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RSPCA Assured clears Mowi of welfare allegations

Above: Mowi vet Ana Herrero checking fi sh health. Below: Still from Scottish Salmon Watch video ANIMAL welfare certifi cation body RSPCA Assured has cleared Mowi Scotland, following a complaint of alleged welfare abuse from anti-salmon farming group Scottish Salmon Watch. RSPCA Assured carried out an investigation of four Mowi farms, following the release of covertly fi lmed video footage which appeared to show dead salmon and cleaner fi sh, as well as individual fi sh heavily infested with sea lice. The video was allegedly fi lmed by Salmon Watch founder and long-time anti-salmon farm campaigner Don Staniford in July. In a statement RSPCA Assured said: “We were concerned by some of the images that were shared with us. As soon as they were brought to our attention, we immediately launched an investigation into those farms we understand are featured in the footage.” “Animal welfare is our absolute priority and the focus of our assurance scheme, therefore any complaints are always taken very seriously and thoroughly looked into as standard practice. “These farms have now been visited by a specially trained RSPCA Farm Livestock Offi cer and an RSPCA Assured Assessor. During their visit they did not fi nd any of the problems highlighted in the images taken earlier this month and were satisfi ed that the fi sh they saw were being properly managed and cared for.” The organisation added: “Any allegations of animal welfare issues, or breaches of the RSPCA Assured membership agreement, are taken very seriously and always thoroughly investigated. “Thankfully, welfare concerns on RSPCA Assured certifi ed farms are extremely rare, and many millions of farm animals are having a better life thanks to the work of the charity.” Marine Scotland’s Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) and the Scottish Government’s Animal Plant Health Agency (APHA) also looked into the complaint but also concluded that no enforcement action was required. In a statement following the RSPCA’s announcement, Marine Scotland said: “These investigations by FHI, which include considering sea lice information collected weekly from all sites, have concluded that there are no obvious sea lice or mortality issues at a population level at any of the sites involved in the allegation and that appropriate measures are in place to control sea lice, remove mortalities and ensure adequate fi sh health management at the sites in question.” Don Staniford and Salmon Watch have brought a number of complaints against salmon farms in Scotland over the past few months, but none of these have been upheld by RSPCA Assured or regulators. When bringing the most recent complaint, Staniford said: “The Scottish Government should immediately close down Mowi’s disease-ridden farms and supermarkets should stop selling RSPCA Assured Scottish salmon. The RSPCA’s stamp of approval is now synonymous with welfare abuse. Shame on RSPCA Assured for endorsing lice infestation, mass mortalities, infectious diseases and unnecessary suffering.” Supporters of the salmon farming industry have welcomed the outcome of the investigations by RSPCA Assured and Marine Scotland. The Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation said: “We never had any doubts about the welfare standards upheld by our member companies. Images of sickly fi sh are distressing, even when they are unsourced. However, they are rare and not representative of the high welfare standards that tens of thousands more salmon benefi t from.” Responding earlier this month to the initital allegations, Ben Hadfi eld, COO of Mowi Scotland said: “We care very much for the welfare of our salmon, every day, and don’t like to see even one animal suffer. “Our experienced farmers are supported by fi sh health experts and veterinarians that help to ensure animal welfare is attended to every day, and these results are inspected by professional third-party organisations. “While we take claims of poor welfare very seriously, this allegation is from an individual who has never worked in the business, has failed his schooling, has previously made similar unsupported claims, has been found guilty of defamation and was described by the court judge as a ‘zealot’. “If he wants a job as an animal welfare inspector, he should apply for work like everyone else.”

Scottish Government launches review of aquaculture regime

REGULATION of the aquaculture sector in Scotland could see sweeping reforms, following the announcement that the Scottish Government has commissioned an independent review of the industry.

Professor Russel Griggs OBE has been appointed to lead the fi rst phase of the review. He has pledged to approach

it with “an open mind” and Above: Professor Russel Griggs and Mairi Gougeon

engage with stakeholders from across the aquaculture spectrum.

He added: “Only by doing this will we be able to deliver improvements in the regulatory landscape in the short-term and identify options for further reform in the longer term.”

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “Aquaculture is a signifi cant contributor to our rural economy, providing well paid jobs in some of Scotland’s most fragile communities and will be an essential part of our green recovery and transition to net zero. “The industry also provides a source of home grown, nutritious low carbon protein that is enjoyed at home and abroad. “However reports and parliamentary activity over the last few years have made clear that the regulatory landscape is contentious and there is a need for improved effi ciency, effectiveness and transparency.”

Professor Griggs is a former Executive Director with Scottish Enterprise and has had a long career in industry, particularly the pharmaceutical and textile sectors. He is currently Chair of South of Scotland Enterprise, the newly created Economic Development Agency for the south of Scotland, and is an honorary Professor of the University of Glasgow.

Gael Force signs net deal with FISA

AQUACULTURE supplier Gael Force has agreed an exclusive deal with net manufacturer FISA to provide nets for fi sh farming in Scotland.

FISA (Fibras Industriales SA) is headquartered in Peru, with a warehouse and sales offi ce in Chile. Established in 1943, it employs around 700 people and 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.

Gael Force said the inclusion of nets in its product range means that the company will further enhance its capability to offer a complete turnkey supply of high-quality marine equipment, technology and supporting services. 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 has also established cooperation with and engaged the services of, 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 fi t, and by combining our resource and wealth of experience we can jointly develop containment solutions while offering competitive pricing and high service levels.”

Yoni Radzinski, FISA Owner and Director, said: “We have been seeking a partner with a strong market position and reputation, and the capability to provide turnkey installations and service the market - we are delighted to have found that in Gael Force. We are excited about the opportunities ahead to support Gael Force in reinforcing their competitive turnkey offering to customers and to supply, design and manufacture robust aquaculture nets which will play a critical part in future of sustainable fi sh farming both in Scotland and internationally.”

OTAQ reports good profits growth

MARINE technology group OTAQ has reported a strong increase in revenue and profi ts for the year to 31 March 2021.

OTAQ, which makes the SealFence deterrent system as well as a variety of monitoring and analysis technology for the aquaculture sector, has reported an 18.5% increase in revenue, year on year, to £4.05m (2020: £3.42m) and a 17.3% increase in gross profi t to £2.3m (2020: £1.96m). EBITDA was up to £542,000 (2020: £451,000).

The company also reports cash balances of £3.1m following the drawdown of a fi ve-year £2m CBILS (Coronavirus Business Interruption Above: OTAQ technology Loan Scheme) facility.

During 2020/21, OTAQ acquitted the trade and assets of electronic systems design business ROS Technology, added revenue-generating contracts and made a strategic investment in Minnowtech, taking 15% of that company’s equity.

New product development included the live plankton analysis system for detecting algal blooms, in partnership with Blue

Lion Labs LLC, and entering the shrimp biomass detection market through the investment in US-based

Minnowtech.

Alex Hambro, Non-Executive Chairman of OTAQ plc, commented: “Despite the general market backdrop and challenges, this was still an extremely productive period for the Group with positive movement across all of our key fi nancial metrics. Importantly we continued to position ourselves for future growth, having invested in broadening our product suite and reach.”

Cashman swaps spring water for salmon

Above: David Cashman

COOKE Aquaculture Scotland has appointed David Cashman as its new fi nance director.

Cashman was previously head of fi nance at Highland Spring – the UK’s leading bottled water producer – where he led the fi nance function for the £100m turnover business, responsible for all end-to-end activity within the division from transaction services, commercial fi nance to the year-end audit and preparation and submission of statutory accounts.

He has worked in senior fi nance and operations roles for household brands including HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland and Sky, where he was integral to the £200m acquisition of Telefonica’s domestic broadband and home phone capability, the roll-out of Sky Q and Sky Mobile – two of Sky’s largest product launches.

Cashman will be based at the fi rm’s corporate offi ce in Bellshill, with responsibility for fi nance and accounting staff throughout the UK. His predecessor, Alan Marshall, who is retiring, will stay on for a handover period.

Colin Blair, Managing Director of Cooke Aquaculture Scotland, said: “We’re really pleased that David is joining us. He has a wealth of experience in senior fi nance roles in fi nancial services and food production and we are very confi dent that he will help us to meet our ambitious business goals in the future.

“I’d also like to thank Alan Marshall for his invaluable contribution to our success over the past 25 years. Alan will ensure a comprehensive handover of the fi nance function before he retires later this year.”

Cashman said: “I am really thrilled to join Cooke Aquaculture Scotland. The company’s values, especially their commitment to communities in which they operate, their environmental stewardship of the marine environment and, of course, the quality of their salmon were key drivers behind my decision to move from Highland Spring.

“I’m really looking forward to having the opportunity to help Cooke Aquaculture Scotland to grow, and ensure that the UK business remains on a very strong fi nancial footing.”

Experts address climate change issues for aquaculture

AS the world’s leaders prepare to gather in Glasgow later this year for the COP26 climate change summit, Fish Farmer magazine and online content business InterMet have teamed up to present a webinar on Aquaculture – Meeting the Threats of Extreme Weather & Climate Change.

The free webinar will take place live on Wednesday 19 August and a recording will also be available to view later. The panellists will be presenting their perspectives on climate change and taking questions from the from the aquaculture sector.

Our panel members are:

Anne Anderson, Head of Sustainability & Development with Scottish Sea Farms, one of the country’s leading producers of premium farmed salmon.

Daniel Fairweather, Executive Director, Livestock, Aquaculture and Fisheries with insurance company Gallagher and a member of the Gallagher UK ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) Committee.

Lynne Falconer, researcher at the Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, with over 10 years’ research experience in the fi eld of aquaculture and the environment.

Jonathan LaRiviere, Chief Executive of Scoot Science, an ocean analytics and forecasting business based in Santa Cruz, California, which aims to help fi sh farmers protect assets, operate sustainably, and increase profi ts by enabling a more complete assessment of local ocean conditions.

The issues the webinar will cover include:

Emerging climate-related threats for the aquaculture sector: including raised sea temperatures, with implications for cold water fi sh like salmon and cod; increased risk of harmful algal blooms and reduced oxygen levels; increased frequency and severity of storms; fl ooding and/or drought for inland farms.

Possible mitigation strategies including: relocation of sites; strengthening standards for cages and moorings; better real-time monitoring of marine conditions; relocation further offshore or to land-based RAS (recirculating aquaculture systems) facilities.

The role the aquaculture sector can play in combating climate change. e.g. aiming for ‘net zero’ in the production cycle; switching from diesel to electric/hybrid power for vessels and farm sites; using renewable energy or heat from other industries to power RAS sites.

The opportunities for innovative new and existing businesses to develop solutions to meet the challenges facing aquaculture from extreme weather & climate change.

To register free of charge or for more information, go online to www.intermet.digital/intermetdigitalwebinar4/

We welcome your questions – please contact Ian Harper, InterMet at ian@mediageneration.co.uk

Trio of Investors in People awards for SSF

SCOTTISH Sea Farms has been recognised for its commitment to jobs, training and employee wellbeing with three Investors in People awards.

The company retained its We Invest in People Platinum Award, first achieved in 2018, has been retained, and its We Invest in Young People Award at Gold level.

SSF also scored Gold for the first time in the We Invest in Wellbeing category, making it one of just two companies in Scotland to have achieved this level.

The Investors in People (IIP) awards, which require companies to apply for re-accreditation every three years to ensure continual professional development, are seen as the global benchmark in people management. SSF gained its first IIP accreditation in 2012.

Head of Human Resources Tracy

Bryant-Shaw said: “We have worked hard over the past three years to build on our 2018 performance and reach even higher standards.”

She added that the introduction of a comprehensive new health and wellbeing strategy has been key. The strategy was already under way prior to the arrival of Covid-19 but gathered new momentum in the months thereafter, she said.

Bryant-Shaw added; “‘During the pandemic, when we couldn’t see everyone, we looked at what more we could do for our employees and their families.

“We are now able to offer a really wide-ranging suite of support: from our employee assistance initiative and various training programmes to new innovations such as a dedicated wellbeing app, as well as one-to-one help with employees’ physical, mental or financial health.

“We’ve also added staff wellbeing to our health and safety meetings as a further way of checking that we’re doing everything we can to support our people.”

The initiative has included the introduction of a “real living wage” (above the official National Living Wage); a Young People’s Council to get younger staff members involved in shaping the future of the business; an Aquaculture Academy and Management Academy; and a move to online learning.

SSF has also developed training partnerships with the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC), Argyll College UHI and local schools.

National strategy ‘fails to address seafood’

Above: Henry Dimbleby UK Industry body Seafish has criticised a report on food strategy for its lack of focus on seafood.

The National Food Strategy report, commissioned by the UK Government and led by businessman Henry Dimbleby – co-founder of the Leon chain of restaurants – was published last week. It called for a tax on sugar and salt and for GPs to be allowed to prescribe fruit and vegetables to encourage healthy eating.

Marcus Coleman, CEO of Seafish, the body which supports the UK seafood industry, conceded the report was both interesting and well researched with some excellent insights into the social challenges associated with the UK food system.

But he added: “I was surprised that the role that seafood can play in addressing these challenges is not addressed. Seafood is sidelined with a one line explanation on page 6 (in the report): we have deliberately narrowed our focus onto the land.”

He continued: “We’re disappointed that the positive attributes of seafood do not feature more prominently in the report.

“After all the nation eats over four billion seafood meals each year. For us it’s clear that seafood has a vital part to play – both in providing a healthy food source and in future food security.

“Many in the seafood industry get out of bed every morning because we truly believe ‘seafood is the way forward’. It’s not just a clever strapline; it’s our reason for being because when the seafood sector thrives, the whole nation thrives.”

Coleman said: “Sustainable aquaculture also offers another way to meet the food needs of our growing population as well as delivering wider environmental benefits such as improving water quality and carbon storage.

He pointed out that the seafood processing sector was investing in research to reduce the use of single use plastics and to make sure that the packaging used to transport seafood can be recycled.

“Those of us working in the seafood sector know all about the extremely positive contribution that seafood can make. It contributes to healthy eating (and reduced health costs), has a lower environmental impact than other animal proteins, and supports sustainable coastal communities,” he emphasised.

NEWS...

Mowi reports higher harvest volumes

Above: Mowi salmon MOWI Scotland has delivered a higher harvest and operating profi t during the AprilJune second quarter period this year, the group’s trading update shows. The group also saw increased volumes in Canada and Chile, but a slight fall in Norway. The Scottish harvest fi gure for Q2 is 19,000 tonnes, up 31% from 14,500 tonnes in Q2 last year. The operating EBIT or profi t through the value chain was approximately €1.55 per kilo, up from €1.00 in Q2 2020. However, analysts in Norway are suggesting that this fi gure is lower than what had been anticipated. Globally, the group says it expects an operating profi t of €137m, which some industry observers say is around €15m down on earlier predictions. The total harvest was 108,000 tonnes, slightly down on 12 months ago. Mowi said: “Farming Canada East recognised a loss in the second quarter of EUR €15m equivalent to €0.14/kg for the Group mainly related to harvesting out ISA [infectious salmon anaemia] fi sh in Newfoundland.” The operational EBIT in consumer products was €16m (€23m Q2 2020) and feed €3m in Q2 2021 (€6m in Q2 2020). Farming Norway produced a harvest of 56,000 tonnes (56,500 tonnes in Q2 2019) and an operational EBIT of €1.65 per kilo (€1.05). Farming Canada produced 13,500 tonnes (11,500 tonnes) and an operational loss or EBIT of €0.5 a kilo (2020 loss of €0.65). Farming Chile produced 15,000 tonnes (14,000 tonnes) and an operating EBIT of €1 per kilo (€0.80). Farming Ireland produced a harvest of 2,000 tonnes (4,000 tonnes) and an EBIT of €1.85 per kilo (€3.85). Farming Faroe Islands produced a harvest of 2,500 tonnes and an EBIT of €1.90, the same as Q2 2020. The full Q2 2021 report will be released on 25 August.

Bakkafrost behind launch of new air freight service

A new air freight company is about to be launched with the backing of the Faroese fi sh farmer Bakkafrost. The company, which has yet to be given a name, is being set up to expand the export of seafood from the northerly island archipelago. However, as the Faroe Islands’ largest fi sh farmer, Bakkafrost will be the main user of outbound fl ights. Bakkafrost CEO Regin Jacobsen will be the airline’s chairman while Bakkafrost chairman Rúni M. Hansen will take a seat on the board. Birgir Nielsen has been named as CEO. Hanus Jacobsen, head of Bakkafrost USA, told the Faroese press that the company is present in markets where a direct air route would benefi t both the company and the environment. The company’s salmon was currently exported by sea to the British mainland or to Denmark before being trans-shipped on fl ights across the Atlantic. The new carrier is planning to purchase or charter a cargo plane as soon as possible. Vágar, the main airport in the Faroes, said that while Bakkafrost would occupy most of the outbound capacity, there would be guaranteed room for importers to the islands. CEO Regin Jacobsen said the inbound fl ights should also create opportunities for Faroese importers as well as opening new possibilities for businesses in Scotland. Bakkafrost owns the Scottish Salmon Company. He added: “The challenge would be to fi ll up the inbound capacity. We would probably not be able to fi ll a cargo airplane in a regular route between the USA and the Faroe Islands. But then the plane could possibly fl y via Glasgow back to the Faroes. That would make it possible to fi ll the capacity to Scotland, and the fl ying time from Glasgow to Vágar is only one hour.” Above: Regin Jacobsen www.fishfarmermagazine.com

Iceland’s aquaculture output shows big rise

THE export value of Iceland’s farmed fish products totalled just over ISK 3.2 billion (£18.4m) in June, according to preliminary trade figures from Statistics Iceland.

This represents a 67% rise in ISK terms on June last year and is another sign of the country’s growing strength in aquaculture, which is now 4% up on a year ago. It is also the highest June figure so far.

The export value of marine products, which includes fish of all types, was up 17.9%, an increase of ISK 4.1bn (£24m), mainly due to the increased value of pelagic fish such as mackerel and herring. Marine products now account for almost half of Iceland’s total exports.

Statistics Iceland says that increased activity in fish farming is also showing through in the labour market, with tax data indicating a significant increase in the number of people receiving wages from this industry.

The figures show that the aquaculture workforce averaged around 540 during the first four months of this year, which is high in a country with a population of only 357,000. Statistics Iceland believes the outlook is for a further increase in aquaculture related activity both on land and on coastal sea sites. The total Icelandic harvest is likely to be around 43,500 tonnes this year, increasing to 55,000 tonnes by 2023. In comparison, the total fish catch by Icelandic vessels last month was 49,000 tonnes, with cod accounting for about 20,000 tonnes. The volume is down by 21% on a year ago and the country has just cut its annual cod quota by 13% to just over 222,000 tonnes for the new fishing year which starts on 1 September.

Above: An Icelandic fish farm Fürst Medical Laboratory swoops for Patogen Cod mortality ‘was not disease’

FISH health company PatoGen has been acquired by Norway’s Fürst Medical Laboratory, which has promised to continue developing the business. PatoGen is a leading provider of preventive and diagnostic analysis for the aquaculture industry in Norway and Scotland. It has operations in Norway – in Ålesund, Oslo and Bodø – and Oban in Scotland. In total, PatoGen has nearly 60 employees and its revenue in 2020 was just under NOK 100m (£8m). Fürst, which is the largest medical laboratory in Norway, has acquired 100% of PatoGen’s shares. The deal brings it into the aquaculture market for the first time – its core business is providing analytical services to the healthcare sector. The CEO of Fürst, Håvard Selby Ebbestad, said: “Fürst has a long lasting and solid experience running effective laboratories and diagnostics. Becoming owners of PatoGen, we also get exposure to preventive and diagnostic analyses in fish. This is an attractive market for us, and we are confident we can make a valuable contribution to the aquaculture companies to improve their fish health and fish welfare.”

THE Norwegian cod farming company Statt Torsk which suffered the loss of more than 48,000 cod last month, says tests have shown no sign of fish disease.

A full report was sent to the Norwegian Food Safety Authority following the incident at the company’s site at Stokkeneset which affected two of its three pens.

Statt Torsk (sometimes referred to as Stadt Torsk) said it has received negative results on all its tests for disease, which underpins its earlier belief that external factors caused the sudden mass death. There was no indication of any other biological issues.

Given the way the fish died, the company says, the most likely explanation for the mortality, is that they were somehow frightened, possibly by the appearance of a large predator.

Statt Torsk says: “Such accidents are regarded as very rare and are not connected to a specific species in fish farming.”

It adds: “The incident will not result in any change or delay in the company’s plans and ambitions.”

The news will come as a big relief to this company which made its debut on the EuroNext Growth market three months ago when it raised NOK 115m (just over £9m).

Below: Statt Torsk cod farm

Kvarøy Arctic scholarships awarded

Above Bxxxx

TWO aspiring aquaculturalists, from Nigeria and Portugal, have been named as the recipients of the 2021 Women in Aquaculture scholarship programme, run by Norwegian salmon farmer Kvarøy Arctic.

Oyebadejo Augustina from Nigeria and Marta Carvalho from Portugal will each receive a $10,000 award and a handson opportunity to spend time at Kvarøy Arctic’s farm sites in Norway. The initiative is hosted in partnership with Seafood and Gender Equality (SAGE). Oyebadejo Augustina comes from the coastal town of Badagry, near Lagos. She commented: “This scholarship will help me with practical skills and knowledge of efficient fish production. I think this is a way to build aquaculture in my country and influence the economy positively while saving a lot of lives.” Marta Carvalho is a native of Porto, Portugal. She holds both a BS and MS in Aquatic Sciences from the University of Porto and is currently pursuing her PhD in Sustainable Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

She said: “We need men and women together to progress and to make aquaculture a sustainable and a healthy way of consuming fish. I really believe that sustainable aquaculture is the future and I’ve developed a special interest in omega-3 nutrients, which are so important for humans as well as for fish.

“I’m pursuing a deeper knowledge of these nutrients and how they can contribute to fish health and welfare, farm productivity, and an increased nutritional value for human consumption.”

Kvarøy Arctic CEO Alf-Gøran Knutsen said: “We hope these scholarships are an example of how our industry can uplift the next generation, and serve as an inspiration for other companies that support our diversity and impact goals.”

Left Oyebadejo Augustina Below Marta Carvalho

Danish Aquaculture draws up IHN action plan

Above Brian Thomsen

THE Danish aquaculture sector has drawn up a plan to prevent the spread of the deadly salmon disease infectious haematopoietic necrosis, commonly known as IHN.

The trade association Dansk Akvakultur and the six Danish fish farms that were infected with IHN in May have handed over the plan to the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration. Their intention is to re-establish the country as being free of the virus.

The outbreak, which hit Denmark for the first time earlier this summer, also sent a scare throughout the fish farming sector in Norway.

Danish Aquaculture director Brian Thomsen said his organisation was solutionorientated and he had nothing but praise for the affected fish farm owners who were working with the rest of the sector to deliver a concrete plan for IHN control.

He said the plan was based on companies getting their slaughterhouse solutions approved as soon as possible, and on ensuring that the value of the facilities is taken into account and sufficient time is given for the fish to be removed and handled correctly.

This is only fair, he said, because an emergency slaughter of infected fish entails significant economic losses for those farms hit by the disease.

He added: “Fortunately there are no signs that the infection has spread to other farms and this means that 95% of Denmark is free of IHN. We believe that with effective and rapid action we can fight the IHN virus.”

Lobster farmer gets claws into green energy project

THE world’s first business to produce land-based farmed lobsters and Norwegian data specialists Green Mountain have teamed up in a ground-breaking energy project.

Norwegian Lobster Farm has entered into an agreement with data centre Green Mountain on the reuse of waste heat from the IT business.

The project represents an innovative example of the circular economy, with waste heat from the data centre reused for the lobster farm’s RAS (recirculating aquaculture system).

The announcement follows the unveiling of a similar partnership earlier this month between Green Mountain and land-based trout farmer Hima Seafood.

The farm’s lobsters need a temperature of 20°C for optimal growth. This is exactly the temperature of the seawater that has been used to cool the IT equipment in Green Mountain’s data centre. This heated wastewater can therefore be delivered directly to the fish farm.

Cooling a data centre usually accounts for an additional 40-80% of the electricity required to power the servers.

Green Mountain uses an innovative fjord cooling solution. The plan is to build a new production facility adjacent to the data centre where this heated seawater can be used directly in the breeding of lobsters.

The CEO of Norwegian Lobster Farm, Asbjørn Drengstig, said: “In practical terms, this means that we can scale up production, reduce technical risk, and save both CAPEX and OPEX. In addition to the environmental benefits, of course.”

Below From left: Tor Kristian Gyland (Green Mountain), Alf Reime and Asbjorn Drengstig (Norwegian Lobster Farm)

AKVA wins Iceland feed barge contract

ICELANDIC salmon company Ice Fish Farm has chosen the AKVA group to supply two AC600VR feed barges for its aquaculture operations in the 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 the Norwegian company Måsøval, is one of Iceland’s fastest growing salmon businesses.

It is currently in exploratory merger talks with Laxar Fiskeldi, in which Måsøval also has a big stake.

Commenting on the feed barge deal, Kjartan Lindbøl, production manager at Ice Fish Farm, said: “For us, it is important to think long-term and prepare for the future. We need flexibility at the locations we operate in, and some of our locations are exposed to waves and bad weather conditions.

“The AC600VR model from AKVA group was the best choice as it is the most robust barge model in the market in terms of design. In addition, AKVA group has adapted the barges with a flexible feeding system and we see great advantages with that.”

Lindbøl added: “The fact that AKVA group has been established with a base and a service offering in Eskifjordur on the east coast of Iceland is a great advantage for us.”

AKVA is now a well-established name in Iceland, with eight feed barges in operation throughout the country.

The AC600VR model has been developed for exposed locations and was first introduced to the market at Aqua Nor in 2019.

Roar Ognedal, AKVA general manager for southern Norway and the Nordic market, said: “We are very grateful that Ice Fish Farm chose AKVA group as a supplier of feed barges, and I think they found a great model as well.

“The VR series is the most robust feed barge model in the market, with a design we are proud to have developed.”

He added: “The feed barges will cover Ice Fish Farm’s needs, both today and in the future, and I am sure that they will be very satisfied when the barges are in operation.”

Colleagues pay tribute to Denis Constant

Above: Denis Constant

THE team at DSM Nutritional Products in Village-Neuf, France have expressed their gratitude to Denis Constant for his outstanding contribution to the company, on the occasion of his retirement in July, after more than 30 years at DSM.

Denis Constant joined DSM as an aquaculture technician to become a member of the Aquaculture Innovation R&D team as Trial and Facility Manager. He started his working career at Ifremer in Brittany, France, where he discovered the joys of fish and simultaneously started a climbing career with as much energy, scaling the cliffs at Pen Hir Point on the Crozon peninsula.

In a tribute to Constant, DSM said: “Denis’ work ethic enabled the development of our well-known carotenoids, health premixes, and eubiotic solutions, which are used the world over. Simultaneously, Denis has been key in the development of our understanding of new generation ingredients for aquafeeds supporting our drive for the sustainable growth of aquaculture. Denis developed a deep knowledge of aquafeed formulation and production. His skills, together with his accuracy and accountability in the running of each animal trial has been a great support for our Aquaculture Innovation Team and certainly accelerated the development of our product portfolio.

“Throughout his career at DSM, Denis worked with tremendous passion, energy and interest. Owing to his attention to detail, Denis was a master of feed extrusion and produced our high-quality feeds essential for our fish trials. In a similar vein, Denis bred our rainbow trout, carp and tilapia guided by his extensive spreadsheets to guide him through grading, fish allocation, and precision feeding. Denis achieved the highest quality internal fish trials, on which we so depended for the success of our Nutrition and Health innovation pipeline.”

Constant’s colleague Ester Santigosa, Global Innovation Lead - Aquaculture at DSM, said: “It has been an absolute privilege and pleasure to have Denis on our team and we wish him a long and enjoyable retirement. It may be the end of the fish, but we know with his boundless energy the climbing career will continue, bonne retraite Denis!” LINN.eu

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Barramundi set for Oslo listing

Above: Cone Bay Ocean Barramundi Right: Kuhlbarra Barramundi AUSTRALIAN aquaculture business the Barramundi Group is planning to list its shares on the Euronext Growth Oslo exchange.

If the listing goes ahead, Barramundi would be the fi rst Australasian company, as well as the fi rst aquaculture player specialising in a tropical species, to be listed on the Oslo exchange. The company is one of the largest barramundi producers in the world, operating through a unique end-to-end aquaculture model, with comprehensive in-house capabilities ranging from vaccine development, product innovation and processing, to hatchery facilities.

Barramundi operates three ocean farm sites situated across Australasia, from which it plans to more than double its capacity over the next fi ve years. It also operates sites in Singapore and Brunei. Its chilled barramundi products are marketed under a number of brands including Kuhlbarra, Fassler Gourmet and Cone Bay Ocean Barramundi.

Mr Andreas von Scholten, Chief Executive Offi cer of Barramundi Group said: “This listing is a signifi cant milestone for Barramundi Group as it marks the fi rst step in our plan for transformational growth. The organic developments we’ve been able to build through the engagement of global brand-name clients and intermediaries in the last few years demonstrate the large commercial potential that resides in barramundi as a premium white fi sh. “We believe that this listing will enable us to fully capitalise on the growing global middle class and skyrocketing demand for high-quality proteins that are raised responsibly, with minimal carbon and oceanic impact.” The offering will take the form of an equity private placement that is expected to be followed by an immediate listing at Euronext Growth Oslo. A number of prominent institutions and family offi ces in both the Nordics and Asia have already pre-committed themselves to participate in the transaction, the company said.

DNB Markets and Pareto Securities will be joint bookrunners for the listing, with Wikborg Rein, TSMP Law and BAHR as legal advisers.

BC farmers highlight innovation in the industry

A report from the British Columbia Salmon Farmers Association has highlighted the sector’s advances in technology on a wide range of fronts, from ocean-based containment systems to sea lice treatment and clean energy.

The 2021 Innovation and Technology Report Update follows on from an earlier report in 2019, and underlines the industry’s case for its defence at a time when the Canadian Federal Government is ordering the shutdown of open-net salmon farms in one of British Columbia’s key regions, the Discovery Islands.

The report update highlights the BC salmon farming industry’s commitment to environmental stewardship. The publication also emphasises the scale of new technologies and innovations being deployed at all stages of the salmon production life cycle – from land-based hatcheries and in-ocean farms, to improvements in fi sh processing.

John Paul Fraser, Executive Director of the BC Salmon Farmers Association, said: “Despite the fact the Federal Government’s actions over the last several years have led to unprecedented levels of uncertainty and stress for many coastal communities, the salmon farming sector’s commitment to British Columbia has never wavered. “Continuous improvement is what our industry is all about and we’ve been rapidly evolving and innovating for years. “We are excited and proud to be releasing this report as it shows our dedication to environmental responsibility, and what innovation looks like today in our sector on BC’s coast.”

FEDERAL funding has been secured to support a targeted cull of sea lions in the US state of Oregon, with the aim of protecting wild salmon. The cull will make use of a provision in the US Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) that allows the killing of protected species in exceptional circumstances.

The MMPA normally forbids any culling of marine mammals such as sea lions and seals, even when they pose a nuisance to commercial fi sh farms and fi sheries. As the Act imposes import sanctions on any regions outside US jurisdiction that permit culling, it has the effect of imposing a similar ban on culls in other locations such as Scotland and Norway.

A spokesperson for the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) explained: “The Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits the lethal ‘take’ (i.e. killing) of marine mammals, but provides a few limited exceptions including when local offi cials can lethally remove animals that are impacting Endangered Species Act-listed species or pose an immediate health and safety risk to people. “MMPA Section 109(h) provides for the protection or welfare of the animals or public health and welfare by allowing federal, state, or local offi cials to humanely euthanise marine mammals that are suffering or causing immediate danger to people. This provision also allows for the non-lethal removal of an individual nuisance animal by local government offi cials, but not culling of an entire population.”

Permission for a take permit under the MMPA must be obtained from NOAA.

Above Sea lion eating salmon

Brazilian meat giant snaps up Australia’s Huon

BRAZILIAN meat processor JBS has entered into an agreement to buy the Huon Aquaculture Group, Australia’s second largest salmon farmer. JBS will acquire all of Huon’s issued shares at a market value of AUS $425m (£225m) or 1.64bn Brazilian reals.

Huon is based in Southern Tasmania and owned by the Bender family. Huon’s board, including major family shareholders Peter and Frances Bender has unanimously recommended that all other shareholders vote in favour of the agreement in the absence of a superior offer.

Gilberto Tomazoni, CEO Global with JBS, said: “This is a strategic acquisition, which marks the entry of JBS into the aquaculture business. We will repeat what we did previously with chicken, pork and valueadded products – to make our portfolio even more comprehensive.”

JBS, headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil is the world’s largest meat processor and already owns a processing business in Australia. Above: Huon Aquaculture

Ocean seaweed business attracts green investors

AN Indian business aiming to harvest seaweed from artifi cial islands in deep ocean waters has attracted fi nance from AquaSpark, a fund set up to invest in sustainable aquaculture.

The investment from Aqua-Spark is part of a $9m (£6.5m) funding round for Sea6 Energy, which started as a spin-out from the Indian Institute of Technology in Madras and is now headquartered in Bangalore. Sea6’s SeaCombine is a fully mechanized cultivation system that can simultaneously harvest and replant seaweed in deep ocean waters, enabling cost competitive production at scale.

The system means less labour is required to harvest and seed seaweed, and it can do this directly on the sea. In addition, the SeaCombine allows farming in deeper and rougher waters than traditional methods would allow.

Sea6 has also developed proprietary processing technologies to convert fresh seaweed into novel products for agriculture, animal health, food ingredients, bioplastics and renewable chemicals. Aqua-Spark is the fi rst investment fund focused on sustainable aquaculture. It is the lead investor in Sea6’s $9M Series B round, alongside co-investor, Singaporebased Silverstrand Capital.

NZ mussel farms count cost of storm damage

MANY of New Zealand’s mussel farms are cleaning up after huge storms wreaked havoc across the South Island.

The cost of the damage is reported to run into millions of dollars and the weather has left a trail of devastation that could take weeks to clear.

Extreme bad weather poses one of the biggest threats to fi sh farming operations as salmon companies in Scotland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands can readily testify over the past two years.

This time the storms, which brought 25 feet high waves and were the worst in over 15 years, hit the Tasman Bay area at the top end of the 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.

The company said it was now in the repair phase of the operation but around half of its mussel lines had been seriously damaged. Most of the crop affected was half way through its growth cycle which has added to the cost.

The country’s Marine Farming Association president Jonathan Large said a number of farms in Golden Bay and the Marlborough Sounds also suffered severe damage, but those in Tasman Bay bore the brunt of the weather.

“It was a one-off event really, I’ve never seen anything like it, just consistently big seas that went through Tasman Bay,” he added.

Left: Mussels

Grieg to cull a million Canadian salmon after ISA scare

GRIEG Seafood is being forced to cull around a million salmon and postpone its fi rst transfer for almost a year after discovering a single case of infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) at its farms in Newfoundland.

The company said the decision is being taken as a precautionary measure in a bid to reduce risk. It intends to develop salmon farming operations in Placentia Bay “gradually and responsibly”.

The discovery of suspected ISA in just one fi sh followed a routine sampling that was due to be launched from its Marystown facility earlier this summer. A further 295 samples were collected and analysed by the Newfoundland veterinary authorities and all gave negative results. No ISA was found.

The Grieg statement continued: “While it would be possible to transfer the fi sh to sea under restrictions, Grieg Seafood Newfoundland has decided to apply the precautionary approach and not transfer fi sh to sea... almost one million fi sh that were scheduled for sea transfer this summer, unfortunately will be culled. “All of these fi sh are in the same RAS [recirculating aquaculture system] as the one fi sh with the detection, and the company would not have been able to maintain its fi sh health and welfare standard in sea should the virus exist in this fi sh group.”

The company said it now plans to carry out a thorough review to fi nd out why ISA was detected and would also take measures to avoid similar incidents in the future.

Knut Skeidsvoll, Managing Director of Grieg Seafood Newfoundland, said: “We have said from the beginning that we will develop our farming operations in Placentia Bay gradually, responsibly and sustainably. As such, we believe it is right to apply the precautionary approach in this situation and postpone the transfer to sea to the spring of 2022.

“Even though none of the additional 295 samples detected any virus, we do not want to risk introducing ISA into the environment and possibly farm fi sh in the sea without optimal conditions for fi sh health and welfare.”

Below: Grieg smolt facility Marystown

AquaBounty announces new site for GMO salmon

Above: AquaBounty fish

US-based GMO salmon farmer AquaBounty has selected an appropriately named venue for its first full scale site – Pioneer, Ohio.

AquaBounty’s AquAdvantage fish are the first GMO (genetically modified organism) salmon in commercial production.

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 tonnes – approximately eight times the size of its existing farm in Albany, Indiana, which has an annual production capacity of 1,200 tonnes. The company is finalising the design for the estimated 479,000 square foot facility and expects to invest over $200m (£143m) in the project. Construction is slated to begin in late 2021 and the company anticipates commercial stocking of salmon to commence in 2023. Once in operation, the farm will bring more than 100 new jobs to the region, the company says. The AquAdvantage fish are Atlantic salmon whose genetic makeup also includes elements of two other fish species, Chinook salmon and ocean pout, in order to achieve faster growth and more efficient feed conversion. The salmon are reared in land-based RAS (recirculating aquaculture system) facilities. This year saw the company’s first commercial harvest AquaBounty’s Chief Executive Officer, Sylvia Wulf, said: “We are excited to announce Pioneer, Ohio as the location of our next farm. After an intensive analysis of the site data and the completion of substantial due diligence, Pioneer met our selection requirements. The Village of Pioneer, Williams County, the State of Ohio, JobsOhio and the Regional Growth Partnership have all been a pleasure to work with and are highly supportive of the economic benefits we plan to bring to the community.”

The state of Ohio is now finalising a package of economic incentives to support AquaBounty’s location at the Pioneer site, Wulf added. The plan for the new farm is contingent upon the approval of state and local incentives. AquaBounty expects to begin construction by the end of this year. British Made Cage Nets In Nylon & Dyneema Predator Exclusion Nets Anti Foul Coatings Ropes - Large Stock All Sizes Floats, Buoys, Cushion Buoys Chain & Chain Weights Tarpaulins