contract to supply eggs to Nordic Aqua Partners’ massive land-based salmon farm in Ningbo, China. Using recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) technology, the farm will have an initial capacity of 8,000 tonnes annually, but it plans to increase this to 16,000 and then 40,000 tonnes. It will be the ﬁrst fully integrated and commercially viable RAS facility in China. Ningbo is a coastal city, strategically close to Shanghai and with a

population of 7.6 million in the city and surrounding area. The port of Ningbo-Zhoushan is one of the busiest in the world. Benchmark has committed to provide 9.5 million ova from its site in Iceland. Also, genetics specialist Xelect signed a partnership agreement with FirstWave Group, Africa’s largest tilapia fish producer. The deal will create a breeding programme aimed at developing local, high-performance Nile tilapia breeds in East Africa, working with FirstWave’s operating companies, Yalelo Zambia and Yalelo Uganda. FirstWave is Africa’s leading aquaculture firm, operating a vertically integrated group of companies across the production, distribution, and retail of aquafeed and fish in southern and eastern Africa. In February, Benchmark’s Iceland arm, StofnFiskur hf, changed its name as part of the parent company’s “single brand” strategy. Stofnfiskur will now be known as Benchmark Genetics Iceland hf, but “StofnFiskur” remains as the brand for its Atlantic salmon breeding programme.

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“The agreement covered

the delivery of more than 80 million eggs per annum, at full capacity”

Jonas Jonasson, CEO of Benchmark Genetics Iceland, added: “This move is a part of Benchmark’s strategy in building a strong unified brand across companies and business areas”. Benchmark Genetics has operations located in the southwest corner of Iceland, including two separate broodstock facilities, an incubation centre and a family production unit. The new head office is located in Hafnarfjordur, next to the capital, Reykjavik. In addition to Atlantic salmon, Benchmark Genetics Iceland also holds a facility for lumpfish juveniles.

In May, Benchmark Genetics also announced that it had won a contract to supply eggs for land-based aquaculture group Pure Salmon. The agreement covered the delivery of more than 80 million eggs per annum at full capacity, and also formalised a strategic collaboration in research and development. The ﬁrst delivery of ova is expected in 2022. Pure Salmon is a land-based

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salmon farmer using RAS technology. It operates a farm in Poland and is currently developing sites in Japan, France and the United States, with further development planned in China, Southeast Asia and the United Arab Emirates. The group is working towards a target production capacity of around 260,000 tonnes of Atlantic salmon annually. Benchmark Genetics is significantly increasing production capacity in Iceland by building a new incubation centre, which is expected to be in operation as early as this summer. Benchmark has also hired two new dedicated team members within the commercial team with specific competencies and experience in farming using RAS systems. Also in May, Norway Royal Salmon announced it was abandoning plans to continue breeding triploid salmon. The news follows a decision by the Ministry of Trade and Industry to order the suspension of future development work on this type of fish until it can be established it is bringing welfare benefits. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority has decided that no new triploid smolt will be released after the spring of 2022 and that no triploid salmon should be kept at sea past the end of 2023. Triploid salmon has three sets of chromosomes, unlike ordinary diploid salmon, which has two. The extra chromosome, added through hormone treatment, makes the fish sterile so if they escape and get into rivers they are unable to interbreed with wild fish stocks. NRS has been working on the experimental triploid project for a number of years. The decision is being seen as a setback for the company, which has now said it will switch totally to diploid salmon by 2023. CEO Charles Høstlund said: “NRS has now for many years made a significant effort to develop and improve the production of triploid salmon in collaboration with the [Norwegian] Institute of Marine Research and other professional institutions. “One of the experiences with triploid salmon is that it seems to be more exposed to bacterial and viral diseases.”

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Above: The AquaGen team Right: Oyster farm Below right: Scottish Salmon farm salmon

“As a result, NRS has had a dialogue with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, where the Ministry has come to the conclusion that they adjust the condition of use of sterile fish until there is a decision in the administration on whether triploid production is fish welfare sound or not.” In June, we learned that a team of international aquaculture researchers, led by AquaGen Scotland had made a significant breakthrough with the identification of two new genetic markers that indicate greater resistance to a bacterial infection in Atlantic salmon. The project was backed by the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) and headed by AquaGen Scotland, with partners from the University of Stirling’s Institute of Aquaculture, DawnFresh Farming and Cooke Aquaculture Scotland. The study explored the genetics that determine whether fish are resistant to Flavobacterium psychrophilum, a bacteria that can lead to health issues in salmon fry. This scientific milestone is expected to pave the way for selective breeding programmes, which could boost the health and welfare of farmed Scottish salmon by breeding new fish from parents that possess the genetic resistance markers and are, therefore, expected to display increased

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resistance to the bacteria. Flavobacteriosis – the disease caused by the bacteria – can be a particular threat to smaller, juvenile fish and is a widespread challenge for the aquaculture sector, with infections also reported in Chile, Norway and Canada. However, current prevention and treatment programmes are limited – vaccination by injection cannot be used due to the size of the fish and, as the sector continues to move away from antibiotic treatments, a genetic breakthrough could hold the key. To identify the two genetic markers, more than 4,000 fish from AquaGen were tested for more than 70,000 genetic markers using a specially designed lab-based model, which mimics the natural infection route. The next stage of the research programme is to conduct field trials at one of Cooke Aquaculture’s sites using salmon eggs specifically selected by AquaGen. It is hoped that in the event of a natural outbreak of the bacterial disease being detected, these fish can be tested to validate the effect of the genetic markers. In July, we reported on some shellfish news. Experts at Xelect, working with the Orkney Shellfish Hatchery (OSH), had found a way to detect a pathogen responsible for the decline of wild European oyster populations based on DNA analysis. Bonamia ostrae is a disease that affects European flat oysters, representing a serious risk for wild and farmed oysters. The widely used test for this disease is “destructive”, meaning that the oyster is damaged or killed in the process. The new test, developed by Xelect and OSH, adapts a tried and tested method known as a Taqman Assay using a filtered water sample – a technique called environmental DNA

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(eDNA) analysis. Xelect’s Dr Paolo Ruggeri, who oversaw the analysis, said: “Bivalves like the flat oyster filter large volumes of water every day, and in the process shed tiny amounts of their own DNA and the DNA of any parasite they are carrying. Using a highly sensitive DNA test, we can sample the waters the oysters live in to identify the presence of the pathogen. It’s an extremely cost-effective and humane approach, and the oysters don’t even need to leave their hatchery”. Nik Sachlikidis of the Cadman Capital Group, owners of OSH, commented: “This is another demonstration of our commitment to using science-backed, cutting-edge technology to provide the highest possible standard of product. We know that our oysters are exceptional and now we can also demonstrate that they’re disease-free too.”

means that farmers can produce larger smolt, shortening the marine production element of the cycle and so reducing the biological risk of rearing in the sea. Ian Laister, Managing Director of The Scottish Salmon Company, said: “This contract marks the first important milestone in our commitment to incorporate RAS technology across all our freshwater production, which is fundamental to our growth strategy. Nofitech’s experience in this field will ensure that SSC is at the leading edge of RAS technology not only at Applecross, but at future freshwater facilities.” The programme to redevelop the existing hatchery at Applecross is intended to be the first of three large hatcheries in Scotland, with sites for the other two still to be determined. It is part of a commitment by SSC’s parent company, Bakkafrost, to invest more than £40m a year in Scotland “across the value chain” over the next five years. Meanwhile, Aquaculture breeding and genetics specialist AquaGen Scotland appointed Steven Butler as Development Manager for its Holywood Breeding Centre, near Dumfries. Butler, from Errol, near Perth, came

TO IDENTIFY THE TWO GENETIC MARKERS, MORE THAN 4,000 FISH FROM AQUAGEN WERE TESTED

In September, RAS technology company Noﬁtech announced it had won a contract with The Scottish Salmon Company (SSC) to help redevelop SSC’s hatchery at Applecross site in Wester Ross. The agreement is part of a £49m investment to create a state-ofthe-art RAS unit at the Applecross site. RAS technology, SSC said, would allow ﬁsh to be reared for longer in freshwater tanks before being moved to marine sites. Greater control of the freshwater rearing environment

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The Scottish salmon industry typically imports salmon eggs that are then grown in freshwater hatcheries. For the Barcaldine hatchery, SSF has been working with breeding specialists AquaGen to select from the best-performing stock at SSF’s own farms. SSF’s Head of Fish Welfare, Dr Ralph Bickerdike, said: “Ultimately, we’re seeking to match the right stock to the right conditions in order to maximise fish welfare. As climate conditions continue to change – and with it the marine environment – we’re acting now to to AquaGen with a strong background help ensure future stocks can withstand those changes.” in aquaculture engineering project The initiative aims to maximise fish and hatchery management, having worked for several of the major salm- welfare once at sea by improving overall robustness to Scottish marine on producers over the past 30 years. Butler said: “It is a great opportuni- conditions and increasing resistance ty for me to bring my experience to a to the health challenges that the changing environment can give rise company that plays such an importo – in particular, gill health, which is tant role in the Scottish aquaculture now thought to be one of the biggest value-chain.” challenges facing farmed salmon AquaGen acquired the centre in globally. March 2019 and the company has AquaGen and SSF hope to collect invested more than £5m, rebuilding a set of genomic data as soon as and repurposing the facility for salmthree years from now, which will on egg production. Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Ru- help to identify genetic traits that can ral Affairs and Islands, Mairi Gougeon, improve survival rates for salmon in marine sites. presided at its long-overdue official The two companies are also collaboopening in July. It had been delayed rating with the University of Aberby the Covid-19 pandemic. deen, feed specialists BioMar, Marine Scotland Science and the Sustainable In November, we reported that Aquaculture Innovation Centre to Scottish Sea Farms (SSF) had taken increase understanding of how delivery of the first batch of salmon eggs grown from selected stock from seasonality and location influence gill health and how farmed salmon its own marine farms. respond to these challenges. The company hopes that the SSF said the insights into breeding “home-grown” eggs will produce a Above: AquaGen ova for improved resistance to gill health more robust generation of salmon, challenges will be shared with other better able to cope with climate change and with marine conditions in producers of farmed salmon in Scotland and overseas. Scotland.

SCOTTISH SEA FARMS HAD TAKEN DELIVERY OF THE FIRST BATCH OF SALMON EGGS GROWN FROM SELECTED STOCK FROM ITS OWN MARINE FARMS

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29/11/2021 10:34:09

138 NEWS REVIEW – PROCESSING

PROCESSING This year has seen seafood businesses on the acquisition trail, while many UK operators struggled with Covid-19 and Brexit

N January, one of the UK’s leading traditional smoked salmon companies reported revenue growth of more than a third despite the challenges of the pandemic. Grants Oak Smoked Ltd – based in Maryport, Cumbria – increased turnover by 35% from £17.4m the previous year to £23.56m. Operating profit rose by 130% to £1.525m. The financial year also ended with Grants winning two gold medals at the Italian-based International Food Taste Awards. Also in January, Danish fish-processing equipment manufacturer KROMA AS acquired the fish and food industry element of its competitor, the Dansupply Automation Company. KROMA said its investment in Dansupply Automation would give it access to Dansupply’s new conveyor system, which was already being used by Kroma’s target customer base. Food-processing solutions business BAADER signed up as a key supplier for Quality Salmon, a major landbased fish farm and production site in Sweden.

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The park, operated by Quality Salmon Sotenäs AB, is under construction on the west coast of Sweden. When fully developed, it will operate on a 140-hectare land site producing up to 100,000 tonnes of Atlantic salmon per year, with a feed factory, salmon farm and processing facilities. It was the start of a busy year for BAADER. In February, the group acquired SEAC AB, a Swedish fish-processing manufacturer. Robert Focke, Managing Director BAADER Fish, said: “Looking into the future and the compatible processing solutions of BAADER, the SEAC technology is a perfect fit for BAADER to further extend our overall product portfolio also among small fish species.”

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In March, we reported that BAADER had completed its acquisition of Icelandic competitor Skaginn 3X. The deal had been announced in October last year. BAADER said it had taken a majority stake in Skaginn in order to combine its own manufacturing capability with Skaginn’s innovative cooling, freezing and processing expertise. Petra Baader, Executive Chairwoman of BAADER, said: “Our overall mission is to be the one go-to partner for customers within the ﬁsh industry, as we have done for over 100 years.” Logistics service provider Eurofrigo started the construction of a new coldstore on the Maasvlakte development, near Rotterdam. Eurofrigo focuses on the transport and storage of veterinary products from all over the world. The new coldstore is the company’s sixth location in the Netherlands. It is located opposite the existing Eurofrigo facility in the Maasvlakte. Also growing its business was Marel, the Iceland based ﬁsh and food processing supplier, which acquired a 40% stake in Stranda Prolog, a Norwegian supplier of salmon processing solutions. Marel said the transaction was in line with its strategic objective to

be a full-line supplier of advanced food-processing solutions and software to the fish, meat and poultry sectors. In July, Marel struck a deal to acquire Valka ehf, a fish processing business also based in Iceland. Helgi Hjálmarsson, Valka’s founder and CEO, will take on a role as Director of Solution Integrity. Guðbjörg Heiða Guðmundsdóttir, Executive Vice-President Marel Fish, said: “We are excited to join forces with Valka… together the companies will build on the best of both, increase scale, accelerate innovation and strengthen our combined offering to continue to provide our customers with best-in-class processing solutions in the growing food-processing industry.” In February, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority announced it was taking action to reduce the risk of listeria by carrying out a full inspection of all salmon slaughterhouses. The inspection programme was due to run until September with a full report expected by the end of 2021.

“Our aim is

to provide and service innovative standalone equipment and system solutions” Petra Baader

Opposite from top: Robert Focke; Baader aquired SEAC This page from top: Guðbjörg-HeiðaGuðmundsdóttir and Helgi-Hjalmarsson; Petra Baader

In March, the Wm Morrison supermarket chain snapped up Cornish seafood ﬁrm Falﬁsh, which supplies

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140 NEWS REVIEW – PROCESSING

more than 50 different varieties of farmed and wild-caught seafood. This highly unusual move for a national retailer means that it is now the first supermarket to own a working trawler. Morrisons, which also owns a large seafood-processing factory in Grimsby, said the acquisition would bring further improvements to its range and availability at its 497 fresh fish counters around the UK. Falfish operates from two sites in Redruth and Falmouth docks on the south Cornish coast. In April, salmon producer Mowi announced it was investing in an upgrade for its Blar Mhor processing facility in Fort William. The project will take the plant up to a capacity of more than 80,000 tonnes. The project is set for completion in the second half of 2022. Scott Nolan, Processing Development Manager for Mowi Scotland, has been promoted to the position of Processing Director to manage the project. Also in April, Fish Farmer reported on Loch Duart’s processing plant in Dingwall, a site that had been mothballed for some years under its previous ownership and which is now employing around 60 people. The move to set up its own processing capability has meant Loch Duart can take a much greater degree of control over the quality of its product. As Russell Leslie, General Manager at the plant, told us: “It’s about closing the circle, allowing us to take control of the process from egg to the customers and to add value.” The plant had previously been operated by the Edinburgh Salmon Company, but it was closed at the end of 2018. The site remained empty until 2020, when Loch Duart purchased it.

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In May, the export issue rolled on as Scottish seafood processors claimed they had been “let down” over promised support to counter the joint impacts of Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic. A £23m scheme pledged by the UK Government only represented half of the industry’s losses, said Jimmy Buchan, Chief Executive of the Scottish Seafood Association. He added: “The truth is that while the financial support that has been forthcoming has been gratefully received, its partial nature means that businesses are being left in great difficulties in their hour of greatest need.” In Norway, Bremnes Seashore – one of the country’s leading suppliers of farmed salmon – announced it was investing around NOK 400m (£35m) in a new large processing centre and coldstore. The development will cover an area of 14,000 square metres at the Bremnes Seashore factory at Kvednavikjo in the Bømlo municipality in the south west of the country. The coldstore will be built first, but the entire project should be completed by the end of 2023, the company said. In June, we carried the news that Young’s, Britain’s largest seafood company, had been fined more than three quarters of a million pounds after a worker was trapped by a mixing machine at one of its Grimsby sites, losing his thumb and two fingers. Young’s, a major supplier of salmon and whitefish to retail and foodservice, pleaded guilty at

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Grimsby Crown Court to breaching health and safety regulations. The company was ﬁned £787,500 and ordered to pay £33,443.68 in costs. Meanwhile, Russian Aquaculture increased its stake in the Murmanskbased seafood processor Tri Ruchja and Murmanrybprom to 100%. The group had previously owned 40% of the processor and has invested RUB 358.5m (£3.46m) to become sole owner. The Murmansk processing facility is capable of producing 30,000 metric tonnes of products annually and is ﬁtted with modern equipment for processing salmonids. Also on the acquisition trail that month was Iceland Seafood international (ISI), which signed a letter of intent to acquire an 80% stake in Spanish salmon processor Ahumados Dominguez, a retail-oriented business with a strong brand and

consumer recognition in the smoked salmon sector in Spain. The remaining 20% remained with Managing Director Pedro Mestanza. In July, the UK Government’s Fisheries Minister, Victoria Prentis, said she was confident that Britain’s fish processing industry had “huge opportunities” in the years to come. She visited Immingham Border Control Post and two leading processors, Flatfish and Young’s Seafood, before hosting a virtual roundtable bringing together industry representatives from across the processing sector. In July and August, the UK and Scottish governments both addressed the seafood sector’s problems. In July, Scottish Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon paid a visit to processors Joseph Robertson in Aberdeen and announced funding of £1.8m to help seafood businesses sell to markets in the UK and overseas. The initiative was intended to help the sector recover from the twin impacts of Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic. In August, Prime Minister Boris

Processing News v2.indd 141

“The new-

look Blar Mhor will feature robotic technology for handling and grading salmon” Opposite from top: The Blar Mhor team; Scott Nolan, Mowi This page from top: Mairi Gougeon (second from left) at Joseph Robertson; Ahumados Dominguez; Russian aquaculture, Murmansk; Bremnes Seashore facility (impression)

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142 NEWS REVIEW – PROCESSING

Johnson met in Aberdeen with representatives of the fishing and fish processing industries in Scotland, including the Scottish Seafood Association and the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation. Discussions focused on the awkward topics of Brexit, Covid and national fishing quotas. In September, we reported that Mowi had signed an agreement to sell its processing plant in Dunkirk in northern France. The subsidiary, formerly trading as Appéti’Marine, will be sold to French seafood group Sofipêche. Mowi will continue to be a main supplier of salmon to Sofipêche and the Dunkirk plant going forward. Meanwhile, Dawnfresh Seafoods announced plans to close its processing plant in Uddingston near Glasgow in 2022, and expand its site in Arbroath, Angus, on Scotland’s east coast. The 230 staff at the Uddingston plant were offered a chance to move to Arbroath, with a relocation allowance.

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Raleigh Salvesen, Managing Director, Dawnfresh Seafoods, said: “This move is critical if we are to meet our objective of keeping seafood production jobs in Scotland… it will be sad to close our factory in Uddingston, but we are incentivising our team to join us on this journey and hope many of our experienced and skilled staff join us in Arbroath.” On a happier note, the Scottish Seafood Association elected Amber Knight, co-founder of MacNeil Shellfish, as its first chairwoman. Amber Knight and her partner, Michael, launched

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Opposite from top: PM Boris Johnson meets fishing industry; Premier pre-cooked mussels Left: Raleigh Salvesen, Dawnfresh

MacNeil Shellfish, which sells wild, creelcaught shellfish including crab, lobster and langoustine, in 2012. MacNeil exports live crustaceans to EU and global markets. In October, we reported that UK-based Offshore Shellfish and the Netherlands’ Krijn Verwijs Yerseke BV had teamed up to launch a joint venture promoting a new range of cooked mussel dishes under the Premier Offshore Brand. The owners said the new venture offered “a new vision for rope-grown, pre-cooked mussels, which require just a few minutes in a pan or microwave to produce a restaurant -quality meal.” Also in October, Iceland Seafood International (ISI) reported that its revenue had shot up by 15% to €208.3m for the first half of 2021, while pre-tax profits more than doubled to €4.8m. ISI said strong growth in southern Europe and Ireland had helped a good performance, especially once pandemic restrictions started to ease.

aquaculture business Vesterålen Havbruk on harvesting. Vesterålen will handle all the farmed cod volumes from Norcod’s Frosvika facility in Meløy, in Nordland county, Norway, for the next three years. The arrangement covers slaughter and processing of cod at Vesterålen Havbruk’s ﬁsh-processing facility in Myre, Norway’s “cod capital”.

In November, Scotland’s seafood sector launched a recruitment drive across radio and digital channels, to try to address staﬀ shortages in the industry. The “Sea a Bright Future” campaign was the result of a collaboration between government agency Seaﬁsh and the Scottish Seafood Association. November also saw the announcement of a deal between cod farmer Norcod and

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144 INDUSTRY REVIEW

Crisis and opportunity The seafood industry has come through the Covid-19 pandemic in pretty good shape By VINCE MCDONAGH

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I “The big

winner has to be Norway” Above: During lockdown, consumers learned to love cooking seafood at home Right: Covid-19 changed our shopping habit

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T was the late John F. Kennedy who famously said that a crisis presents danger on one hand and opportunity on the other. The former US president was talking about the 1962 Cuban missile standoff, which brought the world to the brink of all-out nuclear war. But it is a view that could well be applied to the seafood sector when, more than a year ago, it was faced with losing most of its markets as restaurants, hotels, airlines and workplace canteens went into global shutdown. Instead of meekly lying down in the face of the pandemic, the industry fought back with an energy that surprised even the most optimistic observers. When it comes to financial activity, fish farming has enjoyed its busiest period in decades following a series of mergers and businesses seeking stock market finance to fund future growth. Perhaps the most astonishing outcome is that despite being confined to their homes, people, learned to love fish, with salmon leading the list. Companies such as Young’s and Birds Eye watched their seafood sales soar during the height of the lockdown and, although restrictions have now eased, they are still holding up reasonably well. The only important seafood-producing country to suffer damage was Scotland, but that was more the fault of a hurried and botched Brexit deal rather than the effects of coronavirus. One can only wonder how much better position Scottish seafood would have found itself in if a more carefully thought-through departure agreement had been reached. Both Iceland and the Faroe Islands, which have smoother working relationships with the EU, managed to come

Oslo has most seafood employees

OSLO is seen as a sophisticated, fun Scandinavian city – and a long way from Norway’s salmon farms and fishing ports. But it has more employees involved in seafood than any other part of the country, according to the Nofima, Menon Economics and Norce report. Out of the 93,000-plus people in the sector, around 8,000 are based in Oslo and they create a value of around £1bn a year. Many companies have their headquarters there as Oslo is the Norwegian capital. Oslo is followed by Ålesund (the main fishing centre), Frøya and Bergen as the towns with the most seafood employees.

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through the past 12 months relatively unscathed. But the big winner has to be Norway. Its seafood industry and supplier support sector grew in 2020 and part of this year, creating additional value worth NOK 59 billion (£5bn), supporting more than 93,600 jobs and recruiting to fill 2,000 vacancies in the process. In a country with fewer than six million people – a 10th of the UK population – these have to be significant numbers. A recent report, prepared by Menon Economics and research organisations Nofima and Norce, says the worldwide lockdowns undoubtedly brought major changes in the way people buy seafood. Shut out of restaurants, salmon companies reached new markets through the grocery trade and thus were able to avoid damaging reductions in volumes and, in many cases, were able to maintain them. The report’s project manager, Roy Robertsen, says: “Thanks to the purchase of goods and services, the seafood industry has been able to lay the foundation for employment and value creation in large parts of Norwegian business and industry. Our analyses show that the total value creation effect in the [seafood] industry was NOK 112bn (£9.5bn). Jonas Erraia, senior economist at Menon Economics, adds: “One of the most striking features of the Norwegian seafood industry is its almost complete value chain. “With major players in everything from

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fishing and aquaculture to suppliers of vessels and the fishing industry, this is one of the industry’s most important competitive advantages. An integrated value chain results in major ripple effects for the entire country.” Bjørnar Selnes Skjæran, Norway’s new Fisheries Minister, is clear about the importance of seafood to his country. He says: “Although it is difficult to calculate the ripple effects of the seafood industry, the report shows how important value creation in the seafood industry is for activity and employment along the coast. “We will contribute to the further development of the seafood industry, both through stable and predictable framework conditions for the fleet, and the development of the fishing industry. But it is in and around the Oslo Stock Exchange where arguably the most important developments have taken place over the past 20 months. Norway Royal Salmon is now part of the NTS Group while SalMar, a rival suitor for NTS, has probably entered a potentially more exciting project through its joint venture with the industrial investment company Aker ASA to create a global offshore aquaculture project based on its Ocean Farm strategy. Grieg Seafood has managed to pick itself up following the sale of its Shetland business to Scottish Sea Farms, jointly owned by SalMar and Lerøy Seafood. Bakkafrost of the Faroe Islands has turned in some decent results over the past couple of quarters, but clearly has its hands full trying to turn around its Scot-

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tish Salmon Company acquisition of two years ago. Several previously family-owned businesses have turned to Oslo’s EuroNext Growth market seeking initial public offerings (IPOs) to take them forward. A few years ago, just four or five companies were listed on the Oslo market. Today there are 26 with a market capitalisation totalling NOK 370bn (£32bn). More will follow over the next 12 months. It would be foolish to pretend there has been no damage, but sales and profits have remained relatively stable during the lockdown, although some businesses, notably those in species other than salmon, have been turning in losses. But these are mainly due to high startup costs rather than the effects of Covid. However, not everyone in aquaculture is breaking out the champagne. A number of companies in Chile are finding life difficult, a situation not helped by a damaging algae attack last March. Businesses (mostly Norwegian owned) operating in British Columbia are battling with a federal government that seems openly hostile to open net farming, while Mowi and Grieg have suffered biological setbacks in eastern Canada.

“Lockdowns…

brought major changes in the way people buy seafood” Industry Review - Vince v2.indd 147

Companies planning to invest on the US east coast are also meeting with strong opposition from ﬁshing organisations and groups openly opposed to aquaculture in almost any form. On a brighter note, salmon farming in Australia is emerging from the undergrowth, boosted by the successful takeover of Tasmania’s Huon Aquaculture by the Brazilian meat processing giant JBS. Overall, by turning a crisis into an opportunity, aquaculture has survived the worst ravages of the pandemic better than any other food sector. More importantly, it is well placed ﬁnancially to face a still uncertain future.

Opposite from top Huon salmon; Birds eye view of Ocean Farm 1 This page from top: Salmon; Young’s Red Thai Salmon

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148 SEA LICE

Multiple threats Norwegian authorities are determined to protect wild salmon from parasites – and a foreign invader By VINCE MCDONAGH

T may look a tall order, but Norway has launched an action plan to eliminate salmon lice within the next 10 years. Even if only partly successful, such an achievement would save the country’s ﬁsh farmers billions of krone. But that is not the main aim of the exercise. Oslo wants to give Norway’s wild salmon stocks, once the among richest in northern Europe, greater protection. Wild salmon numbers have been in sharp decline since the late 1970s due in no small part to

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Above: Sea lice on salmon. Opposite from top: Sveinung Rotevatn; Humpback salmon

the high number of escapes from ﬁsh farms. Wild salmon are now on Norway’s red list of threatened species. Aquaculture is not the only culprit. Sea pollution, acidiﬁcation and the growth in rogue species such as the dreaded hunchback salmon originating in Russia are also to blame. In 2021, the outgoing Conservative administration decided that action must be taken to reverse the situation. This is an issue above party politics so the new Labour-led government looks set to continue

SALMON LICE POSE A GREAT RISK TO WILD SALMON

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with the action plan. Despite the decline in numbers, Norwegian watercourses and coastal seas continue to be important habitats for wild salmon. The government says the country has a special responsibility to take care of these stocks and has committed itself through domestic legislation and international agreements. It maintains that wild salmon also have a business role in that they help the many local communities that depend on tourism. And through sports organisations, they are a source of recreation and a better appreciation of nature, helping to improve quality of life. For the aquaculture industry, they are a valuable genetic resource for future development. The plan was outlined by Sveinung Rotevatn, the outgoing Climate and Environment Minister, shortly before the general election last September. He said: “Salmon lice pose a great risk to wild salmon. Among other things, the government will work out requirements for zero emissions of salmon lice from ﬁsh farms by 2030. The plan also contains measures against a number of other inﬂuenc-

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ing factors. Hunting down escaped farmed salmon will increase. “New methods must be devised to track and mark farmed salmon and prevent escaped farmed salmon from spawning.” Efforts to eliminate the freshwater parasite Gyrodactylus salaris (commonly known as salmon fluke) and revise older watercourse regulation licences will also continue, he added. A number of measures will be brought in to help reduce and eventually eliminate lice. They include:  facilitating the development of technology that can contribute to solving environmental and area challenges in the aquaculture industry;  increased knowledge of migration routes;  measures to improve the site structure of farms, with a view to particle dispersal;  revising the salmon lice regulations, including assessing the need to change the lice limits; and  working out a possible requirement for zero emissions of salmon lice from fish farms from 2030.

Lice numbers rise as sea heats up

SEA warming is leading to higher infestations of salmon lice, according to new research. Norwegian Anne Sandvik, marine scientist at Norway’s Institute of Marine Research, predicts it will become much harder to run sustainable ﬁsh farms as the climate heats up. She explains: “We have found that the sea temperature is decisive when it comes to how fast salmon lice develop from eggs to adult lice. “In winter, salmon lice develop slowly. It can take several “extra” weeks before they have developed from larva to adult. As the temperature rises over the spring and summer, the development goes faster and faster. The lice grow and multiply faster in warmer water, and their ability to attach to the ﬁsh increases with higher temperatures too.”

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And on escapes of salmon covered by lice, the action plans calls for:  increasing the scope of fishing measures, and considering lowering the limits for when fishing should take place;  ordering knowledge acquisition about methods for tracking and tagging farmed salmon;  ordering knowledge acquisition on methods to prevent escaped farmed salmon from spawning; and  assessing new requirements to prevent, detect and limit escapes, and providing more accurate data. “Overall, we are pleased that the government is presenting this action plan. It has been long awaited,” says Pål Mugaas of Norske Lakseelver, the organisation that represents 110 Norwegian salmon rivers from across the country. Humpback salmon (also known as pink salmon) constitutes an almost equal threat. They are increasingly entering Norwegian watercourses from Russia and taking the place of wild salmon especially in the eastern Finnmark area. In fact, the invasion last year was the largest Norway had seen. Rotevatn says if measures to stop them are not taken now, the problem may become too difficult to solve. Humpback salmon have been registered in all Norwegian counties and are moving south. “This shows that it is important to prevent humpback salmon from entering the country, spawning and spread-

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ing,” he adds. The government allocates more than NOK 15m to install floating traps in 15 priority watercourses in Eastern Finnmark that can stop both humpback and farmed salmon. Another measure is the tracing of escaped farmed salmon, which number in the tens of thousands each year. The government says it wants to see improved methods of tracking and tagging farmed salmon so they are more easily identifiable and options to prevent them from spawning. So what does the industry think? Geir Ove Ystmark, CEO of Seafood Norway, the organisation that represents fishing and aquaculture businesses, believes there are many positives in the action plan. “We as an industry must take responsibility for the part of our business that has an impact on this (wild salmon) species,” he says. He points out that the plan contains much that the industry was already working on – in particular the tracking of escaped fish and the handling of salmon lice. He says that large investments are also being made through technology development. Ystmark adds: “Sustainable growth is a prerequisite for us and studies are important because they give us new insight. But we cannot conclude

This page from top: Pål Mugaas; Geir Ove Ystmark; Humpback salmon Opposite from top: Humpback salmon; Sea lice close up

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that this will mean closed facilities. “All technologies come with challenges and we must be able to take care of ﬁsh health and ﬁsh welfare in addition to dealing with lice.” Reducing the chemicals that go into the water is also high on the list of priorities. Some progress has been made thanks to international agreements on issues like emission

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“It is important

to prevent humpback salmon from entering the country”

reductions. But acidiﬁcation remains a major environmental problem, with copper being one of the most toxic metals to aﬀect aquatic organisms. Finally, a national competence group will be established to co-ordinate the work and contribute with recommendations for equipment and catching methods.

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152 COMMENT - CHRIS MITCHELL

Lest we forget Past disease outbreaks can provide valuable lessons for the present

t a conference in Inverness in 2017 run by the (then) Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation, Ralph Baillie gave a brief but poignant presentation about the challenges of farming salmon in the days before eﬃcacious vaccines for furunculosis were available. The disease in the late 1980s and early 1990s was endemic throughout the Scottish industry, but particularly devastating in the area around Loch Sunart where Marine Harvest and McConnell Salmon were operating in close proximity to each other. Other areas were also heavily impacted: in 1990 Lochailort lost 500 tonnes of harvest size ﬁsh in a three week period (amounting to 1.5% of the annual output of the

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By CHRIS MITCHELL

Scottish Industry at that time!). Then, as a newly recruited fish health inspector I remember well the sheer volume of Tryptone Soy Agar plates that would arrive at the Marine Laboratory on a weekly basis and the tell-tale brown pigmentation that subsequently developed indicating the presence of Aeromonas salmonicida, the bacterium responsible for this disease. All isolates were routinely tested for their sensitivity to a range of antibiotics that were available for treatment of affected stocks. This not only assisted prescribing veterinarians in their choice of treatment for sick fish under their care, but also allowed the Inspectorate to gather and analyse data on sensitivity patterns as they presented across the entire estate of the Scottish Industry. In this way the acute needs of individual farmers were met whilst, at the same time, information was collated to drive decisions on a macro scale leading to a clear imperative for the government to support research into the development of a vaccine. Ralph reminded the audience that apart from the widespread use of literally tonnes of antibiotics to combat the acute impacts of furunculosis at affected sites, companies quickly realised the need, at a strategic level, to take some brave and radical decisions in order to get the situation

Above: Chris Mitchell Left: The IPN virus Opposite from top: Fish in a pen; the IPN virus structure; fish affected by the virus

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under control. This included reducing the number of ﬁsh that were put to sea in order to steer balance sheets away from negative outcomes and towards positive ones, something that was successfully achieved. Changes included reducing stocking by 50% which actually doubled the tonnage of ﬁsh harvested at the end of the cycle compared to the previous one, achieving a £33m turnaround in two years, and all prior to vaccination! The principles guiding these decisions are as relevant today as they were 30 years ago and, with signs that bacterial diseases may be re-emerging, we would do well to heed lessons from the past where we can.

Following the successful development and widespread deployment of furunculosis vaccines in the early 1990s, the disease was rapidly brought under control and the requirement for antibiotic use dramatically reduced. It wasn’t long however before a new disease from an old foe emerged in seawater farms in both Scotland and Norway. Infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN) had, hitherto, been described and experienced as a potentially catastrophic condition of salmonid fry (principally trout)

“Companies quickly realised

the need… to take some brave and radical decisions” Chris Mitchell v2.indd 153

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in freshwater hatcheries across Europe, caused by the so-called Ab strain of the virus. Something changed however, in the mid to late 1990s, when significant mortalities began to occur in Atlantic salmon post-smolts following their first six to 10 weeks in seawater. Post-smolt IPN caused by the, then new, Sp strain of the virus, could wipe out between 10% and 50% of these fish, often in a period of just two weeks. With no remedial therapy available for this viral condition, it quickly became clear that breeders and vaccine developers would have to pick up the mantle in the race for a solution. Both succeeded and today post-transfer IPN is only seen where immunity to it has not been established. A word of caution here though. In a recent publication (Benkaroun J. et al) it has been reported that a new variant strain of the IPN virus (neither Ab nor Sp) has been identified in Scotland – a space to be watched!

“A new disease from an old foe emerged”

Chris Mitchell v2.indd 154

One of the enigmas characterising the clinical outbreaks of IPN in seawater in late 1990s was the apparently ad hoc way in which the condition presented, at least in terms of mortality. Many sites at this time were still small enough to be stocked by a single wellboat delivery supplying fish from one hatchery to each pen on that site with no further inputs. Two months later it was not uncommon for IPN mortalities to start appearing, apparently randomly, in some, but not all pens on affected sites. Not only could the levels of mortality vary significantly between pens, but some pens came through the episode unscathed. This phenomenon is well known to aquaculturists who refer to it as the “pen” or “tank” effect. Taken literally this might suggest that the enclosure

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itself is having an influence on the outcomes of stocks contained therein. Whilst not impossible, it is more likely that some inherent feature of the stocks themselves is controlling the seemingly random variation in these outcomes. In my contribution to the 2020 Fish Farmer Yearbook (Gills on Film) I referred to the work of Professor Marian Stamp Dawkins which she shared at the 2015 Pharmaqademy conference. In brief, her team have discovered that disease outcomes in contained poultry flocks can be predicted from observations of flock behaviour using cameras. The optical algorithms developed by the team can be used to accurately predict both the timing and nature of flock diseases, well in advance of them happening. Underwater camera technology and the quality of the imagery it produces have been transformed over the past 20 years to a point where it should be possible to see whether the insights

of Professor Stamp Dawkins could be applied to contained stocks on ﬁsh farms. It is very tempting to suggest that the behaviour of these animals may not just inﬂuence the outcome of infection but perhaps also be a diagnostic warning when things are just beginning to go awry. New technologies such as these, may, in addition to providing insights into tackling contemporary problems, shed light on issues that vexed us in the past – provided that is we don’t forget about them.

Benkaroun, J., Muir, F.K., Allshire, R., Tamer, C., Weidmann, M. Isolation of a New Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Virus (IPNV) Variant from a Fish Farm in Scotland. Viruses 2021,13,385 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Dr Trevor Hastings and Ralph Baillie for their valued input and edits to the script.

Above: Salmon in a farm Right: The IPN virus (photo: Pharmaq)

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156 EVENTS

2022 EVENTS This year’s aquaculture events and conferences

AQUACULTURE 2022 Every three years, the Triennial is held in the United States. It is the largest aquaculture conference and trade show held in the world with nearly 4,000 attendees from more than 90 countries.

San Diego, California, USA. February 28-March 4, 2022

2022 SEAFOOD EXPO NORTH AMERICA/SEAFOOD PROCESSING The 2022 conference program will feature over 25 educational sessions, presented by top industry experts.

Boston, Massachusetts, USA. March 13-15, 2022

RASTECH CONFERENCE RAStech 2022 is the venue for learning, networking and knowledge sharing on RAS technologies, design and implementation across the world.

Hilton Head Island, SC, USA. March 30-31, 2022

Seafood Expo Global /Seafood Processing Global The world’s largest seafood trade event, Seafood Expo Global, is set to take place in its new venue, Barcelona.

Fira, Barcelona, Spain. April 26-28, 2022

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AQUACULTURE UK 2022 Aviemore will once again be the venue for this biennial trade fair and conference. It is undoubtedly the most important aquaculture exhibition held in the British Isles. The show has a tremendous following and with increased investment for 2022 it promises to reach even further across the broader aquaculture markets in both the UK and Europe.

Aviemore, United Kingdom. May 3-5, 2022

WORLD AQUACULTURE 2021 The World Aquaculture Society is the organisation of professionals in this important ﬁeld, with members from more than 100 countries. Its annual conference is recognised globally as the most relevant for the exchange of knowledge, technology and innovation.

Merida, Mexico. May 24-27, 2022

SEAWORK 2022 Seawork is a “one stop shop” for buyers, providing access to the commercial marine and workboat markets. It is the largest European commercial marine exhibition, taking place at the prestigious Mayﬂower Park venue in Southampton, United Kingdom. www.seawork.com

Southampton, UK. June 21-23, 2022

WAS North America & Aquaculture Canada The conference will feature hundreds of world-class speakers and delegates from around the globe on the science, technology, business and social aspects of aquaculture.

St John’s Newfoundland, Canada. August 15-18, 20222

AQUACULTURE EUROPE 2022 The challenges of climate change, loss of biodiversity and food security, and the solutions put in place to develop a sustainable, responsible and productive and climate-neutral European aquaculture sector, will be key themes for Aquaculture Europe 2022.

Rimini, Italy. September 27-30, 2022

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158 NEWS REVIEW - SHELLFISH

SHELLFISH From Brexit headaches to restoration milestones, it’s been an eventful year

N January, UK shellfish producers were reeling following reports that EU rules restricting the import of live mussels, oysters and other shellfish were set to continue indefinitely. European regulations forbid the import of live bivalve molluscs “not fit for consumption” from “third countries” – that is, countries outside the EU single market – unless they are either harvested from the cleanest “Class A” waters or have already been “depurated” – that is, cleaned by being left to stand in saltwater tanks prior to entering the EU. UK producers previously sent their shellfish for depuration at large processing plants on the Continent, so facilities for depuration in the UK are extremely limited. The rules effectively ban many UK producers from exporting their product to their traditional markets in Europe. UK producers said they had been given assurances by the UK government that the situation was being addressed and that the regulations would be lifted on 21 April. As it transpired, that was not the European Commission’s view. Much of Scotland’s shellfish pro-

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Above: David Jarrad Opposite from top: The Orkney Shellfish Hatchery; Shrimp; Cumbrae Oysters

“It’s

a big problem!”

duction comes from waters that meet the criteria for Class A – defined as 80% of sampled shellfish having less than 230 E. coli bacteria per 100g of flesh and the remaining 20% recording less than 700 E. coli per 100g – but almost all of the waters around England and Wales are Class B at best, although this does vary by the seasons. Live exports of bivalves from traditional areas such as Devon and Morecambe Bay were therefore barred from the EU, placing many producers in serious jeopardy. David Jarrad, Chief Executive of the Shellfish Association of Great Britain, told Fish Farmer: “It’s a big problem! There is not the scale of depuration facilities in the UK. If we invested now it would take many months and serious money to construct such tanks, but that wouldn’t solve the issue alone and the product would then have to be promoted to a different market: retail rather than bulk.” The ban affects a range of mollusc species including mussels, oysters, clams, razor clams, cockles and scallops. In March, Orkney Shellfish Hatchery (OSH) announced the successful

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hatching of its ﬁrst run of European clawed lobsters for 2021, almost three months earlier than initially expected. The land-based hatchery is raising lobsters to help replenish wild stocks. The hatchery, part of the Cadman Capital Group’s Aquaculture portfolio, announced its plans to trial on-land production for lobsters in September 2020 and said at the time that it expected the pilot run would complete around May 2021. The trial has made use of products from OSH’s sister company, Ocean On Land Technology, including the “Hatchery-in-a-Box” concept. This is a containerised lobster hatchery system that can house and culture lobster from broodstock through to the post-larvae stage. Also in March, multinational feed group Skretting announced plans to invest $6.1m (£4.3m) in a new shrimp research facility in Ecuador to complement the Skretting Aquaculture Research Centre (ARC) network. The Skretting ARC Guayas Research Station will be located next to the

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group’s recently completed feed manufacturing plant in Ecuador. The new R&D facility, centrally co-ordinated by Skretting ARC in Norway, will comprise fully equipped laboratories and state-of-the art experimental units to carry out trials under controlled conditions. Fish Farmer also reported on a joint venture between Benchmark Genetics and the Happy Prawn Company to raise warmwater prawns in Norway. The project involved 200,000 Litopenaeus vannamei (Paciﬁc whiteleg shrimp) larvae being shipped from Florida to the Happy Prawns RAS facility in Norway. Founder Magnar Hansen said: “Our goal is to produce a tasty product based on environmentally safe solutions.”

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160 NEWS REVIEW - SHELLFISH

In May, shellﬁsh farmer Cumbrae Oysters signed a new lease with the owners of Hunterston Port and Resource Centre, doubling the size of the shellﬁsh producer’s site at the port. Cumbrae Oysters director and owner Alan Forbes said: “I am very pleased to have this deal in place. Our oysters are in great demand in places like China, Singapore, Hong Kong and Macau, as well as here in the UK and in Europe, and the South Annan Sands at Hunterston have all the conditions to produce the kind of seafood most wanted in the Far East especially… with this expansion, we will be able to double production and we will be looking to create a further two jobs on site, with additional seasonal opportunities.”

In June, we reported that Great British Prawns, the UK’s first producer of sustainable land-based and clean water prawns, had gone into administration. The pioneering company blamed a fall in demand caused by the closure of restaurants during the long coronavirus lockdowns. Around 18 jobs at the company were lost. It opened two years ago in the Scottish village of Balfron in Stirlingshire with a plan to harvest up to a million L. vannamei shrimp in the first few months of operation. The business suffered an initial setback in 2019 when many of its first batch of imported juveniles turned out to be infected with IHHNV (infections hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus) and had to be destroyed. Then, within a year of starting up, its main markets, in hospitality, were closed down by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Scottish Shellfish Farm Production Survey 2020 from Marine Scotland Science

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showed that shellﬁsh farming in Scotland was badly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic during 2020. Table production tonnage of mussels decreased by 15% from 6,699 tonnes in 2019 to 5,661 tonnes in 2020. Table production of Paciﬁc oyster shells decreased by 33% from the 2019 total. Additionally, over 1.6 million shells were produced for ongrowing in other waters. There was also a decrease in the production of native oyster from 103,000 to 75,000 shells in 2020. The report, based on information supplied by producers, said the decline was largely due to impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic, with many businesses reporting no table trade while the hospitality sector was in lockdown during much of 2020. For further details, see page 68. Meanwhile, Seafarms, the Australian shrimp farming group, announced plans to raise AUS $90m (£49m) to fund its Project Sea Dragon project in the north of the country. Project Sea Dragon is a large-scale, integrated land-based prawn aquaculture development designed to produce year-round high-qual-

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ity prawn volumes for the export market. The group said funds were being sought immediately to start construction on the project with the aim of achieving the ﬁrst prawn harvest by the third quarter of 2023. As it turned out, Seafarms was able to raise AUS $92.5m, underpinning its position as one of Australia’s biggest aquaculture producers. In August, we reported that Norwegian Lobster Farm, the world’s ﬁrst business to produce land-based farmed lobsters, and Norwegian data specialists Green Mountain had

teamed up in a ground-breaking energy project. Norwegian Lobster Farm had agreed a deal with Green Mountain on the reuse of waste heat from the IT business. The project represents an innovative example of the “circular economy” concept, with waste heat from the data centre reused for the lobster farm’s recirculating aquaculture system. The announcement followed the unveiling of a similar partnership earlier in November between Green Mountain and land-based trout farmer Hima Seafood. Also in August, many of New Zealand’s mussel farms were cleaning up after huge storms wreaked havoc across South Island. The cost of the damage was reported to run to millions of dollars. The storms, which brought 25-foot-

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high waves and were the worst in over 15 years, hit the Tasman Bay area at the top end of South Island, leaving a trail of tangled mussel lines and building damage. One Tasman Bay company, MacLab which is located near the port of Nelson, said more than half of a 670-acre farm was torn out of the seabed. In October, we reported that aquaculture researchers in Scotland were developing a PCR method that will help detect the presence

Opposite from top: Pacific oysters; Shrimp; Seafarms, Project Sea Dragon This page from top: New Zealand mussel farm; (L-R) Green Mountains Tor Kristian Gyland, Alf Reime and Asbjorn Drengstig from Norwegian Lobster Farm; Oysters

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162 NEWS REVIEW - SHELLFISH

of a range of diseases and biofouling species affecting oysters and mussels. With nearly £200,000 of funding from the Seafood Innovation Fund and the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre, the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute is building a validated testing system that allows oyster growers to proactively test for Bonamia ostreae, a common and potentially fatal disease that is otherwise difficult to detect. The 15-month project is also supported by companies and organisations across the oyster farming and research sectors, as well as practitioners looking to restore the shellfish to their native habitats. Designed to be affordable and easy to use for growers, the testing system will also detect the presence of oyster herpes virus and vibrio bacteria, along with biofouling species such as tube worms. In November, the first stock of native flat oysters from Orkney Shell-

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“The testing system will also detect the presence of oyster herpes virus”

Below: Orkney Shellfish Hatchery’s first stock of native flat oyster spat released into Scottish seas

fish Hatchery (OSH) were released into the ocean as part of a local restoration project. The latest release, which saw more than 11,000 of Orkney Shellfish Hatchery’s land-grown, premium native oyster spat planted into the ocean on the west coast of Scotland, was orchestrated by a Scottish restoration project dedicated to replenishing depleting shellfish stocks in Scotland’s seas. OSH said the project aligned with the hatchery’s mission “to become the market-leading producer of the highest-quality native oyster spat” and supported its continued focus on aiding the restoration of Europe’s shellfish stocks, which have fallen dramatically.

29/11/2021 15:46:25

Advantages of DNA plasmid vaccines vs. conventional vaccine technologies

ntage

2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK 163

Speciﬁc beneﬁt • No infection risk

2022 FISH FARMER YEAR BOOK

• No oil adjuvant

• Intra-muscular injection, less risk of damage to internal organs

Fish Farmer 2022 Year Book

Articles inside

Processing

Land-based farming

Breeding and genetics

Shellfi sh

Containment

UK farming

Technology

Boats and barges

Feed

Cages, nets and pens

International

Fish health