What’s happening in the UK and around the world

NEWS...

Scottish Sea Farms nets Grieg’s Shetland assets

SCOTTISH Sea Farms is to become the new owner of Grieg Seafood’s Shetland operations, it has been confi rmed.

The sale is worth NOK 1.9bn or £164m, appreciably higher than the £140m fi gure predicted earlier in the year.

The news will be seen as a tremendous lift for the 200 or so people who work for Grieg on Shetland (known as Grieg Seafood Hjaltland UK) following all the speculation around a potential sale.

It is also a huge vote of confi dence in Scotland’s position as one of the world’s leading salmon farming countries, and the deal will make Scottish Sea Farms (SSF) the second largest salmon farmer in the region.

An announcement said Scottish Sea Farms Ltd (SSF), which is 50-50 owned by Lerøy Seafood Group and SalMar, has signed an agreement to buy 100% of the shares in Grieg Seafood Hjaltland UK Ltd. from Grieg Seafood.

The acquisition will be fi nanced with new equity from the owners and from debt, and it is expected to be completed by the end of the fourth quarter of this year, subject to approval by the relevant authorities and normal conditions.

SalMar CEO Gustav Witzøe, who hinted to Fish Farmer a few weeks ago that something was in the air, said: “Through the acquisition, SSF strengthens its presence in the region, which provides fertile ground for further sustainable and profi table growth.” SSF CEO Jim Gallagher said: “As farmers, we are constantly striving to create the best growing conditions for our salmon. The purchase of Grieg Seafood Hjaltland UK is a landmark step in our long-term strategy, giving us greater infl uence over several key biological factors including fi sh health, stocking regimes and sea lice management. “We’re very much looking forward to pairing the skill and know-how of our existing farming and fi sh health teams with the local expertise within Grieg Seafood Hjaltland UK, working as one to benefi t fi sh welfare and boost survival. This, in turn, will ensure a more secure and stable supply of salmon for our discerning customers the world over, helping satisfy the insatiable demand for this highly nutritious, low carbon food.”

With operations on Shetland and the Isle of Skye, Grieg Seafood Hjaltland UK currently operates 21 marine farms, a freshwater hatchery and a processing facility, harvesting approximately 16,000 tonnes of Atlantic salmon in 2020.

This complements the geography and nature of Scottish Sea Farms’ own operations which are located across mainland Scotland, Shetland and Orkney and produced approximately 24,000 tonnes of Atlantic salmon in 2020.

The move gives SSF a harvest potential of just under 50,000 tonnes, only just behind Mowi, the UK’s largest salmon farmer at 52,000 tonnes.

It is no secret that Grieg Shetland has suffered serious biological problems in the past, which it has largely managed to overcome. The business is now reporting lower lice levels and improved survival rates.

SalMar said the acquisition should improve these issues as a result of increased biological control and the realisation of integration synergies between the two companies.

Grieg Seafood’s CEO Andreas Kvame said he was pleased to have fi nally landed an agreement on the sale of the business which he believed would be in good hands with SSF.

Grieg’s shares surged by almost 9% on the news in Oslo yesterday, but later settled back to a rise of around 5%. However, they could go higher in the next few days.

The proceeds from the sale should help to stabilise what has been a diffi cult fi nancial situation for Grieg recently. It now intends to focus on its Norwegian and Canadian operations.

But caution remains the watchword as the deal is likely to face scrutiny from the competition authorities before anything is signed.

Left: Gustav Witzøe Below: Jim Gallagher

Mowi Scotland’s Royal Warrant extended for another fi ve years

THE Royal Warrant of Appointment for Mowi’s Scottish salmon has been extended for a further fi ve years until 2027.

The Royal Warrant means that approved merchants who have supplied specifi c goods and services to the Royal Household for at least fi ve years have the right to use the Royal Arms in connection with their business. Holders of the Royal Warrant are also allowed to use the Royal Arms on their product and packaging and to display the designated crest on their premises and to state that their product or service is “By appointment to...” the Royal Household.

The system was established in the 15th century by the Lord Chamberlain. Currently, only HM The Queen and HRH The Prince of Wales are able to grant warrants.

Commenting on the extension, Georgina Wright, Head of Sales, said: “It is an honour that Mowi Scotland is the only supplier of fresh salmon to Her Majesty. The Royal Warrant, clear from the Royal Crest on our boxes of salmon that are sold all over the world, is recognised and held in high regard globally and lends even greater provenance to the Mowi story.”

Mowi Scotland has held the Royal Warrant since 1990.

Above: The Royal Crest

New research into mussel broken shell problem

A group of aquaculture researchers in Scotland is undertaking an initiative that could determine the cause of shell breakage in different species of mussels, a problem seen as one of the biggest challenges facing the sector globally.

The consortium – comprising of the University of Stirling’s Institute of Aquaculture, Fassfern Mussels, the Scottish Shellfi sh Marketing Group, The Fishmongers’ Company, the Association of Scottish Shellfi sh Growers, and the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) – will examine a range of factors that could lead to weakness in mussels’ shells.

Trialling different conditions among different species at two Scottish sites, the researchers will aim to determine whether shell strength is related to mussels’ genetics; environmental conditions, such as the salinity of local water; or the harvesting process itself.

Salinity, for instance, can affect the mineral properties of water and, in cases where it is too low, could compromise shell strength. Certain species of mussels – and hybrids cies of mussels – and hybrids thereof – are also suspected to thereof – are also suspected to have weaker shells to begin with; specifi cally, bay mussels or Mytilus trossulus.

In Scotland, shell breakage is estimated to cost the sector around 2% of its average annual output, as well as associated costs. In extreme cases, it can prevent farmers from harvesting or cause sites to completely shut down.

The researchers will combine cutting-edge molecular tools and biomaterial testing during the project. Depending on the results of the initial phase of the study, the project could develop a molecular tool that will assess juvenile mussels for shell strength, a location screening system for mussel farms, or a new process for harvesting. Dr Stefano Carboni from the

University of Stirling’s Institute of Aquaculture said: “We are aiming to understand what causes a large problem for the sector. Our project will help producers to understand whether the strength of mussels’ shells is genetic, infl uenced by local environmental conditions, the harvesting conditions, the harvesting process itself plays a process itself plays a part, or it is a combipart, or it is a combination of all these nation of all these factors. Whatever factors. Whatever the causes, we the causes, we can help farmers avoid growing mussels for years only to realise there is a problem there is a problem at the last moment. at the last moment. “Once we have “Once we have determined the vardetermined the variables, we can start to iables, we can start to develop remedies – that might be screening for salinity conditions or a tool that predicts the percentage of mussels that will develop broken shells. From there, we can protect jobs, create new products, and develop a more effi cient and sustainable sector.”

An organic treat for Buckingham Palace

Above: Skye salmon outside Buckingham Palace SKYE smoked salmon fillets from Organic Sea Harvest’s first commercial production round will be gracing royal dinner tables.

Organic Sea Harvest (OSH), Scotland’s first major salmon farming start-up in decades, harvested its first fish on 2 June. Yesterday the smoked fillets were delivered to Buckingham Palace, where it is believed one has been earmarked for the Royal Household’s kitchens while the other will be sent on to HRH Prince of Wales at Clarence House. The fillets were prepared by royal warrant holders Severn and Wye Smokery. The warrant is a mark of recognition for people or companies who have regularly supplied goods or services to the HM The Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, HRH The Prince of Wales or their households.

Hugh Drever, Managing Director of OSH sales commented: “We are delighted to announce our successful first harvest took place earlier this month.

“Organic Sea Harvest is committed to producing salmon using sustainable organic methods and this is a major step in our aim of becoming the world’s leading supplier of organic salmon. Our organic principles are a key part in creating a delicious world class product.

“Skye is known for its natural larder and top-quality seafood and we are delighted at the prospect of sharing it with the Royal Household.”

Both of OSH’s sites are certified as organic by the Soil Association.

Gill Health Conference returns as online event

THE Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) has announced the return of the International Gill Health Conference, which will see the aquaculture sector combine its expertise and knowledge to tackle one of the sector’s biggest challenges.

Having been postponed during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the two-day conference will now take place online from 26-27 October 2021. The event will welcome speakers and delegates from around the globe including the UK, Canada, Australia, South America and Europe.

Gill health has become a priority area for the aquaculture sector, with an everchanging natural environment and the impact of climate change reinforcing the need for a greater understanding of gill disease, along with its prevention and treatment. The virtual conference aims to encourage knowledge sharing between the sector’s experts, including valuable research and development initiatives.

The Gill Health Initiative was formed by an international steering committee in 2012 and has since become a renowned bi-annual event attended by hundreds of researchers and professionals involved in the production of Atlantic salmon and its associated supply chains.

Heather Jones, CEO of SAIC, said: “Fish health and wellbeing, including but not limited to gill disease, is a crucial focus for all involved in the aquaculture sector. Collaboration and knowledge sharing is incredibly powerful and by working together across international waters, we can gain a better understanding of gill health and learn more from other nations about the preventative treatments and measures to improve wellbeing and boost the overall sustainability of the sector.”

The event is supported by the Norwegian Seafood Research Fund (FHF) and is free to attend with registration opening soon. For more information go online to www. sustainableaquaculture.com/newsevents/international-gill-healthconference/

Minister praises SSF’s ‘green’ hatchery

UK Government Minister for Scotland David Duguid has declared he is “impressed” with the environmental technology at Scottish Sea Farms’ new hatchery at Barcaldine.

On a visit to the site on the west coast of Scotland yesterday, Duguid was shown the hatchery’s 600kw biomass energy system. Owned, installed and maintained by AMP Clean Energy, the system uses locally sourced, sustainably managed wood chip to provide the 17,500 sqm building with much of its heat and hot water, saving 683 tonnes of carbon a year compared with using oil. AMP estimates that is the equivalent of six million road miles per year by car.

The hatchery’s recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) cleans and recirculates up to 98% of freshwater used per day, saving more than 20 times the water used by traditional hatchery systems. The RAS uses energy-saving heat pumps and heat exchangers to regulate temperature rather than kerosene boilers and electric chillers.

The RAS also collects fish waste, which is treated and used as agricultural fertiliser.

Duguid said: “I’ve been so impressed at the green approach of this state-of-the-art facility. Scottish Sea Farms’ water-saving and waste-recycling measures, coupled with the use of AMP Clean Energy’s environmentally-sound biomass heating system, prove that it is possible to forge ahead in innovation to sustain the sector while still meeting our net zero objectives.

“The UK Government has ambitious climate commitments and it’s by embracing measures such as these and accelerating decarbonisation that industry will be future-proofed to protect and create jobs.”

Scottish Sea Farms’ Head of Sustainability, Anne Anderson, said: “Like any food producer, we’re working hard to minimise any impact from our activities on the environment, not just via our new Barcaldine Hatchery but across the business: from our marine farms to our processing and packing facilities, through to essential support services such as IT and logistics. It has been a pleasure offering Minister Duguid a glimpse into some of the many initiatives under way.”

Above: Scottish Sea Farms Head of Freshwater Farming Rory Conn (left) with David Duguid, UK Government Minister for Scotland

Genetic breakthrough helps tackle oyster disease

EXPERTS at genetics business Xelect, working with the Orkney Shellfi sh Hatchery (OSH), have found a way to detect a pathogen responsible for the decline of wild European oyster populations, based on DNA analysis.

Bonamia ostrae is a disease affecting European fl at oysters, representing a serious risk for wild and farmed oysters. The widely used test for this disease is “destructive”, meaning that the oyster is damaged or killed in the process.

The new test, developed by Xelect and OSH, adapts a tried and tested method known as a Taqman Assay using a fi ltered water sample – a technique called environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis.

Xelect’s Dr Paolo Ruggeri, who oversaw the analysis, said: “Bivalves like the fl at oyster fi lter large volumes of water every day, and in the process shed tiny amounts of their own DNA, and the DNA of any parasite they are carrying. Using a highly sensitive DNA test we can sample the waters the oysters live in to identify the presence of the pathogen. It’s an extremely cost effective and humane approach, and the oysters don’t even need to leave their hatchery”.

Nik Sachlikidis of the Cadman Capital Group, owners of Orkney Shellfi sh Hatchery, commented: “This is another demonstration of our commitment to using science backed, cutting-edge technology to provide the highest possible standard of product. We know that our oysters are exceptional, and now we can also demonstrate that they’re disease free too. We’re continually looking at new ways to improve our native oyster spat product, and to set new standards for industry best practice in this area. Xelect have done a great job of working hand-in-hand with our team to solve some key issues facing the Native Oyster hatcheries and ensuring our broodstock are Bonamia free.”

Above: Oyster farm Enterprise award for SAMS seaweed initiative

RESEARCH and development into the UK’s fl edgling seaweed farming industry has won gold for SAMS Enterprise at the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) Highlands and Islands Awards.

At the event, held on 24 June, SAMS Enterprise – the commercial arm of SAMS, the Scottish Association for Marine Science – won the Ocean Winds Award for Excellence in Marine Innovation and Growing the Blue Economy. The other fi nalists were Hebridean Adventures and Moray First Marine.

SAMS Enterprise recently secured a joint investment of £150,000 by SAMS and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to upgrade its seaweed nursery. The new facility will enable innovative seeding techniques and technologies to catalyse growth of the UK seaweed sector, while offering the highest levels of biosecurity and environmental sustainability.

Accepting the award at the virtual ceremony, Head of SAMS Enterprise Mike Spain thanked the SCDI and the award sponsors, adding: “At SAMS we are fortunate to have a concentration of world-leading macro-algae researchers.

“This expertise has been the driver behind the science of our innovation in developing seeded material to support Scotland’s growing farmed seaweed industry. I am very lucky to have a fantastic team who have led the conversion of the innovative science into practical deliverable products grown in our state of the art seaweed nursery.”

Although the seaweed industry is the fastest growing area of production within global aquaculture, worth more than £11bn per year, its full business potential has not yet been realised within the UK, SAMS says.

SAIC launches online networking hub

Above: Heather Jones

SAIC, the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre, is launching a digital forum to encourage collaboration among its consortium members and to promote cross-industry networking and knowledge-sharing across the aquaculture sector.

More than 215 member organisations are being invited to join the SAIC Consortium Forum, which has been designed to facilitate the sharing of valuable resources and knowledge in aquaculture.

Users will be able to access a range of features, from interactive discussion boards to collaboration opportunities and job vacancies, as well as virtual networking with producers, researchers, supply chain businesses and other companies involved in the sector.

Professionals from any of SAIC’s member companies can access the free-to-use platform, opening up further routes to collaborative working, for instance through SAIC’s innovation projects. Members can also sign up to the Forum online at consortium.sustainableaquaculture.com/

A similar platform is also set to launch later this summer for the Women in Scottish Aquaculture (WiSA) network – a group numbering more than 300 members, that promotes diversity within aquaculture, supports career development, and encourages new talent into the burgeoning sector.

Heather Jones, CEO of SAIC said: “Collaboration is one of the most important factors that can infl uence growth in aquaculture, and we want to connect professionals from a wide range of sectors and geographies in an easily accessible and supportive way. SAIC’s new forum will provide a great opportunity for our members to collaborate, share knowledge and best practice, and access useful resources that can help shape the future of the sector.

“Our aim is to support and develop relationships across all areas of aquaculture, connecting professionals at every stage of their careers. In due course, we also plan to develop mobile apps that will allow people to easily access the platform from any location, whether they are on a fi sh farm or at home.”

Farmed shellfish production in Scotland fell during 2020, report shows

SHELLFISH farming in Scotland was badly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic during 2020, according to the latest figures from Marine Scotland Science.

The Scottish Shellfish Farm Production Survey 2020 shows that table production tonnage of mussels decreased by 15% from 6,699 tonnes in 2019 to 5,661 tonnes in 2020.

Table production of Pacific oyster shells decreased by 33% from the 2019 total. Additionally, over 1.6 million shells were produced for on-growing in other waters. There was also a decrease in the production of native oyster from 103,000 to 75,000 shells in 2020.

The report, based on information supplied by producers, says the decline is largely due to impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic, with many businesses reporting no table trade while the hospitality sector was in lockdown during much of 2020.

There was a very small amount of queen scallop production during 2020 with the biggest producer reporting no production due to the pandemic. There was a decrease in scallop production, from 26,000 to 19,000 shells, compared with 2019.

The report estimates that the Scottish shellfish farming industry fell to around £6.1m in terms of first sale value, representing a year-on-year fall of 23%. There were 125 active businesses compared with 129 in 2019.

Despite these challenges, however, the industry saw its employment rise by 8%, with 300 full, part-time and casual staff being employed during 2020. Marine Scotland Science says that “active surveillance” for diseases continued through 2020. Movement restrictions remain in place for the presence of the parasite Bonamia ostreae at Loch Sunart and the Dornoch Firth,

Highland, West Loch Tarbert,

Argyll, and Lynn of Lorne,

Loch Creran and Loch Etive,

Strathclyde. Despite this, the UK maintained disease-free status with regard to bonamiasis, marteiliasis and OsHV-1 µvar, with the exception of specific compartments under movement restrictions. Most of the reported shellfish mortalities during 2020 were attributed to: predation from wild ducks, starfish, crabs and oystercatchers; fouling by sea squirts; adverse weather conditions including storms and temperature extremes; damage due to grading and handling; and from natural causes.

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Norwegian government still upbeat over 2050 production target

THE Norwegian government has launched its new forward strategy for the aquaculture industry, setting a course for the next 10 to 15 years.

The main goal is still to produce fi ve million tonnes of salmon and trout by 2050, fi ve times the current level. Other goals include producing sustainable seafood with a low climate and environmental footprint and maintaining good fi sh health and welfare, along with more sustainable feed.

Fisheries and Seafood Minister Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen said he wants to ensure good access to markets, good food safety and a profi table and secure industry along the entire coast.

He declared: “The aquaculture industry has become an important industry in Norway and is our second largest export industry. With this strategy, the government wants to set the course for the next 10-15 years and facilitate sustainable growth in the aquaculture industry. The strategy lays down guidelines on how we together – business, the research community and the authorities – should solve the challenges we face and seize new opportunities.”

The minister also hinted that he thought volumes in special permit sea cages were too high in areas where there are challenges, without setting out how he planned to deal with the issue. However, there is no plan to insist on closed cage farming.

The strategy report says the industry has a large predominance of family businesses and local ownership which provides a good starting point for further development of local communities along the entire coast. With its potential for further development, the aquaculture industry will be important for Norway’s path out of the coronavirus crisis and into the future.

The strategy also launches several new measures. A committee will be set up

to review the regulation of the aquaculture industry, focusing on regulatory system’s objectives, how it operates as a whole and how it can be adapted to meet current and future challenges. The Norwegian government, facing a tricky general election in September, says it hopes to start work this autumn. The report continues: “The government has great ambitions for the aquaculture industry. If Norway is to Above: Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen succeed as an aquaculture nation in the future, we must have a profi table industry with competitive framework conditions. “We must ensure good market access and fi nd solutions to sustainability challenges. Development of new technology gives rise to new forms of production and new products, and here there has been a signifi cant development in recent years. A technologyneutral approach to government requirements and to conditions for growth in production is an important basis for further development and growth. “The industry can play an even more important role if we are able to handle the challenges the industry faces and seize the new opportunities. This places not only demands on the industry itself, but also on management and research. “With this strategy, the government wants to see the development in a 10-15 year perspective going forward with a focus on how we will together handle both the challenges and the opportunities we face. “The goal of the aquaculture strategy is to facilitate new sustainable growth and show direction for one of Norway’s most important industries.” In its Seafood Barometer report for 2021, consultancy fi rm PwC cast doubt on the target of fi ve million tonnes of salmon and trout, suggesting that a “base case” of 3.7 million tonnes would be more achievable.

Green light for Mowi in Bantry Bay

MOWI has been given the go-ahead to expand its organic salmon farming facility in the Republic of Ireland.

Permission to proceed with the €6m project comes exactly a decade after the company fi rst applied for a licence. The Irish Agriculture and Marine Department did grant Mowi a licence in 2015, but it was later postponed following various appeals. It was opposed this time by a number of local residents and various environmental and sports fi shing groups, but their pleas have been rejected.

The location is in Bantry Bay, County Cork where the company already has a salmon farming presence. Mowi owns a number of fi sh farms on Ireland’s west coast, mainly producing organic salmon. Mowi’s harvest output is relatively modest when set against Mowi’s Norwegian and most of its other overseas locations, but its EBIT or operational profi t per kg is far higher than all of them. In the fi rst quarter of this year it was €4.55 per kg, against €1.72 in Norway and €1.46 in Scotland..

The operational EBIT for 2020 rose by almost €5m to 22.4m despite the impact of Covid. The projected harvest fi gure for the new Bantry Bay operation, which should be ready within around three months, is 2,800 tonnes every two years.

Mowi said the project would entail investment of €6m and the creation of eight new jobs. A spokesperson for the company said: “By developing a new site for organic salmon in Bantry Bay, the continuing development of stocking, harvesting, fallowing and rotation programmes can be advanced in compliance with international best practice thereby securing the long-term future of aquaculture in the area. This is a very positive step forward for the Irish aquaculture industry, as a whole. Our seas have rightly been identifi ed as a key component of sustainable economic growth.

“This development at Shot Head is likely to be complete in just 14 weeks in accordance with Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine installation requirements.”

Benchmark’s CleanTreat passes another milestone

Above Benchmark CleanTreat tanks

AQUACULTURE biotechnology business Benchmark could be deploying its new lice solution CleanTreat within weeks, after the Norwegian Medicines Agency granted Marketing Authorisation for its use.

The CleanTreat system, used in conjunction with Benchmark’s new lice-killing formula Ectosan Vet, could be a game-changer in the fish farmers’ battle against sea lice – but it is also proving controversial. Ectosan (also known as BMK08) is based on the pesticide imidacloprid, which has been described as “novichok for insects” and last month was condemned by members of the European Parliament.

In the CleanTreat system, fish are treated for lice in a closed environment and the water is filtered to remove any traces of the pesticide before discharging the waste water into the sea.

The decision by the Norwegian Medicines Agency (NoMA) to grant authorisation was based on a thorough environmental risk assessment. The next steps will be the ratification of the MRL (Maximum Residue Limit) into Norwegian regulation – a procedure which follows on from the European Union’s previous ratification of the MRL – and the approval of product labels by NoMA.

After this, which Benchmark anticipates will take just a few weeks, the new treatment will be deployed for use in two vessels.

Benchmark CEO Trond Williksen said that gaining Marketing Authorisation was a “major milestone” and added: “It is testament to the team of scientists at Benchmark that we are able to bring the first new sea lice veterinary medicinal treatment to the Norwegian salmon market in over a decade.

“We are excited to bring this much needed solution to the salmon industry, driving sustainability through improved animal welfare and yield while protecting the environment.

“We look forward to working with our customers as we roll-out Ectosan Vet and CleanTreat in the market.”

In June the European Parliament voted in favour of a motion that objected to the European Commission’s ratification of an MRL for Ectosan. That ratification, which had been supported by the European Medicines Agency Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products, had been confirmed by the Commission’s Standing Committee on Veterinary Medicinal Products and adopted by the European Commission on 15 April 2021.

If the European Commission bows to the MEPs’ wishes and reviews the MRL, that could make it difficult to export fish treated with Ectosan/BMK08 to the EU. Benchmark, however, said: “The Company has full confidence in the European Medicines Agency and European Commission’s scientific and regulatory process.”

Havfarm project is refused permanent licences

THE Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries has turned down an application for 13 development permits to be converted into permanent licences for Nordlaks’ offshore salmon farm platform, Havfarm 1. The Directorate cited welfare issues as the reason.

The decision is seen as a major blow to Nordlaks Oppdrett AS and potentially throws a question mark over the billion kroner (£84m) project. A second platform, Havfarm2, is also planned.

The Directorate said Havfarm 1 has not met the established criteria and mortality has been high over a long period.

The platform completed its 15,000 mile voyage from China last summer and received its first stocks several weeks later. The Directorate said there had been challenges related to mortality which had been generally high with some of the cages having particular problems.

Officially named “Jostein Albert” after the company’s former chairman Jostein Albert Refnes, the platform is one of two such 385 metre long vessels planned by Nordlaks. Each is capable of holding up to 10,000 tonnes of salmon.

The platform was filled with more than two million salmon last September,

but a subsequent veterinary report has assessed fish welfare as “reduced and poor”. The Directorate’s report says: “Mortality has remained stable and high in all cages throughout 2021, where cages 3-6 have had the highest mortality with an average of about 25%.” The mortality rate for all the cages averaged 19%, with the most common cause of death being related to wounds. Eirik Welde, CEO of the family owned business, said in a statement last night: “Nordlaks has completed the documentation programme as required by the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries.

“In Nordlaks’ assessment, the results obtained through the documentation programme provide a good basis for evaluating the project.”

Welde concluded: “It is fair to say that the refusal came as a surprise to us. Regardless of the outcome of the appeal, Nordlaks will release new fish into ‘Jostein Albert’ this summer.”

Salmon Evolution trades on Oslo Børs

SHARES in land-based fish farmer Salmon Evolution ASA are now being traded on the Oslo Børs stock exchange.

The company has published a prospectus for investors but has said that no new shares will be offered in connection with the listing.

On 7 July 2021 the Oslo Stock Exchange announced that the Oslo Børs had approved the company’s application for listing. The shares were previously listed on the Euronext Growth (Oslo) market.

Salmon Evolution is constructing a large RAS (recirculating aquaculture system) farm at Indre Harøy in Norway, and earlier this year agreed a joint venture with Dongwon Industries to build and operate a land-based salmon farm in South Korea.

In April, the company cancelled a further fundraising exercise after its shares dipped below the offer price. However, in its report for Q1 of this year, Salmon Evolution said it was still on track to produce around 25,000 tonnes per year by 2024.

Above: Salmon Evolution construction site, Indre Harøy

AE Madeira event set for increased capacity

Above: Aerial view of Madeira island, Portugal ORGANISERS of the Aquaculture Europe 2021 conference, due to be held in Madeira on 4-7 October, have welcomed the news that Covid-19 restrictions on the island are being eased.

The announcement by the Regional Government of Madeira means that events can now take place on the island with 75% seating capacity (up from 50%)

A spokesperson for Marevent, which manages the Aquaculture Europe series of events, said: “Having also received offi cial approval from the Madeiran Health Authority to hold the event, we can now scale up operations and planning.”

The abstract submission deadline for oral-preferred abstracts has now passed and the Programme Grid is online at the EAS site www.aquaeas. org/. The deadline for submitting abstracts for Eposter presentation remains as August 28.

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Hydroniq wins two wellboat contracts

Above How the new wellboats will look

HYDRONIQ Coolers has been awarded contracts to deliver the marine cooling system for two wellboats being built by shipbuilder Aas Mek. Verksted for wellboat company Sølvtrans.

All three companies are Norwaybased.

Hydroniq Coolers will supply its hull-integrated “Rack” seawater cooling system to the two wellboats, newbuilds 211 and 212 from Aas Mek. Verksted.

Aas Mek. Verksted, and indirectly Sølvtrans, has also chosen Hydroniq Coolers’ hull-integrated marine cooling system for newbuilds 208 – 210, 204, 200 and 199

The “Rack” cooler is integrated in the hull below the main engine room of the vessel, where it reduces temperatures in the ship’s engines and other auxiliary systems through use of seawater, but without taking up valuable engine room space. This is a favoured solution for both vessel crew and owners.

Jan Inge Johannesen, sales manager at Hydroniq Coolers, said: “The long-standing partnership Aas Mek. Verksted has struck up with Sølvtrans as well as with key local suppliers such as Hydroniq Coolers is the closest the industry has seen to assembly line production of wellboats. We are very proud to have once again been chosen as supplier of the marine cooling system.”

Similar to newbuilds 208, 209 and 210, the two latest vessel newbuilds will incorporate a newly composed Rack unit that Hydroniq Coolers has developed together with Aas Mek. Verksted and Sølvtrans. The objective has been to further increase the cooling system’s operational flexibility by incorporating three cooling systems within each unit, compared to the standardised solution of two. Three cooling systems eliminates the need for an external plate heat exchanger that is connected to the cooling unit.

Hydroniq Coolers will manufacture and assemble the equipment at its headquarters outside Aalesund, Norway, and deliver it to Aas Mek. Verksted’s yard at Vestnes, Møre and Romsdal county in Norway. The Rack seawater coolers will be delivered during the second half of 2022.

The two sister wellboats are of the yard’s own design, type AAS 3002 ST. Each vessel has a load capacity of 3,000 cubic metres across two wells. They are 76.96 metres long, 17.80 metres wide and 5.80 metres depth moulded. The two newbuilds will be delivered to Sølvtrans during 2023.

Hydroniq Coolers – formerly known as Sperre Coolers – is owned by Norwegian investment company SMV Invest AS (formerly Sperre Mek. Verksted AS).

Norwegian seafood exports hit half year record

NORWEGIAN seafood exports have hit a half year record, with salmon once again leading the way.

Figures published today show the country’s seafood exports were worth NOK 53.7bn (£4.5bn), a value rise of 1% when measured against the first six months of last year.

The Norwegian Seafood Council said the record figure was achieved despite a strengthening krone and with markets still affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Fisheries Minister Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen said: “This is fantastic news for seafood exports. Not only are we well ahead of a what was a good half year in 2019, but 2021 is the best ever half year for seafood exports so far. Not even a worldwide pandemic has put a stop to more seafood being exported from Norway.”

The country’s aquaculture sector exported 562,000 tonnes of salmon worth NOK 35.3 bn (£2.9bn) between January and June, a volume rise of 12% but a value rise of just 1%. This was mainly due to a drop in the average price of fresh whole salmon which fell from NOK 64.96 to NOK 58.30 per kilo.

Once again Poland, France and the USA were the largest consumers of Norwegian salmon.

The sluggish price situation of the last few months looks as if it could be about to change for the better. Salmon exports in June showed a strong positive development compared with the same month last year. A total of 98,500 tonnes were sold overseas at a value of NOK 6.3 billion (£528m). This represents an increase in volume of 19% and a value rise of 10%. Exports of farmed trout are continuing to take a hit. Volumes fell by 20% during the first half and the value at NOK 1.6bn (£134m) was down by 14%. The Seafood Council said shellfish exports are enjoying a boom, but there are some challenges for cod.

Gigante Salmon set to list on Oslo’s EuroNext exchange

YET another fi sh farming company is about to list on Oslo’s EuroNext stock exchange.

The latest contender is Gigante Salmon AS based in the coastal town of Bodø. Under the guidance of Sparebank 1 Markets, the company plans to raise NOK 192m (£16m) to help fund its growth plans and has submitted an application to list on EuroNext..

The last few months have seen a fl urry of applications from the aquaculture sector either in the form of Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) or additional share raising bids by existing listed companies, among them SalMar, Masoval and Nordic Halibut.

There has been no shortage of investors eager to get into the fi sh farming business with most of the issues well oversubscribed. SalMar, for example, raised NOK 2.7bn (£230m) in the space of a few hours earlier this month.

Gigante Salmon AS is part of the fi sh farming group Gigante Havbruk, founded by Kjell Arild Lorentsen in 1988. This summer, the company is planning to start construction for a land-based salmon farm in Rødøy, Nordland.

Lorentsen said it was an important move for the business because listing should provide a valuation of the work achieved so far. The company would continue to own 51% of the shares.

Last Christmas the local municipality gave Gigante Salmon permission for a new land-based aquaculture site in Rodøy.

The Rodøy project was described at the time as a potentially exciting development because it should help to reduce the problem of salmon lice.

Work on the fl ow-through project is due to start this summer. Completion is expected in 2023 when it will be able to produce almost 14,000 tonnes of salmon.

All the latest industry news from Europe SalMar swoops on Norwegian farmer Nekton

Above Nekton Havbruk

SALMAR has announced another acquisition deal. Just 48 hours after the salmon farming giant’s jointly owned subsidiary Scottish Sea Farms struck a deal to buy Grieg’s Shetland assets for £164m, SalMar announced it was investing NOK 80m (£6.8m) to acquire a 51% stake in the aquaculture company Nekton Havbruk.

Based in Smøla in central Norway, Nekton Havbruk is a comparatively small player in the salmon business. It holds two food fi sh production licences, but the move will mean further growth for SalMar’s Norwegian operation in the immediate vicinity of some of its existing farm sites.

SalMar said the remaining shares in the company will be owned by Nistuå3 AS and Nekton AS.

It adds: “The transaction provides SalMar with further sustainable growth in the immediate vicinity of existing fi sh farming areas around Smøla in central Norway.

“The issue will be a good industrial solution that ensures signifi cant synergies and further development of existing activity and operational competence.”

Nekton Havbruk is a wholly owned subsidiary of the aquaculture group Smolen Handelskompani AS which has a long history. It began by breeding eels before moving into the salmon and smolt business. Nekton Havbruk AS (the name “Nekton” means “living organisms”) has a strong focus on technology and research and development, and operates its own viewing centre.

Garware appoints Sutherland as Scottish manager

LEADING netting and ropes manufacturer Garware Technical Fibres has appointed Alan Sutherland, former Managing Director – Scotland with Marine Harvest, as Country Manager for Scotland.

His appointment takes effect from 1 July. India-based Garware supplies specialist netting for fisheries and aquaculture around the world. Sutherland brings four decades of experience to the company, including nine years as boss of Marine Harvest – now Mowi – in Scotland.

Since 2016 he has been involved in various aquaculture-based consultancy projects and board appointments, including with African Century Limited, sub-Saharan Africa’s biggest producer of tilapia, and land-based aquaculture operator VeroBlue Farms, which produced barramundi in Iowa, USA.

Sutherland’s career in fish farming started with rainbow trout in 1982. He moved into Atlantic salmon in 1997, working mostly in Scotland but also spending four years in Canada and the US. Kanwal Malik, Garware’s European Sales Manager, said: “In collaboration with our Scottish partner W&J Knox Ltd, Alan will further support & develop the aquaculture market for our next exciting innovation, which will be unfolding in the very near future.

Above Alan Sutherland “With this new investment, Garware

Technical fibres will continue to focus on providing innovative, application focused solutions, geared to enhancing the value to our customers”

NRS steadies harvest ship in Q2

NORWAY Royal Salmon has announced a second quarter harvest of 9,700 tonnes (gutted weight), broadly the same as in Q2 last year.

The fi gure is made up of 7,900 tonnes in Norway and 1,800 tonnes at Arctic Fish, its Iceland salmon farming operation in which it has a 50% stake..

However, prospects for the current quarter look a little less certain as the company has been hit by one suspected and one confi rmed ISA outbreak in recent days, which analysts suggest may impact on the Q3 harvest total.

On the upside, the company is building two large offshore sea cages, the fi rst of which is nearing completion. Built to withstand waves of up to 13 metres, the project is the latest in the growing interest in offshore aquaculture which reportedly is more environmentally friendly and offers greater protection against biological issues such as salmon lice

The NRS group owns 36,085 tonnes maximum authorised biomass (MAB) for salmon farming located in Troms and Finnmark, and 17,800 tonnes MAB for salmon farming and 5,300 MAB for trout farming on Iceland through Arctic Fish, one of the leading salmon farmers in Iceland. Arctic Fish has permits in three fjords, and two new permit applications mean that the total volume could reach 31,900 tonnes in the next few years.

In addition, the group has a minority interest in two associated Norwegian fi sh farming companies which together own nine fi sh farming licenses.

NRS will publish its full Q2 report on 23 August. TWO of Iceland’s leading fi sh farming companies have agreed to initiate talks over a possible merger.

They are Ice Fish Farm and Laxar Fiskeldi, both majority owned by the Norwegian company Måsøval which successfully raised £70m (NOK 825m) in a share issue in Oslo last week.

The two businesses say they have begun exploratory negotiations to “explore strategic opportunities between the companies for the future”.

Some of their salmon farms are physically fairly close to each other.

Last November when Måsøval bought a large number of Ice Fish Farm shares from Midt-Norsk Havbruk, it was suggested that a merger with Laxar Fiskeldi could be on the cards.

Based in Frøya, Masoval is a family run group and said last week that it planned to use some of the money raised for growth in Iceland.

It said in a short Oslo Stock Exchange announcement it will provide more information if the proposed merger talks make progress.

Ice Fish Farm, which is listed on Oslo’s EuroNext Growth market, successfully turned loss into profi t during the fi nal quarter of last year. It reported an operating EBIT or profi t 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.

Laxar Fiskeldi, which produces high quality salmon mainly for the US and European markets, operates land based farms in the south of Iceland and owns sea farms in the east of the country. It was recently granted extra production licences by the Icelandic authorities.

Landing lands Nofi ma deal

NETHERLANDS-based engineering business Landing Aquaculture BV has agreed a deal with leading Norwegian research institute Nofima to supply 20 fully automated RAS units.

The experimental RAS (recirculating aquaculture system) units will be deployed at Nofima’s research centre in Sunndalsøra, Norway. Nofima will use the systems to carry out cutting-edge research into land-based aquaculture.

Each experimental RAS unit is designed to hold up to 60kg/m3 fish under very strict water quality standards including a maximal dissolved CO2 concentration of 10 mg/L. Every unit has a 60-micron drum filter unit, twostage MBBR, full-flow degassing, low head oxygen cone and a temperature control system. Water quality and flow will be constantly monitored and controlled by oxygen, pH, temperature, water level and water flow sensors.

The fish tanks can be operated as single drain tanks or Cornell dual drain tanks at varying water levels. This flexibility allows for experimentation with salmon in a variety of live stages.

For Landing Aquaculture BV, this will be one of the biggest RAS supply contracts so far. Co-founder and managing director Rob van de Ven said: “This project will show that Landing Aquaculture not only has a strong engineering foundation, but that it has also matured as a company with manufacturing capabilities to handle turnkey projects of this size”. Co-founder and innovation director at Landing, Carlos Espinal, said he sees this as the perfect opportunity to show how the RAS technology has matured over the last decade. He added: “We [Landing Aquaculture] take pride in working at the cutting edge of RAS. To do this, it is essential to remain both creative and technically correct. This project showcases how design can meet operational demands if your engineering knowledge is robust.”

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Russian Aquaculture sees margins hit in Q1

RUSSIAN Aquaculture saw a yearon-year increase in sales volume and revenue for the fi rst quarter of 2021, but earnings took a hit thanks to lower market prices.

The company is one of Russia’s leading producers of Atlantic salmon and trout. Q1 saw increased production volumes, with sales totalling 7,800 tonnes, up 28% on the same period in 2020.

Sales revenue was RUB 3,852m (£38.1m), up 12% year-on-year, but adjusted EBITDA was down 7% to RUB 1,488m (£14.7 m) and the company recorded an accounting loss for the quarter of RUB 82m (£0.81m), which was smaller than the loss for Q1 in 2020, RUB 335m (£3.3 m).

The company blamed lower sales prices for the decline in EBITDA. The net loss for 1Q 2021 was attributed to the seasonality of the business and was driven, the company said, by “…a lack of brisk biomass growth in the winter.”

In 1Q 2021, the Company invested RUB 1.3 billion (£12.84m), most of which was used to fi nance the acquisition of a new feed barge with fi sh farming equipment, a dry-cargo vessel and a large catamaran for service operations. Net debt decreased by 13% to RUB 5.3 billion (£52.4m). In terms of debt structure, long-term borrowings accounted for 67% of debt as of 31 March 2021.

Russian Aquaculture CEO Ilya Sosnov said: “We started the year on a strong note, achieving excellent results. We enjoyed considerable increases in the volume of harvest and of sales of fi nished product, received two new fi sh farming sites and completed a deal to increase our stake in our fi sh processing plant to 100%. The availability of proven primary processing facilities is an important link in our business model and another step towards the implementation of our strategy to create the largest vertically integrated player in the aquaculture sector.” In May 2021, the company exercised its options as part of agreements concluded in 2020 and acquired a 60% stake in Murmanrybprom LLC and Tri Ruchya LLC, bringing its ownership stake in its processing plant to 100%. The acquisition will, the company hopes, guarantee the high-quality and timely processing of fresh fi sh, allowing for the development of its range of Inarctica ultra-fresh fi nished product. Russian Aquaculture’s operations include commercial Atlantic salmon farming in the Barents Sea in the Murmansk region and commercial trout farming in the lakes of the Republic of Karelia. In January 2021, the company signed an agreement for the use of a fi sh farming area in Pitkov Bay with a capacity of up to 10,000 tonnes per cycle. The company won an auction in April and signed an agreement in May for a site in Kislaya Bay with a capacity of 7,000-10,000 tonnes per cycle.

The company currently owns cultivation rights for 39 sites for farming salmon and rainbow trout. The total potential production volume for these sites is around 50,000 tonnes of salmonids.

America’s ‘ghost kitchens’ are good news for seafood

A new catering phenomenon is helping to boost sales of seafood, including salmon, in the United States. They are known as “ghost kitchens” which mostly deliver rather than serve meals and they are springing up across the country.

A report by Anne-Kristine Øen, the Norwegian Seafood Council envoy in North America, said the number of ghost kitchens is growing rapidly. She said the term refers to “restaurants” that do not offer a dining area, and thus do not have a fi xed physical presence. They deliver food that has been ordered, mainly online, and many of them use third parties such as Uber Eats, Grubhub and DoorDash (pictured) for delivery.

Øen added: “It is especially restaurant chains in the middle class that see this as a great way to limit risk. Some of these suppliers also offer subscriptions to lunch boxes of various types, and there are examples of ghost kitchens that merge with players in the real estate market and offer neighbourhood services, preferably also with a couple of restaurant tables.”

She also said: “The strong growth in this segment represents an interesting shift, and great values are in motion. The analysis company Euromonitor estimates that ghost kitchens could be a segment worth one trillion (one million million) US dollars by 2030.”

Meanwhile, exports of Norwegian seafood to the US are rising – up by 2,271 tonnes last month and worth NOK 128m (£11m).

Øen said the US enjoyed a strong economic recovery during the most recent quarter, as restaurants across the country continued to reopen.

Salmon Evolution signs South Korea deal

Above: The K Smart facility TWO Norwegian companies have signed an agreement with Dongwon Industries for the 20,000 tonne K Smart Farming project in South Korea.

They are the land based aquaculture company Salmon Evolution ASA and the specialist turnkey supplier Artec Aqua.

K Smart Farming is a South Korean company established with the purpose to develop, construct, own and operate land-based facilities for salmon farming in South Korea.

The parties said they have been working to secure data regarding the quality of the planned smolt site in Jeungseon and the grow out location in Yangyang.

As these studies have been satisfying, K Smart Farming has now entered into an agreement with the Norwegian company Artec Aqua regarding a feasibility study for the two facilities. The outcome of this study will be the basis for further concept development, detailed engineering as well as application for relevant building permits etc.

But Artec Aqua said the agreement also includes an intention for the company to conduct engineering, delivery, installation and commissioning of designed process related systems and equipment in the future build-out of the project.

The agreement was signed in Seoul, Korea with both the top management of Dongwon, Salmon Evolution and Artec Aqua precent, and shows that the progress for Salmon Evolution’s involvement in South Korea is going according to plan.

Mr Håkon André Berg, CEO of Salmon Evolution said : “We are very pleased with the progress of our joint venture with Dongwon in South Korea. We are also happy to announce that the partnership between Salmon Evolution and Dongwon continues to develop.

He added: “This feasibility study is the fi rst of many engineering and construction contracts that K Smart Farming will enter into, and we are excited to continue to work closely with Dongwon in building up K Smart Farming as a substantial land-based salmon farmer in the Korean market over the coming years.”

“We are delighted to secure this feasibility study, which puts us in pole position to deliver the full turnkey build-out of this exciting salmon farming facility in South Korea,” says Ingegjerd Eidsvik, CEO of Artec Aqua.

KSF is a joint venture between Norway-based Salmon Evolution ASA and Korean seafood giant Dongwon Industries Co., Ltd.

The KSF joint venture plans to develop, construct, and operate a land-based salmon farming facility with an annual production capacity of 20.000 tonnes live weight of harvestable Atlantic salmon in South Korea.

The project plans to use a hybrid fl ow through system technology, such as the one Artec Aqua is delivering to Salmon Evolution’s land-based facility at Indre Harøy in Norway.

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Tierra del Fuego bans open net salmon farming

ARGENTINA’S southernmost province is to ban open net salmon farming. The provincial legislature of Tierra del Fuego has approved a bill to outlaw the practice amid “concerns about stability”.

The Tierra del Fuego archipelago covers an area of 28,400 square miles (73,700 square kms) of which one third belongs to Argentina and two thirds forms part of Chile.

Ironically, it is probably the best region in the country for salmon farming. Three years ago the Norwegian and Argentine governments entered into a partnership arrangement to study the possibility of developing an aquaculture industry in the Beagle Channel which forms part of the archipelago.

The proposal immediately met with strong opposition from the regional administration which subsequently introduced a Bill to prohibit salmon farming. That bill was unanimously approved earlier this month.

The ban also includes Argentina’s South Atlantic Islands and Antarctic territory.

Provincial deputy Pablo Villegas told the Buenos Aires Times that it was possible to say no to salmon farming if campaigners worked with their heads, and with passion and commitment.

Campaigners claim the introduction of salmon farming would threaten the region’s thriving tourist economy as well as having a detrimental impact on the environment.

The decision was hailed by Greenpeace which said: “Ushuaia (the provincial capital of Tierra del Fuego) is protected from a harmful industry that has caused serious damage to the Chilean fjords and has seriously impacted local communities for decades.”

It has also been welcomed by neighbouring Chile.

GAA hails year of growth

DESPITE the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) grew the number of certifi ed operators under its Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) scheme by a tenth through 2020.

The GAA’s annual report for 2020 shows that the number of BAPcertifi ed processing plants, farms, hatcheries and feed mills increased 10.7 percent, to 2,918, between the end of 2019 to the end of last year. BAP covers facilities in 39 countries, representing 29 seafood species. This includes 236 BAP-certifi ed processing plants eligible to offer four-star BAP seafood, signifying that the product originates from SEAFARMS, the Australian shrimp farming group, is planning to raise AUS $90m (£49m) to fund its Project Sea Dragon project in the north of the country.

Project Sea Dragon is a large scale, integrated land-based prawn aquaculture development designed to produce year round high quality prawn volumes for the export market.

The group says funds are being sought immediately to start construction on the project with the aim of achieving the fi rst prawn harvest by the third quarter of 2023.

Eligible shareholders are being invited to take part in the fund raising through a share purchase plan to raise an additional AUS $15m.

Seafarms says the capital raising will be underpinned by Ian Trahar, the company chairman and largest shareholder who plans to invest AUS $20m into the capital raising and convert all loans of about AUS $15.2m to equity on the same terms as the placement.

An extraordinary general meeting will be held in late July to approve the placement and other matters.

Seafarms is backed by Nissui, the Japanese seafood group, which bought a AUS $25m stake in the business three years ago. It is now one of the largest aquaculture operators in Australia, selling products under the Crystal Bay Prawns brand.

The company says its ongoing strategy is to develop further aquaculture operations “to produce the highest quality seafood”, backed by Project Sea Dragon its large greenfi eld investment in North Queensland where it has been operating since 1988.

It has grown its business from 600 tonnes to almost 1,800 tonnes over the last four years, making it the largest prawn farmer in the country.

the BAP-certifi ed farm, hatchery, feed mill and processing plant. The rate of retention for BAP-certifi ed facilities totalled 91% in 2020.

The GAA report also shows that operators show fewer “nonconformities” – that is, violations of a clause within a standard – with successive audits. The number of non-conformities for environmentalrelated clauses, for example, fell from 2.68% of the total number of clauses to 1.93% from the fi rst audit to the third audit, while the number of non-conformities for animal health and welfare-related clauses fell from 3.66 percent to 2.09 percent.

This shows, the GAA said, that “annual audits work”, even though through 2020 the organisation had to switch to a remote auditing process thanks to the pandemic. By the end of the year there had been more than 700 remote audits carried out.

The BAP program marked a number of “fi rsts” in 2020, including: Japan’s fi rst retailer to actively market BAP seafood (Seiyu); Spain’s fi rst retailer to add BAP to its sustainable seafood sourcing policy (Mercadona); Europe’s fi rst company to attain four-star BAP status (The Scottish Salmon Company); and Norway’s fi rst salmon farm to earn BAP certifi cation (Kvarøy).

CEO Wally Stevens said: “I am incredibly proud of my GAA associates for their achievements in 2020. We should also be proud of the women and men in the industry who surmounted the challenges of 2020 with courage and commitment. Just think what we can achieve in 2021 and beyond with that same professionalism and passion. This is a great opportunity for us to live up to our aspirations for a healthy global society, where all 17 SDGs [United Nations Sustainable Development Goals] are consistently being addressed.”

As of April this year, GAA changed its name to the Global Seafood Alliance, refl ecting its increasing involvement in wild fi sheries through the Responsible Fishing Vessel Standard and Seafood Processing Plant Standard, which encompasses both farmed and wild seafood.

AQUAFEED giant BioMar has committed to reducing the carbon footprint of its feed by onethird by 2030.

The pledge is part of the group’s “2030 Ambitions”, set out alongside BioMar’s 2020 Sustainability Report. BioMar is specifi cally promising action on three fronts:  Climate Action – BioMar aims to achieve

“net zero” greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

To that end, the company says it intends to cut the carbon footprint per tonne of feed by one-third – using a baseline of 2020’s fi gures – over the next decade.  Shifting to “Circular & Restorative” production – 50% of ingredients in Bio-

Mar’s feed will be “circular” (including raw materials sourced from by-product and waste streams) and/or “restorative” (materials that “signifi cantly shift the balance between ecosystem impacts and human production systems towards net-positive environmental outcomes”. One example given is the development of a single cell protein produced from fermented forestry by-products.  A commitment to “Enable People” – focusing on capacity building by committing to enable 100,000 people annually by 2030,

through training courses and development programs for employees, farmers and communities and engagement in third party agricultural and fi shery improvement programmes and supplier improvement initiatives.

Carlos Diaz, BioMar Group CEO, said: “Humanity has burdened our planet and pushed beyond planetary boundaries. We must strive beyond sustainability and innovate with solutions that restore the planet while supporting its people.”

He added: “We believe in transparency and even though some KPIs [key performance indicators] might seem too ambitious, we strive to aim high and disclose what we have and have not achieved. We believe in the sustainable future of the aquaculture industry and look forward to continuing to drive change.”

Left: Carlos Diaz

Kingfi sh sells out, hits new production record

THE Kingfi sh Company says it is selling its variety of yellowtail almost as fast as it can produce it. The Dutch fi sh farming business presented its second quarter results yesterday and announced that despite increased harvest levels, its current production capacity is sold out. The company is expanding its facility in the Netherlands, and the development of a new US site in Maine is progressing as planned. Just over a week ago the Kingfi sh Company secured a fi nal waterside permit for farm in Maine. This week it announced record 2021 Q2 sales, production and harvest levels. It also achieved a higher sales price while its production capacity ramped up. During the quarter, Kingfi sh set a new production record

Above: Lauren Enz with 268 tons of growth, an increase of 17% over the previous quarter.

The company added: “Stocking of the new system was completed in Q2, bringing total installed capacity to 1,250 tons per year. Productivity was 0.62 kg per cubic meter per day, down from 0.70 the previous quarter.”

Compared with Q1 this year total sales in grew by 56% to €2.3m and by 42% to 197 tonnes in whole fi sh equivalents.

Earlier this month, Kingfi sh announced the appointment of Lauren Enz as Vice President of Sales, US. In this newly-added position, Enz will lead US market development and expansion for The Kingfi sh Company, a pioneer and leader in sustainable land-based aquaculture. She brings more than two decades of seafood sales and leadership experience to The Kingfi sh Company, having previously served as VP of Business Development at Mark Foods and Director of Seafood Purchasing at Darden Restaurants.

AquaMaof wins two key RAS contracts

AQUAMAOF Aquaculture Technologies Ltd, an acknowledged leader in Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) technology, has landed two key land based contracts in Russia and Kazakhstan.

The Israeli company has has been selected by investment fund Russian Friends Capital (RFC) to develop two the Atlantic salmon production facilities with a planned production volume of 2,500 metric tons each. Design work on both facilities is due to begin next quarter.

The facility in Russia, Tuloma Salmon, will be located in the Tula region, a two-hour drive from the capital Moscow.

In Kazakhstan, the facility will be located in an economic zone adjacent to the border between Kazakhstan and China.

Leonid Goldshtein, Co-Founder and CIS Director at AquaMaof., said: “We are delighted and honoured to have been selected by RFC as the RAS technology provider for these exciting projects. We are looking forward to supporting them in their mission to provide consumers with fresh and healthy salmon, which is locally and sustainably produced.”

Dmitry Perman, Partner at RFC, added: “We are pleased to team up with AquaMaof as the technology provider for our salmon facilities in Russia and Kazakhstan.

“The selection follows a comprehensive due diligence process in which AquaMaof’s RAS technology stood out in terms of lower energy use and bio security. “

“The fact that the company’s technology has been proven in the production of salmon up to market size was also a signifi cant factor in our decision. These facilities are part of our strategy to get locally-produced, fresh, healthy salmon closer to consumers in all major CIS regions,” he said. The AquaMaof advanced Minimum Liquid Discharge (MLD) RAS technology utilises several water-treatment patents and fi ltering techniques to signifi cantly cut water consumption in the process. At the core of AquaMaof’s integrated RAS technology is effi cient power management, which dramatically reduces energy costs.