Fish Farmer December 2023 by Fish Farmer Magazine

Fish Farmer

DECEMBER 2023

TROUT

Selcoth Fisheries embrace sustainability

CARP IN THE BATHTUB? Why it’s a Christmas tradition in Poland

Seaweed SSIA Conference 2023: report

HPMAs

What happens now?

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WELCOME

Editor’s welcome

ur cover story this month features Selcoth Fisheries, a freshwater trout farm that shows you do not have to be a big multinational producer to lead the way on sustainability. Selcoth, based near Moffat in south west Scotland, combines the trout business with a sheep farm. The hills in which it nestles provide not only pure water for the fish farm but also renewable energy in the form of hydro power and, soon, solar power too. The couple running the farm, Olly and Shara Routledge, are also committed to promoting biodiversity in this beautiful part of Scotland. Find out how, starting page 42 of this issue. Also in the December magazine, we look at carp, a fish that has long been at the centre of the traditional meal at Christmastime – at least in central and eastern Europe. Closer to home we report from the conference of the Scottish Seaweed Industry Association, held in Oban last month. Seaweed farming is still a very small industry in Scotland and in the west generally, but its potential applications are huge and the conference addressed the question: how can we grow sustainably? Also in this issue, Sandy Neil considers what happens now after the Scottish Government confirmed that its sweeping plans for Highly Protected Marine Areas have been, well, swept to one side. We report on the global outlook for the aquaculture and, specifically, prospects for growth in Vietnam – which is already a major aquaculture nation. And on the shellfish front, Nicki Holmyard talks to the scientists who believe that shipworms – the sailor’s enemy in the days of wooden ships – could be our next nutritious and delicious seafood staple. The biggest problem seems to be the name, although it could be questioned whether the suggested alternative, “naked clams”, is really much more appetising. On behalf of all my colleagues, I wish all our readers a merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous 2024. Best wishes Robert Outram

Robert Outram Serving worldwide aquaculture since 1977 Meet the team E dit oria l a dv is ory boa rd: S t e v e B r a c k e n , H e r v é M ig a u d , J im T r e a s u r e r, C h r is M it c h e ll a n d J a s o n C le a v e r s m it h E dit or: R o b e r t O u t r a m D e s ig ne r: A n d r e w B a l a h u r a C omme rcia l M a na g e r: J a n ic e J o h n s t o n jjohnston@fishfarmermagazine.com Office Administrator: F io n a R o b e r t s o n frobertson@fishfarmermagazine.com P u bl is h e r: Alister Benne� C ov e r: O lly R ou tledg e, Selcoth F isheries

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CONTENTS

Fish F armer

In the December issue... News

What’s happening in the UK and around the world

Processing news

Update from the processing sector

Comment Martin Jaffa

Salmon Scotland Tavish Scott

Shellfish

Nicki Holmyard

Seaweed

Scottish Seaweed Industry Association meets in Oban

Global outlook Vince McDonagh

Environment Sandy Neil

Selcoth Fisheries

EXTREME

ISOMAX

CONDITIONS

Heavy Duty and COMFORTABLE

F R E N C H Manufacturer Est. 1964

Innovative, award-winning trout farmers

Vietnam

Vince McDonagh

Opinion

Federation of European Aquaculture Producers

Freshwater farming

Fiona Nicolson reports on a Christmas tradition

Cod

Latest research from Nofima

Welfare

Compassion in World Farming rates salmon producers

Sustainability

Academics set out framework for reform

What’s new

Monthly update on innovation and solutions

Aqua source directory

Find all you need for the industry

Industry diary

All the latest aquaculture events, conferences and courses

Opinion Nick Joy

6-21 22-23 24-25 26-27 28-29 30-33 34-35 36-41 42-45 46-47 48-49 50-53 54-55 56-57 58-59 60-61 62-64 65 66

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07/12/2023 11:10:23

UNITED KINGDOM NEWS

United Kingdom news

Trials to go ahead for streamlined consenting process

TRIALS for a streamlined consenting process for salmon farms in Scotland are to be launched in two local authorities this month. A blueprint for the new, swifter system has been drawn up by the Consenting Task Group (CTG), set up by the Scottish Aquaculture Council to deliver the regulatory reforms recommended in the independent review by Professor Russel Griggs. The review had called for a streamlined, less bureaucratic process. Shetland Islands Council and Highland Council, both of which have been involved in the CTG, ll e e ﬁr l e ne r le

which aim to reduce duplication. Scottish Sea Farms is submitting an application in Shetland as part of the trial, while other producers are expected to test the system with Highland Council. Scottish Sea Farms Head of Sustainability and Development Anne Anderson, who sits on the CTG along with representatives from Mowi, Bakkafrost and other key stakeholders and government bodies, said there would be multilateral engagement from the start. She explained: “The trial involves a preapplication process where the two main consenting regimes, the local authority planners

and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, work together to examine the information we submit, rather than each body considering applications separately, as happens now. “We’re expecting a two- to threemonth period of preapplication, which will include all stakeholders, then a swift determination post-formal application submissions. All being well, we should be granted planning approval in late autumn 2024, enabling us to open the farm in Q2 2025. “This has been a long process but we all recognised from day one that we weren’t just building a better consenting system, we were also trying to build better relationships. “The working relationship has been really positive and the regulators now better understand the level of expertise the sector puts into every application.” An important part of the trial, said Anderson, would be the evaluation e and den ﬁ a n any “glitches”, with the government commissioning feedback from all parties, including communities, ahead of rolling out the new system to other local authorities.

From the top:

ﬁ ar Professor nne nder n

Bakkafrost confirms barge sinking at Loch Fyne BAKKAFROST Scotland lost a feed barge during bad weather on Loch Fyne on the west coast of Scotland last month, the company has confirmed. Iain MacIntyre, Director of Marine Operations for Bakkafrost Scotland, told Fish Farmer: “Bakkafrost Scotland can confirm that during a period of poor weather, one of our small feed barges in Loch Fyne sank on Wednesday 22 November. “Since then, we have completed the removal of all materials from the vessel to minimise any potential impact. “Recovery plans are currently being developed to arrange for the barge to be lifted. “There were no staff on the barge at the time of the incident and there has been no impact on the salmon on site, which were quickly relocated.”

The barge is believed to have been deployed at Bakkafrost’s Gob a Bharra farm, north of Auchalik Bay, which has a licensed biomass of 1,072 tonnes. In 2021, Bakkafrost Scotland lost a feed barge at its farm site off Portree, Skye, in Storm Arwen. It remained underwater for a year and even once refloated as it was in a hazardous

condition due to toxic gases that had built up as the contents of the barge decomposed. It was not until January 2023 that the process of venting gases was completed. In the case of the latest sinking, the fact that the materials in the barge have been removed means that salvage should be a much more straightforward matter.

Above: Bakkafrost Scotland

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07/12/2023 14:22:56

Mowi wins planning approval for new salmon farm at Kilbrannan Sound MOWI Scotland has secured planning approval for a new salmon farm off the coast of Kintyre on Scotland’s west coast. The farm, at Kilbrannan Sound, is expected to create 10 permanent jobs and is also linked to a major investment by Mowi in the local community harbour in Carradale. The company’s investment will see the construction of a purpose-built shore base, storage facilities and new pontoon. The proposal received unanimous council approval on 28 November. The new farm – North Kilbrannan – will include 12 by 120m compact circular cages with a 400 tonne feed barge. It will hold a maximum of 2,475 tonnes of Atlantic salmon. Mowi Scotland already operates a farm nearby at Carradale. en adﬁeld, COO at Mowi Scotland, said: “We are pleased to have received unanimous support from Argyll and

Bute Council for this development at Kilbrannan Sound. Over the past five years, our teams of marine biologists, oceanographers and data analysts have listened and responded to local concerns raised and highlighted the many economic and sustainability credentials of the development. With this approval we look forward to moving ahead to expand on the local and national benefits our business provides. Mowi’s award as the world’s most sustainable protein producer, received from the Coller FAIRR Protein roducer Index for the fifth year running, was cited by the committee in the detailed Environmental Impact Assessment that supported the application. Mowi said that, following the decision, community engagement for the harbour upgrade will continue to ensure positive social and economic impacts are realised.

Independence would strengthen marine sector, says Scottish Government AN independent Scotland would be able to invest more in its marine economy while protecting the environment more effectively, according to a paper published last month by the Scottish Government. The paper, Marine Sector in an Independent Scotland, sets out benefits of independence in relation to the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, management of the environment and the development of offshore renewable energy. It also makes the case for joining/rejoining the European Union. The paper was presented by Mairi Gougeon, Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands Secretary in the Scottish Government, in the coastal town of Dunbar. Gougeon added: “The marine economy currently faces many challenges, many arising from Brexit, which has adversely impacted Scotland’s coastal and island communities, businesses and industries. We lost

Above: Mairi Gougeon

freedom of movement and got new barriers to seafood trade. It also meant a loss of fishing opportunities for parts of Scotland’s fleet. An independent Scotland could rejoin the EU, gaining access to the biggest single market in the world and reclaiming those benefits.” The paper argues that promises made during the Brexit referendum about safeguarding Scotland’s fishing industry have not been kept and that Brexit has created new barriers to trade for Scotland’s seafood exports to the EU. The salmon sector alone estimates that postBrexit red tape is costing

around £3m. Ending freedom of movement across borders has also been problematic for the seafood sector in Scotland. The Scottish Government also says that current constitutional limitations “constrain Scotland’s marine interests” with no powers to negotiate fishing quotas. In addtion, the Scottish Government addresses the issue of the Common Fisheries Policy. Although many voters in fishing communities saw this as a reason for leaving the EU, the paper says: “The overarching aims of the CFP are goals that the Scottish Government strongly supports and has much to contribute to.” The paper says that Scotland would have the opportunity to help bring about reform of the CFP. It does not, however, address the issue of how to continue seamless trade with the rest of the UK once Scotland is part of the EU single market.

Top: Ben Hadﬁeld Above: Carradale

Aqua Agenda:

Fish Health webinar IN 2022, Scotland’s fish farming industry saw a high level of mortalities, which took a heavy toll on harvest numbers, profits and the reputation of the sector. This January, Fish Farmer will be bringing a panel of experts together online for a webinar to discuss the lessons that have been learned, what the outcomes looked like in 2023 and what the prospects are for better fish health and survival rates in future. Our panel, introduced by Robert Outram, Editor, Fish Farmer, includes Ronnie Soutar, Head of Veterinary Services with Scottish Sea Farms and Charles Allan, Head of the Fish Health Inspectorate. The webinar takes place at 11.30am on 24 anuary 2024.To find out more or to register your interest, please email Fiona Robertson on frobertson@ fishfarmermaga ine.com.

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07/12/2023 14:24:48

UNITED KINGDOM NEWS

Salmon even more popular with UK consumers, data shows

Above: Salmon Below right: Tavish Scott

SALMON’S position as the UK’s favourite seafood has been further strengthened, the latest retail figures show. Sales figures for the year to September 2023, compiled by industry authority Seafish with marketing group Nielsen, reveal that salmon sales totalled around £1.25bn, up 3.2% on the same period last year. Salmon accounted for around 30% of total fish sales, which were around £4.18bn. In the chilled seafood sector, salmon increased its value share of the top 10 chilled species to 48.7% (+0.9 points), selling around four times its nearest competitor, warm water prawns. While inflation has driven prices of all seafood higher, salmon increased at a lower rate than the overall food and drink category. The figures are based on data gathered from supermarkets and other large multiple retailers but do not include seafood bought directly from fishing vessels or from independent shops and fishmongers. The seafood table in full is: • Fish: £4,177,098,000 – (2.5%) • Total salmon: £1,245,704,000 – (3.2%) • Cod: £475,972,000 – (0.3%) • Tuna: £408,604,000 – (0.4%) • Warm-water prawns: £405,062,000 – (2.4%) • Mixed seafood: £224,868,000 – (0.7%) • Haddock: £221,678,000 – (3.0%) • Pollock: £209,388,000 – (21.4%) • Cold water prawns: £184,157,000 – (0.7%) • Mackerel: £124,886,000 – (0.4%) • Other: £676,779,000 – (3.3%) This week, Scottish Parliament marked St Andrew’s Day with an event celebrating Scottish food and drink, including Scottish salmon. Separately, the British Embassy in Paris once again hosted an event to celebrate the global success of Scottish salmon. Tavish Scott, Chief Executive of Salmon Scotland, said: “Scottish salmon’s success as the UK’s biggest food export is well-known, but salmon is also by far the most popular fish here at home as well. “Salmon accounts for nearly a third of all UK seafood sales, with consumers eager for a highly nutritious meal that is locally sourced. “While this is fantastic news for the health of the nation, it’s also a reminder that salmon is vital for our economy, supporting thousands of jobs – both in remote coastal communities and right across Scotland. “As we mark St Andrew’s Day, I pay tribute to our dedicated farmers and everyone working in the supply chain who are striving to meet the demand for the country’s favourite fish.”

Innovation body SAIC in talks to secure future funding EFFORTS are underway to secure funding for the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) after its main source of support looks set to end in July next year. SAIC, originally known as the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre, has played a key role in funding and coordinating research and innovation in the aquaculture space. While it receives some funding from Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) is its main backer. The SFC, which has a budget of around £2bn to support tertiary education and research throughout Scotland, supports seven innovation centres, including SAIC. Earlier this year, the SFC reviewed its innovation strategy with the help of an independent panel.This looks almost certain to leave at least some of these, including SAIC, seeking alternative funding. The existing grant of £10m from the SFC runs from 2019 up to July 2024. After that, SAIC will need to look elsewhere for support for its funded pro ects (ranging from cleaner fish welfare to monitoring algal blooms) and 16 staff. A spokesperson for the SFC said: “The review did not suggest that the innovation centres were not effective but we are looking to align our investment with our strategic priorities. e are still finalising details but we are working with SAIC and partners in government to find funders more suitable to their mission. e are operating in a challenging financial environment.” A spokesperson for SAIC said: “When SAIC, along with the other innovation centres, was created nearly a decade ago, it was always intended that the funding model with the Scottish Funding Council would change over time. During the latest review process undertaken by the SFC, it was decided that the current model was no longer suitable and we have now decided to seek out alternative options. “Innovation in aquaculture continues to be a priority for Scotland and our partners, including the Scottish Government. SAIC’s mission remains the same: to maximise the economic potential of Scotland’s aquaculture sector through innovation, while minimising its environmental footprint. “We are working closely with the Scottish Government, the SFC and other partners on our funding and delivery arrangements beyond July 2024. We know there is a strong desire to ensure that we can continue our impactful work into the future. It is business as usual for SAIC and we are confident of a bright future delivering for the sector.”

Clockwise from above: Scottish Pavilion, Barcelona; salmon farm; ballan wrasse

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07/12/2023 14:25:50

Loch Duart salmon features on breakfast show menu INTERNATIONAL bestselling author and cook The Hebridean Baker – Coinneach MacLeod – appeared on ITV’s This Morning to share one of his recipes, which uses Loch Duart Salmon. As he prepared his recipe for Loch Duart Salmon Wellington, he shared his passion for quality Scottish produce and displayed the home-cooking skills, which made him so successful around the world. MacLeod has created two bespoke Loch Duart Salmon recipes for his new book, The Hebridean Baker: At Home. MacLeod told presenters Alison Hammond and Craig Doyle that Loch Duart Salmon Wellington “…would make a perfect Christmas Day alternative” and was “…a bit of a showstopper for the table.” Both This Morning hosts tucked into The Hebridean Baker’s prepared Loch Duart Salmon Wellington, with Hammond, who had explained that I’m not really a ﬁsh person saying “…that is lovely.” MacLeod has visited some of Loch Duart’s salmon farms in Uist in the Hebrides, where he grew up. The company prides itself on low-impact, small-scale farming methods and in particular the salmon’s diet, high in marine content and rich in omega-3, which the company says contributes to an “amazing” taste.

Above: Loch Duart Salmon Wellington by The Hebridean Baker

Anti-ageing supplement ‘could help salmon’ A diet supplement already consumed by humans for its anti-ageing benefits could be used to help salmon digest feed and improve their natural disease resistance, with feed trials kicking off next month. A team of aquaculture and veterinary experts are looking at the impact of adding spermidine – a compound found in vegetables, cereals and soybean products – into fish feed to support the breakdown of fatty acids and maintain optimal immune function in adult fish. The project is being led by the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute and recently received more than £150,000 in funding from the UK Seafood Innovation Fund (SIF), with additional support from the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC). Seafood producer Mowi and the University of Stirling’s Institute of Aquaculture are also partners in the research. As the sector continues to move towards a spectrum of more sustainable plantbased feed ingredients, vegetable and algal oils are becoming increasingly common ingredients in farm-raised fish feeds. Kanchan Phadwal, research fellow at the Roslin Institute, said: “Just like humans, as fish get older and grow to their full size, their systems slow down and become weaker. Fatty acids are essential for nutrition and disease resistance but retrieval from their storage in fat tissue can be difficult, particularly when derived from plant-based oils and as fish age. “The spermidine supplement we are planning to use will give fish a helping

hand to extract the healthy fats, regulating the immune response and boosting health and wellbeing overall. It is already delivering great results for humans and we anticipate it will have a similar impact for aquaculture.” The researchers hope that supplementing feeds with spermidine could ultimately maintain the sharpness of the salmon’s immune response and natural ability to fight virus-induced diseases such as cardiomyopathies, for which there is currently no vaccine available. The supplement, which is sold as an antiageing ingredient for people, will help to break down stored fats, giving the fish more energy and helping to maintain the balance between omega-3 and omega-6, which is important for anti-inflammatory processes. The potential impact spermidine has

on humans has also been explored in numerous studies, including an ongoing clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of the supplement in maintaining immune responses in elderly humans to the Covid-19 vaccination. Heather Jones, CEO of SAIC, added: “As the sector seeks to minimise its environmental impact, sustainable feed ingredients are increasingly becoming the norm for aquaculture. But this must be balanced to ensure that we are delivering the best recipes for fish health and nutrition. “This research is a great example of thinking differently, applying the One Health approach whereby efforts are made to transfer knowledge about the health and wellbeing of one species – in this case, humans – to another, salmon.”

Above: Salmon age, as we all do

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07/12/2023 14:26:41

UNITED KINGDOM NEWS

Scottish salmon exports leap 7% year-on-year THE value of Scottish salmon exports has jumped by 7% in a year as international demand continues to grow, according to the latest data from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). An analysis of the HMRC data by trade body Salmon Scotland shows that, for the first three quarters of 2023 to September, there was a rise of £33m to £478m. On a rolling annual basis, exports stand at £611m – confirming Scottish salmon’s place as the UK’s top food export. The findings come at the end of international trade week, with the UK Government stating that Scottish salmon is “rightly renowned around the globe and is also of huge importance for many of our coastal communities”. In the first nine months of the year, 53,000 tonnes of Scottish salmon were exported to more than 50 countries, enough for more than 250m healthy, nutritious meals.

The EU continues to be the key destination for exports, accounting for £287m worth of the total over the ﬁrst three quarters. France remains the single largest market for Scottish salmon, with sales of £211m, although more exports are heading to other EU hubs such as the Netherlands or direct to markets further aﬁeld, resulting in a fall. Elsewhere, exports of Scottish salmon beyond the EU increased 15% to £191m,

with one-in-ﬁve salmon heading to the US (£113m – up 11%). Export growth in Asia increased by more than 40% in value (+41%) and volume (+42%) to £66m and 5,400 tonnes respectively. Salmon Scotland is currently taking steps to protect the product through a proposed update of Scottish salmon’s protected geographic indication status. UK Government Minister for Scotland John Lamont said: “Scottish salmon is a great British export success story and it's fantastic to see this esteemed product going from strength to strength. “Our biggest food export is rightly renowned around the globe and is also of huge importance for many of our coastal communities, supporting thousands of jobs all over Scotland.” Tavish Scott, Chief Executive of Salmon Scotland, commented: “These export ﬁgures underline the vital importance of Scottish salmon to the UK economy.”

Soil Association consults on organic standards THE Soil Association has launched a consultation on potential changes to its standards for organic fish farming. With innovation within fish farming happening at a fast pace, the charity has this year been reviewing rules for organic producers and the proposals are now open for the public to comment on. Soil Association Head of Standards Chris Atkinson said: “Organic farmers are pioneers in sustainable food production and it is essential that our standards keep them at the leading edge of best practice. As

part of our policy to keep all organic standards under review, we are proposing an update to our aquaculture standards to align them with the most recent research and developments to organic standards across Europe.” Proposals include measures to further improve welfare standards for Atlantic salmon and the wrasse and lumpfish sometimes farmed with them, as well as stricter rules to better manage sea lice and lessen potential impacts on the environment. Additional requirements are also proposed for feed processors to record data on what feed is used to generate more evidence, which can help progress the standards as part of the ongoing evolution of best practice. A second stage of the review is also planned for 2024, which is due to look at other species and respond to expected developments in legislation around aquaculture from Scottish Government. The consultation is open until Monday 29 January 2024. To take part, visit www.soilassociation.org.

CIEL looks to spearhead aquaculture innovation THE Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock (CIEL) is inviting aquaculture stakeholders to join Open Innovation Groups (OIGs) to combat industry challenges and pioneer innovation. Martin Sutcliffe, CIEL’s aquaculture specialist, explained how CIEL’s targeted resources will drive the development of projects that address the innovation priorities of each UK nation, ensuring deliverable, tangible impact. “Facilitated by CIEL, based on feedback from our four nations workshops, the OIGs will offer a unique opportunity for industry and academia to collaborate and innovate in a safe, precompetitive space,” he said. He explained that by joining an OIG, members will gain access to a reservoir of knowledge and collaborative opportunities

that aim to attract investment, drive innovation and secure the UK’s position as a leader in sustainable aquaculture practices. “We can help identify new ways to solve complex challenges and inform and inﬂuence industry priorities. “This will speed up the translation of ideas into innovative solutions and position businesses at the forefront of innovation,” he said. Whilst the industry faces nationspeciﬁc challenges, from environmental bioremediation to disease control, Sutcliffe said he is optimistic that solutions can be found. “Our stakeholder workshops held across the four nations throughout 2023

have proven the success of industry collaboration. “A wide range of ideas were discussed at the workshops and the OIGs will move the ideas from the drawing board and into action,” he said “The goal is to build upon this engagement work and leverage our world-class research and industry network to meet and exceed our innovation priorities through the development of Open Innovation Groups.” For more information, visit Accelerating Innovation in Aquaculture at the CIEL site: cielivestock.co.uk. Above: Martin Sutcliffe

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07/12/2023 14:29:50

Photo: Marcus Emmerson Photography

Cooke consults on Bakkafrost threatens activist with legal action Orkney farms expansion

Above: Don Staniford at the Scottish Parliament

BAKKAFROST Scotland looks set to be the third salmon company in quick succession to take legal action against anti-fish farming activist on Staniford. The company has sent a warning to the campaigner via its solicitors Shepherd and Wedderburn, requesting that he stops trespassing on its sites and taking clandestine video footage. The letter states: “Your client’s actions are not only unacceptable to our client because he is accessing our client’s property without its consent, but because at least some of his actions pose a danger to himself, our client’s staff and the individuals who accompany him. our client’s actions also eopardise the welfare of our client’s fish. It also points out that there are no grounds to believe that Staniford and his associates are complying with the company’s strict biosecurity measures or that they have relevant training to allow them to do so. The letter stresses: “While our client respects your client’s right to peacefully and lawfully protest, and in no way seeks to interfere with the responsible exercise of that right, this does not give him the right to board, access or otherwise interfere with our client’s property. In October, the Sherriff Court in Oban upheld an interdict (court order) requested by Mowi, barring on Staniford from boarding, entering onto, physically occupying, attaching himself to, attaching vessels to or approaching within 15 metres of all structures, docks, walkways, buildings, floats or pens of Mowi’s salmon aquaculture farms flying unmanned aircraft, also known as drones, above Mowi’s salmon aquaculture farms and instructing, procuring, encouraging or facilitating others to so act and for an extended interdict ad interim. Earlier this month Scottish Sea Farms (also known as Norskott avbruk), which is ointly owned by orwegian salmon groups Ler y and SalMar, began legal proceedings for a similar interdict. on Staniford and his organisation camon cotland (formerly known as Scottish Salmon atch) have carried out unauthorised filming at salmon and trout farming sites for some years to highlight what they argue are environmental and welfare abuses. In his response to the latest threat, Staniford said: akkafrost is an ethically and environmentally bankrupt bully. Standing up to all the bullies lining up to silence surveillance of salmon farming is the only option.The orwegian almafia may have a salmonopoly on Scottish’ salmon but they will never own the truth. Unlike salmon pharmers, the camera never lies. Last month, Staniford and his supporters ended a campaigning tour of the UK with a protest outside the Scottish arliament in Edinburgh.

SALMON producer Cooke Aquaculture is consulting with the local community on plans to relocate and expand its farms at three sites in Orkney in the north of Scotland. As part of the consultation, Cooke held meetings on 28 and 29 November in Westray and Papa Westray respectively to spell out the plans for the three sites: Vestness, Skelwick Skerry and Cleat North. Vestness would be relocated approximately 300m further from the coastline of Papa Westray in a southwest direction. Whilst there would be no increase in the tonnage of fish farmed at the site, Cooke says, the equipment would be upgraded to comprise 10 by 120m circumference salmon pens arranged in two rows of five pens. The existing feed barge will be moored to the north of the relocated site. At the Skelwick Skerry site, Cooke plans to increase biomass from 2,500 tonnes to 4,000 tonnes, with 8 by 160m pens replacing the existing 130m pens. The company’s rationale is that this is a high-energy site, which makes it better for fish welfare and the environment. In its consultation, Cooke says: “Several production cycles at the existing site have shown that the high-energy environment at this location creates optimal growing conditions that promote excellent fish welfare whilst also minimising our interactions with the environment.

“Upgrading the pens from 130m circumference to 160m circumference will enable an increase in production whilst making the equipment consistent with that at our new high-energy site at East Moclett. This will improve operational efficiency whilst also providing a safer working environment for our staff.” At Cleat North, the farm site would be relocated approximately 200m from the coastline of Westray. The site would consist of 14 by 120m circumference salmon pens arranged in two rows of seven pens with an associated increase in maximum biomass from 960 tonnes to 2,885 tonnes. A new dual-purpose feed and storage barge will be permanently moored at the northwest end of the site. Cooke says the expansion at Cleat North is required because the development of its second “high-energy” farm, East Moclett in the North Sound, and the potential expansion of East Skelwick, has led to an increased requirement for juvenile fish and fish feed storage facilities. Murray Spooner, Communications Manager at Cooke Aquaculture Scotland, said: “As one of the largest employers in Orkney and the Northern Isles, we are committed to keeping rural communities viable.” Responses to the consultation are invited by 27 December.

Above: Vestness site plan

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07/12/2023 14:30:33

EUROPEAN NEWS

European news

Andfjord Salmon completes first harvest

Above:

NORWEGIAN land a ed fi ar n an nd rd al n a arr ed fir la er l e an n al n ne e ll find n r fi re a n el e e an a a e ed a rd ar er era n n e ar nd a re r ed al r er a an al n a e n e r e e a ed n e r re n a ed n a r e n l l n nd rd a d a earl n e rd ar er le ed na ral ar e al n r n re l n l d n an nd r lead n r al ra e and er r are e al a lan al rea ed nne e alen e nne H e an a d n r n

r a alne n e land nd a n e r r ela e er len n n e a ll a e e an al ann n ed a e e e a a n l r e rren ld e le ed d rn e fir ar er ree n a ead ed le n l l e e ll final e r d rn e fir

Above: nd rd n r n e e er Below: nd rd al n n an

da e a a

Sagging krone further boosts Norway’s salmon exports NORWAY’S seafood exports for November totalled NOK 16.7 billion (£1.2bn), 17% up on November last year. Again, farmed salmon was the main driver in this seemingly never-ending overseas sales surge. So far this year, Norway has exported seafood worth NOK 158.2bn (£11.5bn), 15% up over the same period in 2022. The decline in the value of the krone has been quite marked. Today it is worth NOK 13.7 against the sterling, compared with NOK 11.25 against March last year, its strongest point. Christian Chramer, CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Council, said: “This year, the value will end at more than NOK 170bn (£1.24bn), for which we can largely thank the weak Norwegian krone. “The euro, which is our most important trading currency, has strengthened by 14% against the Norwegian krone in the past year.” Chramer said November was a particularly good month for salmon.

ar er ne ear a rea ar r ld a alne a d ar n a en C nd rd al n e l e a a n r rea a n rea ed le n r a e end e an a d a d r n e ﬁr ar er ne ear n ra r ll e read n ae n r n e ﬁr r l ll n rea e nd rd al n r d n l e nne H n a en added r re a ead ed le n e earl a e r de added e l r e e en r rea de r e ld and red e e r a l n an ed err n e n r n er r an e ar l en ra n

“Increased volume and higher prices compared to the same period last year testify that there is an increase in demand in the market,” he added. Norway’s salmon farmers exported fish worth NOK 11.7bn (£854m) last month, up 18% on a year ago. Poland, France and the Netherlands were the main markets last month. Poland, which is Europe’s largest salmon processing country, had the greatest rise, with an increase in export value of NOK 568 million (£41.4m) or 43% compared with November last year. In volume terms, sales were 20% higher at 22,887 tonnes. The Seafood Council said there were three reasons for the increase – volume, currency factors and price factors out in the markets. Seafood Council analyst and salmon expert Paul T Aandahl said: “Price increases at the same time as volume growth show that there is still growth in demand for salmon compared with the same period last year.”

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07/12/2023 14:37:28

Nordic Halibut on track to hit production goals

an average sales price of NOK 147 per kilo. The company harvested 131 tonnes, with an average harvest weight of 4.8kg during the quarter. The total revenue during the July to September period rose by 23% year on year to NOK 17m (£1.25m). In line with expectations, the EBITDA came in at minus NOK 13.9m (just over £1m) and an accounting loss for the period, which ended at NOK 21.5m (£1.6m). The financing of the company’s land-based facility at Tingvoll has

been secured. Construction began in August, enabling the realisation of the second phase in growth. Meanwhile, growth of the phase one value chain was completed with the Batnfjorden site approval, with the first fish put to sea in the on-growing facility during the quarter. Earlier in November, Nordic Halibut announced the successful securing of NOK 230m (£17m) in financing for Tingvoll. The money will enable the long-term growth plan of 10,350 tonnes by 2031 to proceed according to plan.

Pancreatic disease reported at Mowi farms

PANCREATIC disease was detected at two Mowi salmon sites in the north of Norway towards the end of November and confirmed by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. Mowi will be required to empty the facilities quickly in order to avoid a spread of the infection. Pancreatic disease (PD) is regarded as a highly contagious disease that leads to poor fish health and heavy losses for the salmon industry. Geir Arne Ystmark, Regional Director of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority’s north region said: “The Norwegian Food Safety Authority takes the PD detection seriously. The area north of the PD zone must be kept free of the disease.” Mowi first notified the Food Safety Authority of the suspicion in Nordland county earlier in the month, after an analysis result from the laboratory was positive for PD.

AROUND a million young salmon have been lost a a al ar e n en a r a d r n a ell fi incident, it has been disclosed. SalMar said in a statement last night that in d e er fi ar er a e l a n rn rd n n en a er ed a n fi an and rea en n n a are n n n r a as) pearl normans or perles normanetes. The species, Apolemia uvaria al n n a r n ell fi and a e n re colonial organism. While it appears to be one an al a all a lle e all de enden nd d al e a e e e al ar a d e dead fi ere al re rded e da la er e e en ell fi n rea ed r er and e e en da a e e fi n rea ed n ren rfi el are rea n al ar ere re de ded de r all e fi n e e r a r ed e er e le r an e ernal e er en a n en el n a hour basis to deal with the acute and deplorable situation that arose due to this unusual and len n a n earl n r an The operation was completed over three to r da “Perles normanetes have also been observed at other locations in central and northern Norway a l ed e en al ar added e an a d ell fi are ne e eral r a r n fi ar n rare a e a e da a e efi a n ae e al ar l a n n r a a een e ed er l ell fi a a er a n er years, the company said. e an a d e n den ll n a e al ar finan all e nd e al e e de r ed fi n r ll a e an a on guided slaughter volume. e l a n ad a r a el ll n al n an a era e e l n l e ell fi a a e r al ra e a e l a n a a r a el C l ne e earl n r an ell fi dr e ean rren e are all nd r e a er n r e ra e a dee a e re n re en ear e a e been seen appearing in larger numbers along the Norwegian coast.

The authority took verifying samples a few days later. The samples were then analysed and the PD diagnosis was confirmed last Thursday. The Food Safety Authority says everyone who travels in the area or carries out activities related to fish farming must show the necessary care so that the risk of spreading the disease is reduced. It is important to map the infection status in the area quickly, it added. Regulations on PD control require that the localities within a radius of 30km from the localities with proven PD must be followed up with extended sampling within seven days. It is the producers themselves who will be responsible for this sampling. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority has reminded them of this duty. The authority adds that the disease has no impact on human health and it is safe to eat the fish. Above: Apolemia uvaria

Photo: Filippo Fratini

NORDIC Halibut says it is well on the way to achieving its production target of 4,500 tonnes within the next three years and 10,500 tonnes by 2031. Presenting its third quarter figures for this year, the company said a strong approach to biological control had led to a new commercial strategy, which will yield better results with higher margins and increased full run-rate production volumes. The upward trend in sales prices seen year on year persisted into the third quarter period, registering

SalMar loses salmon in jellyfish attack

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07/12/2023 14:39:57

EUROPEAN NEWS

NEWS IN BRIEF

European producers call for Common Aquaculture Policy

Arctic Fish ﬁlls two senior roles

ICELANDIC salmon farmer Arctic Fish has made two new key appointments. The Mowi-owned company has named John Gunnar Grindskar as its new Chief Operating fi er and Bald r r nar n a ne Financial Director. Grindskar, who joins from Mowi in Norway, takes up his post in the next few days, while Einarsson, a een r n n r finan e department, starts on 1 January. Grindskar will be responsible for all of the company’s farming and seafood operations. He a a rea deal e er en e n fi ar n a n joined Mowi in Norway in 1992. Since then he has held a number of positions with the business, most recently as Regional Manager of Mowi in central Norway. Top: John Gunnar Grindskar Above: Bald r

nar

Salmon Evolution sets biomass record LAND- a ed ﬁ ar er al n Evolution has passed yet another milestone with its highest-ever biomass at 2,100 tonnes, up from 1,047 tonnes at 30 June. In its

report for Q3 of this year, the an era e a rd through facility at Indre Harøy on the Norwegian west coast, said biological performance had been strong. Parts of batch three were harvested in September, yielding 185 tonnes HOG with 96% superior share, tight weight concentration and good price realisation. Salmon Evolution is e e n a n ﬁ an ra harvest volumes in Q4 to 1,000 to 1,200 tonnes head-on gutted (or HOG).

Björk pledges song proceeds to help ﬁght salmon farming in Iceland

BJÖRK, Iceland’s best-known international star, has continued her campaign against salmon farming. Working once again with the Spanish singer Rosalia, she said all the proceeds from her latest song would ard e fi a a n fi ar n and en en ar n n particular. “Fish farming must stop – and we will make it stop,” she said. The song Oral has been released on One Little Independent Records, with a video featuring the two singers squaring off with samurai rd e r eed ll r a la a a n fi ar n initiated by a group of people in the town of Seyðisfjörður on Iceland’s east coast.

AQUACULTURE in Europe faces continued stagnation unless there is concerted action on the part of the European Union to give greater priority to food production. So says the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) in its response to reports last month from the European Court of Auditors (ECA) and European Commission (EC). The ECA report, Stagnating production and unclear results despite increased EU funding, was highly critical of the EU’s efforts to grow the aquaculture sector and warned that Europe faces falling further behind other producers such as Norway and the UK. In its response to that, the EC admitted that aquaculture is still stagnating in the EU but said its strategy for growth – including initiatives such as the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and its aquaculture strategy rolled out in 2021 – is ongoing. It is still too early to judge whether it is succeeding. FEAP says: “…the current stagnation status of aquaculture in

the EU can be solved if the right actions are taken.” Ineffective spatial planning for aquaculture and complicated licensing procedures are, FEAP says, “mere symptoms of a problem, not the actual causes behind the situation”. a den ﬁed area r action: ambition and cohesion. addre e ﬁr ee FEAP says: “Food production in the EU must become an objective with similar levels of importance as environmental protection.” On the cohesion front, FEAP says the EU needs a Common Aquaculture Policy, either as part of the existing Common Fisheries Policy or incorporated into the Common Agricultural Policy.

Above: Fish farm in Greece

Norcod sales up but profits yet to emerge NORWEGIAN cod farmer Norcod has reported a solid jump in its third quarter revenues this year, along with good progress in other areas. Sales were up from NOK 2m (£150,000) 12 months ago to NOK 21m (£1.55m) this time. The company also saw heavy investment in its biomass to fortify its marker position, along with the successful integration of its operation at Kråkøy Slakteri and obtaining a new production site at Bjørnvika. r fi re a n el ea e en and e an re r ed a operating loss of NOK 28m or just over £2m. Lower than expected sales prices emerged at the start of the period, which also had an effect. Norcod said: “The acquisition process of the harvest facility Kråkøy Slakteri AS has been completed successfully. The successful vertical integration of Kråkøy is an important step to create a robust and rea l ned ne del e enefi a r e r ea n a r r a l a e red n and era nal e fi en enhanced process control and exploration of value-added services.” This move aligns with a long-term vision of higher customer satisfaction, cost savings and market expansion, the company added.

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07/12/2023 14:42:10

Too many deformed salmon being exported, says regulator

THE Norwegian Food Safety Authority has found that salmon is being sent out of the country with wounds, deformities and other issues. The authority said a total of 49 inspections were carried out and it was found that 24 of them did not meet the required regulations. The purpose of the requirements in the regulation is to promote good quality of fish and fish products for consumers, and to contribute to market access for Norwegian fish and fish products abroad. Farmed fish must be sorted out domestically so that fish with various wounds, deformities, gross processing errors or internal quality defects are not sold abroad

for human consumption. The aim of the regulations is partly to protect the overseas reputation of Norwegian farmed fish. The authority said the inspections were carried out after it received messages and tips from within the industry and from other sources that an increasing number of wounded or otherwise deformed fish were being sent out of the country. “We encourage the industry to ensure that their industry standards provide a comprehensive description of the regulatory requirements,” says Elisabeth Wilmann, Director of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. She added that the rules were in effect quality regulations to protect customers, as well as defending the reputation of Norwegian fish. The authority believes the number of wounded fish finding their way overseas was becoming a growing problem.

Norway’s Salmon Price Council to be in place ‘before Christmas’ THE Norwegian Government is pressing ahead with its plan to appoint a council to set the price norms that will be used as a basis for the new salmon tax. The new tax, which is expected to net up to £400m a year for the orwegian exchequer, is being ﬁercely opposed by the country’s aquaculture sector. Finance Minister Trygve Vedum said that the council will be appointed before the Christmas break. The prices assessed by the council, on the basis of market information, will be used to calculate the amount of tax levied from ﬁsh farmers.They will be binding in terms of their effect on tax liability, both for the companies and for the tax authorities. The government believes the system will be simpler for the companies and reduce the need for control by the tax authorities – and with it possible disputes. It is also intended to be simpler for the smallest producers. The industry’s main complaint is that companies will be taxed on deemed income, not the income they are actually earning. The council will be able to set binding prices for use in the calculation of income subject to the ground rent tax but only from 1 July next year, the government said.The industry will help determine prices in the meantime. The council’s task will be to determine market values “at the edge of the cage” for salmon, trout and rainbow trout, so that the producers can use these prices as a basis when calculating their gross income. Above: Trygve Vedum

Fish Farmer WEBINAR AQUA AGENDA

FISH HEALTH & WELFARE Last year, 2022, Scotland’s salmon farming industry saw a high level of mortalities that took a heavy toll on harvest numbers, profits and the reputation of the sector. In January, Fish Farmer magazine will be bringing a panel of experts together online for a webinar to discuss the lessons that have been learned, what the outcomes looked like in 2023 and what the prospects are for better fish health and survival rates in future.

DATE:

If you are interested in joining the webinar online – or if you would like to find out more about webinar sponsorship opportunities – please contact Fiona Robertson - frobertson@fishfarmermagazine.com

SCAN HERE

WEDNESDAY 24 JANUARY 2024

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07/12/2023 14:43:34

EUROPEAN NEWS

AKVA Group warns of salmon tax impact

THE AKVA Group, the world’s largest supplier of aquaculture services and solutions, has warned that the salmon tax is having a negative impact on the level of activity in the sea-based business – and on land-based operations. Presenting its results for the third quarter, the company said that the group delivered slightly reduced third-quarter revenues of NOK 817m (£60m) against NOK 840m (£62m) a year ago. EBITDA, however, increased over the year to NOK 78m (£5.7m) compared with NOK 25m (£1.83m) in Q3 2022, while the EBIT was up at NOK 29m (£2.1m) from a deficit of NOK 59m (£4.3m) in Q3 last year. AKVA said profitability in the sea-based business was “acceptable” but land based was facing high costs and slow demand.

Bakkafrost salmon hitches ride on ‘sustainable’ flight ON 28 November, a Virgin Atlantic plane carried out the first transatlantic flight fuelled entirely by sustainable aviation fuel – and it was carrying a cargo of salmon from the aroe Islands. The consignment of fresh salmon came from aroese producer akkafrost, which said its participation in the flight was part of the company’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.The trial flight was carried out in collaboration with Virgin Atlantic and distributors Kuehne + agel. Sustainable aviation fuel (SA ) comes from non-petroleum sources, typically

waste products or sidestreams derived from oils and fats, municipal solid waste or woody biomass. According to the US Department of Energy, SA has the potential – depending on the feedstock used – to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 4% compared with normal et fuel. The SA used on light100 is a unique dual blend 88% hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids ( E A) supplied by Air and 12% synthetic aromatic kerosene (SAK), supplied by irent, a subsidiary of Marathon etroleum Corporation.The E A is made from waste fats, while the SAK is made from waste plant sugars. egin acobsen, akkafrost CEO, said: e are committed to being a sustainable business in every sense and with the increasing focus on sustainable exports and airfreight across the world.This SA approach is an important development for the future. SA represents less than 0.1% of et fuel volumes. uel standards only allow for a 50% SA blend in commercial et engines. The irgin Atlantic ﬂight demonstrates, akkafrost said, the potential of SA as a 100% replacement for fossil fuels.

Volcano crisis: fish farmer battles to Grieg confident new post-smolt unit will bring results save business assignment is the construction end n e ean ar GRIEG Seafood has said its plan ﬁ

Above: There have been fears that there

ld e a re ea e Fagradasfjall near Grindavik

FISH farming and fishing companies around the beleaguered town of Grindavik have been saving what they can of their businesses from being engulfed by a feared volcanic eruption. In the worst-case scenario, the port could be lost for good, with problems likely to remain for years. Seismic activity has declined slightly in the last couple of weeks, but the authorities have been warning that the danger is not yet past. Meanwhile the famous Blue Lagoon hot spring remained closed as this magazine went to print. A processing factory belonging to the Arctic char fish farmer Matorka has already suffered major damage. Company Managing Director Arni Pall Einarsson told the broadcaster RUV that while he had lost a lot of fish, there was still a great deal of biomass at the base. He said “This is an emotional loss. The conditions on the ground are challenging.”

to invest millions of kroner in a new post-smolt unit in Norway’s Finnmark region will lead to an improvement nfi eal and el are The company has now published more details about the new land-based facility, which is estimated to cost ar nd n It will produce 300 tonnes of l ar n n Grieg CEO Andreas Kvame explained: “Post-smolt improves r al fi eal and el are as well as sea lice control, according to Grieg Seafood’s e er en e r aland “We are working across the ard r efi ea el are and l al n r l Post-smolt is an important tool ad an e e e e e He added: “Our aim is to find e r alan e e een land-based and ocean-based farming, and ultimately achieve a na le r The post-smolt approach means that a larger part of the production cycle takes place on land or in closed containment facilities, reducing the time the

ean e ﬁ are le exposed to diseases, sea lice and other challenges in the ean B ﬁ el are and ea l e n r l ll r e Grieg Seafood has until now piloted post-smolt in its farming re n n aland e re l so far, it says, are improved lice control and fewer lice treatments when post-smolt is combined with other re en e ea re e ne unit is an extension of Grieg Seafood’s existing smolt facility n r ral e e n nn ar The lead building contractor will be construction company Consto, which has been awarded the overall contract r e r e n l ded n e

a a Consto will collaborate with Pure Salmon Technology, which has been given responsibility for e r e en neer n a l Consto’s Regional Project Manager Fredrik Alver Okkenhaug said: “We are sincerely grateful that Grieg Seafood has chosen us as a partner in this exciting and r ard l n r e The plant will consist of two post-smolt modules, each with a a a eed per day and a vessel volume e re Construction is expected to a e ear e ﬁr smolt from the new unit will be ea n

Above: Grieg smolt plant, Lebesby, Consto

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07/12/2023 14:45:48

Arnarlax owner faces high lice bill A recent serious salmon lice infestation could cost the Icelandic Salmon company (also known as Arnarlax) up to £5m. In October, Icelandic Salmon decided to take out significant volumes of fish from Tálknafjörður in the Westfjords region of Iceland, in response to the lice numbers.

Icelandic Salmon, which is owned by Norway’s SalMar, said: “This will have a oneoff impact, estimated at around €5m to €6m, on profits in the fourth quarter 2023. Harvest volumes for 2024 is expected at 15,000 tonnes. “For the year 2023 as a whole, Icelandic Salmon expects to harvest 17,000 tonnes of salmon, up from the previous estimate of 16,000 tonnes. The increase is a result of growth beyond expected on our spring 2022 generation.” Icelandic Salmon resumed harvesting during the third quarter following a second quarter : with limited harvest volumes. The group harvested some 4,040 tonnes during the period, up from 3,804 tonnes in Q3.

Lerøy Q3 hit by ISA issues THE Lerøy Seafood Group is lowering its ﬁsh farming production forecasts for this year following a series of illness issues at some of its sites in Norway. resenting its third quarter results in ovember, the group, which is part-owner of Scottish Sea arms, unveiled an 8% higher turnover at NOK 8,001m (£5 1m) but an operational proﬁt (or operational E IT) that was OK 202m (almost £15m) lower than a year ago. The E IT emerged at OK 631m (£46.7m)

against OK 833m (£61.7m) 12 months previously. Ler y is a combined seafood group comprising fish farming, trawling and fish processing. The company said that in farming, its earnings were affected by onetime effects related to the early harvest of fish with

ISA infectious salmon anaemia detection The company continued: In wild catch, the quotas for 2023 are lower than in 2022, affecting earnings negatively. ownstream activities, A S valueadded products, sales and distribution delivered signiﬁcantly better earnings than the same quarter last year. At the end of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth quarter, we have faced challenges at some sites, resulting in lower production than expected.

Rebel NTS shareholders to sue SalMar

Above: Norway Royal Salmon farm

THE feud between a group of former TS shareholders and the salmon farming giant SalMar shows no sign of letting up. Some shareholders have been unhappy at the price they were offered during the takeover saga last year, which saw SalMar eventually succeed in acquiring TS.The deal brought orway oyal Salmon, Salmo or and the r y wellboat and aquaculture services business under SalMar’s control. ow a group of 120 rebels, mainly from the Tr ndelag area, have warned they plan to sue SalMar in the hope of obtaining a higher share price.They reportedly held ust under 7% of the shares before the acquisition. One ma or investor, Odd eidar ie, said he feared all along that TS was going to sell cheaply and that events had proved him to be right. The group has issued a press release saying that they did not accept the SalMar offer and were forced to redeem their shares at the beginning of this year.They maintain a number of small shareholders have, in effect, been defrauded. The SalMar- TS takeover battle was one of the most dramatic in the industry for many years.

Salmon industry must clean up its act – Norway minister CECILIE Myrseth, Norway’s new Fisheries Minister, has told the salmon industry that it must do much better to ensure fish welfare. The sector has been rocked by a series of incidents in recent weeks involving mortalities and issues over the export of damaged fish. The minister made her comments after a meeting with the employer organisations Seafood Norway and Seafood Companies, and the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. According to the national broadcaster NRK, she described the meeting as constructive, adding that the country had seen pictures of issues no-one wanted. NRK and the newspaper DN.no has been central in exposing some of the scandals such as mass salmon deaths, poor farming practices and other issues, which have hit the headlines in recent weeks. Other issues have come to light following checks by the Food Safety Authority.

of specialist boats in connection with Myrseth is clearly worried about damage emergency slaughter. to the reputation of Norwegian salmon “On the basis of a good dialogue with the abroad. “It should not be like this,” she Norwegian Food Safety Authority, we are said. now in the process of concluding the work The companies have denied some of the with a written clarification of the emergency allegations that are now flying around. slaughter process. This is to ensure good However, Seafood Norway CEO Geir Ove compliance with the rules, Ystmark added. Ystmark said that while aquaculture was a Seafood Norway is now working on continuous improvement effort, it was now a package of measures to improve the time to take action in the light of recent situation. incidents. He said: “Seafood Norway has now taken action to improve the situation and ensure that the regulations are understood and followed – and without exception. “We see – and have always seen – breaches of the regulations as unacceptable. We will also look into how we can make more information available and build a culture of openness to build trust in us and our business.” He said the common denominator for several of the cases recently is the use Above: Geir Ove Ystmark (L) and Cecilie Myrseth

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07/12/2023 14:46:35

WORLD NEWS

World news

First Nations clash over fish farming in BC

Above: Dallas Smith

THE divisions within Canada’s First Nations have been starkly highlighted over the past few weeks as rival groups lobbied in Vancouver and Ottawa to put forward the case against net-pen salmon farming in British Columbia (BC). Canada’s federal government wants to see salmon farming in BC transition to fully land-based operations as soon as possible.The salmon industry and those among the First Nations who support salmon farming say this is unrealistic given that the strategy depends on technology that is still in its infancy. It would also require major investment in developments whose ability to show a r ﬁ n e ed The Coalition of First Nations for nﬁ e ard a l n n

Ottawa, the federal capital, late last month to argue for a middle way with nine-year al n ar n l en e all ﬁ en time to make the transition from open net-pen farming. alla e C al n e an said that only 60% of the salmon farms formerly operating in BC are still running but these have the support of local indigenous communities, who depend on them for jobs and the economy. ad e e een a de l ne in salmon farming operations in our territories over the last four years. The unemployment that is rising in our territories has led us out here today. r ar l n a e ae been the determining factor in how government has been making decisions

on this necessary industry and our territories.” Earlier in November, however, re re en a e e r a n ld al n ll an e ere n a al n Canada’s Fisheries Minister, Diane Lebouthillier, for a complete transition away from open net-pen farming by as early as 2025. e ll an e e an B Chamberlin, said its viewpoint is supported by the majority of indigenous communities in BC, although he conceded that there is a pro-farming minority. a ne n eren e ll n e meeting with the minister, Chamberlin ad e e a e ade e r to Ottawa are here to ensure that ... the government clearly understands the read r re e ﬁ ar from migration routes of wild salmon.” The clash will not make the decision easier for Lebouthillier, who replaced Joyce Murray as Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. Reports suggest that Lebouthillier is at least a little more open than her predecessor was to the arguments put forward by both lobbies.

Slade Gorton names new marketing chief US seafood business Slade Gorton, which became part of the international Cooke group earlier this year, has announced the appointment of Annie Tselikis as its new Director of Marketing and Business Development. Tselikis has held positions throughout the seafood supply chain for more than 15 years, most recently serving as the Director of Marketing and Franchise Sales at Cousins Maine Lobster, a quick-service lobster roll concept with more than 60 units nationwide. “Annie is uniquely positioned to help us expand our engagement with chain operators, particularly within the commercial and non-commercial food-service sector. She is passionate about the seafood industry and has a deep understanding of and appreciation for each step in the value chain – from

the point of harvest to the end user,” said Kim Gorton, CEO, Slade Gorton and the fifth generation of her family to lead the company. Tselikis said she is excited to have found a shared mission and vision with Slade Gorton: “Throughout my career, I have been driven to increase the customer and consumer understanding of seafood. “As a category, seafood offers a diverse array of species and products and in turn, we can provide consumers with an incredible culinary experience. My goal at Slade Gorton is to translate that diversity and mystique into accessibility and confidence for everyone who encounters our products.” Above: Annie Tselikis

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Nordic Aquafarms edges closer to green light for California NORDIC Aquafarms has passed another milestone in its bid to build a land-based yellowtail kingfish farm in California. The California Coastal Commission has issued a Notice of Intent to Issue a Coastal Development Permit (CDP), which will be the final major permit required for the farm. The decision was passed 12-0 in favour. It is understood that the CDP is likely to contain further special provisions but the company is hailing the news

as a major step forward towards its goal of operating a recirculating aquaculture system farm on the site of an abandoned pulp mill on the Pacific coast. The Nordic Aquafarms site is located in Humboldt County, northern California, in a rural, densely populated region known as “the home of the redwoods”. The company said the Harbor District as the landowner has played a pivotal role in facilitating the project’s progression and will continue its permitting activities for the intake side of the initiative. This next phase is anticipated to be completed by 2024. Brenda Chandler, US CEO at Nordic Aquafarms, said: “We are extremely proud of the engagement and collaboration with NGOs, local and state governments, and our many steadfast community members.

Together, we simply made this a better project all around.” Nordic Aquafarms’ European arm, Nordic Kingfish, has three operational sites in Norway and Denmark for the production of yellowtail kingfish, with a capacity of 3,000 tonnes. The group’s

US arm is developing two sites: on the west coast in Humboldt County and on the east coast in Belfast, Maine. Above: California site, Nordic Aquafarms Left: Nordic Aquafarms’ Humboldt site map

Another NOK 100m raised for China RAS project NORDIC Aqua Partners has successfully raised around NOK 100m or almost £7.5m for its China project. The company is developing an initial 4,000 tonne land-based facility near the city of an a e ﬁr a ed e e completed by next spring. The fresh capital was raised by printing 1,434,721 new shares at a 5.8% discount price of NOK 69.70. The company said net proceeds from the private placement will be used to increase operational e l and e a l a ﬁnan al er Certain existing investors in the company have precommitted to subscribe into the placement. They include the Israel Corporation Ltd, which owns 9.26% and has agreed to subscribe for NOK 9.23m at the offer price, and Aino Olaisen (Aino AS), a member of the company’s board of directors who owns 1.09% and has precommitted to subscribe for NOK 2.18 million at the offer price. Others include Maringto AS (Chairman of the board Atle Eide owns 0.77%), who

has precommitted to subscribe for NOK 1.54m at the offer price and And Kontrari AS (represented on the board by Vegard Gjerde, who owns 25.96%), who has precommitted to subscribe for NOK 87.05m at the offer price. Meanwhile, Nordic Aqua Partners has reported further progress in the third quarter, saying that overall production en a rd n lan ﬁ eal remaining strong.

CEO Ragnar Joensen said: “We continued the important work of increasing capacity and expertise as we continue to grow. The general status at the end of the third quarter is that the Nordic Aqua team, with strong support from local authorities and in cooperation with leading industrial partners, ned r e ﬁr ar e a e end e ﬁr ar er Below: Nordic Aqua Partners Ningbo - illustration

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WORLD NEWS

roﬁt coll pse hits

jor hile n s l on r er

Above: Salmones Camanchaca staff

H C lean al n ar er al ne Ca an a a ered a r e lla e d r n e l e e er rd ar er er d era n re en e ell de e er ar e l e e an a d l ed a la ed l er r e and er a en a n e an rea n r e a n e lan al n ar e l e alled er nne ared a al ned e ar e n lan B e er ar e l e a n een re e ed n ale a e e er l ed lan al n ale l e er nne and n en r e re an nne a e an al ne Ca an a a era n re en e r e ar er alled a de rea e er e an a d e de rea e a nl d e l er ale r e ere d n and r lan al n and C al n

re e el ared e a e er d la ear added a e ar e ed lan al n e a e l e e n rea ed a nl d e e a n n r ar e ed l e a ere a e ed al n e al ndr e rea and ea l e re en e led n rea ed rea en H e er e B er l ra e al n all lla ed d r n e er d r lan al n a ear a an a ear a and r C al n a n er l d n r a e n la ear e an a d e lan al n ar e l e r ear are e e ed e e een and er nne le C al n ar e l e are e e ed e nne C en n n e er r an e al ne Ca an a a e C a r an ard ar a a d a a allen n ar er d e e ea ne l al de and and e e n r e added a a r ed e er r e ra a er al n r eed n a n n er e and rea and ea l e re en e a a e ed ar e ed ﬁ r e e e enar e r d e and er al e l n e a ra e r a and ar e all ed an r e a e e re eren e He added Be de e allen e e a e r e end e er e d eal er r an e e a le re re r earl ar e and e er r e r e ll n n

Kingfish founder joins redfish start-up as Chairman US fi ar n ar ne land edfi a a n ed ad a an nder and r er C e nfi C an a C a r an e ard e e re n e ne land nder e an r a r erl era n ana er nfi a ne er r er a an an rael finan er nded e nfi C an n eer n e ne r a er e ndra n e er e and e a l n a re r la n a a l re e a l r ell a l n fi n e e erland He al er a e de el en e an ar nfi a ne a alread r d ed a r al ar e and lan

r d e nne ann all n e rea e ll a a l ne land edfi a een e r redfi er e n n a red dr a an a l n l r da e an a e e ll er ed r a a l re r d n a an a d ne land edfi ee e r al r e a r a r n ne a e n land a ed ar n a al e e e l ed l al a a la l and r en e a le r ar n Ha n r ed l el e an r r er ree ear a e

de el ed n fi a ne a nfiden er e e nal ana er al and r le l n ll and er a l ld ne land edfi n a e l land a ed ar n an r n C ne land edfi ad r n e nfi a ne ea a a al a le e er en e and ar a a e r n lla ra e learn r and r e er ad H e er en e and n e er e e n e e r are a er e a e de el en and a na le n ne land edfi Top left: Ohad Maiman Above left: Megan Sorby

Nova Austral rescue plan meeting pushed back still further de n n e re e lar e C lean al n ar er a ral a een dela ed e a a n ee n d e a e la e n e e er ad a Fish Farmer en re een re ed led e e er are lder ere d e e n a re e a ae n e r a ne a ree en red r de ded e needed re e n der a de r ed a a re ed r an a n r al e de n a een re ea edl dela ed n e e er e er a ral ar n ern C le ad e re an e an e l e le d re l and r e nd re e an a la ed r le n a er e e e nal a n e ere de nr l

a ral re en ed ﬁr dra re r rn lan n er e dela and re n a e ll ed n e e a n er e re ed a ree en r e e en re enda n n e a r al a all and n a n nder e e n e red nd e an ll e d ar ed n ll Cred nder e e n e red re l n red a l e e an ll e d ded n ran e e re l n red ran e and e rd na ed ran e er er r e a red nder e e n e red re l n red a l e e an ll e d ded n ran e e re l n red ran e and e rd na ed ran e al e ed e a n nder e re l n red ran e ld e r er d ded n ran e n e a n and a n n en ran e n e a n

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Canadian RAS farmer loses fish after equipment failure CANADIAN land a ed al n ar er l fi la n an a lla e n a l al fil er a re r la n a a l re e lan n a a e n den a ened n e ne e r d n ld n a a na le Bl e le a Cen re B rl n n n Han C n a a e ele en a al n ned a C 2 r er a re e e e ar n d de r e re r la ed a er a n e e e era ed e an e n den l l el e a r d n e en n e an a a a e ed and e al e el fi ere ar e read and e ed e een and el e ed e ar nd C C e e e fi er r Ha er r ld Canad an r ad a er CBC a l el a e a B e ll e a n r ee e ll find e a e e n den a na le Bl e a d e er a a re n a ead lan ra lar lan n e ae a n n ere e aeC ner r l and H lar ran ear ed a n r er al rder end n en ne en ar n a ea

COMING IN THE NEXT ISSUE... In JANUARY:

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• Feed & Feed Systems • Seafarming • Landbased Farming and Hatcheries • Shellﬁsh • Processing News • Featured species For more information on opportunities for advertising with editorial content around these subjects please contact: Janice Johnston 0044 (0) 131 551 7925 ohnston ﬁshfarmermaga ine.com Copy deadline - Friday 22 December

Fish Farmer

Above: The Sustainable Blue tanks

Chile loses thousands of salmon and trout to algal blooms C H al n and r n C le a e er ed re a rel n e r and n a a ear e a a r al e de e n den a e een en red ar nd e a re n e la e re r e n a re an nne fi ae alread er ed re re en n ar nd e al a n e area H e er e a r e ae e e an fi al fi re n e n er dea n al re r r C le e ed a a lea al n ar n e el n a e ar area ad re r ed e a a n e n n en lan r ar l al al l H B a er nl e en e al a a ed e r n n en lan r a r al a a ed e re en e r al ae erna e a C le na nal fi er ad r er e de er ned a nl are rren l n nd n ll n a re en da e e

al n ar n en re a a n ne ar a e a a ed e H B n n en lan al le en ed n n en lan r a r al erna e a a al a r ed e ar e n al n a e en re e e r al and are rren l n e r e ar e n l e ﬁ ea r e n C le are ll r n e a l e e en e e en a led a lar e n er dea e a en a n na ed e an e a e een a e ed e n den a e re n e e H B rea are n and

Above: Salmon farm by the bay of Cochamó, Los Lagos, Chile

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Processing news

PROCESSING NEWS

Cooke’s True North processing plant set to double capacity with Fisheries Fund help

COOKE’S salmon processing plant in New Brunswick, Canada is set to double its capacity, thanks to funding from the country’s Atlantic Fisheries Fund. The processing facility, operated by Cooke Subsidiary True North, will upgrade from an annual capacity of 13,608 tonnes to more than 27,000 tonnes. The New Brunswick provincial government is providing CAN $2m (£1.17m) to True North Salmon and its parent company, Cooke Aquaculture, for the purchase of equipment for its salmon processing plant in the former town of St George. The federal government is providing $4.7m (£2.34m) for a total repayable loan of $6.7m (£3.92) Cooke spokesman Joel Richardson said: “Our True North Salmon processing plant, located on Fundy Bay Drive in the St George municipal industrial park in New Brunswick, is the most significant Canadian plant expansion of our family company’s 38-year history.

“This Atlantic Fisheries Fund project enabled the purchase of the most advanced technologies and equipment in value-added processing, packaging, freezing and cold storage. The equipment allows us to double salmon processing capacity from 30,000,000 to 60,000,000 LBS annually and package new retail products including salmon burgers and salmon roasts for grocery stores.” As a major regional salmon processing hub for Atlantic Canada, the St George plant currently supports more than 900 full-time year-round Cooke jobs in Eastern Charlotte/Fundy Shores and more than 2,300 Cooke jobs across Atlantic Canada in salmon farming, trucking, hatcheries, offices and more. Cooke has been working with the municipality and provincial and federal governments to facilitate the nearly $55m (£32m) expansion. The new plant building was designed and constructed by The Sealand Group, based in Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia. The expansion consists of a new 65,000ft2 processing

building, as well as a new 13,880ft2 freezer building. The expansion has created 319 construction and support jobs for tradespeople, equipment installers and suppliers during renovations and construction phases, which began in 2021. Cooke Aquaculture’s capital investment plan for 2023 to 2027 includes $350m (£205m) of spending across Atlantic Canada for freshwater hatcheries, post-smolt facilities, upgrades to harvest vessels, seawater sites, feed barges and processing plants. “Our core purpose is to cultivate the ocean with care, nourish the world, provide for our families and build stronger communities,” said Cooke Aquaculture CEO Glenn Cooke. “With this programme support in our processing value chain, our St George salmon plant will become a state-ofthe-art facility, which strengthens our ability to produce retail-ready seafood in a safe and sustainable manner. This expansion project is the cornerstone of our company’s overall investment plans in Atlantic Canada and the new advanced equipment is designed to keep our operation streamlined.”

Our St George salmon “ plant will become a stateof-the-art facility ”

Arctic Fish opens new slaughterhouse ARCTIC Fish’s new slaughterhouse in the northwest of Iceland opened last month in a ceremony watched by a crowd of more than 500 people. The Mayor of Bolungarvik, Jón Páll Hreinsson, described the facility, which is based near Drimla, as “world-class”. He told the regional website bb.is it was one of the biggest investments in business life in the Westfjords and would create around 40 jobs as well as an unspecified number of indirect jobs. The mayor also remained optimistic that the salmon farming industry would settle back to a more peaceful life following various controversies three months ago over fish escapes and other issues around aquaculture. He said it was the government’s responsibility now to help utilise the natural conditions of the Westfjords region. He also pointed out that this was one of the biggest business investments in the Westfjords, which is now Iceland’s largest salmon farming area. A few days before the opening ceremony, the mayor said that despite the setbacks of recent weeks, the region still had full faith

in fish farming. He also believed the current furore over openpen fish farming would eventually subside. Daníel Jakobsson, Chief Business Development Officer at Arctic Fish, said that the cost of the Drimla salmon slaughterhouse was about ISK five billion (some £28m).

Above: Bolungarvik, Iceland

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Bakkafrost lays off 140 processing staff BAKKAFROST has laid off 140 factory processing staff in the Faroe Islands, blaming the local tax regime and changing business conditions for the decision. According to the radio station Kvf.fo, a church minister and a psychologist were present when the redundancies were announced at the company’s Glyvrar headquarters. Kvf said the atmosphere in the room was heavy with emotion as the workers, representing a range of nationalities, listened to the details of their redundancy. Representatives from the immigration office, unemployment office and tax authority advised the affected workers on practical matters. CEO Regin Jacobsen issued a statement, saying: “As a result of changes in the Faroese revenue tax, Bakkafrost has adjusted the strategy for contracted VAP [value added products] to reduce contract exposure for 2024. “For 2024, Bakkafrost has signed contracts covering around 9% of the expected harvest volumes in the Faroe Islands and Scotland combined, compared to 22% at same time last year. “Over the last couple of months, we have had a reasonable hope that new political changes would be made in the Faroese revenue tax, but this is not the case at the moment.” He added: “We hoped that we could agree a sufficient amount of long-term contracts, so we could keep all our employees. “But the conditions have changed, especially since the new revenue tax has been implemented. We had also hoped that new political changes would come in time as promised but unfortunately we were let down.”

o ng s proﬁts hit

I N F L A T I O N too a bi c un out o t e pro ts o oun s Sea ood ast ear t e compan s atest accounts s o urno er increased substan�a durin t e ee period ended arc it oun s recordin m compared it m or t e e ui a ent period in a t ou t e a er co ered ust ee s ro t a er ta o e er as ust m a ainst m in t e ee period mont s ear ier Opera�n pro t as ust o er m o er at m

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e compan ad to spend muc more on ra materia s main s and consumab es at ure as m a ainst m a rise o m e period co ered as dominated b risin s prices especia in re a�on to cod addoc and sa mon Sta costs o e er ere reduced rom m to m durin t e period oun s ic operates in rimsb and Scot and said t at in a�on as been impossib e to a oid and as ad an impact on most areas in t e roup nput materia s suc as ra materia s eed and transport ad a seen substan�a increases but t e compan ad success u mana ed to pass muc o t is increase onto its customers a beit it de a s in t e pass t rou e compan ou d con�nue to proac� e en a e it customers to mana e in a�on reco er t e report said t as a so preparin or si ni cant ro t in t e ears to come

Lerøy products in second listeria scare THE Lerøy Seafood Company has been hit by two listeria scares involving salmon products, with outbreaks in Norway and Sweden. In the most recent, Lerøy’s salmon and game supply arm Laks & Vilt (Salmon & Game) in Oslo is withdrawing a batch of salmon gravlax with a latest consumption date of 8 December. The reason is the discovery of the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes in the product, says the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. In most cases, the product was

sold in bulk, which means the packaging can vary from store to store. Listeria was detected in one of five control samples taken by the manufacturer. Laks & Vilt has asked consumers who have bought the affected products to dispose of them carefully. Last week, the Swedish Food Agency reported that several

Swedish nationals have been infected with listeriosis over the past year and the authorities had traced some of the cases to a salmon smokehouse in Smögen, Sweden, owned by Lerøy. Lerøy said that it had taken a number of measures and the outbreak had now stopped. The company added: “We take food safety very seriously. After we received a notification from the Swedish Food Agency in July... we have worked intensively on the matter in collaboration with the Swedish authorities.”

Marel rejects US takeover attempt ICELANDIC seafood and food equipment manufacturer Marel has rejected takeover overtures from the US business John Bean Technologies (JBT). The Chicago-based company had offered to buy Marel for around US $2.6bn (about £2bn) – or around $3.40 per share (£2.68). The Marel board has not ruled out accepting a better offer in future, however. The JBT bid was made in a non-binding statement of intent regarding a possible offer for all shares in Marel. Marel said in a brief announcement that the JBT statement was not in the interests of its shareholders. It did not take into account Marel’s operations, the board had concluded, or the risks inherent in the execution of the transaction. The announcement added: “Marel’s declared strategy is clear in terms of external growth and opportunities for further consolidation within the sector, as evidenced by the implementation of the company’s strategy. “In accordance with its role and responsibility, Marel’s board is ready to evaluate well-thoughtout proposals that fully reflect Marel’s value.” JBT, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, was formed in 2008 and has become a global leader in the production of technology solutions and services for the food and beverage industry.

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COMMENT

Faulty premise Models purporting to show the risks posed by sea lice are based on patchy data, argues Dr Martin Jaffa

EA lice are not constrained by international borders, so it was of interest when the bastion of sea lice research in Norway, the Institute of Marine Research (IMR), published a commentary on sea lice, written by two sea lice researchers and also the Institute’s Chief Executive. The commentary suggested that if salmon farmers wanted to farm more salmon in the north of Norway, then they must learn from the mistakes that have been made, especially by farmers in the West. The Western production areas have had to reduce their biomass due to alleged reports of high lice infestations in wild fish. The commentary says that the solution to the problem of sea lice, at least in theory, is simple. Research, industry and government must work together to restructure the industry. They say (their) good models that can identify the infection network will allow them to advise on which farms should be closed to reduce infestation pressure or whether farms should be fitted

with lice skirts, snorkels or use submerged cages to avoid sea lice. The commentary says that IMR has the tools that can help both farmers and managers assess the spread and impacts of sea lice. However, having read the full commentary, I can only shake my head in disbelief. I would argue that it is not the farmers of western Norway that have made mistakes but rather the mistakes are those of IMR with a failure to understand the true relationship between sea lice, wild and farmed salmon. IMR says that their good models can identify infection networks, but as in Scotland, such models have never been validated. Despite claims that sea lice larvae pass down the fjords and lochs infesting the fish they encounter, there is so far no actual proof that the larvae disperse in this way. Attempts to identify large numbers of sea lice larvae in the lochs and fjords have so far proved fruitless. Instead, scientists have resorted to using sentinel cages for infestation studies, but these are more likely to be infested by passing wild fish than any larvae spreading through the water body. While the existence of larvae in the fjords has yet to be proved and the model properly validated, the way that the existing science is applied is open to question. For example, IMR samples all 13 production areas that form the basis of the traffic light system (under which Norway’s coast is divided into red, amber and green regions denoting levels of sea lice risk). This is to demonstrate the strength of infestation of wild fish by sea lice. Unfortunately, there is a lack of consistency in the sampling across

”

There is a lack of consistency in the sampling across all 13 areas Opposite: It’s unclear just

how many sea lice may or may not be in this ord Left: Sea lice

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all 13 areas, which could lead to a bias against those areas with the most farmed salmon production. In 2021, production area 13 (PO 13) was sampled for sea lice on wild fish on just one day. By comparison, sampling of wild fish in production area four (PO four – western Norway) took place over 71 days. PO three was sampled over 45 days, yet PO eight was sampled on just two days. It is not difficult to predict which areas had the highest lice counts. In the same way, how can 1,013 fish be sampled in one area while just 32 are sampled in another? This makes no sense, yet such numbers are part of the sampling regimes used to assess the production areas in the traffic light system. There also appears to be a lack of understanding of the way sea lice are distributed throughout the wild fish population. All parasites, including sea lice, are distributed as an aggregated distribution. In other words, most hosts (fish in this case) are parasite free or carry few parasites (lice), while a few hosts carry many parasites. All the data I have encountered showed sea lice as an aggregated distribution, but I have only seen this once in the

scientific literature. This was in a 2015 paper written in collaboration by scientists from the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, IMR and the Veterinary Institute. The paper focused on the statistics used to assess sea lice infestation rather than actual infestations and thus the significance of the distribution to sea lice was missed. By coincidence, the scientist from IMR who co-wrote the 2015 paper also co-wrote this commentary from IMR. The issues of sampling highlighted previously become heightened when analysing sea lice, because of their aggregated distribution. The distribution of sea lice amongst wild fish hosts is not even with most lice free. At the same time, the few fish carrying many sea lice are likely to be weakened and easier to catch. In his 2012 paper, Taranger recommends a sample size of at least 100 fish, but analysis of the 2021 data shows that 58% of the samples consist of between one and 10 fish. Seventy eight per cent of the samples are between one and 20 fish. The largest sample was 56 fish, well short of the 100 recommended by Taranger. The obvious question is, are these fish representative of the population or are they selectively sampled from the heavily

infested end of the distribution, thanks to the way they are sampled? As the sampling across all the production areas is not consistent, it is impossible to compare one production area with another, especially those areas with low numbers of salmon farms and those that produce the most farmed salmon. So, what is IMR’s view of this analysis? Unfortunately, the Chief Executive who wrote this commentary has never answered any direct enquiries. This is not unexpected; the scientific community in Norway has pronounced that sea lice from salmon farms are negatively impacting wild fish and they are sticking to that story. Any evidence to the contrary is simply ignored in the hope that it will go away. However, the mounting evidence that the declines of wild salmonid fish are not connected to salmon farming can only be ignored for so long. The threat to wild fish from sea lice has been highly overstated by this failure to understand the science and even greater unwillingness to enter into any meaningful scientific debate. Finally, IMR’s press department were sent a draft copy of this column in case they wished to comment. They have not replied.

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SALMON SCOTLAND

Homegrown success for the salmon sector As Christmas approaches, Salmon Scotland Chief Executive Tavish Scott hails the latest figures on UK sales and looks forward to further growth in 2024.

S towns and villages turn on the lights, and festive adverts dominate the TV breaks, many families start to think about what dishes they’ll be serving up for their Christmas fare. It’s a busy time of the year for turkey farmers of course, but also for the Scottish salmon sector. Smoked salmon has become a festive staple in many households but you can do so much more with our versatile and nutritious fish. Last month, for example, BBC Two viewers watched as Mary Berry used Scottish salmon on her show Mary Makes it Easy to show Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke how to cook up a simple lemon and caper salmon linguine. Sometimes our sector focuses so much on our amazing exports success (and I’m pleased to report that international sales are up 7% in a year) that we risk overlooking just how popular salmon is here at home. Salmon is by far the most popular fish among UK consumers, with new figures showing sales are up 3.2% in a year.

That year-on-year increase is higher than the 2.5% increase recorded for all fish. And with sales reaching £1.25bn in the 12 months to September, this accounts for nearly 30% of all fish bought in the UK. Even more impressively, in the chilled seafood sector, salmon increased its value share of the top 10 chilled species to 48.7%. Inflation has had an impact, of course, and the sector has faced its challenges, but we should all take pride in another successful year. As Christmas approaches, I hope that our members enjoy even further success. And I pay tribute to our farmers, who are working hard in freezing temperatures and our supply chain, which enables us to get salmon to the processors, fishmongers and supermarkets so that people can enjoy our fish this festive season. Farming salmon is a 365-day-a-year job, but it’s always nice for our sector to be recognised at this time of year.

Celebrating St Andrew’s Day At the end of November, the Scottish Parliament marked St Andrew’s Day with

Opposite: Salmon

C hristmas trees

Left: L abel R oug e

salmon

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an event, which celebrated Scottish food and drink, including Scottish salmon. It was arranged by the cross-party group (CPG) on St Andrew’s Day, which is convened by MSP Michelle Thomson and was attended by around 200 parliamentarians and other invited guests. Thomson said: “I am grateful for the support provided by Salmon Scotland for the annual St Andrew’s Day celebration in the Scottish Parliament. The CPG exists to promote Scotland and her national day – and what better opportunity than also using it to showcase some of her food and drink products.” Meanwhile, once again, the Scottish Government hosted an event in the British embassy in Paris to showcase Scotland’s worldclass food and drink offering, with Scottish salmon from Bakkafrost enjoyed by all. Last year we marked 30 years of Scottish salmon holding the prestigious Label Rouge quality mark in France, which delivers a massive economic boost for Scotland. Scottish salmon was both the first fish and first non-French product to be awarded the accolade in 1992. Label Rouge salmon currently accounts for 12% of Scottish salmon exports, but earlier this year a vision was unveiled to increase this to 15% by 2026. This growth will be supported by the formation of a “salmon circle” of top German chefs, who have agreed to act as ambassadors for our product, with members visiting Scotland a few weeks ago to learn more about the provenance of Label Rouge Scottish salmon. As a New Year approaches, this is a reminder of the kind of sustainable growth that our sector can deliver. Yes, a miniscule minority of noisy activists want to shut down our entire operation and they have some friends in the media who give them a platform, but we’re not going anywhere – far from it. Over the past year, I’ve been making this abundantly clear to the many decision makers I meet.

In the Scottish Government’s long-term vision for the nation’s aquaculture sector, there was recognition of our “crucial role” in contributing to food security, net zero and high-skilled jobs. We should all take pride in what we have achieved this year and look to 2024 with optimism. That’s not to say there aren’t some hurdles ahead. We will continue to face scrutiny and people will rightly expect to see our continued commitment to full transparency. Survival rates were lower than we would want in the last few months of 2023, but we are constantly innovating to increase the sector’s knowledge of natural environmental challenges so that we can provide even better care for our fish. And I was delighted to see that a global league table of sustainable food producers placed many salmon farmers in the top 10. The Coller FAIRR Protein Producer Index assesses 60 of the largest listed meat, dairy and aquaculture companies on 10 environmental, social and governance factors, including greenhouse gas emissions, waste and pollution, and animal welfare. Seven of the index’s top 10 companies are aquaculture producers, clearly highlighting the sustainability credentials of the sector. So, we are already leading the way – and in 2024 I believe we can make even more progress. The coming year is an election year, so we also have even more opportunities to engage with those vying for office, who ultimately make the decisions that determine the economic and regulatory environment we operate in. At every moment, I will be banging the drum for our sector. With growing demand at home and abroad for Scottish salmon, our sector continues to go from strength to strength. As 2023 draws to a close, I wish all readers of Fish Farmer a merry Christmas and I thank everyone in our sector for their hard work and dedication over the past 12 months. Here’s to a successful new year.

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SHELLFISH

Worms for dinner, anyone? Seen by Westerners for centuries as nothing but a menace, Teredo worms have the potential to become a tasty and nutritious part of our diet. By Nicki Holmyard

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and the journal Sustainable Agriculture, include results from the first nutritional profiling exercise and feeding efficacy assessment. “Naked clams really do taste like oysters, they’re highly nutritious and they can be produced with a really low impact on the environment. Naked clam aquaculture has never been attempted before. We’re growing them using wood that would otherwise go to landfill or be recycled to produce food that’s high in essential nutrients,” said Dr David Willer, Henslow Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Zoology and first author of the report. Willer told me that he first had the idea after reading a book about Christopher Columbus’ voyages, which detailed the sinking of two of his vessels in 1503 as a result of shipworm damage. “I also have a PhD student whose mother enjoys eating the worms in the Philippines and the idea of growing them in the UK seemed like an exciting challenge. They also grow a lot quicker than blue mussels (Mytilus edulis),” he said. The research showed that naked clams are rich in nutrients, including vitamin B12 and monounsaturated fatty acids, and share the high protein content of blue

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HIPWORMS, also known as Teredo worms, have been viewed as a pest by mariners for thousands of years, due to their ability to bore through wood immersed in seawater. Ships, marine piling, piers and docks can often be found peppered with the tell-tale tunnels created as the creatures rasp their way through the wood, weakening and eventually destroying it. As marine bivalve molluscs, with a pair of small shells at one end that are highly adapted for drilling, these saltwater clams are related to oysters and mussels. They are eaten as a delicacy by coastal communities in Oceania and southeast Asia. Now, a collaboration of researchers at the Universities of Cambridge and Plymouth are hoping to persuade consumers that naked clams, as they have renamed the shipworms, are a healthy, nutritious, sustainable and tasty food that is easy to cultivate. The question is, can these clams really provide a viable alternative food source that is acceptable to Western food tastes and preferences? Renaming shipworms was thought to be an essential PR exercise and the researchers point out that there is a “rich precedent for rebranding seafood species for palatability and marketability – for example, Malabar blood snappers, rock crabs and slimeheads are now marketed as scarlet snapper, peekytoe crabs and orange roughy respectively.” To test their theory that the shipworms could be grown in a saline environment on land, the researchers first had to design the world’s first modular, fully enclosed aquaculture system that needs just two components – waste wood and water. The clam selected was Teredo navalis, which can grow at a rate of 1.5mm to 2mm per day and produce clams up to 30cm in just six months. Details of the laboratory-scale pilot study, published in Nature

This page from top: T he chang es to wood caused by the clams; D r R euben Ship way ( L ) and D r D av id W iller; the clams g row by burrowing into waste wood ; the sp ecies is the world ’s f astestg rowing biv alv e and can reach 3 0 cm in leng th Opposite: M arine biolog y stud ents at the U niv ersity of P lymouth hav e been learning about the nak ed clams as p art of their stud ies

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mussels. Microencapsulated algal feeds were used to enrich the clams with essential omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Levels of these will be optimised in future trials. Dr Reuben Shipway, Lecturer in Marine Biology in the University of Plymouth’s School of Biological and Marine Sciences, has been studying the impact of shipworms in the marine environment for more than a decade. “We urgently need alternative food sources that provide the micronutrient-rich profile of meat and fish but without the environmental cost. Our system offers a sustainable solution. We’re thinking of naked clams being more popular as a ‘white meat’ substitute in processed foods such as fish fingers and fishcakes. Switching from eating beef burgers to naked clam nuggets may well become a fantastic way to reduce your carbon footprint,” he said. The research has attracted a lot of attention, along with funding from sources including The Fishmongers’ Company, British Ecological Society, Cambridge Philosophical Society, Seale-Hayne Educational Trust and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

culture will be needed if investment is to flow into this potential sector. Identification of suitable wood supplies and processing capability is also essential. Consumer and market research will be needed to identify the most acceptable processed formats for the naked clams, whether as a mince, purée, dry power, textured flavoured extruded protein or even as a fresh meat. Further research is now required to optimise the system in terms of salinity, temperature, wood species substrate and supplemental feed delivery Production systems could be installed in tandem with wind farms or seaweed farms, system before scaling up, but the basics or located close to consumers, for example have all been delivered. The researchers in shipping containers as part of a modular recommend that future studies should seek to optimise growth rates and feeding system. protocols as essential components of any A new naked clam sector has the commercial application. potential to bring considerable economic What they have opened up is an opportunity if it can be scaled up. UK opportunity to develop a new and consumers purchased £8.7bn of seafood hitherto unthought of aquaculture sector in 2019 and if clam sales grew to just 5% that offers a wealth of opportunities the size of this, it would be worth more than £400m, without counting an expected for sustainable food production and consumption. lucrative export market, according to the I shall watch progress with interest. And researchers. who knows, naked clam culture might Wide acceptance of the health and even take off and confound the sceptics! environmental benefits of naked clam

An An exceptional exceptional oyster, oyster, at at the the heart heart of of our our collection collection The ORKA oyster is selected The ORKA oyster is selected for its survival rate, its shape for its survival rate, its shape and its colour, all for the sake and its colour, all for the sake of meeting your expectations. of meeting your expectations.

Variété : Crassostrea gigas oyster Variété : Crassostrea gigas oyster Tailles : G1.5 to G8 Tailles : G1.5 to G8

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07/12/2023 16:04:27

SEAWEED

How can growth be green? The Scottish Seaweed Industry Association met in Oban last month to answer the question: how can the industry best ensure that it is able to grow sustainably?

EAWEED farming “has great potential” and could even play a vital role in helping to tackle climate change. That was the message from Scotland’s Minister for Energy and the Environment, Gillian Martin, speaking at the annual conference of the Scottish Seaweed Industry Association (SSIA) at Corran Halls, Oban from 14 to 16 November. The SSIA represents seaweed farmers and businesses harvesting wild seaweed along the Scottish coastline. Seaweed, which has been used for centuries as fuel, fertiliser and food for people and livestock, now has an even wider range of applications in health products, cosmetics and alternatives to plastic, to name just a few. The theme of this year’s conference was “Growing Seaweed Sustainably” and the conference attracted 170 delegates over three days. Martin said: “Our sustainable seaweed sector is a vital part of

our Scottish aquaculture sector, not just right now, but more importantly, for Scotland’s future.” She added that Scotland currently has 38 licences granted and 24 pending licence applications for growing seaweed, mainly kelps, which are well suited to the country’s cool northern waters. Seaweed as a crop features in the Scottish Government’s Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture, published earlier this year. Martin stressed that development would need to be sustainable and in the right place. She also said: “Climate change, population growth and increasing pressures on our natural environment are hard realities we have to face. “The transition to net zero emissions is crucial to reversing these pressures and we believe seaweed cultivation will form an essential part of our green recovery and net zero transition.” Recent studies have suggested that seaweed may help to take excess carbon out of the environment, effectively locking it up rather than allowing it into the atmosphere where it would contribute to global warming. That opens up the possibility that investing in growing seaweed could be used to offset carbon emissions in the way that reforestation already is. Martin was cautious, however, stressing that more evidence is needed to understand seaweed cultivation’s role in carbon mitigation. She concluded: “Everyone here today can be assured that the Scottish Government has every confidence in Scotland’s seaweed growing and harvesting community. “As leaders of this emerging industry, you should be justly proud, as I know it takes hard work and absolute commitment to be trailblazers!”

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aquaculture. There must be a relationship between the operator and the community before a seaweed farm goes to the planning stage, so that people know what they’re getting. It is difficult to do that retrospectively, as the operator is seen as less trustworthy. “Considering social licence to operate in the early planning makes the planning application stages easier for all stakeholders.” The report stresses the importance of understanding local social context when thinking about site selection. The study finds that people were more likely to accept and support seaweed farming when positive relationships were already established and critically, when the industry as a whole is perceived as environmentally sustainable. Also on day one, delegates heard from David Mackie of Marine Biopolymers and from Leigh Eisler, who is on a graduate placement, funded by Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE), as Project Officer for the Aird Fada seaweed farm, run by South West Mull and Iona Development. Alison Baker of Eco Cascade, a community interest company based in Kyle of Lochalsh on the west coast of Scotland, talked about how her organisation invested in a community processing facility for washing, cutting and drying seaweed. International perspectives were provided by Heidi Meland of the Norwegian Seaweed Association, Mark Smith of the Pacific Seaweed Industry Association and Nitzan Unger of Hatch Blue, an investment firm and accelerator focused on the sustainable marine economy. Other talks on the first day featured speakers from SAMS, national environmental body NatureScot and seaweed biotech business BioMara.

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A wee dram

Seaweed cultivation will form Keeping the community on board an essential part of our green recovery Opposite from top: Seaweed ; O ban

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The first day concluded with a reception at the Oban Distillery, where attendees were invited to sample the local whisky and take part in a discussion with an industry panel. On the panel, and introducing the discussion, were: • Annelie du Plessis, Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre • Christine Rolin, HIE • Dr Mark Dorries, Napier University • Dr Peter Elbourne, Horizon Seaweed • David Stuart Howard, Atlantic Mariculture • Dr Charlie Babbington, Oceanium • Rhianna Rees, SSIA

Also at the event, Dr Suzi Billings of the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) introduced a new report that stresses the importance of winning The panel discussed a range of issues, including when (or community acceptance for any new whether) farmed seaweed production in Scotland might surpass seaweed farming projects. wild harvested seaweed and what the constraints are on The report sets out the findings of the sustainable growth for the seaweed sector. Social Licence for Seaweed Farming project, led by SAMS in Oban and funded by WWF. The study, based on a two-year study of attitudes towards seaweed farming on the part of a range of communities and stakeholders throughout the UK, says lessons need to be drawn from the experience of other aquaculture operators, particularly fish farmers, if seaweed projects are going to achieve acceptance or social licence. Dr Billing said: “Seaweed farming is at an early stage of development in the UK and Europe but there is increasing interest from investors. It is seen as a great example of nature-based solutions and is appealing for its potential socio-economic effect, particularly in rural areas. “At this stage of development, it is important that seaweed farming learns lessons from more established forms of

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SEAWEED

One key theme was the need for processing facilities. Seaweed in its wet form is highly perishable, so it needs to be either fully processed or at least dried within a short time of being harvested. The dilemma: for investment in processing to be viable there needs to be a bigger industry and for the industry to grow it will need the processing facilities. Among the solutions discussed were government aid to kick-start growth or a cooperative approach involving a number of producers sharing the cost. The keynote speaker for day two was Olavur Gregersen, CEO of Faroes-based Ocean Rainforest, which is one of the largest seaweed growers and Europe. The company also has operations in California and is investigating sites in Alaska and Norway. The subject of his talk was “How to scale up responsibly – from a commercial perspective”. He identified five key factors: • technical viability; • cost of installation and production; • aquaculture output/productivity; • sustainability; and • social licence. Ocean Rainforest now has almost 300,000 seeded lines, Gregersen said. All production for 2021, 2022 and 2023 has been sold and the company is currently negotiating offtake agreements for 80% of its production going forward to 2028. An economic analysis in 2021 (Seaweed for Europe: Investor Memo), carried out for the Seaweed for Europe coalition, calculated that the European seaweed market could be worth anywhere between £3bn and £9.3bn (£2.6bn and £8bn) by 2030, producing up to 8.3 million tonnes freshweight. He warned, however, that the farming element represents the smallest part of the seaweed value chain. Much more value is added further into the process, which means that farmers need to do what they can to minimise costs if they are to be profitable. Fortunately, Gregersen argued: “It is possible to reduce costs through scaling up.”Offtake agreements to ensure that the crop you are growing has a buyer, are also essential, Gregersen said.

Since Norway alone estimates that its coastline could produce 20 million tonnes, the potential is certainly there, he told delegates.

Lessons from the East Earlier this year, a delegation of seaweed industry people from the UK visited South Korea on a fact-finding mission. The aim of the trip, which was funded by environmental charity WWF, was to learn from South Korea’s long-established seaweed sector. In a session chaired by the WWF’s Molly Gupta, attendees heard from three of the people who made the trip: Owen Haines of Welsh community company Câr-Y-Môr; Stevie Jarron of Argyll Aquaculture; and Tim van Berkel of The Cornish Seaweed Company. One of the key takeaways from the trip was the importance of collaboration in the Korean seaweed sector, with producers, private sector hatcheries, government and universities working together. Government test facilities can be rented by the day for businesses looking to work on product development. At a local level, farmers also work together and with abalone producers, sharing resources such as workboats. The cooperation

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Willie Athill of Norfolk Seaweed, who farms seaweed and mussels on the north Norfolk coast, described the process of commissioning a survey of the local wildlife, as required by the authorities. He concluded: “We have a low impact on the natural world.” Martin Sutcliffe of the Centre for innovation Excellence in Livestock (CIEL) talked about the seaweedrelated work CIEL is carrying out. He said: “Seaweed is part of the solution but there is no silver bullet.” Seaweed Generation’s Duncan Smallman talked about a project, which appears to show that dulse (Palmaria palmata) could make the basis of a palatable and nutritious feed for poultry. And finally, Rob Passmore of Additive Earth described how his organisation has been working with the Crown Estate on developing the concept of Aquaculture Enterprise Zones to help fast-track the development of aquaculture projects, such as seaweed or IMTA farming. The hope is that this initiative will move to a pilot stage in 2024. The final day of the conference allowed fo a series of workshop sessions, followed by a group visit to the seaweed facilities at SAMS at Dunstaffnage, outside Oban. A raffle held at the conference raised £275 for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. between shellfish and seaweed farmers also means they can make use of integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) approaches. South Korea also faces its challenges, however, with regional sea temperatures rising quicker than the global average, labour shortages and an ageing workforce (the average age of a Korean seaweed farmer is 66). Also, concentrations of heavy metals in the seas around Korea mean some product might not meet European standards for food products. The conference also heard from Lisa Lambie of Maroon Invest Global on how her firm is addressing funding gaps in the industry; and on seaweed composition from Katie Michalek of SAMS who stressed that the composition and therefore the value of a crop can vary widely depending on the season. She said; “Crop monitoring in relation to product requirements is vital.” Also speaking were Peter Elbourne of Horizon Seaweed, which harvests wild seaweed along remote parts of the Scottish coastline; Marc Dunn of the Soil Association; and Dr Steven Benjamins of SAMS, who talked about the risks that marine mammals could become entangled in the ropes and moorings in seaweed farms. Duncan Smallman, Head of Seaweed with farmer Seaweed Generation, talked about the potential for using robotics in seaweed farming. His company had been working with a remotely operated, solar-powered catamaran in the Caribbean collecting sargassum, which has been growing to the extent that it has become an environmental threat. Anneli Hill of Crown Estate Scotland and Elisa Capuzzo of Cefras explained the leasing process for a new seaweed farm in Scotland and England respectively.

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We have a low impact on the natural world

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07/12/2023 15:55:11

GLOBAL OUTLOOK

Sector set for growth

Rabobank’s look ahead to 2024 suggests better days are coming for aquaculture producers, reports Vince McDonagh

FTER a turbulent 2023, the aquaculture industry – and the salmon sector in particular – looks set to rebound next year, according to a report based on input from producers worldwide. What to expect in aquaculture in 2024, the latest report from the Dutch-owned financial group Rabobank in co-operation with the Global Seafood Alliance, paints a brighter picture for fish farming. They believe shrimp production, which has endured a turbulent year, will be back to growth and so too will salmon, tilapia, pangasius and sea bream output. Rabobank says industry responses to its

survey suggest a more optimistic outlook for 2024. Highlights of the survey, relating to the five key finfish species/groups, were presented at the Global Seafood Alliance’s Responsible Seafood Summit 2023 (see “On course for growth”, Fish Farmer November 2023). The latest report details expected production by country and includes Rabobank’s predictions for the shrimp sector. When it comes to finfish, the report says optimism abounds for the major farmed species. Salmon, tilapia, pangasius, sea bream and sea bass are all expected to grow, although the periodic climate

phenomenon El Niño poses potential risks for some species and regions. The report states: “After two consecutive years of weak global production growth, global Atlantic salmon production reached an inflection point in Q3 2023. “Higher production will be led by Norway, with year-on-year growth of 3.7% in 2024 and even higher growth at 4.9% in 2025, culminating in estimated production of up to 1.67 million tonnes in the next two years. “But this will depend on limiting the risk of biological issues during the period and ensuring the benefits of smolt stocking over the past 12 months continue.” The report continues: “The harvest rate was relatively poor in 2023 due to disease issues. Now the indication is that it will be better in the future: there are lower sea lice numbers and less medication use. In the longer term, it is really the only country that is structurally growing: 2% to 3% growth in Norway is possible and it is a lot.” It mentions the Faroe Islands and Australia as two emerging salmon farming countries to watch. And it highlights Iceland as the arguably most important small emerging salmon farming country, because it is close to both the United States east coast and also to Europe, allowing it to sell salmon without freezing. However, there is no mention of the

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Higher production will be led by Norway Opposite: G lobal shrimp produc�on. ther Americas includes Me ico, onduras, Peru, enezuela, Brazil, Guatemala, icaragua, osta ica, uba and Panama. ther Asia includes Bangladesh, M anmar, Brunei, apan, S. orea, Tai an, Philippines, Mala sia, Saudi Arabia and ran Above: Shrimp Top right: Salmon farm b the ba of ocham , os agos, hile Atlan�c salmon

recent sea lice outbreak in the west of Iceland during October and November, which has resulted in large scale mortalities, so presumably the report was written earlier. It does point, however, to uncertainty around Chile’s volume growth over the next decade due to new legislation and biological issues. It is unlikely that Chile production volumes will eclipse the (high) 2020 levels before 2025. Year-on-year growth is forecast at 2% in 2024 followed by a 1.8% decline in 2025. There are also fears that increased temperatures due to El Niño conditions may lead to more incidents of algal blooms resulting in higher mortalities.

Shrimp sector set for better days The report predicts a better year ahead for shrimp, which should return to growth next year, albeit at a lower rate than the 10year historical average. The survey results forecast year-on-year shrimp production growth of 4.8% in 2024, surpassing the peak volumes in 2022 after an expected modest decline of 0.4% in 2023. But in Ecuador, production growth is expected to decelerate in 2024. There is optimism for Asian shrimp production, with survey respondents forecasting a potential recovery of 4% in 2024, following the region’s first decline in a decade in 2023.

“This will depend on prices improving in 2024 after the continuous downward trend in 2023, which made the majority of the industry unprofitable,” said Rabobank analyst Novel D.Sharma. Likewise, production in India and Vietnam is set to recover in 2024, following sharp contractions this year. Sea bass and sea bream is expected to accelerate over the next two years at a year-on-year growth rate of 3.9% in 2124 and 4.7% in 2025. Turkey’s continued expansion will be the primary driver, with year-on-year growth of 4% next year and 6% in 2025, surpassing 250,000 metric tonnes. Following a pause three years ago, tilapia production has been gradually recovering and should have grown by just over 5% this year. Looking ahead, strong growth is expected in Asia and Indonesia in particular. China is likely to maintain its position as the world’s top tilapia producer in the near term. But the report also points out that if consumers continue to prefer premium seafood species, fish farmers could change what they produce, potentially decelerating tilapia growth. A recovery in pangasius production is also expected next year with an increase of 2.8% likely, provided demand increases and inventory levels diminish, especially in China. The survey also asked industry experts about market prices, which have emerged as one of their top concerns. There remains uncertainty over the effects of persistent inflation and a recovery in seafood demand. Elevated costs and stagnating household disposable incomes remain major challenges for consumers, who may look to trade down either within the seafood category or by switching to a lower-priced protein option. Aquafeed costs remain an area of concern in the coming year. The majority of industry respondents did not expect feed prices to be lower, the Rabobank survey concludes.

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07/12/2023 15:29:47

ENVIRONMENT

HPMAs: what’s next? Proposals to bar all commercial activity from 10% of Scotland’s waters have been dropped. Where do we go from here? Sandy Neil finds out

HE decision, after all the debate, was hardly a surprise. Early in November, the Scottish Government’s Net Zero Secretary, Màiri McAllan MSP, knocked the plan for Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) into the bin. “In response to the findings of the consultation and as I set out in Parliament earlier this year,” she said, “the proposal to implement [HPMAs] across 10% of Scotland’s seas by 2026 will not be progressed.” Why? What did consultees say? Where should we go from here? Will HPMAs return in another form? Under the original proposals published in December 2022, designated sea and coastal areas – the location was not spelled out – would be classed as HPMAs, in which practically no commercial or industrial activity would be permitted. This would include a ban on all forms of fishing, fish and shellfish farming, and offshore wind and tide power in the zones concerned.

What the consultation found The consultation, the Scottish Government explained, received 4,502 responses: “Of these, 2,458 were substantive responses with respondents providing their own views and 2,044 were campaign responses in which respondents expressed the views of a coordinated campaign. “Fifty five per cent of all respondents supported the introduction of HPMAs and 43% of respondents opposed the introduction of HPMAs, with only 2% holding neutral or ambivalent views. A large majority of respondents who supported the proposals submitted their responses as part of a single campaign. When campaign responses are removed, the views of respondents were 76% opposed and 20% supporting the proposal.”

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What did these respondents say? “Concerns regarding the potential impacts on local communities, particularly in rural coastal areas and islands, were shared by both those in support of and those against the proposals,” the paper said. “The importance of stakeholder and community input in developing policies and selecting and managing sites was emphasised across many of those responses. Collaboration, partnership working and building on the knowledge and values of local people was emphasised by both opposed and supporting respondents. “Those respondents also often highlighted concerns around taking a blanket approach to marine protection and instead suggested building on the local knowledge and values of people who live by and work on the sea, and respect local sustainable fishing practices.

A key learning outcome… is the importance of stakeholder and community input

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“Many of the respondents who oppose HPMAs questioned the decision to include a 10% target and often worried that this could be disproportionately concentrated in the inshore area. Those who supported this target recognised the alignment with international commitments. “Respondents who opposed also often found the 2026 timeline for delivery to be unrealistic, especially when considering the need to engage with local communities and to collect robust scientific evidence “While there was clear agreement in the importance of protecting and conserving our marine environment, many respondents who opposed expressed the view that the HPMA policy as proposed was not the correct approach for achieving this outcome. “In response to the findings of the consultation – in particular to the highly polarised nature of responses, significant concerns on impacts to coastal and island communities, as well as concerns over the proposed 10% target and 2026 timeline for delivery – the Scottish Government will no longer seek to implement the proposed policy as consulted on.”

Next steps What will Holyrood do now? “Despite firm opposition to the policy proposal, the consultation findings also showed clear support for the goals of protecting and conserving our marine environment,” the government said. “The Scottish Government will instead continue

to work to enhance marine protection in line with our draft Biodiversity Strategy ambition for Scotland to be nature-positive by 2030 and will recognise the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 targets over the same timescale. “A key learning outcome emphasised by this consultation is the importance of stakeholder and community input... it is clearer than ever that we are in the midst of a nature and climate crisis, and we must be prepared to take action proportionate with the scale of that challenge but we must do so via a fair and just transition, which empowers communities. “Moving forward, we are committed to work with coastal and island communities, fishers, aquaculture, tourism, and all affected sectors to enhance marine protection in Scotland for the benefit of all. It is vitally important that we act to ensure that our seas remain a source of economic prosperity for our nation today and in the future.” So, what do these groups think is the best way forward?

The view from the seafood industry In its consultation response, the industry body Salmon Scotland said the plans appeared to be driven by political agendas rather than science, adding there was “no evidence that the proposed HPMAs will work”. It urged the Scottish Government to “undertake a thorough independent review of how science has been used to establish the policy framework and to consider all pressures on the marine environment in a balanced way”. Tavish Scott, Chief Executive of Salmon Scotland, said: “We support proposals that can improve Scotland’s marine environment. Banning responsible sea use is not the answer. Salmon farms occupy a tiny proportion of Scotland’s waters, yet ours is one of the most important sectors of the marine economy and one of the biggest employers in the Highlands and Islands. “If government proposals force salmon farmers out of marine areas, business will lose confidence in Scotland and turn their

Opposite from top:

Sco sh ﬁsh farm M iri McAllan Above: Fish farm in Arg ll Below: Ta ish Sco�

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ENVIRONMENT

attention to our Scandinavian competitors. That means Scotland losing out on good, well-paid jobs and investment when we need it most. “HMPAs have been developed in isolation and jar with existing government policies such as the national marine plan, the aquaculture vision, trade and economic policy, economic policy and local authority development plans for the marine area. “We urge joined-up policy making from the Scottish Government. Government should prioritise evidence-based policies that protect both the environment and the livelihoods of hardworking Scots.” The Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers’ CEO, Dr Nick Lake, argued: “We firmly believe that the Scottish Government should be taking every opportunity to protect the marine environment. However, what was lacking in the proposals was the ability for a comprehensive management agenda to ensure all stakeholders were able to continue to operate and benefit the Scottish economy – particularly those small remote rural businesses that have operated sustainably over many decades. “The shellfish cultivation sector by its very nature is located within and dependent upon biologically productive coastal waters. All the feed for shellfish consists of natural phytoplankton. No chemicals, medicines, antibiotics or artificial environmental conditions are used in the production of our mussels and oysters. Many shellfish cultivation sites are located within existing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and the industry is actively engaged in the restoration of species such as the native oyster and protection of Priority Marine Features – which includes blue mussel habitat. The activities of the sector have been scientifically proven to actively improve the marine biodiversity within and around our sites. “The HPMA proposals would have effectively prevented these types of operations taking place in exactly the locations where they are the most beneficial for both the environment and the Scottish rural economy.” The Scottish Seaweed Industry Association (SSIA) also expressed concerns about potential impacts on its industry and “a lack of

sufficient evidence to support the decision”. “The SSIA emphasised the importance of meaningful consultation with the industry before finalising any plans,” it said. Its recommendations included identifying key seaweed operating areas, implementing management plans for sustainable harvesting and conducting research into the economic, social and environmental impact of HPMAs on the future of seaweed production. The SSIA raised specific points, such as potential spatial squeezes limiting growth in coastal communities, socio-economic risks to rural areas, insufficient evidence for excluding seaweed cultivation and concerns about labelling seaweed aquaculture as damaging. The response called for a “balanced approach that considers both marine environmental protection and the seaweed industry’s needs”. The Scottish Creel Fishermen’s Federation believed HPMAs would disproportionately impact creel fishers. “The smallest creel boats are the least able to change their fishing grounds,” it said. “We also protested the complete failure to factor in the effects

Top: Seabed lif e Above: F arm on the

west coast of Scotland Opposite: M ussels, Isle of L ewis

”

We urge joined-up policy making from the Scottish Government

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of displacement and consequent spatial squeeze. “What should happen next is the government implement the provisions in the Fisheries Act, which say we must incentivise lower-impact fisheries. They should also propose a programme of measures to meet their long-overdue commitments to achieve a good environmental status. We believe that means introducing extensive trawl and dredge-free zones in our inshore, possibly based on the Norway model, and the introduction of fit-for-purpose inshore fisheries management plans to improve the management of the remaining inshore fisheries such as the introduction of creel effort limits.” Both the Scottish White Fish Producers Association and the Mallaig and North West Fishermen’s Association welcomed the decision cautiously. “Marine Scotland had previously confirmed that Scottish Government policy on MPAs was being met,” they said. “There was no requirement for HPMAs. There was no policy framework to put HPMAs in place and, most importantly, it was not in the plan of the Scottish Government to deviate from the current path. However, within six weeks we were informed that the Bute House Agreement had been signed and HPMAs would be developed. The subsequent direction and timeline that evolved did not reflect the requirement of a robust evidence-based process. “We were strongly of the view that the proposal that 10% of EU seas should be under strict protection could actually be met by applying appropriate measures within the existing network. We have indicated our support for an alternative proposal from the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation to consider two pilot areas for HPMAs, which would serve as a baseline and inform on effectiveness of a whole site approach. Our concern now is that the initial proposals will resurface under a different initiative or banner.” Our Seas is a coalition of more than 130 coastal businesses, community groups, fishermen’s associations and environmental organisations campaigning for the recovery of Scotland’s coastal marine environment and the revival of sustainable inshore fisheries. It told us: “Our coalition supports stronger marine protection but delivered in a way which supports inshore fishers and other small businesses and communities who rely most on ecosystem and fisheries recovery. “HPMAs highlighted that many communities are strongly supportive of safeguarding small-scale, sustainable fishing activity in their area and that most people draw a clear distinction between industrial methods of fishing and small day boats with a lower environmental impact. For almost 100 years there was an inshore limit out to

three nautical miles, which protected more than 30% of Scotland’s coastal waters from the impacts of bottom-trawling. This limit was repealed in 1984, but our coalition believes that we must reinstate some version of this limit to protect our inshore seabed habitats, but also – crucially – to recover the fish populations that depend on those habitats. We want to see the return of the herring, abundant inshore cod fisheries and sea angling festivals. “Fisheries management is complex and high-impact methods of fishing like scallop dredging and bottom-trawling need to be supported as part of any just transition. It’s time for the government to take meaningful action towards achieving a thriving, sustainable future for Scotland’s fisheries.”

A conservationist view Oceana is the largest international advocacy organisation focused solely on ocean conservation. Oceana UK’s Director Hugo Tagholm said: “We mustn’t confuse Big Fishing with the local communities and low-impact fishers that environmentalists and NGOs stand with. These are two separate stakeholders. The former often imposes an unsustainable toll on our seas and the latter acts as custodians to healthy marine ecosystems and champions of sustainable fishing. “Environmentalists, local coastal communities and low-impact fishers shouldn’t be in conflict about the goal to protect and restore thriving seas. The areas in question should really looked at as Highly Regenerative Marine Areas – boosting fish populations, wildlife and sustaining local communities in myriad ways. “Highly Regenerative Marine Areas should be seen as a boost for people, local communities, nature and the long-term

prosperity of local fishers. Recognising the need to restore our marine environment in the face of the twin biodiversity and climate crisis is something we can all agree on as society and business evolves to ‘swim more lightly’ on Planet Ocean.” Moving forward, the Sustainable Inshore Fisheries Trust set out five key principles for developing policy for inshore waters. The first is community input: “Work with communities to identify areas for marine industries and recreation, but also those for nature restoration. These negotiations must be conducted fairly, recognising the needs of communities and also where competition for space is occurring.” The second is science: “Policy must be informed by accurate data to identify which areas can remain open to industries (including fisheries) but also where protection is needed. However, lack of local data is not an excuse for inaction – precautionary measures should be taken where appropriate.” A third is economics: “Declines in fish populations has resulted in declines in catches seen at Scotland’s ports and harbours. This has been aggravated by short-term thinking with fisheries management, instead of planning for higher, genuinely sustainable catches in future.” Its fourth is scale: “The benefits of lowimpact fishing zones for nature restoration won’t be achieved unless considered at a seascape scale. Currently just 66km2 of 90,400km2 inshore waters are fully protected from commercial fishing and almost none reserved for low-impact fishing.” And finally the fifth is coherence: “All of the above should be delivered in line with international best practice, through negotiated spatial planning that considers

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Photo Stephen earne , i�le a Produc�ons

ENVIRONMENT

Photo Stephen earne , i�le a Produc�ons

designations and inshore fisheries in a way that balances conservation objectives with socio-economic considerations. “Local communities are often the ones most affected by changes in marine ecosystems and they can provide valuable knowledge and insight into the health of local fish stocks and other marine resources, and a more tailored approach could also improve monitoring and enforcement. “So I’d like to see a study to consider if this way of working could improve outcomes, both for local communities and for the growth of the blue economy more widely.”

Protest song

all of Scotland’s waters. The Scottish Government’s next steps must be guided by community, science and economics – all of which point in the same direction. Proper spatial planning is essential to reserve areas for low-impact fisheries, for dredge and trawl where impact is minimised and for nature restoration.” Among the point-scoring by political parties, a few ideas emerged. Kate Forbes, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, and an opponent of the

government’s proposals, said: “Moving forward, I would commission a feasibility study into giving councils more power to ensure marine protection designations are effectively implemented and enforced, and ideally consult on which of Marine Scotland’s statutory responsibilities could be more effectively delivered by local authorities. “We have a range of expertise in coastal communities and I believe they are better placed to manage marine protection

In the meantime, some of Scotland’s best-known singers joined forces with Celtic music group Skipinnish in a Gaelic makeover of their chart-topping song The Clearances Again, written in protest against the HPMAs proposals. Fuadaichean (Gaelic for “clearances”) has been recorded by Hebridean fisherman Donald Francis (DF) MacNeil in his native Gaelic, along with Skipinnish and several famous supporting voices. The original song, which was released in April and was 64-year-old DF’s recording debut, was composed by Skipinnish co-founder and fisherman Angus MacPhail but it was his

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”

P hoto: A nd rew K ing

Environmentalists, local coastal communities and low-impact fishers shouldn’t be in conflict

Opposite from top:

D F M acN eil; A ng us M acP hail of Sk ip innish

This page from top: A llan C ameron; Sk ip innish; E rin M acK enz ie

78-year-old mother Flora who penned the new Gaelic lyrics. Karen Matheson of Capercaillie, folk singers Julie Fowlis and Kathleen MacInnes, broadcaster Mary Ann Kennedy and ex-Simple Minds rockstar Mick MacNeil are just five of the impressive names joining DF MacNeil and Skipinnish for their new single. “It has been done as a reminder to governments and policy makers that Scotland’s island and coastal communities must not be ignored and any proposals that impact the sustainability of their fragile economies, way of life and unique culture will be vociferously opposed,” Skippinish said. MacPhail explained: “Until the voice of our coastal communities is listened to, understood and respected, then we will remain in this limbo of waiting for ‘HPMAs mark two’ to be thrust upon us. That is how coastal communities are feeling and that is why we need to re-release the song. The amazing support from so many world-class singers and musicians adding their voice to the cause reflects the widespread strength of feeling on this issue.” Nick Turnbull, Chairman of Mull Fishermen’s Association, added: “I doubt we have seen the end of HPMAs and it is a constant cause of worry as to what guise in which they will rear their head again.” Duncan MacInnes of Western Isles Fishermen’s Association said: “The biggest challenge to the fishing industry in the Western Isles is the uncertainty being created with further designations and

potential closures on the horizon. HPMAs have been taken off the table; however, there are other restrictive and unnecessary controls coming.” Throughout Scotland, skippers are urging policymakers not to push through HPMAs “by the back door”. Many remain concerned about the “vague wording” in the government’s response and fear supporters of HPMAs will try their best to usher in the policy through another avenue. Mallaig-based fisherman Allan Cameron is not against small notake zones but states there must be more collaboration. “I believe MPAs in the right area and with proper consultation could be beneficial,” he said. “I’m not opposed to small no-take zones as experimental areas and assets with full transparency and evidence available for all stakeholders and public to see results, but I don’t agree with active fishing being displaced in any case or form.” Nineteen-year-old Erin MacKenzie, who started working in the industry last year, represents the next generation. “I understand what they’re trying to do, but it’s cutting off areas for fishermen and we’re already losing so much,” she said. “We’re not catching enough as it is and it’s just going to make things worse and worse. Fishing has a big history, especially here, and to just let generations of fishermen and their families die out, it would just be horrendous.” If there’s anything everyone can agree on, it must be that the Scottish Government has a daunting task ahead, in the middle of a wide spectrum of views and an urgent environmental crisis, to strike a balance. Surely all, too, must wish them luck.

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SELCOTH FISHERIES

Powered up

Selcoth Fisheries already runs largely on renewable energy but the family running it want to do more. Robert Outram finds out why

ELCOTH Fisheries is a trout farm in the hills near Moffat in Dumfries and Galloway, in the southwest of Scotland. It’s a small family business, run by Olly and Shara Routledge but earlier this year it beat heavyweight opposition in the UK Aquaculture Awards to scoop the title in the sustainability category. How did Selcoth do it? The judges said: “Selcoth has consistently invested in projects and technologies that minimise environmental impact, maximise animal welfare and complement the local environment… the company has a reputation within the British trout sector for delivering high-quality rainbow trout while maintaining not just a neutral but an actively positive impact on their local environment.” One important factor was the Routledges’ commitment to running the farm as far

as possible on renewable energy. They have implemented a hydro-electric supply network to power the fish farm’s offices, equipment and machinery. They have also invested in state-ofthe-art equipment including an in-water humane fish stunner and water filtration system, and delivered biodiversity and habitat improvement projects across the farm’s 2,000 acres. Selcoth’s main business is raising rainbow

trout from ova of up to 200g to 500g for growing on in sea or freshwater loch sites, but the farm also produces and harvests its own trout as portion fish. There are four employees working on the fish farm, as well as Olly and Shara, and a part-time employee for the hill farm. Selcoth has been in the same family for three generations, since Olly’s grandmother bought the property as a hill farm in 1963. In 1976, Olly’s father, Peter Routledge, started the fish farm. He had taken a zoology degree at the University of Dundee and worked with Kames on the west coast with Stuart Cannon. Olly Routledge says: “In the 1970s, fish farming was pretty much just taking off and at that time, trout was leading the way.” Shara adds: “Olly’s father realised that the water coming down the valley at Selcoth was phenomenally good.”

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Opposite from top: Shara and O lly R outled g e ( second and third from le pick up the sustainability award at the 2 0 2 3 A q uaculture A ward s; Sterner/ GroA ua disc ﬁlter Right: Feeding the ﬁsh

The freshwater at the Selcoth farm is drawn from a combination of upland burns and springs so it is pure and, with the southwest of Scotland getting more than its fair share of rain, it makes for a reliable source. Selcoth joined Scot Trout, the cooperative set up by producers to market trout to retailers, but left the group before it ran into difficulties in 2008 and was acquired by Dawnfresh Seafoods. By 2010, Peter Routledge was looking to retire and that year he stepped down, with Olly and Shara taking on the running of the fish farm.

Electric dreams

”

Olly had been a property solicitor specialising in agricultural matters, including renewable energy. This proved useful in the setting up of a 190kW hydroelectric scheme fed by the same burn that feeds the farm with water and which now provides power for the whole farming

To be sustainable as a farm, I think you need a few different business routes

enterprise. The majority of the time, there is also spare electricity to sell into the grid for additional revenue. The key element of the farm that still relies on mains power is the oxygen generator. This had been something Olly and Shara had been thinking about for some time, but it became urgent during the Covid-19 pandemic when it appeared liquid oxygen would be needed for hospitals and supplies would be growing short. Shara says: “We had been wanting to make the investment in on-site oxygen generation for a long time, but up until then it had not been a top priority.” Fortunately, the Routledges were able to use the UK Government’s Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme to help fund the investment.

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SELCOTH FISHERIES by the Scottish Government – over two years, there will be more than 400 acres planted with 267,000 trees. The farm had already been diversified but this was an even bigger focus after Olly and Shara took it on in 2010. Shara says: “To be sustainable as a farm, I think you need a few different business routes you can go down. Sustainability isn’t always easy.” Olly agrees, adding that for hill farmers without diversified revenue streams: “Things are going to be increasingly difficult as agricultural support moves away from being based on land-owned and instead based more on delivering for the public good.” He adds: “For me, the issue of biodiversity loss is as important as climate change. Biodiversity loss across the planet is huge. Hill farms like this were massively overgrazed in the 1970s – there were 700 sheep on this farm at one time.” Replanting with native species not only means more plant diversity – it massively increases the number and variety of animal, bird and insect life.

Changing demand Scot Trout’s product through the 1980s and 1990s was mainly portion trout, but the trend now is much more to large trout. Selcoth’s main customer for this is Dawnfresh, whose farming operations

”

For me… biodiversity loss is as important as climate change This page from top: H atchery and liq uid ox yg en store; G roA q ua/ Sterner A irSep aerator; the hyd ro g enerator; A rran J . H unter in the p ond Opposite – clockwise from top left: T he hatchery, now emp ty; O lly with f eed ; A ce A q uatec stunner

The new system was built by Sterner, which now – together with JT Electric – trades as GroAqua. The Sterner team were able to deploy the new equipment rapidly and it was in place by June 2020. A storage facility by the hatchery ensures that there is a backup supply of liquid oxygen, sourced from Air Products, when required. As Olly explains: “The original plan was to power the oxygen generator from the hydro, but it has a large 80kw compressor and we were concerned that drawing power from the hydro, particularly in periods of low flow in the summer, would put our electrical infrastructure under too much load.” Summer, the period of lowest water flow, is also the time when the farm’s demand for oxygen is at its height. The next step will be to install a 100kW ground-mounted solar photovoltaic array – for which planning permission has already been received – which will feed straight into the oxygen generator. Since the hydro scheme is rated at 190kW and the current load of the fish farms only reaches 40kW, that leaves a surplus. Rather than selling that back to the grid, however, the Routledges’ plan to increase on-site electrical usage and the coming year will involve a rebuilding programme designed to achieve just that. The building work, partly funded by a grant from Marine Scotland, will start with the hatchery, which is currently empty. The project is due to be completed in April. Selcoth is also still a diversified hill farm, with a flock of 300 Scottish blackface ewes. The Routledges have also instituted three tree-planting schemes on what was previously sheep pasture, restoring native woodland, mainly birch and Scots pine. The investment has been supported

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have been part of the Mowi group since February . Selcoth has also found a new processor for its own fish since Dawnfresh Seafoods – which was a seafood processor as well as running its own fish farms – went into administration. Selcoth supplies JK Thomson of Musselburgh with portionsized trout for the restaurant trade and fishmongers. Olly says: “If you’ve bought a portion trout product at an Edinburgh or Glasgow fishmonger’s, there’s quite a good chance it’s ours.” At one stage, Selcoth also had its own brand of smoked trout. As Shara explains: “It was a great brand and sold at a high price, but it was just not on a scale big enough to be profitable. We couldn’t make the numbers work.” In harvesting its own fish, Selcoth uses a Vaki fish pump and has also installed a humane electrical stunner from Ace Aquatec. The latter was also cited by judges at the Aquaculture Awards as part of Selcoth’s sustainability credentials. Ongoing challenges include the cost of feed – although this has been coming down after the price shock of 2022 – and the imperative to make feed itself more sustainable. As far as possible, the Routledges are trying to substitute fishmeal from wild-caught sources with alternative

feed source in collaboration with their main feed provider, Skretting. Skretting has also been able to provide a probiotic feed to help protect the fish against a non-lethal skin infection known as red mark syndrome. Economic sustainability – ensuring the business remains financially viable – is

clearly important but there’s no doubt the Routledge family are committed to sustainability in the round. As Shara puts it: “As farmers and parents, we feel a strong responsibility to reduce our impact on the planet for the next generations. On that basis, sustainability has to run the whole way through everything we do.”

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VIETNAM

Ambition in the East Vietnam is looking to grow its aquaculture – and to make it more efficient. Vince McDonagh reports

T might come as a surprise to some people to learn that Vietnam is the world’s fourth-largest producer of farmed fish, generating almost 4.9 million tonnes a year – three times that of Norway, for example. Its products, of course, are quite different and so too are the methods; Norway is renowned for its salmon, trout and increasingly cod, while Vietnam is one of the largest producers of pangasius and black tiger prawns. Pangasius, also known as basa or river cobbler, is now a familiar product on UK supermarket shelves. It is used by major UK seafood companies as an acceptable substitute for far more expensive whitefish such as cod. With a population of around 100 million, Vietnam clearly has its own mouths to feed first. But the country’s importance to the global seafood market cannot be overestimated. Without this once isolated country, the world would be a hungrier place. Export growth has been a key economic strategy for some time but it now planning an even greater assault on world markets. The Hanoi government recently approved a major marine aquaculture development project aimed at reaching seven million tonnes by 2030, with a further strategy up to 2045, developing improvements in quality and value. According to the Vietnam News Agency (vnanet), Dinh Hoe, General Secretary of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), said the increase in global seafood demand meant Vietnam’s aquaculture product export turnover has maintained growth over many years.

It reached US $11bn (£8.7bn) in 2022, 12 times higher than that of a quarter of a century earlier when the country’s seafood sector first started to reach out to the rest of the world in a meaningful way. The agency says that Vietnamese aquaculture products are not only growing in output but are considered an excellent source of protein, with stable quality and increasingly high nutritional value, contributing to ensuring a sound global food supply. Vietnam has a number of advantages. First, seafood consumption is increasing globally while natural aquatic (wild fish) resources are limited, which meant seafood supply must rely on aquaculture. Vietnam also has a long coastline and sufficient water surface area for developing both brackish and freshwater aquaculture. For example, Vietnam contributes about a million tonnes out of the total world shrimp production of six million tonnes a year. The second advantage is that Vietnamese businesses are catching up with the world in processing technology, particularly deep processing, to make value-added products. Thirdly, Vietnam has a widely and deeply integrated global network through signing and implementing new-generation of free trade agreements with countries and regions that are large consumption markets. The industry remains fragmented, however, but has been working with countries such as Norway to improve its efficiency. According to the agency, Vietnam’s seafood sector faces some disadvantages such as small-scale production, mostly through household farming, and the negative impact of climate change (now affecting even Nordic countries such as Norway).

Above: F ish f arm, V ietnam Left: H a L ong , V ietnam Opposite from top: ietnamese ﬁsh farmer pangasius Basa ﬁllets

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In Vietnam, these changes were resulting in the shrinking of freshwater aquaculture areas. Vietnam believes it has strengths in processing technology and consumption markets. The agency adds: “The issue that its aquaculture sector needs to address now is how to optimise production costs through minimising input costs. “Long-term solutions are also needed such as gradually increasing the rate of large-scale production, applying high technology to improve productivity and attracting investment in local animal feed and breed production to reduce its reliance on imported sources.” Hoe said that Vietnamese aquacultural products are present in more than 170 countries and territories all over the world, so finding new markets is no longer a priority. In the context of a decline in purchasing power in major markets, businesses and associations need to step up trade promotion to effectively exploit the potential of each market, he stressed. On the green production and consumption trends, the VASEP representative said that Vietnam’s fisheries industry is “going green” quite well. Up to 70% of raw materials used to make products for export are raised at farms. Vietnam has more and more farms and farming areas that have received international certifications for responsibly farmed aquatic products, minimising negative impacts on the environment, ecosystem and community, and meeting labour regulations.

The issue now is how to optimise production Pangasius sales costs through on the rise minimising input costs

THE total value of Vietnam’s exports of pangasius, the most sought-after Vietnamese seafood product in Britain, reached US $167m (£131m) in September this year. China, including Hong Kong, was the main market at $56m (£44m) but sales to the EU were up by 9% at $14m (£11m). The Japanese too have been buying more pangasius.

Out of 847 industrial-scale factories with food safety certificates, more than 690 factories received codes for exporting products to the EU. For the important US market, Vietnamese products also meet the Best Aquaculture Practices standard. Vietnam says it is committed to net zero emissions by 2050, so it is urging every industry and business to make moves towards the use of energy efficient equipment, renewable energy and lowcarbon packaging.

Pangasius (basa)

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P hoto: U SA ID

OPINION

Balancing act

Managing aquaculture growth and environmental restoration is not easy but it is essential, argues Javier Ojeda

HE escalating global demand for aquatic food, anticipated to surge by almost 80% by 2050 according to a Stanford University study, is propelled by diverse factors such as population growth and shifts in local affordability. Anticipating and meeting this burgeoning demand necessitates the sustainable growth of aquaculture. However, the responsible expansion of aquaculture practices requires meticulous environmental considerations to ensure the sector’s growth does not compromise ecosystems, both locally and in the sourcing areas for raw materials. Issues such as habitat degradation, water pollution and biodiversity loss must be prioritised in any upscaling initiatives. With the total aquaculture production reaching a staggering 122.6 million tonnes in live weight in 2020 and a farm gate value of US $281.5bn, it becomes evident that the industry’s growth also represents a substantial economic force. By endorsing responsible policies, engaging in community empowerment and embracing advancement in innovative aquaculture technologies, we can create a future where the industry not only meets the rising demand but does so in balance with the natural world. Innovation and technology play a pivotal role in overcoming challenges associated with conventional aquaculture practices. It is crucial to endorse and promote

the adoption of eco-friendly farming systems, exemplified by practices such as recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and downshifting sourcing raw materials used for fish feeds towards lower trophic levels. RAS involves the recirculation of water within a closed system, significantly reducing water usage and minimising the discharge of waste into natural water bodies. In comparison to traditional methods where water usage can reach 30m3/kg of fish produced, RAS operates at less than 0.1m3/kg, showcasing its unparalleled efficiency in mitigating freshwater scarcity challenges facing many parts of the world. Moreover, RAS proves to help with environmental preservation, with eutrophication possibilities being 26% to 38% lower than traditional systems. In regions with limited access to land and water, RAS emerges as a highly appropriate solution, utilising less than 1% of land area compared to conventional aquaculture systems. Its operation in a controlled environment makes RAS impervious to climatic variables, providing

stability and resilience in the face of changing weather patterns. The economic advantages are noteworthy as well. A study shows that large farms in Vietnam implementing RAS can experience an increase in net present value, rising from an average of $589,000/ha to $916,000/ ha. However, more funding and research are necessary to address the high start-up costs and reduce energy consumption, making RAS more accessible and feasible, especially for developing countries. Offshore aquaculture (for finfish or shellfish) is another valuable option for overcoming the challenges that conventional aquaculture currently faces. Competition for space with other stakeholders, social acceptance and environmental impact can be addressed by moving the locations further into the sea. Certainly, these higher energy sites will require innovative technologies, advanced management practices and higher investments, but large opportunities lie in the oceanic open spaces. In some cases, these aquaculture farms can find synergies with other industrial uses such as renewable energies that would provide economic and logistic advantages. Additionally, Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture (IMTA) involves the cultivation of multiple species in a synergistic manner, creating a balanced ecosystem. For example, combining fish farming with the cultivation of seaweed and other plants can lead to a beneficial system where

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P hoto: M cK ay Sav ag e

waste from one species serves as nutrients for another, enhancing productivity but also mitigating the impact of aquaculture on local biodiversity and ecosystems. Intensive aquaculture production releases high amounts of nutrients and organic waste into the environment, contributing to the eutrophication of coastal areas and aquatic systems. Studies show that about 20% to 40% of nitrogen and less than 50% of the energy intake are retained by the species produced in intensive aquaculture settings. IMTA systems, as highlighted by research, play a crucial role in reducing CO2 emissions. Seaweed in IMTA absorbs CO2 for photosynthesis and the systems as a whole absorb excess nutrients, thereby reducing eutrophication. In fact, IMTA with finfish and shellfish has the potential to remove up to 54% of particulate nutrients, while seaweed can remove up to 60% of dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus. It is also essential to acknowledge that more research needs to be directed towards tailoring IMTA systems to the specific needs of diverse regions, farm sizes and resource capabilities. Sustainable aquaculture solutions should not only be effective in addressing environmental challenges but also adaptable to the unique contexts and conditions of various regions globally. Because social acceptance is key for the development of aquaculture, education programmes, tailored to the needs of rural communities and aquaculture workers, should be a focal point in disseminating knowledge on sustainable practices. The development and implementation of training programmes become pivotal in bridging the gap between scientific understanding and practical application. Workshops should be designed to be accessible and applicable, addressing on-the-ground challenges such as effective waste management and disease prevention. Moreover, recognising the profound impact of best management training, especially among poor rural producers, is crucial for promoting productivity and sustainable practices in developing markets. In a case study in Ghana, one year after the adoption of good management practices, including record-keeping, water quality management and biosecurity practices, there was a noticeable improvement in productivity and incomes. The training resulted in an increase

of 0.45 more kilograms of fish harvested per square metre. Trainees experienced an additional income of $627 per year on average, showcasing the tangible benefits of incorporating these practices. Further underscoring these findings is another case study in Egypt, where farms implementing best management practices surpassed control farms by more than $15,000 in average net profits. These farms were also more likely to practice integrated aquaculture systems, of which the large environmental benefits have been emphasised. These findings highlight the economic and environmental advantages of more widespread training programmes. As we navigate the complex intersection of aquaculture growth and environmental preservation, the key lies in fostering shared responsibility, adequate special planning and a commitment to sustainable practices. By prioritising collaboration, innovation, education and advocacy, industry experts and stakeholders need to be committed to charting a course towards a future where aquaculture not only meets the growing demand but does so in harmony with the delicate ecosystems that sustain us all. Javier Ojeda is General Secretary of the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers.

Opposite from top: F ish farm, ietnam ﬁsh f arm in the N ile riv er in R ashid , E g yp t Above: J ik az Self - H elp G roup , K enya

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Social acceptance is key for the development of aquaculture www.fishfarmermagazine.com

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FRESHWATER FISH

Carp isn’t just for Christmas

A fish grown for sport in the UK is a favourite seasonal dish in central and eastern Europe. But for how long? Fiona Nicolson reports

HILE turkey, mince pies and Christmas pudding may be top of the Christmas food-shopping list for many, fish is also much in demand during the festive season, especially smoked salmon. Carp, however, is one fish that’s unlikely to make an appearance on the dinner table – at least in the UK. In eastern Europe, it’s a different story. Carp is long-established as a Yuletide dish in countries such as Poland, where around 80% to 90% of carp consumption takes place at this time. Some also maintain the tradition of buying a live carp in the market and keeping it in the bath tub until it’s time to eat it. However, carp at Christmas could be a fading custom, as Dr Szvetlana Lengyel, Technical Secretary at the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Central-Eastern Europe explains: “Eating carp at Christmas is an important tradition in many central and eastern European countries but this has recently become less popular for a number of reasons. One is the increased availability

of other types of fish. Some people prefer to buy, for instance, less bony fish for their Christmas meal. Others, especially young people, want to avoid lengthy food preparation, so even if they keep the tradition of eating fish at Christmas, they often prefer to buy processed or ready-made fish products. Supermarket chains are also contributing to carp becoming less of a seasonal product by offering live or chilled carp throughout the year.” This downturn is echoed in research published in 2022 on the prospects for stimulating demand for carp among young Polish consumers. It reports that the carp-fishing industry has “stagnated” due to changes in global market trends over the last 10 years or so and concludes that without radical changes, “…it will not be possible to save the tradition of Polish carp fishing.” The taste of carp can be a drawback too, as Lengyel adds: “Common carp is often mistakenly regarded as a fatty fish with a muddy taste. It is true that it can develop excessive fat if the proper production technology is not followed – for instance, if it

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is overfed with corn. Also, if there is an increased incidence of offflavour-producing micro-organisms in the environment, the fat can also accumulate off-flavour-causing substances.” None of this has been enough to eradicate carp from the Christmas season, though, confirms Lengyel: “In spite of all this, Christmas remains the top-selling season for carp producers and it is expected to remain so in the years to come.”

Repositioning the brand But change could be required to attract more of the younger generation. The research on the Polish carp-fishing industry proposes that a new marketing strategy, a change of image and new products could encourage youngsters to take the bait. Lengyel also indicates that more could be done to bolster the industry more broadly – and beyond the festive season: “Better processing, better promotion, better labelling and certification, as well as increasing the production efficiency and reducing the production costs may contribute to some increase in carp consumption, not only at Christmas but also throughout the year.” And steps are being taken in Europe to boost the profile of carp production. The International Carp Conference in Hungary in August was attended by more than 100 delegates from 17 countries and from a range of organisations involved in the carpfishing industry. One of the main outcomes from the conference was the adoption of the Szarvas Declaration. It emphasises that carp farming should be better recognised within the European aquaculture sector and calls for a pan-European development strategy for carp. Another agreed goal at the conference was to increase Europe’s contribution to the development of carp aquaculture globally and to explore carp’s place in blue aquaculture. Conference participants also concurred that there is a need for further innovation and collaboration within the sector.

Carp in the UK While Europe considers how to increase carp consumption, the picture in the UK is somewhat different. Carp has not, to date, become a staple of British menus, at Christmas or otherwise. And this is unlikely to change, says James Anderson of Deben Valley Fisheries in Suffolk: “It would take a large industry-based marketing campaign to get people to eat carp in the UK in any sort of quantity. This sort of thing has failed in the past with species such as tilapia so I doubt it will happen.” Here, carp, prized among anglers for its size and fighting spirit, is generally farmed for restocking sport fisheries. And it’s becoming more and more popular. Tom Downe, Director at Priory Fishery in Devon, says: “There has been a huge growth in carp fishing over the last 20 years, with more people trying the sport and new fisheries being created from former gravel workings through to farm ponds.” Downe doesn’t grow any carp for food, instead supplying it to commercial fisheries, angling clubs, trade clients, holiday parks and private estates, but he does receive enquiries. “We are approached every year about carp for the table, often from eastern

Opposite: C arp f or C hristmas This page from top: F emale a er spa ning, Prior Fisher carp being har ested, eben alle Fisheries carp in market Prior Fisher f arm

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Eating carp at Christmas is an important tradition

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FRESHWATER FISH

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The pandemic saw a significant increase in demand for our fish This page from top: V S F isheries’ harv est hand ov er; f ry f rom V S F isheries; V S F isheries’ hatchery, Simon Sco� eben V alley F isheries stock ing out f or another year of g rowth Opposite from top: P riory ﬁsher , carp eben alle Fisheries, eb the farm dog keeping a close e e on the ﬁsh o�er F ishers P ond F ishery carp carp at Fishers P ond F ishery

Europeans,” he reports. He adds: “There is a small demand for carp as food, which is catered for through Billingsgate fish market in London and Chinese supermarkets in and around London. I have seen live and dead fish sold at these locations.” Downe echoes the reasons why some eastern Europeans are turning to other fish: “It is a bland fish, that requires lots of seasoning and purging in clean water before cooking.” He also believes that changing tastes are a contributing factor: “I believe the interest in carp as an alternative fish to eat has declined, simply because the next generation are moving more towards a Westernised diet. Producing carp for the table has never been a viable option for us because in Europe, faster growth rates are achieved and therefore the sale price is much lower. Our carp are sold as a premium fish unique to our broodfish/bloodline and that is what our client base is buying into.” Viv Shears, Co-Director at VS Fisheries in West Sussex, which has nearly 60 outdoor ponds, supplies fish from six months old up to 30lb fish, which take around six years to reach that size. While his farm doesn’t grow carp for eating either, he also notes that there is a market for it: “There is a demand, given the diversity of our population, as carp are one of the most consumed

fish species globally due to their virtually worldwide distribution and ability to thrive in a wide variety of climates. It is a species that can be cultivated using low intensity methods and allowed to grow by using natural food sources, hence production costs can be low.” Reflecting on the popularity of carp fishing, he observes: “Unlike many fish species the variation of scale patterns means each fish is easily identifiable so a particular fish can become sought-after, especially as they can live for up to 70 years although 20 to 30 years is more realistic.”

Strengths and opportunities As the popularity of carp fishing has grown, carp farmers have seen opportunities to build their business. Downe says: “Growth in the business has been good over the last five years. In 2020, we purchased our first fishery and have created a holiday site for anglers. “Contract growing fish for our clients has become a big part of the business in recent years. We will work with our clients to grow and develop their business by creating a stocking programme that lays out a road map of where they want to be in five years. “This works hand-in-hand with our production on the farm and allows us to plan what we keep on the farm and what we need to sell each year.” Shears also reports that carp farming is flourishing: “Business has been good and the pandemic saw a significant increase in demand for our fish. This has now flattened off, but it looks like we will sell all of our

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annual production over the coming months. Our plans for 2024 are to improve upon our current fish in terms of scale patterns and genetics so that they will produce large fish in the next couple of decades. We are also investigating solar options for powering aeration equipment.” Anderson says his strategy has been a contributing factor in his farm’s success, as he explains: “Deben Valley Fisheries is a smaller-scale farm that looks to produce high-quality fish of known British pedigree. I have taken this approach to try and differentiate myself from other farms in the UK. “I look to produce a premium product for a higher price. Most of my customers are looking to order smaller quantities of handpicked fish. With this approach, I sell most of my fish most years and have not had to cut prices to sell excess fish. I have actually put my prices up.”

health is paramount. Viral diseases such as spring viraemia of carp and koi herpesvirus can cause significant losses in carp but so far these diseases seem to be restricted to non-farming environments and may have been introduced to the wild environment years ago through imported fish.” The cost of running a carp farm can create headaches too: “All costs around the business have jumped 15% to 20% over the last 12 months,” says Downe. “Fortunately, we signed a five-year contract in 2019 for energy, so we have not suffered the huge price increases. The price of fish food has steadily increased each year with sharp rises due to the Ukraine war.” Paton reports a similar experience: “Feed costs and energy costs have risen greatly recently and make a big difference to profitability. Complying with abstraction and discharge licence conditions is a constant worry too.” Considering other issues in carp farming today, Downe highlights overproduction and competition from other fish farms: “The expansion in new fisheries has also caused a surge in small-scale carp farms and the larger farms increasing production. Pre-Covid, there was a price war, but we held our prices and still sold all our fish.” However, wildlife also poses a threat. The presence of otters can be expensive and cause sleepless nights. Fish-loving birds can also generate problems for carp farmers, as Downe says: “Predation is becoming a greater issue. Otter, cormorant and heron numbers seem to be increasing every year. All farms and fisheries must be fenced and small ponds covered, where possible, to keep the juvenile fish safe.” Anderson reports a similar problem: “Predation from otters is one of the greatest risks and has almost finished my business at points over the last 10 years. This means the added cost of having to fence all of my sites. The costs of fencing properly is considerable and restricts expansion of the business. One of my sites needed 2.5km of otter fencing but it is pointless farming without it.”

Challenges and threats Carp farmers are also faced with tough challenges, however, such as climate change, says Downe: “Our winters are not cold enough and consistent enough to kill off bacteria and bugs in the water. We must counteract this with treatments of hydrated lime when we empty the ponds. Fish are happiest when their environment is consistent and when changes are made, it needs to be gradual. We often experience changes in water temperature from high to low and back to high during the spring. “The hot summers create extremely high water temperatures, which result in algal blooms and weed growth. This can then lead to dissolved oxygen crashes and potential losses. We monitor things daily to manage this; however, it has become more of an issue in recent years.” To run a successful carp-farming business, the focus must be on the fish, as John Paton of Fishers Pond Fishery in Hampshire underlines: “As with all livestock farming, fish

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COD

Spawn to be wild Selective breeding means farmed cod are less likely to spawn multiple times, research from Nofima suggests

FTER several attempts in the past, cod farming on a commercial scale is on the rise in Norway, helped no doubt by high prices and tight quotas for wild caught cod. Norwegian research institute Nofima has been carrying out research into two areas of great interest to cod farmers: early spawning and the impact of temperature on cod health. Compared with salmonids, farming cod presents some particular challenges and one of these is the propensity of this species to spawn. Earlier this year, for example, Norcod was required to slaughter large numbers of its cod because they had reached sexual maturity early. Spawning is undesirable in fish farming. For the farmer, spawning means reduced growth. For the environment, meanwhile, there may be a risk of spreading fertilised eggs in the sea that could cross with wild fish in the following generation.

Previously, farmed cod in the breeding programme could spawn three times before reaching harvest weight. After being selected for growth, they spawn once. Many cod still reach sexual maturity prematurely if light cycles are not manipulated. In the industry however, development is controlled with light.

Breeding for growth results in fewer spawnings On behalf of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, Nofima runs the national breeding programme for cod and supplies fertilised eggs to cod farmers. For six generations, the breeding goal has mainly been growth. Breeding for growth has reduced the number of cod

spawnings during the 20 months at sea before slaughter weight from three down to one. Sexual maturation reduces the availability of resources that can be utilised for rapid growth. Energy is relocated from muscles and liver to gonads. Sexual maturation results in the cod spawning.

Can be postponed? While it is a prerequisite that cod spawn in a breeding programme, spawning is an undesirable trait in commercial farming. Therefore, Nofima wants to put an end to early sexual maturation. Recently, Nofima breeding scientist Anne Kettunen led a major trial. She tested the extent of early sexual maturation on more than a hundred full-sibling families in net-pens in Nordland. The study showed

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that 84% of females and 91% of males reached sexual maturity at two years of age when they were not managed with light. Calculations show that there is considerable genetic variation in early sexual maturation in cod. Nofima estimates that 33% of the trait depends on genes, the rest on the environment. Kettunen says: “This means that it is possible to breed for lower frequency of early sexual maturation and thus further reduce the risk of spawning in net-pens. “In Nofima’s breeding work, we are looking for several solutions, where breeding is one of them. Of course, production management at the fish farms is also part of the solution.”

Feeling the heat? Meanwhile, Nofima is also looking to connect climate projections and fish health. Research provides practical knowledge that can benefit long-term operations. “We look at the climate crisis under a microscope, because the details are important when implementing fish farming measures while temperatures are rising,” says Elisabeth Ytteborg, Senior Scientist at Nofima. In her projects, the UN’s climate projections have been scaled down to site level. It shows that expected temperatures in 2030 can cause damage to fish skin. The scientists chose a facility located at Dønna in Nordland county in the north of Norway. This facility has good data on cod farming and the environment. The scientists wanted to study the impact of temperature on fish health and what happens if cod are infected with the Opposite from top: E lisabeth Francisella bacterium. Cod prefer temperatures between 8ºC �eborg Atlan�c cod This page from top: de and 13ºC. By 2030, the facility at Dønna uses light to dela cod may experience days above 17°C. They maturit cod in tank therefore studied the effect temperature orcod farm, or a had on cod skin at 12°C and 17°C. cod, oﬁma The results showed that temperature has much more of an effect on barrier tissue functionality compared to infection with Fransicella bacteria. At high temperatures, cod suffered damage between cells that bind the skin together. These skin bonds seem to affect the fish’s ability to heal wounds. Damage to them can make the fish more susceptible to other stresses. In other words, the cod’s barrier system is weaker if it faces an extra challenge in addition to increased temperature.

What can be done about it? Ytteborg says there are currently several cod farms further south in Norway, which can expect higher temperatures. “The impact of high temperatures and how to deal with them will play a more important role in the future in line with climate change. How much the fish can tolerate will be important in finding good measures to safeguard fish health if the water becomes too hot,” says Ytteborg. Ytteborg believes climate change must be taken into account when planning fish farming in Norway. “We are releasing a publication on diversification, where we look at 36 different species and their temperature tolerance in relation to climate change. If Norway is going to have a longer-term diversification plan, one should definitely focus on temperature.” The research is financed by Troms and Finnmark county authorities in Norway.

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It is possible to breed for lower frequency of early sexual maturation www.fishfarmermagazine.com

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FISH HEALTH AND WELFARE

Red light, green light

An animal welfare charity has rated the big salmon producers on how they manage and report fish welfare issues

NIMAL welfare campaign group Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) has published a scorecard rating the major salmon farmers on their performance – and it argues there is still “a long way to go”. The scorecard has evaluated the public policies of eight salmon producers, representing more than 50% of worldwide salmon production, in terms of their transparent reporting of key welfare issues. These are based on assessments made from publicly available company information, rated across 13 welfare parameters including stocking density, humane slaughter, sea lice infestations and mortality. Each parameter is marked independently with the resultant comparison table being based on a five-colour scale from red to green.

Producers are scored from 0% to 100%, with each band representing a 20% range. The scores are based on the extent to which producers adequately report across a range of welfare issues, as follows: • Red: limited reporting. It can also mean that the practice is inadequate for salmon welfare. • Orange: writing or reporting is general or vague. Some practices are adequate for salmon welfare. • Amber: reporting with not enough detail. A mix of adequate and inadequate practices.

Left: Salmon scorecard ( source: C omp assion in W orld F arming ) Above: P hilip L ymbery, C E O , C omp assion in W orld F arming Opposite: Salmon p ens

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• Light green: reporting is extensive but omits important details. Mostly good practice. • Green: reporting is detailed. General good practice. All the producers included were consulted about the scorecard’s original findings in March 2023, CIWF says, and had the opportunity to improve their scores by updating any publicly available information prior to publication. They were also offered private, dedicated meetings with Compassion’s Food Business team to discuss how to make welfare improvements. CIWF said: “More than 400 million salmon are raised globally each year, with longstanding criticism having been levelled at the industry for failing to find solid welfare-oriented solutions for addressing stocking densities, mortality rates from sea lice infestations and the lack of mental stimuli for salmon reared in barren environments. “This new Salmon Welfare Scorecard aims to provide meaningful engagement with the salmon industry, fostering transparency across the supply chain. It will enable producers to report authoritatively on salmon welfare and provide a basis for rewarding better policy and practice, all with the aim of improving the welfare of farmed salmon.” The organisation stresses: “Fish are sentient animals capable of feeling pain, stress and fear, as well as experiencing positive emotions, social bonds and advanced intelligence. They are sensitive creatures and like many other animals, they explore, socialise, hunt and play. Yet

many fish are intensively reared on farms where they are forced to live in conditions that fail to meet their basic welfare needs.” The scorecard finds Bakkafrost was the only producer that has performed well for predator management, while Mowi and Cermaq did so for the key welfare indicator section and for their policies on humane slaughter. In 2022, Mowi received a Special Recognition Award from Compassion in recognition of their global policy of using a stun-kill percussive system for 100% of their salmon, across all countries, to ensure they are humanely killed. This policy is in line with Compassion’s recommendation and therefore earned Mowi the maximum score (dark green code) on the scorecard. CIWF says that while there are some examples of good practice and engagement has driven positive change in the communication of producers such as Mowi, Cermaq and Aquachile, the scorecard demonstrates that there is still a long way to go. Policy reporting around transfer and transport, stocking density and enclosure (in other words, rearing system and environmental enrichment) all remain very much in the red/orange colour scale across the board, meaning that the companies are not applying much transparency to these areas. Messaging around humane slaughter is massively understated, CIWF says, and an area where communication could be improved. Policies around sea lice are also seen as an area of ongoing concern and that require improvement and further engagement. CIWF’s Global CEO Philip Lymbery said: “The Salmon Welfare Scorecard is a valuable tool for encouraging greater awareness, transparency and investment in higher salmon welfare. I look forward to seeing increasing progress on fish welfare as a result of engagement with this scorecard initiative, an approach that we intend to also apply to the farming of other fish species.” The scorecard will be updated again next year to allow for deeper engagement over the coming months with producers. CIWF is planning to publish the next iteration in November 2024, including more producers. Compassion in World Farming is a leading international farm animal welfare charity. It was founded in 1967 by Peter Roberts, a British dairy farmer who became concerned about the development of modern, intensive factory farming.

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Fish are sentient animals capable of feeling pain, stress and fear

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SUSTAINABILITY

Five ways forward Aquaculture needs more effective governance to be sustainable, according to a group of international researchers in the field

HE aquaculture sector needs more effective governance to be sustainable, according to research co-authored by an expert at the University of Stirling’s Institute of Aquaculture. Aquaculture provides about the same amount of food worldwide as wild caught fisheries or eggs, yet many important questions remain unanswered about the sector’s environmental and social impacts. In a recent new study published in Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, an international consortium of aquaculture experts suggests five areas that can guide research agendas and policymaking. Professor Dave Little of the Institute of Aquaculture, who was a co-author of the research, said: “Good governance is critically important for ensuring that

aquaculture does not cause more harm than benefits. However, current knowledge and practices related to aquaculture governance currently lack a set of unifying topics and sustainability goals. “This is in part due to aquaculture’s rapid expansion and intensification over the last two decades, in part outpacing the ability of research and policy to catch up. As state ministries worldwide now begin to think more concretely about governance issues in the sector, the five priority areas suggested in this recent research are essential for guiding unified economic, policy and environmental planning. “Concerted governance efforts can help move the sector beyond fragmented technical questions associated with intensification and expansion, social and environmental impacts, and toward

system-based approaches that address interconnected sustainability issues.” The researchers define governance as “the organising of social processes through goal identification and mobilising capacity for social cooperation between diverse actors operating in and across multiple contexts or ‘engagement arenas’.” Based on the current literature and expert knowledge, the study identifies five governance engagement arenas that are scalable and cross-cutting, and thus applicable to a diversity of aquaculture systems and actors. The researchers say: “We recognise that these engagement arenas are not mutually exclusive, but still offer conceptual simplification and, as such, clarity for debate. Together, they enable aquaculture

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to be understood in the wider context of food systems, as well as representing sites of action for enabling systemic change. Each engagement arena is presented with contextualised examples and a discussion of future opportunities for contributing to the governance of aquaculture sustainability.” The study reviews the most recent literature and synthesises expert advice to suggest five priority areas for research and policymaking: setting sustainability transformation goals; cross-sectoral linkages; land-water-sea connectivity; knowledge and innovation; and value chains. The five areas highlight the need to balance social, economic and environmental outcomes, and how aquaculture is connected with other important food and economic sectors, suggesting the need for joint decisionmaking in the ministries, agencies and institutions responsible for agenda setting and resource allocation. The researchers argue: “Systemic challenges in the aquaculture industry require system-level goals, that is, goals that address broad challenges such as climate change, environmental performance and food and livelihood security, and are aligned with capabilities and practices of actors throughout the aquaculture food system. “This is important because the social, economic and environmental conditions under which the majority of aquaculture is currently produced fall far below optimal. For example, 66% of all aquaculture is produced under suboptimal nationallevel governance conditions, 76% of all aquaculture is produced in countries facing the highest climate risks and 90% of global production is in countries scoring in the bottom half of the global rankings in environmental performance. “These data highlight the need for governance to mitigate risks guided by sustainability transformation goals. The capacity of national governments to both set and implement system-level goals for aquaculture remains crucial. “Similarly, limited state oversight and self-governance by industry can lead to uncontrolled domestic aquaculture growth, as well as increased demand from sometimes poorly managed fisheries delivering fish meal and fish oil for feed from other countries. “Weak or misaligned cross-sector collaboration can also undermine the capacity of aquaculture producers to adapt to climate change, in particular leaving smallholders most reliant on public land and water resources without protections.” The paper advocates a collaborative

approach, not just between aquaculture practitioners but also between practitioners, policymakers and researchers. It concludes: “Governance is not a panacea that will solve all complex issues. Rather, it is a set of social processes and arrangements that, when negotiated among governance actors, can lead to inclusive, innovative and adaptive approaches for resolving the many challenges of sustainably increasing farmed aquatic food production.” The research titled “Aquaculture governance: five engagement arenas for sustainability transformation” was published in the journal Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability (www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877343523001264). The consortium of authors included more than 30 aquaculture experts from around the world.

Opposite: F iv e k ey eng ag ement areas Above: P rof essor a e i�le Below: F ish f arm of the f uture

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Governance is critically important for ensuring that aquaculture does not cause more harm than benefits

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PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

What’s NEW Monthly update on industry innovations and solutions from around the world Join the community of AquaFarm 2024

AquaFarm is the Italian international conference and trade show on aquaculture and sustainable fishing, organised with the two most important Italian Association of the sector. It will be back on 14 and 15 February 2024 in Pordenone, in the Venice area. The event was first held in 2017 and during the last edition, it recorded 62% growth compared to 2022, with 130 exhibitors, 35% from abroad. The show represents an opportunity for companies to get in touch with stakeholders, consolidate relationships and expand business opportunities. To take part in the event, complete the participation application online at: www.aquafarm.show

Innovasea hires Seim as Norway head

Aquaculture and fish tracking tech business Innovasea has hired Rudi Seim (pictured above) as Managing Director of its office in Bergen, Norway. Seim comes to Innovasea from Benchmark Genetics, where he served as Head of Production, Norway and Global Fish Health. Seim has more than 15 years of experience in the global aquaculture industry. At Innovasea, he will oversee all operations in Norway, including business development, sales, field service and customer support. “Rudi was an ideal choice to lead our Norwegian business,” said Innovasea CEO David Kelly. “Not only does he have a great understanding of the market and strong contacts throughout the industry but his background in genetics and egg production brings another area of expertise to Innovasea.”

ANB rolls out new sensor interface

ANB Sensors has unveiled the first images of the new graphical user interface (GUI) for the company’s multi-parameter, calibration-free sensors. Navigating the interface is intuitive, making data inspection seamless and visually pleasing. Users can effortlessly monitor pH, temperature and salinity metrics in real-time. The GUI’s minimalist design ensures accessibility for users of all levels, taking the sensor information and health status, and displaying the data in an easily understandable format. End-users can set custom alert thresholds, adding a layer of proactive control and ensuring timely responses to deviations. ANB’s GUI combines user-friendly functionality with customisable alerts, delivering a superior operational experience. www.anbsensors.com

Marine robots could boost seaweed sector

London robotics startup Samudra Oceans has secured a £150,000 investment from the British Design Fund as part of a £800,000 pre-seed funding round. Samudra Oceans’ innovative AI-powered static monitoring robots use powerful sensors and cameras that enable farmers to actively monitor and predict their seaweed yield. They are designed to support the growth of sustainable seaweed farming by reducing unnecessary and costly boat trips and labour. The funding will be used by the team to build more prototypes and deploy in more regions. Currently active in the UK and Scotland, and with a project also underway in Jamaica, they aim to launch schemes in India and Sri Lanka too.

www.fishfarmermagazine.com

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PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

What’s NEW Monthly update on industry innovation and solutions from around the world Ocean Ecology acquires Tritonia Scientific

Marine environmental services business Ocean Ecology Limited (OEL) has taken a controlling stake in underwater survey specialist Tritonia Scientific. The move follows OEL’s acquisition of marine tech company Ecospan Environmental last year. Tritonia Scientific, based in Oban, is a research and development-focused organisation that has, since its establishment in 2018, been a trailblazer in visualising, mapping and measuring the underwater environment using georeferenced 3D photogrammetry. Ocean Ecology (pictured) is part-owned by the Åkerblå Group (which is now part of DNV) and is confident that this latest move will provide best-in-class solutions for assessing seabed features and habitats to clients in the aquaculture sectors in Scotland and Norway.

PTG acquires Ålesund refrigeration tech supplier

Perfect Temperature Group (PTG) has taken full control of Multi Kulde Vest, a refrigeration specialist business based in Ålesund, Norway, following the sale of 60% of the shares in Multi Kulde Vest still held by CEO Peder Knutsen (pictured below). Multi Kulde currently has an annual turnover of about NOK 50m (£3.64m) and 18 employees at departments in Ålesund and Molde. PTG, which itself is part of Nordic Climate Group, was previously part-owner of Multi Kulde. Knutsen said: “I anticipate that we’ll derive great benefits from becoming part of a larger industrial commitment regionally, nationally and internationally. We have a good foothold at small- and medium-sized enterprises in the seafood industry, and becoming part of PTG and Nordic Climate Group will give us even greater weight in this industrial segment.”

Mobile app platform for Kenya’s fish farmers gets funding

Aquarech, Kenya’s first fish farming platform, is announcing that they have closed an equity investment of US $1.7m to hire talent, acquire more feed and set up infrastructure to support more vertical integration of their technology. The investment was led by Netherlands-based global aquaculture investment fund Aqua-Spark with additional investment from Acumen, Katapult and Mercy Corps Ventures. Founded in 2019 and led by Kisumu-based founder and CEO Dave Okech, and co-founders James Odede and Joseph Okoth, Aquarech says it is working to meet Kenya’s need for fish. Pictured from left are James Odede, Dave Okech and Joseph Okoth.

BIO-UV supplies ozone generator for Cermaq in Chile

Global salmon producer Cermaq has installed an innovative ozone generator at one of its farm sites in Chile. The triogen® Positive Pressure Ozone (PPO) ozone generator is supplied by BIO-UV Group. Its PPO technology disinfects, increases water quality and improves process efficiency. BIO-UV Group recently signed a distribution contract with COVEPA SpA, the southern Chile-based provider of a wide range of solutions and products for the aquaculture, agricultural and livestock industries. Samuel Gaetz, Manager at Cermaq’s Rio Pescado fish farm, said: “The equipment is user-friendly and stands out for its level of technology.”

www.fishfarmermagazine.com

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INDUSTRY DIARY

Industry DIARY The latest aquaculture events, conferences and courses DECEMBER 23 ALGAEUROPE 2023 www.algaeurope.org

Prague, Czech Republic December 12-15, 2023

Conference about science, technology and business in the Algae Biomass sector

JUNE 24 SEAWORK www.seawork.com

Southampton, United Kingdom June 11-13, 2024

Europe’s largest on-water commercial marine and workboat exhibition.

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Ketchikan, Alaska September 11-12, 2024

Leading conference for the seaweed sector in the US.

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AQUAFARM 2024 www.aquafarmexpo.it

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Pordenone, Italy February 14-15, 2024

Medellin, Colombia September 24-27, 2024

Focused on climate, research and innovation

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Tórshavn, Faroe Islands June 18-20, 2024 Venue:The Nordic House

Leading conference for the seaweed sector in Europe.

AQUACULTURE AMERICA www.was.org

San Antonio,Texas, USA February 18-21, 2024

MAY 24 AQUACULTURE UK 2024

JULY 24 ASIAN PACIFIC AQUACULTURE 2024 www.was.org

Surabaya, Indonesia NEW DATES July 2-5, 2024

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Athens, Greece December 10-12, 2024 Venue: Grandior Hotel Prague

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New Orleans, Louisiana USA March 6-10, 2025

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Copenhagen, Denmark August 26-30, 2024

The theme of AQUA 2024 is BLUE FOOD, GREEN SOLUTIONS.

www.aquacultureuk.com 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 2024 it promises to reach even further across the broader aquaculture markets in both the UK and Europe.

Aviemore, United Kingdom May 14-15, 2024

MAY 25 AQUAFUTURE SPAIN 2025 Website coming soon

Vigo, Spain May 20-22, 2025 Venue: Ifevi Fairgrounds

An international meeting space for the Spanish aquaculture industry.

SEPTEMBER 25 AQUACULTURE EUROPE 2025 www.aquaeas.org

Valencia, Spain September 22-25 2025

www.fishfarmermagazine.com

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OPINION – INSIDE TRACK

Catching whales By Nick Joy

HILE I have been working my way through this interminable bug, I have been reading more news than is probably good for me. So the following story may have passed you by, but the irony was so obvious that I simply couldn’t resist it. Blue whales have recovered enormously in the Southern Oceans. I can remember being told by the scientists that they were extinct and we would never see these magnificent creatures again. I shan’t make any comment about the number of species that have been declared extinct, followed by joyous commentary to tell us they aren’t really. Nor, just like the scientists involved in criticising or regulating our industry (or in managing Covid), do we find anyone carrying the can for their inaccurate predictions. However, the thing that made me burst out laughing was the reason for their recovery, according to the wonderful scientists involved. Apparently, if you stop catching whales and killing them, their numbers recover. Maybe they haven’t thought that you could catch whales and then put them back as a conservation exercise. It seems to be working so well for the wild salmonid lobby! In the old days, when Andrew Wallace was in charge of the lobby, we had a strong debate. Just as I was driving out of Montrose on the phone to him, I saw a PETA campaign poster of a dog being played on a hook and a rod. It was intended to raise opposition to angling. I said to Andrew: “I have the perfect slogan for you – ‘Save a whale, hook one today!’” He was less than amused and suggested that I was just trying to annoy him. Maybe he had a point. Still, I feel just as strongly today that if you really want to save wild salmon and sea trout, perhaps you might stop hooking them first and killing them second. Ah well, logic was rarely the lobby’s strong point. Moving to another interesting story, which our poor relations in agriculture are suffering. Support for beef farming is being reduced. I am sure some of you will feel that it might be nice to be supported as an industry but I have always felt we were lucky not to be. The dead hand of government is bad enough in our sector, without incentivising us to do the wrong thing, especially when the lobby involved is so metropolitan. Government regulates our industry but they are not supporting our price being kept artificially low and then mucking about with the level of that support. The farming budget has been cut by £60m this coming year and feelings are running high. Jim Walker, ex-President of the NFU and a man who does not mince his words, wrote in the Scottish Farmer: “The latest act of betrayal of the Scottish farming industry by the duplicitous SNP/ Green administration is as predictable as it is treacherous.” Pretty strong stuff – and it is followed by the evisceration of Deputy First Minister Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Mairi Gougeon and the current NFU president. He describes them using words like “hypocritical”, “underhand”, “untrustworthy” and “dishonest”. I have never read an article so completely furious or targeted so clearly. Having been in our industry for a long time, I have felt many times that the ministers and civil servants I was talking to not only didn’t know about or understand fish farming, but that they simply didn’t really care at all. The majority of the votes are in the metropolitan areas.

”

Save a whale, hook one today!

That is why I have long suggested that all rural industries, particularly farming ones, should work together closely. Sure, fisherman don’t like losing fishing areas to fish farmers and a lot of the large cereal farmers are also river owners, but surely we can get past that. If we can’t, the government will continue to pander to a metropolitan audience, which doesn’t know where its food comes from. More importantly, that audience is vulnerable to lobby groups, who do not have any interest in whether the population starves or eats unhealthy food. Their agendas are often disconnected and have completely unrealistic objectives. It’s time we put together a working group to find a way to create a rural lobby group to counter both the lobby groups and an uncaring government. Agriculture is not our business but when both our industries are unfairly regulated by SEPA, neither industry seems to be able to influence the outcomes. So, not for the last time, please let us look at how we can develop stronger ties with fellow industries, who understand what it is to grow an animal for food. If we don’t, we may become as endangered as they are.

www.fishfarmermagazine.com

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FF Webinar - FP.indd 68

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DATE – WEDNESDAY 24 JANUARY 2024

07/12/2023 11:20:54