What’s happening in the UK and around the world

NEWS...

Fall in wild salmon numbers ‘not down to fi sh farms’

FISH farms are not to blame for declining salmon numbers in Scotland, according to a research paper that has analysed rod-catch data collected over seven decades.

The peer-reviewed study has been published in independent journal Aquaculture & Fisheries Studies.

Author Dr Martin Jaffa, an aquaculture expert who now specialises in the interaction between wild and farmed fi sh, and a columnist at Fish Farmer magazine, said the research should end the “scapegoating of the salmon farming industry as the cause of population declines in wild salmon”.

The paper analyses rod-catch data from as far back as 1952, separating this into larger Atlantic salmon that spend up to four years at sea before returning to rivers, and the smaller “grilse” salmon that spend just one winter at sea.

Previous research has usually combined these types of wild salmon, showing differences in trends between salmon in east and west coast rivers – which some campaigners have attributed to the presence of salmon farms on the west coast of Scotland.

However, the new data shows that overall numbers of larger salmon have declined in the east coast, where there are no farms – whereas there has been an increase in grilse catches on both east and west coasts.

The report suggests that cyclical patterns resulting from changing sea temperatures and variations in marine growth rates can explain the fl uctuations in wild salmon stocks – not the presence of farms.

Further evidence in the paper shows that these cyclical patterns can be documented as far back as 1740, with trends showing that both larger salmon and grilse numbers go through peaks and troughs lasting over 50-year periods – and the recent proportional increase in grilse on the east coast is similarly matched on the west coast.

Jaffa said: “This analysis shows that between 1952 and 2010, catches of grilse have steadily increased.

“Increasing numbers of grilse returning to Scotland’s rivers means that they cannot have succumbed to sea lice after making their way out to sea as some anglers claim, and thus salmon farms are not having a negative impact on wild stocks at all.

“Catches of large salmon may have declined, but they have declined across all of Scotland even in areas where there is no salmon farming.

“Those concerned about safeguarding the future of wild salmon should start to address the real issues affecting wild salmon rather than scapegoating the salmon farming industry as the cause of population declines in wild salmon.”

The peer-reviewed paper, titled “Merged Data Hides Differences in the Catch Trends of Scottish Salmon”, concludes: “Analysis of the catch data for grilse, salmon, and grilse and salmon combined, shows that the presentation of combined salmon and grilse catches hides important differences between salmon and grilse.

“Analysis of the make-up of the grilse and salmon components of the catch shows that larger salmon dominated catches of NW Highland catches until about 1990 even though they were in decline.

“This decline masked the increased catches of grilse, which would eventually dominate the total catch between 1990 and 2010.

“The observed overall decline in salmon refl ected the decline in large salmon catches that has occurred across all of Scotland.

“At the same time, grilse catches have increased in the NW Highlands, but not enough to show a noticeable increase in the total catch when grilse and salmon data are shown together.

“It is apparent that more detailed analysis and presentation of Scottish salmon catch data is required to ascertain the true underlying trends of salmon catches in Scottish rivers.

“This is important because salmon catch data is often used as an indication of the state of local and national stocks.

“Without presenting the full picture, which in this case is a presentation of both grilse and salmon data separately, it is diffi cult to expect regional management and riparian owners to be able to respond appropriately to changes in salmon catches to help ensure the long-term conservation of stocks.”

Above: Wild salmon Below: Wild salmon changing fortunes graph

UK government pledges £75m for seafood sector

FISHINg ports, processing facilities and aquaculture are among the beneficiaries of additional funding from the UK Government, it was announced late last year by the Department for Environment. Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The £75m promised includes a £65m infrastructure scheme that will be made available for projects such as modernising ports and harbours alongside increasing capacity and efficiency at processing and aquaculture facilities. There will be a competition to identify the best projects, prioritising those that reduce carbon emissions, helping increase the sustainability of the sector and contributing towards the UK’s commitment to reach Net Zero by 2050.

Up to £10m will also be used to encourage new entrants into the processing, catching and aquaculture sectors, alongside training and upskilling current workers. The government aims to offer an improved package of training to people joining the industry and make it easier for people from coastal communities to progress through their career.

The two funding schemes are the second and third parts of a £100m UK Seafood Fund designed to level up coastal communities across the UK. This follows

Above: Burghead Harbour

the Science and Innovation pillar, announced in September, which is aimed at supporting the development of new technology. Environment Secretary George Eustice said: “We are committed to levelling up coastal communities across the UK, and this marks a period of rejuvenation for our fishing industry.” The UK Government’s Minister for Scotland, Malcolm Offord, said: “We want to guarantee our fishing industry has a bright future and today’s allocation of funding is a great step forward. From upgrading ports and improving processing facilities to boosting training and encouraging recruitment, it all brings a massive boost for the industry. “Our engagement with Scotland’s fish and seafood sector is ongoing. We are listening to concerns and we are acting upon them for the benefit of business owners, workers and Scotland’s wider coastal communities.” The funding programme also aims to support greater sustainability – for example, by helping the industry shift to electric power from diesel. Defra is inviting applications for infrastructure funding from:

 organisations, businesses

or charities engaged within the fishing, processing and aquaculture sectors;

 trade associations engaged in fishing,

processing and aquaculture activities;

 public bodies/local authorities with a

focus on fishing, processing or aquaculture activities (including trust ports, local authority ports and public bodies using funds for environmental improvements/ management of fisheries);

 cooperatives or groups of businesses

engaged within the fishing, aquaculture or processing sector; and

 officially recognised bodies set up by

fishery or aquaculture producers.

Skills and training funding is open to applications from accredited training providers with access to other sources of funding that can deliver by March 2024.

Bakkafrost reports Scottish harvest for Q4 down by almost half

AS expected, output from Bakkafrost’s Scottish operation was well down during the final three months of 2021.

The Faroese fish farmer published its fourth-quarter trading update, which shows a Scottish harvest of 5,100 tonnes, against 9,300 tonnes for the same period in 2020.

The company warned a few weeks ago that serious gill-health-related problems at its Scottish operation were continuing to generate increased mortality and financial losses into the final quarter of the year.

The Faroese salmon farmer also issued a profits warning, stating that what it described as “extraordinary mortality” has led to a loss of 174.6m Danish kroner (DKK) – or £20m – during October and November, although the situation is now believed to be improving.

Bakkafrost acquired the Scottish Salmon Company in November 2019.

The company’s Faroe Islands business fared a lot better, reporting a total harvest of 20,700 tonnes up from 16,000 tonnes in Q4 2020. Farming North produced 9,300 tonnes, Farming West 8,900 tonnes and Farming South 2,500 tonnes.

The total harvest for 2021 in the Faroe Islands was 67,200 tonnes and in Scotland (SSC) the total harvest in 2021 was 29,700 tonnes. The total harvest from the Bakkafrost Group in 2021 was 96,900 tonnes.

Feed sales in Q4 2021 were 32,600 tonnes with Havsbrún sourcing 27,300 tonnes of raw materials during the period. The total feed sales for 2021 was 128,500 tonnes and in total 152,400 tonnes of raw material were sourced last year.

The full Q4 report will be published on 22 February.

Grant for innovation at Scottish Salmon Company’s post-smolt facility

A four-year aquaculture research and development project has been awarded up to £5m in public-sector funding. The post-smolt innovation project is being carried out at The Scottish Salmon Company’s Applecross sites in the northwest Highlands.

The initiative will create around 30 new rural jobs and signifi cantly advance salmon farming in Scotland.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise has approved up to £3m investment and a further £2m has been confi rmed by Marine Scotland.

The project is being led by The Scottish Salmon Company as part of longer-term commitment by its parent company, the Bakkafrost Group.

A central aim is to increase smolt size from around 100g to 500g in an ecologically sustainable way, using innovative recirculating aquaculture system technology.

It will include innovative husbandry, and enhanced smolt testing and vaccination

Above: The Applecross Building

methods to improve fi sh welfare while increasing production.

Greater control of the freshwater rearing environment allows the length of time smolts spend in the freshwater phase of production to be increased. The marine phase, where the fi sh are most at risk to environmental and biological challenges,such as predation and disease, will be shortened. This will reduce biological risk and enable greater productivity and quality.

Announcing the funding, Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “I welcome the new approach being taken by The Scottish Salmon Company since it became part of the Bakkafrost Group and the introduction of new management.

“The project will deliver on improved fi sh and welfare, applies innovation to address key challenges and contributes towards sustainability. It also supports the creation of new jobs, which will boost the wider economy.”

Cooke saw Scottish profits fall to £34.2m in 2020

TURNOVER for Cooke’s Scottish fi sh farming business held steady during 2020, the year Covid-19 hit the industry, but pre-tax profi ts were down by just over 14%. Cooke Aquaculture Scotland reported turnover of £170.7m for the 12 months to 21 December 2020 (2019; £169.3m). Profi t before tax was £34.2m, down from £39.9m the previous year. The company saw its cost of sales rising 6.7% from £112.7m in 2019 to £120.3m. Profi t after tax was £27.6m (2019: £32.7m). The company paid a dividend of £79.8m (2019: £2.3m) to the group’s holding company, the family-owned Cooke Aquaculture Inc, based in Canada. Cooke has marine sites in Orkney and Shetland, and freshwater operations on the Scottish mainland. More than 60% of Cooke Aquaculture Scotland’s turnover derives from exports to the rest of Europe, but the directors’ report says: “We have implemented changes to our export processes to ensure our product can be exported to the EU in an effi cient and timely manner.” It also warned, however, that Brexit continued to create “some uncertainty”. On the impact of Covid-19, the directors said: “Our main markets have proven to be robust and trading continues at levels experienced prior to the pandemic.” Directors’ remuneration for the company totalled £500,947 and the highest paid individual earned £228,000. Disposals saw the company’s fi xed asset investments fall around £1.5m to £472,927.

Walrus is surprise visitor at Shetland salmon farm

A salmon pen in Shetland has become a temporary home for an unusual visitor – a walrus weighing three-quarters of a tonne.

The female walrus, which has been named “Freya”, has set up camp on a salmon pen at Cooke Aquaculture’s fi sh farm at Aith Ness, on the coast of Shetland’s West Mainland.

Walruses normally stay in Arctic waters, but this individual has been spotted in the North Sea, on the coast of Northumberland and even as far south as the Netherlands.

Walruses are pinnipeds, related to seals and sea lions. They are benthic feeders, living off shellfi sh and other invertebrates on the sea bed, and typically resting on ice fl oes – or in Freya’s case the platform of a salmon pen. Salmon are not their natural prey and, Cooke said, Freya poses no threat to the fi sh in the pen, which seem quite relaxed about their new neighbour. She appears to

Above: Freya the walrus

be fi nding an abundant food supply so far. A spokesperson for the company said: “We have been able to work around her without disturbing her. We are very happy that Freya has chosen to spend some time with us.” The company has warned budding naturalists not to disturb Freya by approaching her, and to be aware that Aith is a working salmon farm – so visitors are advised to keep a distance from the pens,for their own safety and that of the fi sh. Walruses are rare visitors to Shetland and there is no telling how long this individual will stay at Aith Ness before her urge to wander takes her to other shores.

Benchmark hires Roslin’s Professor Ross Houston

BENCHMARK Genetics (BG) has recruited the Roslin Institute’s Professor Ross Houston as Director of Innovation, Genetics.

A leading scientist in his field, Professor Houston currently holds a Personal Chair of Aquaculture Genetics at the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, where he leads the aquaculture genetics team. He is also the Roslin Institute’s Deputy Director for Translation and Commercialisation.

Professor Houston will be joining Benchmark Genetics on 1 March 2022.

He began his career with a PhD in pig genetics at the University of Aberdeen in 2004 before moving into salmon genetics in a postdoc position at Roslin. Ever since, he has built an international reputation in the field, including discovering a major quantitative trait locus associated with resistance to infectious pancreatic necrosis in 2008, which remains an exemplar of using genetics to help control disease and improve health.

Professor Houston leads several high-profile international aquaculture research projects focusing on application of genomics and genome editing technologies to improve disease resistance. He has authored and co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and has received several awards for his contributions to the scientific community.

In the role of Director of Innovation, he will lead BG’s strategic development of innovation and R&D to support business growth and secure the company’s competitive advantages. He will also develop and lead collaborative projects both internally and externally, including harnessing synergies on innovation across the field of genetics, health,and nutrition within BG as a member of Benchmark’s cross-divisional Innovation Board.

The new role will also involve product development for the BG in-house breeding programmes in salmon, shrimp and tilapia, and expanding the portfolio of external clients for applied genetics consultancy services.

Announcing the news, Dr Morten Rye, Director of Genetics at Benchmark, said: “Getting Ross Houston on board significantly strengthens our genetics R&D capacities and is also a great acknowledgement to the reputation of our organisation. Genetics technologies are rapidly advancing and I am convinced that having Ross to lead our strategic development of innovation and R&D will place Benchmark at the forefront of this progress”.

Professor Houston said: “I have been collaborating with Benchmark scientists for several years, and I am impressed at how the genetics business area has developed during this time. I’m very motivated by translating the latest scientific developments into commercial practice to benefit the organisation as well as enhancing the sustainability of the industry”.

Mowi Invasion Bay site wins organic certification

MOWI’S Invasion Bay farm has received organic certification from the UK’s Soil Association. The site, on Loch Sunart along Scotland’s west coast, is Mowi’s fourth seawater farm in Scotland to attain this certification. The company said: “Credit must be given to Farm Manager Iman Ismail and his dedicated team for this achievement.” Meanwhile, representatives from one of Europe’s largest organic certification bodies, Naturland, also visited a number of Mowi sites in November (pictured). Gai Fox, Aquaculture and Fisheries Manager at Naturland, visited several of the Mowi’s freshwater and seawater farms as well as the feed mill at Kyleakin and the Blar Mhor processing plant. Georgina Wright, Head of Sales at Mowi Scotland, said: “The ability to supply organic products to Germany and other parts of Europe from Scotland is a strategic step forward as we align our Irish and Scotland supply under the one Mowi organic brand.”

Above: (From left) Nicola MacColl, Quality Systems Manager; Gai Fox, Aquaculture and Fisheries Manager at Naturland; Dougie Hunter, Technical Director Grieg formally seals Shetland assets sale

GRIEG Seafood has formally completed the sale of its Shetland business to Scottish Sea Farms.

The deal, reported to be worth £164m (NOK 1.9bn), was cleared by the UK competition authorities in December. The sale assets include 21 salmon farms across Shetland and Skye, a freshwater facility and a salmon processing plant.

“Grieg Seafood Shetland Ltd” is now “SSF Shetland Ltd”.

Grieg CEO Andreas Kvame said: “The sale represents an important milestone in our communicated strategy to concentrate future farming activities in Norway and Canada, where we see the largest potential for profitable and sustainable growth.

“Following a three-year period of restructuring and operational improvement, our Shetland business has been turned around.

“The region has improved sea lice control and survival significantly, and delivered solid profits during the two previous quarters. I am pleased to say that we hand over operations in good shape.”

He added: “I want to sincerely thank all our Shetland employees for their impressive efforts and dedication to Grieg Seafood, especially during the difficult times of the pandemic.

“I am confident that the Shetland business is in good hands [with Scottish Sea Farms] and that salmon farming will continue to create value for the local communities in Shetland for years to come.”

Grieg, which plans to concentrate on its Norwegian and Canadian operations, said it was aiming for global growth, cost improvements repositioning the company in the market through downstream partnership.

Scottish Sea Farms is jointly owned by two of Norway’s largest salmon farmers, SalMar and the Lerøy Seafood Group.

Young’s Gastro sales soar 18% to £76m

YOUNG’S Seafood, the UK’s leading fish and seafood company, is celebrating success for its Gastro brand after reporting sales worth £76.3m in the last 12 months.

In the last two years Gastro has grown by 18.3%, outperforming the total frozen fish market, which grew by 15.5% over the same period, and it has maintained that performance in 52 weeks to October 2021.

The leading premium frozen fish brand for over 10 years, Gastro provides consumers with restaurant-style fish, targeting customers who are looking to create an “eating out” experience in the comfort of their own home.

Grimsby-based Young’s said the brand’s significant growth contributed an overall increase of 8.1% across the last 52-week period, seeing it rise by eight positions from the previous year to 35th in the nation’s biggest grocery brands.

The Gastro range includes Wholetail Scampi and Lightly Dusted Sea Salt & Cracked Black Pepper Basa Fillets (pictured).

Young’s Gastro has also seen a high percentage of repeat shoppers loyal to the brand and consumers trading up their product choices. Across a 12-month period, 53.2% of shoppers continued to add it to their baskets, up from 51.7% from the previous year.

Gareth Roberts, Head of Category Management at Young’s Seafood, said: “Gastro is one of our category leading brands, so it’s fantastic to see strong growth over the last 12 months.”

“In particular, new product development throughout the year has helped contribute to the brand’s success.

“For example, the launch of our Tempura Battered Chunky Alaska Pollock Fish Fingers earlier this year has resulted in an increase of 25.6% for Gastro

Above: Young’s Gastro Lemon Sole Fillet

fish finger sales, with a total of £5.2m in the last year alone.”

He added: “We’re always looking for ways we can attract new shoppers and keep our existing customers excited about fish, and we hope to do so with the launch of new, innovative and great-tasting products that respond to consumer needs.

“Our new products will introduce new species to the range, and include Lightly Dusted Sicilian Lemon and Black Pepper Sole Fillets and Salmon Puff Pastry Parcels with Creamy Spinach and Cheddar Sauce.

The new products are available to buy in Iceland, the UK retailer.

Manufacturing bespoke fi sh farm nets for over 35 years!

Contact us for a FREE Fisheries catalogue!

01308 485422 - www.collinsnets.co.uk

NEWS...

Investment fund takes controlling stake in Bio Marine

Above: Bio Marine oxygenation in a salmon pen

SEAFOOD investor Bluefront Equity has invested an undisclosed amount in Bio Marine AS, a specialist in oxygen and lighting solutions for fi sh farming. Former Mowi Chief Executive Offi cer Alf-Helge Aarskog has been appointed as the new chairperson of Bio Marine.

Bio Marine offers equipment and systems for environmental control in aquaculture, particularly for ocean-based pens. The company, which is headquartered in Surnadal, Norway, is a leading player within oxygen systems for aquaculture and offers a variety of other solutions for environmental control of pens, including monitoring and logging, lighting, pumps and lice skirts.

The company has also developed its own oxygen diffusion technology. Additional oxygen in pens is important for the vascular environment, fi sh health and growth, and can also contribute to less disease and lower mortality rates.

Martin Gausen, Managing Director of Bio Marine, commented: “A number of investors have contacted us in the past few years, but we have decided to team up with Bluefront Equity because we share both the same market view and values related to continuity and continuous development of our products and organisation. In addition, they are very friendly people who focus on what matters.” Bluefront Equity’s fi rst investment was in Redox, which is an ozone and oxygen specialist that develops environmentally friendly technologies that improve fi sh welfare and biosecurity for the aquaculture industry. Redox has collaborated over several years with Bio Marine and Bluefront hopes to create a “cluster” of companies in the fi eld of environmental control and oxygenation of pens.

The investment will be made via Bluefront Equity’s fi rst fund, Bluefront Capital I, as a combination of a share issue and purchase of shares from existing shareholders. The parties have agreed not to disclose fi nancial details of the transaction.

Prior to the transaction, assets, employees and intellectual property rights related to the aquaculture industry have been transferred from Bio Marine’s former parent company, Oxyvision AS, to Bio Marine.

Bluefront Equity will own 59% of Bio Marine. The remaining shares are held by current shareholders, which include the company’s management.

As well as the appointment of Aarskog as chairperson of Bio Marine, Kjetil Haga, who is a partner at Bluefront Equity, will join the company’s board of directors. Bluefront Capital I is a certifi ed sustainability fund in line with the EU’s comprehensive taxonomy guidelines, a so-called “Article 8 fund”.

Among the named investors in the Bluefront Capital I fund are the Bergesen family’s Havfonn, Nysnø Klimainvesteringer, the Anker family, Klaveness Marine, Steensland-gruppen, Commonfund, Cubera’s new impact fund, in addition to aquaculture industry seniors such as Alf-Helge Aarskog, Aino Olaisen, Jan Sverre Røsstad and Bjørn Apeland.

Arctic Seafarm clears another approval hurdle

A land-based salmon farm in northern Norway has secured a government permit for its fl owthrough system. The move opens the way for a farm with the capacity to produce up 15,000 tonnes annually.

Arctic Seafarm will be based at the Nesna Industrial Park in Norway. Alf-Gøran Knutsen, Chief Executive Offi cer of family-owned salmon farmer Kvarøy Arctic and Kvarøy Fiskeoppdrett, has been appointed Chairman of the board of Arctic Seafarm Holding, the company that owns Arctic Seafarm Langset AS.

Kvarøy Fiskeoppdrett is the largest shareholder in the project and its centre of operations, the island of Kvarøy, is located just 30 minutes away from the Arctic Seafarm site. Arctic Seafarm Chief Executive Offi cer Carsten Rimer said: “We are happy to have Kvarøy Fiskeoppdrett AS on board with us. Their knowledge of fi sh welfare and sustainable aquaculture will be an important key to our success. I’m confi dent their experience and involvement in every step of the value chain from smolt deliveries through to distribution will allow this collaboration to prosper.” Arctic Seafarm said its land-based fl ow-through system solved many of the persistent concerns ocean-based farms face globally, including the risk of disease, unpredictable threatening ocean events, escapes, and the effects on the surrounding environment, among other factors. A state-of-the-art fl ow-through system will retrieve clean, cold water from 80 metres below the sea surface, a depth that minimises the need for sea lice control measures. For added security, the water will be fi ltered for sediment and treated with a UV light before entering the fl ow-through system. Water temperatures will remain consistent throughout the year to facilitate optimal growing conditions.

Arctic Seafarm will maintain a low climate footprint, sourcing energy from solar, hydro technology,and biofuel. Further energy-saving measures will be explored, including the use of residual waste from salmon production.

Laxar Fiskeldi and Ice Fish Farm set to merge

Above: Laxar Fiskeldi farm, Iceland

TWO of Iceland’s leading fish farming companies have announced they are to press ahead with merger plans.

Ice Fish Farm has said it is buying Laxar Fiskeldi through a share deal. Both are financially linked through the majority shareholders, Måsøval Eiendom, Skinney Þinganes and Eggjahvita.

They have also worked together in a number of areas. In a joint announcement, the companies said the long term goal was to create a highly efficient and environmentally aware business delivering highquality premium salmon.

The two business began negotiations to “explore future strategic opportunities” back in June this year. Some of their salmon farms in eastern Iceland are physically fairly close to each other.

The new, enlarged company will be largely concentrated on the eastern part of Iceland with a current total biomass of 36,000 tonnes. However, Ice Fish Farm also operates in the south of the country and has applications pending for an additional 17,000 tonnes.

Laxar Fiskeldi is a fully integrated business and also has its own smolt production and hatchery facilities. It produces high-quality salmon mainly for markets in the United States and Europe.

Ice Fish Farm, which is listed on Oslo’s EuroNext Growth market, successfully turned loss into profit during the final quarter of last year.

It reported an operating EBIT or profit of NOK 9.2m (£768,000) and saw revenues shoot up from NOK 8m to NOK 50.9m. It also said investment in smolt capacity was moving at a faster pace than originally planned.

The proposed deal is the latest in a series of mergers among salmon businesses.

A man in his 20s was killed in a fish farming accident in Norway on New Year’s Day.

According to reports the victim, who has not been named yet, became stuck between a boat and the quayside. He was critically injured and died later.

The accident took place at a SalMar-owned facility near Frøya in the Trøndelag region, but the individual concerned was working for the shipping and aquaculture support company FSV.

SalMar said in a brief statement: “SalMar Farming AS confirms that there has been a serious work accident at the hired company FSV AS. The accident happened at SalMar’s location Ruggstein (outside Frøya). The person involved is employed by FSV AS.” A local police official told the broadcaster NRK that a post mortem examination would be carried out and the incident would be the subject of a full investigation. The police are currently taking witness statements to find out exactly what happened.

The victim reportedly came from the Møre og Romsdal area in the west of Norway.

NRK also said that the Frøya municipality’s crisis team, the Accident Investigation Board Norway and the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority have been notified of the accident.

Norway has around 30 deaths in the workplace each year and a number of them are in the aquaculture industry where there are clear risks, particularly involving the movement of personnel around boats and quaysides.

Meanwhile, in Chile, diver Cristián González died in mid-December after reportedly becoming trapped between the propellers of a boat.

He had been working on a salmon farm in the Aysén region.

Right: A service vessel operated by the FSV Group

Energy firm in bid to make cod farming greener

TWO companies with strong environmental credentials are poised to launch a project to make cod farming far more sustainable.

They are the Gadus Group, a fully integrated Norwegian seafood business producing quality cod from roe to the finished product and Inseanergy, a high-tech business delivering green energy to the aquaculture sector.

The two have signed a letter of intent for the development of a zero-emissions energy system specifically designed for cod farming.

They said in a press release that the collaboration was based on a common overall goal of finding sustainable and profitable solutions to reduce CO2 emissions, diesel consumption and noise, in addition to reusing components such as plastic.

“All in all, green solutions can strengthen the operating economy, minimise the environmental footprint and enable aquaculture facilities for cod to become green power plants,” they added.

Inseanergy said that its patented floating solar cell power plant, SUB SolarTM, had been developed with a technology that reuses excess floating rings from fish farms that would otherwise go to destruction or recycling.

The floating ring is equipped with a solar cell panel attached to flexible technical textiles, so that it is converted into a floating solar cell power plant that can produce shortdistance, emission-free energy.

This should give the floating rings a new lease of life, Inseanergy said, leading to reduced material consumption and a reduction in the carbon footprint of the aquaculture industry.

The Gadus Group said it wanted to look at the possibility of using Inseanergy’s technology in its cod farming facilities, and the two Ålesund-based entrepreneurial companies look forward to starting the collaboration early this year.

Ola Kvalheim, CEO of Gadus Group, said it had followed Inseanergy over a period of time and believed it had the potential to take a strong position in the green shift.

He added: “We believe in the team and the solution they have developed that hits well in view of the aquaculture industry’s need to reduce, and eventually eliminate, the use of fossil fuels.”

Jan Erik Våge Klepp, CEO of Inseanergy said it viewed the Gadus Group as a player with a large community involvement, both when it comes to creating jobs but also as a company working actively to reduce its environmental footprint.

Above: Inseanergy CEO Jan Erik Våge Klepp

AKVA pioneers 100% recycled plastic salmon pens

AQUACULTURE supplier AKVA is hoping to produce the world’s fi rst salmon pen made entirely of recycled plastic.

The AKVA group is working with plastic recycling business Oceanize and manufacturer Plasto in a project supported by the Handelens Miljøfond (the Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Fund). Due to requirements for material quality that are regulated by a technical standard, NS 9415 (2009), mainly virgin plastic is used in load-bearing structures in salmon pens. The project partners aim to show that recycled plastic from a discarded aquaculture facility has the qualities to meet the standard’s requirements. AKVA group has already used recycled plastic on the pen walkways, but this project will make it possible to produce the entire pen based on recycled plastic from discarded pens. Up to 12,000 tonnes of plastic waste is generated annually from the aquaculture industry, and the plastic resources are reused or collected and recycled. Potential climate savings from national management of plastic waste is up to 50 million kilograms of CO2 by preventing, among other things, the incineration and export of resources. Oceanize has extensive experience in collecting and recycling plastic from aquaculture structures, turning the material into high-quality plastic granulate. Trude Vareide-Giskås, Project Manager with Oceanize, said: “The project is a major circular economic milestone. Now we get the opportunity to show the qualities of our plastic granulate. At the same time, complete solutions like these are central in a sustainability perspective.” “Pens today are not a big litter problem, but there is a great potential for using the plastic in new pens. In this project we will achieve short, national value chains as the project participants are all established in Norway,” said Trude Olafsen, Project Manager at AKVA group. Helgeland Plast (a wholly owned subsidiary of AKVA group) will produces the pens in Mo i Rana. Oceanize already collects pens along the Norwegian coast and has a granulation factory in Rørvik, and Plasto produces parts for the pens in Åndalsnes. AKVA hopes to be able to spread knowledge to other fi sh farming nations where the group sells plastic pens.

Left: Granulated plastic

SalMar Aker Ocean picks new chief

A new man has been appointed to lead SalMar Aker Ocean, potentially one of the most exciting fish farming operations over the next decade.

The group is a joint venture between fish farming giant SalMar and the industrial investment company Aker ASA.

He is Roy Reite, currently General Manager of the seafood company Fjordlaks, and takes over as CEO of the joint venture, which plans to produce 150,000 tonnes of sustainable salmon at further offshore locations around the world.

Reite replaces Olav Andreas Ervik, who announced his resignation after just a few weeks, citing family reasons and the long commute from his home in Lofoten.

SalMar Aker Ocean Chairman Atle Eide said: “Roy Reite has valuable international experience from industrial construction and Norwegian finance, and he has in-depth knowledge of coastal culture.

“He provides insights that are important and necessary to realise SalMar Aker Ocean’s ambitions.”

Reite has considerable experience, working with large construction projects in the maritime sector and offshore, and has been at the helm of Fjordlaks for the past three years. For 20 years he was a key leader in Aker Yards and CEO of what is now the shipyard group Vard. Reite has considerable experience of leading companies, and he has contributed to building a business with more than 10,000 employees and a turnover of NOK 12bn (£1bn). He said: “In SalMar Aker Ocean, I see a company with significant growth potential and that motivates me strongly. “The company has determined, knowledgeable and capital-strong owners in combination with skilled employees and concrete plans to create a new, Norwegian industrial adventure with international ambitions, and the foundation for it all is the belief in – and the need for – sustainable production of healthy seafood.” SalMar Aker Ocean has already completed two production cycles with Ocean Farm 1, and the company is now building a new and larger version, Ocean Farm 2, which

Above: Roy Reite is under development.

Salmon Evolution’s new farm to run on hydropower

AQUACULTURE business Salmon Evolution has struck a deal with Norway’s stateowned power supplier to ensure that its new land-based farm at Indre Harøy will run on renewable energy. Salmon Evolution’s agreement with Statkraft, which is fully owned by the Norwegian state, means that the new plant will be run entirely on hydroelectric power. Statkraft is Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy. The electricity will be sourced from Statkraft’s hydropower plant at Grytten in Rauma Municipality, only around 60km from Indre Harøy, where farming operations are expected to commence during March 2022. As part of the agreement, Salmon Evolution has secured a fi xed electricity price covering the vast majority of the company’s electricity needs for 2022 and 2023 at what the company calls “highly attractive commercial terms”, confi rming original budget assumptions. Trond Håkon Schaug-Pettersen, Chief Financial Offi cer at Salmon Evolution, said: “The execution of a green power purchase agreement directly with Statkraft’s Nordic Origination team is yet another strong testament to Salmon Evolution’s credibility in the market. “Furthermore, this agreement is a great example of delivering on our vision, Extending the Ocean Potential, where we continuously push for an acceleration of new circular blue economies. Also, as our company now approach commercial operations, our customers can be 100% certain that our salmon is produced with the lowest possible environmental footprint, setting a new benchmark for sustainably produced salmon.” The fi rst phase at Indre Harøy will provide an annual capacity of 9 000 tonnes of salmon. After the full project has been completed with the third phase in 2028, annual capacity will have increased to 36 000 tonnes. The company said that the plant would have a lower risk profi le than many large, landbased salmon farms, because it will operate a hybrid fl ow-through system rather than a pure recirculation aquaculture system model. Salmon Evolution is also constructing a land-based salmon farm in South Korea in association with local conglomerate Dongwon Industries.

Mowi Ireland plan may spark heritage concerns

MOWI could be facing official opposition to its latest salmon farm plan in the west of Ireland. The state organisation Inland Fisheries Ireland, which is responsible for the protection of river and lake fish, is reported to be preparing to question company plans to develop a 22-cage facility in Ballinakill in Connemara. The problem for the company is that the site is set in a proposed Natural Heritage Area – an area considered important for the habitats present or that holds species of plants and animals whose habitat

needs protection.

Mowi had a similar problem in northern Norway last year when it wanted to open a salmon farm in the Vega Islands, a UNESCO heritage area. The plan was opposed by several groups and was initially rejected, although provisional permission was eventually granted.

However, the company was allowed to go ahead following an appeal and support from the local community who said it would create badly needed jobs and prosperity.

Mowi Ireland said it intended to start a public consultation with the community in Connemara.

Irish newspaper Sunday Independent wrote that details of the project had been circulated to notifiable bodies, including Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority.

It said both state bodies had reservations about the location, and the possible impact on wild salmon and sea trout, adding that IFI had already submitted its own views on the plan.

The final decision rests with Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine.

Set against Norway and Scotland, Mowi Ireland is a relatively small operation for the world’s largest salmon farmer. But it produces high-quality organic salmon that is much in demand worldwide.

It has organic farms in five counties along Ireland’s Atlantic seaboard, with further expansion planned in Bantry Bay, Cork.

Meanwhile, after 40 years working in salmon aquaculture, Jan Feenstra, Managing Director at Mowi Ireland, has announced he will be retiring as from 1 July 2022.

Feenstra first joined the Irish operation in 1982 when it was called Fanad Fisheries, which at that time had a 50/50 joint venture with Mowi. He took on the leadership role in 1997 and participated in several ownership and name changes over subsequent years.

Ivan Vindheim, Mowi CEO, said: “I am most grateful for Jan’s long tenure with our company during a period that has seen our Irish business unit grow into a world-leading supplier of premium organic salmon. Jan’s vast experience raising organic salmon and his ability to lead a highly effective and motivated team will be difficult to replace, so we are pleased that Jan will continue to support Mowi throughout 2022 in order to share his knowledge.”

Heavy Duty and COMFORTABLE

NEW ISOMAX

ISOMAX

NEW COLOUR

CONDITIONSEXTREME

Manufacturing in France since 1964

NEW COLOUR CHINOOK

www.guycotten.com

Norwegian seafood exports hit new all-time record

NORWEGIAN seafood exports hit a new record last year, earning the country’s fishermen and fish farmers revenue of NOK 120.8bn (£10bn).

At NOK 81.4bn (£6.6bn), salmon accounted for around two-thirds of that total.

In volume terms, Norway sold just over three million tonnes of seafood of all types, making fish its second largest export earner after oil and gas.

The main species export figures for 2021 were: • Salmon NOK 81.4bn (+ 16%) • Cod NOK 9.8bn (+ 2%) • Mackerel NOK 5.9bn (+ 18%) • Herring NOK 4.2bn (+11%) • Trout NOK 4bn (+ 5%) Norwegian Seafood Council CEO Renate Larsen said: “We are in the very favourable position that we have products that the whole world wants – even in times of crisis.

“This has resulted in demand growth, record volumes and a total export value that Norway has never experienced before. It is impressive and shows that Norwegian seafood is one of our most important industries of the future.”

Fisheries Minister Bjørnar Skjæran added: “Through a challenging year, the seafood industry has delivered fantastic results.

“The Government has very high ambitions for the seafood industry. Together with all the skilled professionals in the seafood industry, we will continue to work for further growth in the export of climate-friendly food and more activity along the coast.”

Salmon exports total 1.3 million tonnes, a volume rise of 13% on 2020 and the value increasing by 16% or NOK 11.3bn (almost £1bn).

Seafood Council analyst Paul T Aandahl said: “Despite the Covid-19 pandemic still making its mark on the markets, we had another record year for Norwegian salmon exports.

“A reopening of society, increased socialisation and open restaurants raised demand in 2021. Salmon has obviously adapted to the new ways of buying food, such as home delivery and takeaway.”

Although volumes were down by 12%, it was also a reasonably good year for farmed trout, with the value increasing by 5% or NOK 181m (£15m) to NOK 4bn (approx. £330m). Prices were boosted by a reduction in output last year.

Larsen warned, however, that people must be careful not to interpret export growth as delivering increased profitability for everyone, adding: “Challenges with market access and increased costs related to operations, purchasing and distribution led to weakened margins in parts of the industry last year.

“In order to develop, invest and continue to be a leading seafood nation, the industry needs secure framework conditions and good market access.”

Top left: Renate Larsen Above: Norwegian salmon

Colleagues pay tribute to Pål Tangvik

COLLEAGUES in the aquaculture sector are mourning Pål Tangvik, a wellknown and popular figure in Norway and Scotland, who died of a heart attack on 28 December, aged 58.

Tangvik was Freshwater Manager for Mowi’s operations in northern Norway, but had previously spent nearly seven years as Head of Freshwater Farming with Scottish Sea Farms (SSF), tasked with overhauling the company’s freshwater production strategy, including the creation of its new state-of-the-art recirculating aquaculture system hatchery at Barcaldine.

Scottish Sea Farms’ CEO, Jim Gallagher, broke the news to colleagues and paid tribute to Tangvik and his contribution to SSF’s development.

Gallagher said: “Over those years, the quiet man with the deadpan delivery yet mischievous glint in his eye became far more than a respected colleague to many of us. He became a good and loyal friend.”

Tangvik joined SSF from Lerøy, which co-owns the Scottish business along with SalMar. He had worked in the salmon farming industry since 1989. At SSF, he oversaw the design, location and build of the new hatchery at Barcaldine; streamlined the company’s pre-existing freshwater estate in preparation for its opening; and brought together a sector-leading team that is now delivering the full smolt requirement of SSF’s 42-strong estate of marine farms.

In 2020, he announced that it was time to return to his native Norway. He said at the time: “My whole reason for coming to Scotland was to help Scottish Sea Farms bring Barcaldine Hatchery into being and see the finished facility deliver its first generation of smolts. With that now achieved, and with five young grandchildren having arrived while I have been here in Scotland, it now feels like the right time to return to Norway where I can be closer to my family, young and old, and be part of the day-today once again.” In an interview with Kyst.no in January 2021, Tangvik said: “Working for the world’s largest salmon farmer [Mowi] I think is both exciting and challenging. What I have seen so f ar bodes well, with lots of good and knowledgeable colleagues.” Mowi stated that Tangvik would be remembered as a very good colleague, Kyst reported.

NEWS...

New president could mean change for Chile’s salmon industry

CHILE’S salmon farmers face an uncertain future following the election victory in December of Gabriel Boric as the country’s new left-wing president.

The 35-year-old former student protest leader was openly hostile about fi sh farming during the election campaign and warned companies they would have to rein in their activities.

Salmon is Chile’s second largest export commodity and the sector is one of the country’s principal rural employers.

Boric, who was brought up in a fi sh farming district, was a clear winner over Antonio Kast, his right-wing rival. He has promised to spread the country’s wealth by raising taxes on Chile’s super rich,and to introduce other major social reforms. His victory was greeted with wild celebrations in the country’s capital, Santiago.

But it is his warnings about aquaculture that will have fi sh farming companies worried. So far they have held back on commenting about the result, hoping Boric will have more important issues to worry about.

During the campaign he accused salmon companies of polluting the environment with chemicals and fi sh waste, leaving the cleanup bill to be paid for by ordinary taxpayers.

He also hinted at partnationalisation, saying salmon businesses should be “properly regulated and decentralised” although he did not spell out how he planned to carry out that threat.

Boric also told the electorate that more of the revenues from aquaculture should stay in those areas where the industry is based.

He declared dureing the campaign: “It is not just about breeding and exports. Fish farming should be an affi liated industry and while jobs are important they should not be at the expense of the environment.”

Above: Gabriel Boric

China reduces import tariffs

THE Chinese authorities are introducing lower, temporary tariffs on almost 1,000 goods, including seafood.

The new rates include lower tariffs on fresh and frozen salmon, frozen herring and frozen cold-water shrimp.

The change entails an adjustment in so-called MFN tariffs (“best terms principle”) when exporting to China. MFN tariffs are used when countries do not have an agreement on other tariff preferences and are available to all countries that are members of the World Trade Organization.

The temporary reduced tariffs took effect for a number of seafood products on 1 January.

Reduced-tariff products include a fresh whole Atlantic salmon, which drops from 10% to 7%. Other products set to enjoy lower import duties include frozen blue halibut, and frozen herring and cod for which tariffs are being reduced from 7% down to 2%.

And a further boost for seafood exports following a trade agreement known as a Regional Economic Partnership, in effect as of 1 January, comes into force.

The deal is designed to generate increased trade in the Asia-Pacifi c region and should eventually mean additional growth for European seafood exporters such as Norway, Scotland and Iceland.

The Partnership Agreement already includes countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines, and will now add fi ve new countries, namely Australia, Japan, China, South Korea and New Zealand.

Seafood Expo Asia confi rmed for Singapore

Above: Singapore

DATES have been confi rmed for Seafood Expo Asia, one of the sector’s leading trade shows. The 2022 event will take place from 14 to 16 September 2022 at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre.

The show is the 10th for this expo, which is a major seafood marketplace for Asia, but it is the fi rst to be held in Singapore.

Liz Plizga, Group VicePresident, Diversifi ed Communications, said: “Findings from third-party independent research revealed that, driven by growing consumption and imports, Southeast Asia has a growing need to meet with international seafood suppliers. Seafood Expo Asia is well positioned to serve a wider Asian audience and create opportunity for the seafood community throughout Asia and the world. The relocation will better position Seafood Expo Asia as a hub event to facilitate both Southeast and East Asia buyers in strong growing markets with easy accessibility.”

Seafood Expo Asia’s new home, Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, has over 20 years of experience in the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions industry.

The venue is conveniently located in the heart of Singapore’s Central Business District with direct access to six renowned hotels and a wide selection of food, entertainment and shopping options, and is only a 20-minute drive from Singapore Changi Airport.

Poh Chi Chuan, Executive Director, Exhibitions & Conferences, Singapore Tourism Board, said: “Seafood Expo Asia is the defi nitive seafood trade show for Asia, and its presence in Singapore shows the continued confi dence our valued partners place in Singapore as a safe, reliable and trusted destination for business events. We look forward to extending a warm welcome to all participants to a safe and meaningful event in Singapore.”

For more information and event updates, visit the website at www.seafoodexpo. com/asia.

ASC reassures consumers over Seafood Watch’s BC downgrade

THE salmon industry on Canada’s west coast was dealt a blow late last year when Seafood Watch, the widely followed sustainability ratings initiative, downgraded British Columbia’s salmon to “avoid” status. Certifi cation body the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) has stressed, however, that the “avoid warning” does not apply to ASCcertifi ed farms. Seafood Watch is updated annually by the Monterey Bay Aquarium in the US, and offers a worldwide guide for consumers on the comparative sustainability of seafood by species and region. The latest ratings moved Atlantic salmon from BC to the “avoid” category, joining other regions such as the UK (apart from Orkney), Newfoundland and Labrador on Canada’s east coast, Chile apart from the Magallanes region and most of Norway, other than Finnmark. Atlantic salmon from some other regions – including Faroes, Nova Scotia, Orkney and Finnmark is classed as “buy, but be aware of concerns.”

Salmon reared in recirculating systems with wastewater treatment is rated a “buy”. In a blog published on 17 December, however, the ASC has pointed out that all ASC-certifi ed salmon, regardless of region, is a “buy” recommendation. The ASC said: “If it’s ASC certifi ed, you can be assured that it’s been responsibly produced. And that’s a pretty good rule of thumb no matter where the salmon was produced.” ASC certifi cation takes into account fi sh welfare, environmental impact and social responsibility. Unlike Seafood Watch’s regional ratings, the ASC’s certifi cation is granted on a site-by-site basis. For example, Mowi now has eight ASCcertifi ed sites in Scotland and all of its farm sites in the Campbell River region of BC are certifi ed. For Grieg, 13 out of its 16 farms in BC are ASC certifi ed and the rest are under assessment. Grieg is aiming at 100% ASC certifi cation for its farms by 2023.

The Seafood Watch ratings can be viewed at www.seafoodwatch.org

Armed robbers hold up £100,000 salmon truck

A truck carrying salmon worth more than £100,000 was held up by armed robbers in Chile over the Christmas holiday in a modern scene reminiscent of the old Wild West.

The gang attacked the vehicle as the driver slept in his cab, stuck a gun in his face and then handcuffed him and tied up his feet. The early morning incident took place near the lakeside city of Puerto Montt in the south of the country, which is also an important fi sh farming area.

They then emptied the refrigerated vehicle of its content, premium frozen salmon worth at least 100 million Chilean pesos, which was destined for export.

According to regional newspaper Soy Puerto Montt, the truck was parked up in a service station rest area at around 5.30am when two assailants got into the truck and threatened the driver with fi rearms.

They then drove him and the vehicle for several miles to an isolated area before moving the entire load into two unidentifi ed trucks and making their escape. The terrifi ed driver was later found bound hand and foot. Soy Puerto Montt reported that the regional prosecutor had called the incident “robbery with intimidation”. The police are still trying to track down the bandits. Unfortunately, such robberies are not new to Chile. The last few years has seen an increase in Above Puerto Montt attacks where armed gangs hold up seafood trucks on isolated roads and tie up the driver. Representatives of the Chilean salmon industry have held security talks with the police, but arming drivers has been ruled out because of fears it could lead to shoot-outs and murder.

US aquaculture industry welcomes draft bill

A bipartisan bill to pave the way for an expansion of offshore aquaculture in the US has been introduced in the House of Representatives.

The draft legislation is intended to support the Advancing the Quality and Understanding of American Aquaculture (AQUAA) Act, which was introduced in the US Senate in October 2021. The latest bill was introduced by Republican representative Steven Palazzo and Democrat Ed Case.

The AQUAA Act sets out to increase production of sustainable seafood through the raising of fi sh in federal waters, creating a robust industry in America including new jobs.

It would establish national standards for offshore aquaculture and clarify a regulatory system for the farming of fi sh in the US Exclusive Economic Zone. The bill would also establish a research and technology grant programme to fund innovative research and extension services focused on improving and advancing sustainable domestic aquaculture.

Congressman Palazzo said: “Restaurants and grocery stores rely on seafood imports, which amount to 90% of seafood that is consumed in the US. The AQUAA Act provides a pathway to decrease that percentage and sustainably meet this demand. I am proud to introduce the AQUAA Act in the 117th Congress to support job creation along coastal areas, create a new market for agriculture products and expand seafood processing – measures that can impact every part of the United States.”

Congressman Case said: “For decades we have pursued the promise of open ocean aquaculture as part of our larger goal of sustainable management of our marine resources. States like Hawai’i have led the way in developing sustainable and safe aquaculture in state waters, but development in federal waters throughout our Exclusive Economic Zone has been hampered by a confusing and often contradicting regulatory scheme that does not suffi ciently protect our marine environment. Our bipartisan, bicameral AQUAA Act would provide a consistent effi cient regulatory umbrella to help fully unlock the potential of open ocean aquaculture in a sustainable, environmentally sensitive and science-based way, and grow economies for coastal states and food security for the nation.”

The move is supported by lobby group Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS).

SATS Campaign Manager Sarah Brenholt said: “At a time when supply chain challenges and a global pandemic are slowing the delivery of seafood to America’s storefronts and kitchens, the expansion of American aquaculture is an opportunity to try to solve these problems.”

Canadian industry launches code of practice

CANADA has drawn up its fi rst national code of practice for the care and safe handling of salmonids – mainly salmon and trout species. The fi sh farming industry hopes that an explicit code of practice will send an important message to consumers.

The code sets out expectations across a number of issues including water quality, stocking density, fi sh handling, health and monitoring, slaughter and lighting, and feed withdrawal and sea lice.

The committee involved in drawing up the code included representatives with expertise in animal science and fi sh behaviour, health and welfare.

See Canada feature, page 38.

Global Seafood Alliance CEO Wally Stevens set to retire

SEAFOOD industry veteran Wally Stevens has stepped down from his post of Chief Executive Offi cer at the Global Seafood Alliance (GSA). He retired at the end of December and Brian Perkins, who joined GSA as Chief Operating Offi cer on 1 March, assumed the role of CEO on 1 January. Formerly known as the Global Aquaculture Alliance, the Global Seafood Alliance is an international, not-for-profi t trade association dedicated to advancing responsible seafood practices through education, advocacy and thirdparty assurances. While stepping away from his day-to-day responsibilities, Stevens will remain a member of the GSA board of directors and GSA executive committee. He said: “It has been an honour to work with such professional, passionate, devoted, smart women and men here at the Global Seafood Alliance and throughout the industry. We have done good for society globally through our education and advocacy work as well as by providing third-party assurances through certifi cation for farmraised seafood and more recently for wild-caught seafood. The challenges that lie ahead will be best addressed by our associates at GSA working collectively and collaboratively with others to fi nd solutions.” Stevens added: “Over my lengthy career in the seafood industry, the lasting reward is being associated with women and men who care deeply about the mission of an organisation and its role in the industry, and that these people achieve positive results that make for wonderful career opportunities. As I think of Brian Perkins becoming the CEO of GSA, I see such a person. His vast experience in many aspects relating to our industry uniquely positions him to lead GSA.” Brian Perkins came to GSA after a six-year stint as Regional Director,

Americas, for the Marine Stewardship Council. He said: “It’s been an honour to work directly with Wally for the past nine months. His leadership and passion for the seafood industry are evident in the way GSA carries itself as an organisation. We have a great team here at GSA, and I look forward to working with them to take the organisation to even greater heights.” Stevens joined GAA as executive director in 2007. He played a critical role in the organisation’s growth, particularly the development of the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) third-party certifi cation programme. The number of BAP-certifi ed processing plants, farms, hatcheries and feed mills has ballooned from just over 100 in 2007 to well over 3,000 today. Stevens was also instrumental in the establishment of the multistakeholder Standards Oversight Committee, which oversees the BAP standards development process. More recently, Stevens played an instrumental role in GSA’s budding involvement in wild-capture fi sheries through the introduction of BSP, the world’s only thirdparty certifi cation programme capable of providing credible third-party assurances linking responsible wild-capture fi sheries to the Responsible Fishing Vessel Standard-certifi ed vessels and Seafood Processing Plant Standard-certifi ed facilities. George Chamberlain, GSA’s President and founder, said: “Wally was exactly the force that GAA needed in 2007 to energise it, centralise it and embolden it to stretch for goals that we thought were beyond our reach. What a blessing it has been to work with him.”

Top Wally Stevens Above: Brian Perkins

Sludge collection from open cages

For the first time in fish farming history, we can proudly introduce a technology for collecting sludge on full-scale open cage sites. Results showing a sludge collection of 70% throughout a generation.

We are commited to supporting sustainable aquaculture.

The system is designed to pump waste with a LiftUP Combi collector through an automated system back to the barge for filtration, to avoid accumulation on the seabed. The concentrated waste is stored in tanks and then shipped to a biogas plant. Here, it is converted into renewable energy, and a high-absorption agricultural liquid fertiliser product.

LiftUP combi

Patented combined mort and sludge collector

The Combi collector enables collection of sludge/ sh waste in open cages