How could marine fuels be greener?
Why diversity matters: Aqua Agenda webinar
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NCE every six years, the World Aquaculture Society and the European Aquaculture Society get together for a joint event, bringing together not only aquaculture experts from the academic world, but also senior industry representatives and public sector policymakers.
This year, the event was AQUA 2024 and the venue was Copenhagen. You can read our report of the conference in this month’s issue.
Also in September’s Fish Farmer, you can read about the latest developments aimed at placing aquaculture vessels on a more sustainable footing. Hybrid diesel-electric power, allelectric boats and even ammonia are being explored as alternative marine fuels, but which will prove the most practical?
Our Careers in Aquaculture feature this month is a report from our Recruitment and Diversity webinar, which brought together a panel of industry experts to discuss challenges for employers in aquaculture and why diversity is so much more than a “nice to have” for a company in a competitive job market.
Nicki Holmyard’s Shellfish column focuses on a subject close to home – the “Rope to Reefs” study involving her family company, Offshore Shellfish. She explains how an old marine map from the 19th century suggests how and where shellfish populations the English Channel could be revived.
We look at a project that is empowering tilapia farmers in rural Uganda, and at the various challenges facing the aquaculture sector in Chile.
This issue features a report from Seafood Scotland’s Adam Wing on last month’s Japan International Seafood & Technology Expo in Tokyo, and articles on a new sea lice population model being developed by Mowi and a study looking at how salmon adapt to low levels of hydrogen sulphide in RAS (recirculating aquaculture systems) farms.
Finally, Nick Joy stresses the positive side of working in an industry that can be very tough, but also personally satisfying.
Best wishes Robert Outram
Serving worldwide aquaculture since 1977
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MOWI Scotland recorded a significant year-on-year drop in salmon mortality during August, which the company said could be down to falling sea temperatures as part of the El Niño cycle.
Mortality at Mowi’s Scottish farms was around one third of that recorded in recent years, when El Niño conditions caused a marine heat wave in the North Atlantic. El Niño is part of the natural climate
phenomenon called the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and leads to warmer than average sea surface temperatures.
This marine heat wave led to warmer seawater temperatures, Mowi said, causing salmon to suffer gill disease and ultimately led to mortality in 2023 and 2024. This is despite the fact that this period also saw fewer incidents of viral, bacterial and parasitic challenges to farmed salmon.
In August 2024, Mowi Scotland recorded its lowest monthly mortality for more than eight years. The company also achieved record high feeding and growth rates in the cooler coastal waters.
Ben Hadfield, COO of Mowi’s operations in Scotland, Ireland, Faroes and Canada East, explained: “The decline of El Niño conditions, much cooler summer air temperatures and higher rainfall have all benefited our salmon farming operations.We had expected a slightly easier summer due to the declining marine heat wave evident in 2022 and 2023. This weather, combined with our enhanced mitigation measures such as the high capacity to treat salmon with freshwater and the use of bubble curtains to prevent micro jellyfish and algae entering our farming systems, have so far proved effective.
“To see such a big fall in mortality rates is really encouraging because all our focus as salmon farmers is about caring for the fish. Until this year, the warmer seas have presented a big challenge for salmon farmers and the stock we work so hard to rear.”
Above: Mowi Cheesebay team
THE next in the series of Aqua Agenda webinars, hosted by Fish Farmer on 16 October, will tackle the question of land-based aquaculture. While a lot of investment has been ploughed into this, it is still not clear what technology will come out on top, and what the long-term economics of the sector will turn out to be. With increasing pressure on coastal space, however, can the industry afford to ignore land-based fish farming?
We’ll be asking: How do the different land-based approaches – such as RAS or hybrid flow-through –stack up against each other? Will the investors placing their bets on RAS grow-out projects around the world
recoup their money? And could land-based farming have the capacity to break free from the limitations intrinsic in sea-based aquaculture? What are the opportunities and what might hold back the growth of this industry?
So far confirmed are Trond Schaug-Pettersen, Chief Executive of Norwegian land-based fish farmer Salmon Evolution, and Thue Holm of Aquafounders Capital, who has experience of the sector both as an investor and a practitioner.
Aqua Agenda: Land-Based Strategy takes place on Wednesday 16 October, 11.30am-12.30pm British Summer Time.
To register for this free webinar use the QR code below to register.
AQUACULTURE professionals and academics have paid tribute to Professor Ron Roberts, founder of the University of Stirling’s renowned Institute of Aquaculture and a leading light of the sector, who died on 3 August, aged 83.
Professor Roberts was born in Liverpool in 1941 and moved to Scotland as a child when his father relocated to Campbeltown, Argyll. He studied veterinary pathology at the University of Glasgow and it was as a pathologist that he became interested fi ea a e a uacu ure du r e a o ake ape Scotland.
work ud amma o wou d ea ce u ar mmu a d me a omacrop a e fu c o fi a rac ed e a e o of e uffie d ou da o w c fu ded a research unit at Stirling, under the name “the Aquatic Pathobiology Unit”.
wa e ar of e wor d fir a er cour e a ua c veterinary studies.
w e e d of e uffie d fu d e u ecame part of the university set-up and the Institute of Aquaculture was born, under Professor Roberts’ leadership.
As well as the aquaculture sector in Scotland, under Professor Roberts the Institute also played a role in overseas aid, helping to ack e fi ea pro em arou d e deve op wor d. rofe or o er wa e au or of a em a work Fish Pathology, which is now in its fourth edition, and was Editor of the Journal of Fish Diseases e fir c e fic our a devo ed e re o fi a d e fi d ea e .
He retired in 1996 as Director of the Institute but continued work e fie d of a uacu ure. e wa rofe or a the University of Idaho and a Director of salmon farming and hatchery business Landcatch in Scotland.
Professor Roberts was a member of the Royal Society of d ur a d a e ow of e o a o e e of e er ar Surgeons and was a founding member of the European College of Aquatic Animal Health. His accolades also included the British e er ar oc a o a r mp e amp e up a d eda a d e ra k of omma der of e o o e rder of e row a a d for work com a fi d ea e e country.
He retired to Campbeltown and is survived by Helen, sons Gavin and Calum Roberts and his grandchildren. With thanks to Hamish Rodger.
THE future of Women in Scottish Aquaculture (WiSA), the network established to support the growth and development of women in the sector, has been secured with the news that skills body Lantra Scotland is to take over as its new host.
WiSA was set up by the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC), but changes to SAIC’s own funding, and a narrower focus of finfish health, meant that it could no longer continue as host.
The move appears to be a good fit. As well as providing training, qualifications and skills development opportunities, Lantra is already involved in the Women in Agriculture and Women in Forestry groups and helps to shine a spotlight on the contribution of women in key rural industries.
Jillian Couto-Phoenix, who as Head of Skills and Talent at SAIC played a key role in promoting WiSA, has been appointed as Head of Aquaculture at Lantra Scotland.
In her new position, Couto-Phoenix will help to support a smooth transition between WiSA host organisations, as well as focusing on developing relationships between UK aquaculture employers and the skills body to ensure the workforce is well-equipped for the future.
WiSA’s future secured
sharing initiatives, skills development programmes, and events, including the annual awards and mentoring scheme.
In five years, the WiSA network has grown to almost 400 participants, including women and men from finfish, shellfish, and seaweed-related fields, operating in industry, government, academia and non-governmental organisations.
Dr Liz Barron-Majerik MBE, Director of Lantra Scotland, said: “Growing the diversity of the sectors we work with is very important to us, and whilst we can bring learning from our work with forestry and agriculture, we can also learn from the journey WiSA has been on, and from the experience and expertise of the advisory group. I look forward to getting started!”
WiSA will continue to be led by an experienced advisory group, with administrative support from Lantra, and has plans to build on the success of various knowledge-
Heather Jones, founder of WiSA, said: “Since WiSA began on International Women’s Day 2019, it has grown into a powerful grassroots network championing women and supporting hundreds of aquaculture professionals with career development. The goal was to highlight the important role of women in the sector, attract new entrants, and actively look for ways to improve the conditions for those already invested in it. The network is thriving, and it is fantastic to hand over the reins to the team at Lantra who will see the valuable work continue.”
TWO leading salmon smokehouses have been recognised in the shortlist for
the 23rd Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards. St James Smokehouse (Scotland) has been shortlisted in the Fish & Seafood category for its 200g Royal Fillet product. Also shortlisted in this category is Lagg Whisky Cured Smoked Salmon from the Isle of Bute Smokehouse. The smokehouses are up against fellow entrants Thistle Seafoods (M&S Our Best Ever Fish Pie) and WEECOOK Fishwife Pie. The winners of this and the other categories will be announced on 9 October at a gala event in Glasgow.
SCOTTISH Sea Farms played host to the UK’s new Fisheries Minister, Daniel Zeichner, who visited one of the company’s farm sites and a processing centre in Shetland.The minister (pictured, centre, with Salmon Scotland's Chief Executive Tavish Scott, left, and Scottish Sea Farms' Managing Director Jim Gallagher) toured Scottish Sea Farms’ Vidlin salmon farm and processing facility at Gremista, Lerwick. Zeichner praised the sector’s vital role in supporting local communities and stressed the importance of working with aquaculture to strengthen food security.
COMHAIRLE nan Eilean
Siar (the Western Isles local authority), Skills Development Scotland, the wider Local Employability Partnership and local employers came together last month to help Bakkafrost employees at the
Marybank processing centre, Stornoway, to find alternative employment. In July, Bakkafrost began consultation with the 77 staff at Marybank, following the announcement that it is to close as a response to falling production. At a job fair in Stornoway Town Hall, more than 20 local employers were present to talk about employment opportunities, and some attendees were offered positions on the day.
BAKKAFROST has outlined how an early harvest policy and sourcing smolts from its own in-house production helped to achieve a fica mproveme co d v o . e compa a a ou ced fica er reve ue a d profi from co a d w c ad ee rou ed o o ca a d o er ue over e prev ou mo . a e for akkafro co arm o a ed m a kro er or m compared w m . m a ear w e e opera o a or profi wa m m a a m m a ear.
repor for akkafro a d a dur e pr o u e per od ear farm opera o co a d fo owed a de r k ra e w c vo ved arve arou d of e p a ed o a arve vo ume for dur a d a ead of w c e d o r more o o ca c a e e co a d. ea w e akkafro a a o pr or ed e u e of ar e ua mo from pp ecro a c er over e er a ource . Applecross will supply nearly all of the required smolt to the mar e e e compa a d.
SCOTTISH Sea Farms has more a dou ed reve ue a d ur ed o o profi during the second quarter of ear.
co ea arm w c co ow ed orwe a salmon giants SalMar and e er eafood ompa produced an operational EBIT or opera o a profi of m m for . e ame period last year saw a loss of m m dur e pr o u e per od a ear. pera reve ue wa m m o a a m m a ear.
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UK supermarket giant Tesco and Hilton Food Group, a major distributor, have adopted a new crustacean welfare policy which includes stopping the practice of eye stalk ablation within two years.
Eye stalk ablation is a common practice in shrimp farming and involves cutting the eye stalks of farmed mother shrimp to improve reproduction.
Hilton's seafood arm is a major supplier for Tesco. The two companies said the new policy was created with support from the international organisation Aquatic Life Institute.
Teresa Fernandez, Aquaculture Specialist at Hilton Seafood UK, said: “We are pleased to have the support of Aquatic Life Institute for our work on animal welfare.
“Their assistance in shaping this policy underpins our shared commitment to promoting responsibility across this area.”
Hilton's new policy includes a commitment to ending eye-stalk ablation in UK supply chains by 2026 and a guarantee of 100% stunning of farmed crustaceans before slaughter, using either electrical or thermal methods, as well as for wild crabs and lobsters. The initiative will also explore environmental enrichments to enhance the rearing conditions for crustaceans, including appropriate stocking densities on farms, along with a pledge to source farmed crustaceans from independently certified farms, with accepted certifications.
Tesco has pledged not to sell any live decapod crustaceans in stores and online.
By 2026, 100% of the farmed Penaeus vannamei shrimp will be electrically stunned. Tesco affirms that it is exploring the practicalities of implementing this across P monodon supply chains with suppliers.
Tesco's suppliers will also have to comply with recognised farm assurance schemes, such as ASC, Global GAP or BAP.
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THE organisation representing Scottish seaweed growers will be celebrating its first decade this November at its annual conference.
The conference of the Scottish Seaweed Industry Association (SSIA) takes place over 20-21 November at Corran Halls in Oban.
The theme of the event will be “10 Years of the SSIA: Where Will We Be in 10 Years?”
This two-day event will not only reflect on the remarkable growth and achievements of the seaweed sector over the past decade, but also lay the foundations for the future. Industry leaders, researchers, and professionals from across Scotland and the UK will convene to share
insights, explore innovations and foster collaborations that will shape the next decade of the industry.
Sponsored by Crown Estate Scotland and Fishmonger’s Hall, the annual conference is a chance for SSIA members to share their latest developments, hear from buyers and learn about future routes to market.
For details go online to www. ssia.scot.
SEAFOOD exports from Norway achieved the highest August result yet last month, totalling NOK 12.6bn – or just over £1bn in sterling terms.
Despite lower prices, once again salmon was at the forefront, with overseas sales totalling NOK 10.8bn or £770m.
The country’s salmon farmers sold 125,251 tonnes of salmon during August, a volume increase of 3% and a value increase of 4% or NOK 374m (£26m).
Germany saw the largest increase in value in August, with an increase in export value of NOK 133m (£9.5m) or 37%, compared to the same month last year.
The export volume to Germany totalled 5,556 tonnes, which is 26% higher than a year ago.
The growing popularity of farmed trout continued impressively last month. Norway’s trout farmers exported 9,673 tonnes at a value of NOK 771m (£55m).
The figure represents value increase of 36% or NOK 205m (£14.6m) and a value rise of 44%.
Seafood Council analyst Paul T Aandahl said: “Although it is a record strong export month for Norwegian salmon, both in terms of price and volume, the trend in the market is uncertain. In the global market, we see that the import value in local currency is weakening in several of the countries.”
Once again the United States, Ukraine and Lithuania were the main markets.
NORCOD has reported an impressive 121% increase in revenues during the second quarter this year and has reduced its operating losses by a third.
The company has also set out its ambition for its product to be seen as “white salmon”.
Norcod’s Q2 receipts totalled NOK 82m (almost £6m) against NOK 39m (£2.8m) in the same quarter last year.
The operating loss came out at NOK 47 million (£3.4m) against NOK 71m (£5.2m) in 2023.
Norcod said that during the period it harvested 1,830 tonnes of which 175 tonnes came from its site on Frøya.
The vast majority, however, 1,655 tonnes, was harvested at Forså (Ibestad) through a joint venture with Kime Aqua, which owns and operates the farming site. All biomass was processed at Norcod’s own harvesting facility at Kråkøy Slakteri.
At the end of the quarter, Norcod’s biomass at sea
totalled 7,080 tonnes with a net growth during the quarter of 481 tonnes.
Norwegian Seafood Council statistics show Norcod’s share of total export volume of harvested cod during the quarter was 44%. At the end of the quarter, Norcod holds 49% of the total biomass volume currently being raised in the country.
Norcod said: “To position our farmed cod at a more premium position than the wild-caught cod market level, we have launched the Snow Cod product brand in selected markets.
“We are now working with the Norwegian Seafood Council and industry players to leverage this brand position and develop a premium, differentiated brand worldwide.”
Norcod added: “This includes repositioning farmed cod as the ‘white salmon’, as our product belongs in this product category as opposed to the wild cod product category.”
GRIEG Seafood reported a disappointing second quarter for 2024, with an operational loss and lower salmon harvests.
The harvest volume was down by over 7,000 tonnes to 15,272 tonnes.
e fi a c a fro e roup produced a opera o a o of m . m a a a opera o a profi of NOK 547m (£40m) in Q2 last year.
e compa a d re u were fica mpac ed biological events, which will also adversely affect Q3 with an expected negative operational EBIT in British Columbia (BC) in the range of NOK 230 to 250m (£16 to £18m.).
However, underlying production in Norway has been good towards the end of the quarter and into Q3.
Grieg CEO Andreas Kvame said: “The second quarter of 2024 was a challenging period for Grieg Seafood and our performa ce a d re u re ec co ued o o ca challenges.
“In Canada, our operations in British Columbia were impacted by events of extraordinary low dissolved oxygen eve re u fica reduced urv va ra e . addition, uncertainty remains in BC, awaiting the government decision on transition plan for Atlantic salmon aquaculture.
“In the meantime, Grieg Seafood has suspended all strategic investments in the region.”
He continued: “In Finnmark, harvest volumes remained impacted by the spiro parasite, combined with biological c a e e cau ed r e fi . owever e e d of u arve of fi prev ou e po ed o p ro wa completed.
“Furthermore, combined with measures taken to improve fi ea overa o o ca performa ce e re o is improving and costs are expected to decrease. Hence, I believe we are heading towards better times in the Finnmark region.
“Earnings and farming cost in Rogaland were impacted by planned low harvest volumes. However, the underlying performa ce wa ood. o a a d wa e fir re o o mp eme our po mo ra e .
“Since implementation, we have proved that the strategy contributes to good biology and high average weight, underscoring our strong conviction that this is a key element o ecur ood fi ea a d we fare.
FISH FARMER asks: How do the di erent land-based approaches – such as RAS or hybrid ow-through –stack up against each other? Will the investors putting their money into RAS grow-out around the world recoup their money? And could land-based farming have the capacity to break free from the limitations intrinsic in sea-based aquaculture? What are the opportunities and what might hold back the growth of this industry?
Former Salmon Evolution chief joins Iceland’s GeoSalmo
Icelandic land-based salmon farmer GeoSalmo has appointed former Salmon Evolution
chief Håkon André Berg as its new Executive Chairman. Berg (pictured) has invested in the company to become a significant shareholder. GeoSalmo said Berg brings extensive experience to the company, having served as the CEO of Norwegian landbased salmon farmer Salmon Evolution from its early days until its first harvest, before leaving for family reasons in 2022.
AQUACULTURE technology business Aquabyte has announced a shuffle of positions at the top of the company. Steve Tucker (pictured, right), currently President & COO, will become Aquabyte’s new CEO while founder Bryton Shang (left) will transition from CEO to become Executive Chairman. As Aquabyte’s CEO, Steve Tucker will continue to lead the business from Aquabyte’s headquarters in Bergen, Norway. Meanwhile, in his new role Bryton Shang will remain actively involved with Aquabyte as Chairman of the Board and ambassador for the company.
ALF-Helge Aarskog, a former CEO of global salmon giant Mowi, has joined the board of Smir Group. Smir specialises in sea lice treatment, waterborne feeding and cage systems.
Aarskog was CEO at Lerøy Seafood Group before taking charge at Mowi for around a decade.
Frank Øren, owner and business developer in Smir Group, said: “We are very pleased that Alf-Helge Aarskog wants to contribute to the board of Smir Group. His knowledge of the important interaction
THE Lerøy Seafood Group, part owners of Scottish Sea Farms, produced a second quarter operational profit of NOK 906m (£66m), NOK 44m (£3.2m) down on Q2 last year.
The company said there had been good biological improvements during the period, however, with promising results from shielding technology.
The company estimates that its salmon and trout harvest this year will be around 193,000 tonnes, including joint ventures such as Scottish Sea Farms, which it coowns with SalMar.
between technology and biology will be important for our development.”
The operational EBIT from Lerøy’s farming division was NOK 777m (£56.7m).
Lerøy also owns one of Norway’s largest deep sea trawler fleets and there was a significant fall in earnings from this division, mainly due to lower catch quotas.
CEO Henning Beltestad said: “Lerøy has implemented a number of improvement measures in recent years, and these are gradually showing results.
“Biological development in farming in Q2 and year to date in 2024 has been good. “
AN international team of researchers has used the latest in genomic science in a study that could help improve salmon resistance to sea lice.
The project, under the name CrispResist, was led by Norwegian food research institute Nofima and the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute, with help from other bodies including Stirling University’s Institute of Aquaculture.
While Atlantic salmon are highly susceptible to sea lice, coho salmon have an innate resistance to them.
In coho salmon, the attachment of sea lice triggers localised swelling, but for Atlantic salmon, the outermost layer of their skin rapidly breaks down.
The study analysed the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie coho salmon’s sea lice resistance and compared this to the response in Atlantic salmon.
After exposing both species to the parasites, researchers investigated individual cell types and gene expression patterns of their responses by analysing skin samples using a novel type of RNA sequencing. They found that, while both species mount similar immune and wound-
healing responses, keratinocytes in the three outermost layers of coho salmon’s skin play a central role in their response to infection.
Their findings suggest that keratinocytes in the bottom layer direct the expansion and movement of cells in the middle and top layers, which can eventually encapsulate and expel the parasites.
Using gene editing, the team says, it could be possible to enhance Atlantic salmon’s sea lice resistance by targeting genes that underlie their susceptibility, and coho salmon’s resistance, to the parasites. This would not need to involve splicing genes from the two species together, they hope, since it should be possible to identify genes within the Atlantic salmon genome that could do the job.
The research paper Keratinocytes drive the epithelial hyperplasia key to sea lice resistance in coho salmon was first published in BMC Biology, vol.22 2024.
SALMAR, the world’s second largest producer of Atlantic salmon, unveiled an opera o a or profi of NOK 1.4bn (just over £100m) during the April to June period this year, down from NOK 1.7bn (£120m) a year earlier.
The results were weaker than what some analysts had been predicting but SalMar has described the period as producing a “solid performance”.
The company suffered badly from biological issues a d e fi a ack ear er the year and the effect from these carried through to the second period.
The harvest volume was broadly unchanged at 44,800 tonnes.
In a positive message, CEO Frode Arntsen said: “SalMar showed solid operations, improved biological
performance and delivered accep a e fi a c a re u in a period characterised by a challenging winter and start of the year.
“After sustained good efforts from all segments, we see positive development in ke fi ure .
He added: “At the same time, we have taken several measures to realise our ambition for further sustainable growth. We secured additional production capacity through e raffic auc o in Norway, and we were awarded 10,000 tonnes in new licences in Iceland.”
SalMar’s operating income was slightly down on last year at NOK 5.83 billion (£426m) with an operating profi or of a mo NOK 1.4 billion (£102m) against NOK 1.74 billion (£127m) in Q2 last year.
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THE Norwegian government is set to announce its first fish farming “far out at sea” licences in the New Year.
The move to license offshore aquaculture has been received with huge enthusiasm and described as a great opportunity for the aquaculture sector.
Seafood Norway (Sjømat Norge) said that together with a group of potential players consisting of, among others, SalMar Aker Ocean (pictured), Viewpoint and Utror, it has worked purposefully to realise the potential of at sea aquaculture over several years.
“This is an important and correct step by the minister,” said Ole Fretheim, Head of Aquaculture Technology at Seafood Norway.
He added: “Aquaculture at sea represents a gigantic opportunity for Norway – not only to increase food production of sustainable proteins, but also to secure Norway’s position as a leading seafood nation in the future as well.
“Since the establishment of the Hurdals platform, the Støre-led government has had a stated goal of developing a separate licensing regime for farming at sea.
“It is therefore important that the first offshore licences are now awarded so that the aquaculture nation Norway can continue to develop its globally leading position.
“With cutting-edge expertise in offshore, maritime and aquaculture, Norway is well equipped to create a new industry at sea. The realisation of aquaculture at sea will also be one of the contributions to increased food security in the future.”
The Hurdals platform is the agreement that set out the basis for Norway’s governing Labour-Centre Party coalition, under the premiership of Labour’s Jonas Gahr Støre.
TWO of the biggest Norwegian salmon producers, Mowi and SalMar, are facing the threat of big daily fines because of high reported sea lice numbers.
First, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority warned SalMar it faced a potential penalty of more than half a million kroner a day (around £40,000 a day) over the issue. Then Mowi was told it could incur a penalty of just over NO 465,000 a day (around £33,000).
Mowi said the news came as a complete surprise, adding the company was now back below the lice limit and had achieved that well before the deadline, the financial website e.24 reports.
The company admitted it had been affected by an unexpectedly large outbreak of lice but said that its staff had responded to the situation quickly and efficiently. ice levels are now very low, it added.
The Norwegian Food Safety Authority has been cracking down on high numbers by stating that the limits must be observed at all times, adding that fish farmers will be held responsible for preventive measures.
NORWEGIAN salmon farmer Måsøval has reported higher second quarter revenues, but lower profits during the period.
The company recorded revenues of NOK 935m (£67m) against NOK 804m (£57m) last year, but operational EBIT was down by NOK 24m (£1.7m) to NO 210m (£15m).
Profit before tax was NO 175.4m (£12.5m) against NO 196.2m (£14m) in Q2 2023.
The company slaughtered 6,673 tonnes, down from 7,573 tonnes in the same period during the previous year.
Chief executive Helge Kvalvik said that salmon prices were a real roller coaster during
the quarter with higher volatility.
He said: “Our harvest profile was somewhat shifted towards the end of the quarter, when prices were low. All in all, we still realised prices that were NO 8 (£0.56) higher than in the same quarter last year.
“ ooking ahead, I am very excited that the new T 52 harvesting facility will become operational in September.
“I strongly believe that the value chain will improve through closer integration of the sales and processing segment. The new processing facility will provide flexibility, stability and new opportunities.”
AUTHORITIES last month were investigating reports of the escape of a large number of salmon from a farm on the west coast of Ireland.
The incident happened at Killary Harbour in Galway, following the discovery of a tear in one of the nets.
e e cape ou o ave ee cau ed a fi farm boat colliding with a salmon cage, leading to the release of several thousand salmon.
The site is operated by the Mannin Bay Salmon Company, w c ra e a mo o or a c a dard . e fi are arou d 1.5kg to 2kg in weight.
The Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) said: “The licensee has advised that the damaged cage has been repaired. The department’s marine engineering division is currently preparing a report on the incident.”
THE north Norwegian fish farmer Andfjord Salmon roup AS has reported solid progress with its build-out at its Arctic location at valnes in And ya.
CEO Martin Rasmussen said the next two pools at Andfjord’s flow-through farm site are starting to take shape, adding: “Just before the summer we reported faster than expected progress for the development of our waterways... performance has been equally strong throughout August, following scheduled reduced activity in July.
“The waterways are the arteries that supply water to the flowthrough systems in our pools, so they are key to our expansion.”
Up to the end of August the waterways, including inlet and outlet tunnel, had reached 73% completion.
In this first phase of the valnes build-out, Andfjord Salmon is completing four new pools, increasing production capacity to 8,000 tonnes by 2025. In the long run, the company aims for a capacity of 40,000 tonnes salmon per annum.
Above: Andfjord Salmon waterway
LAND-based salmon farmer
AquaBounty Technologies has announced plans to sell off its farm and hatchery at Rollo Bay on Prince Edward Island, Canada.
AquaBounty, a US company, is investing heavily in a new farm site in Ohio, which will allow it to produce its genetically-modified ( M) salmon at a commercial scale. Construction costs for the new plant have rocketed, however, and AquaBounty has been looking for ways to raise capital. In July, the company announced that it had sold its Indiana farm to another fish farmer, Superior Fresh of Wisconsin.
Now, AquaBounty says it has made the decision to sell its Rollo Bay farm operation. The farm, located on Prince Edward Island in Canada, was purchased by the company in 2016 and further developed into a broodstock and egg production operation.
It had originally been developed to provide a proof of concept for the company’s M salmon, which combine Atlantic salmon genes with elements from two other salmonid species, but the farm and hatchery now also provide non- M salmon ova to other producers.
The company’s investment banker is
conducting the sale process, which is expected to be completed before year end.
avid Melbourne, Chief Executive Officer of AquaBounty, said: “We continue to be focused on securing funding for both our near and longterm needs, so that we can return to pursuing our growth strategy. The Rollo Bay farm was purchased and developed to support an expansion plan for five large land-based grow-out farms.
“Since we will not require the egg output from the Rollo Bay farm in the near to mid-term timeframe, and since we will retain sufficient egg production capacity for our Ohio farm from our hatchery in Bay Fortune, we have determined that the Rollo Bay farm can be sold at this time to resolve the company’s immediate cash requirements, without impacting our long-term strategy.
“We are also continuing to pursue additional funding and strategic alternatives with the goal of securing our cash requirements in the coming months,” he concluded.
avid Melbourne took over from former CEO Sylvia Wulf, who is now non-executive Chair of the AquaBounty board, in June of this year.
AQUACULTURE industry leaders in the US state of Maine are looking to win hearts and minds through an initiative that aims to promote a positive view of the sector, with the help of a network of “coastal ambassadors”.
Spearheading the programme will be oyster farmer Katherine (“Kat”) Lipp (pictured) who was the first person in the US to complete an aquaculture apprenticeship.
Lipp has been appointed as Community Engagement Coordinator by the Maine Aquaculture Association (MAA), a not-for-profit trade association that advocates for Maine’s finfish, shellfish and sea vegetable (seaweed) farmers.
She has a wealth of experience in the seafood sector, having gained experience in fisheries in Alaska, working first as a fisheries observer and then as Operations Manager at Salmon Sisters, before moving into shellfish farming at Mere Point Oyster Co in Brunswick, Maine, where she completed her apprenticeship.
Lipp will focus on establishing a coastal ambassador network and developing intensive social licence training for growers. “Social licence” is defined as the informal, ongoing
support granted by the community for a project, which remains a crucial aspect of Maine’s aquaculture leasing system. This requires farmers to lay significant community engagement groundwork to receive approval from the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) and operate on its sites. The ambassador programme aims to develop essential public engagement skills, enabling farmers to navigate the process confidently while fostering community trust.
Trixie Betz, Outreach and Development Specialist at the MAA, said: “Sea farmers should not have to debunk myths in order to gain community support. As aquaculture grows, Mainers deserve accurate information.”
Lipp said: “I am thrilled to join the MAA team and provide further support to our hard-working network of farmers.
“I am confident that with my background in both aquaculture and wild fisheries, I will be able to effectively foster strategic relationships in Maine.
“I look forward to working closely with our coastal communities on a personal level to promote the responsible stewardship of our marine spaces.”
SALMON farmer Nordic Aqua Partners is set to raise around NOK 250 million (£18m) to see it through an issue that has affected the flavour of the salmon at its production facility in China.
It has already entered a short-term credit facility of 5.8m (£4.9m) with NB ASA. The facility will last up to four months and is designed to provide the necessary liquidity to support the company’s ongoing operations and strategic growth initiatives.
The Norwegian company is developing a large recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) farm at Ningbo.
eosmin, a naturally occurring bacterial product which can affect the taste of salmon, became a problem last month at the plant and has continued into the current quarter, leading to lower turnover and a significantly reduced harvest in the final half of this year.
Also known as petrichor, geosmin is a compound known to be absorbed by fish in RAS facilities. Although it is harmless to both fish and humans, it can, in elevated concentration, contaminate the taste of the fish with an earthy flavour.
espite this, the company’s Q2 report said the company had seen good operational and biological performance for all batches, with excellent fish health and welfare.
The Q2 biomass production of 1,014 tonnes resulted in a total biomass of 2,432 tonnes by the end of the quarter.
CEO Ragnar Joensen, said: “I am pleased that our pioneering business got off to a good start. In the first operational quarter of our startup year, we increased sales month-by-month and produced Atlantic salmon at a superior rate of 99%.
“Unfortunately, we were unable to follow up on this development at the start of the third quarter, and we must make certain adjustments in production to making us more robust in the future.
“As a result, there will be changes to our harvesting schedule and sales in the second half of 2024.”
Immediate and long-term solutions were now being implemented, and further corrective actions are under implementation, to ensure a permanent solution during the second half of this year.
Consequently, there will be delays in harvesting, and the company now expects limited or no harvest in the third quarter.
“We are monitoring the situation closely and we have a good understanding of what we need to do,” the CEO added.
“However, effects from actions taken will take somewhat longer than previously anticipated and will thus affect production and limit production in the third quarter. However, we see no need to change the production plan for 2025.”
THE World Aquaculture 2025 event (WA2025) is set to take place in Qingdao city, China. The conference and trade show will be held at the Qingdao International Convention Centre, from 24-27 April 2025. The conference theme, “Aquaculture Transformation: Action Towards High Quality and Food Security,” will be
explored through keynote presentations, panel discussions, interactive sessions, and an exhibition showcasing industry advancements. Abstract submissions are due by January 31, 2025. Organisations interested in organising or sponsoring the special sessions at WA2025 are invited to contact WAS atworldaqua was.org.
arra n i ro a oints in e en ent irector
SIN APORE-based Barramundi roup td has appointed Hong
ong financier Eric Tsang as an independent board director. It said Tsang brings over two decades of extensive experience in institutional banking, investment management and entrepreneurship across the Asia Pacific region. Currently serving as Chief of Staff at a single family office in Hong ong, Tsang also oversees private equity, venture capital, and private markets investments.
irst o nt i sal on ar est e ecte t is ont
PRO IMAR Seafood said it is ready to harvest the first batch of salmon at itsRAS (recirculating aquaculture system) plant at Oyama, near Japan’s Mount Fuji, within the next month. The Norwegian-owned, land-based fish farming business has reported stable and good growth conditions over the last quarter, with a total biomass of 360 tonnes by
FISHMEAL and fish oil supply increased significantly in the leading producer nations in the first half of this year, according to the marine ingredients organisation IFFO.
The IFFO survey for H1 2024 shows that fishmeal production was up by 40% and fish oil by 10%, compared with the same period last year.
This was thanks to the increased catches in the north-centre of Peru, IFFO said, although operations there are now under a fishing ban. Only Peru’s southern fishing grounds are currently open to operations, with 15% of the quota landed so far.
In Chile, landings in the first six months of 2024 decreased, year on year, in the south, while they were up in the north of the country.
In northern Europe, the volume of available raw materials is down, year on year, as expected due to the lower quotas granted in 2024 vs 2023.
the end of the period, up from 112 tonnes at the end of the previous quarter. It expects to have 530 tonnes this month.
As for the USA, menhaden catches continue to progress, although they remain below the levels reported in 2023. Menhaden are small forage fish of the genera Brevoortia and Ethmidium, and are a significant source of fishmeal.
The news is good for fish farmers, especially those who use a high proportion of marine ingredients in their feed.
The data are based on statistics shared by IFFO’s membership, which accounts for 55% of global marine ingredients production. Represented in the survey are Peru, Chile, enmark, Norway, Iceland, North Atlantic, USA, a number of African countries and Spain.
While China’s fishing ban was lifted in mid-August, the IFFO said local producers of fishmeal and fish oil remain cautious about domestic potential production levels for 2024.
Official statistics from China suggest an annual decrease in the cumulative fishmeal and fish oil imports through June due to weak demand of aquafeed and high production costs. Overall, the bearish market conditions are likely to persist through the year 2024.
In contrast, the pig sector, which used to consume significant amounts of fishmeal, continues its recovery, with pig prices rising steadily over the past months.
LAST year saw the number of farms certified by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council pass the 2,000 mark, with a steady increase in the volume of certified products marketed around the world.
The organisation’s latest Impacts Report shows that there were 2,062 ASC-certified farms in 2023, producing 2.04 million tonnes of responsibly produced seafood, up 8.6% on the previous year.
The volume of ASC-certified products was up 6.4% and they were available in 116 countries, an increase of 17%.
The ASC led more than 3,000 improvements aimed at improving social responsibility and more than 4,300 environmental sustainability improvements.
Three Aquaculture Improvement Projects (AIP) across 129 sites meant more farms which were not yet ready to become certified got access to guidance and support through the Improver Programme by ASC.
Since the ASC Feed Standard launch in January 2023, nine feed mills have been certified and more mills continue to join the
programme, the ASC said.
And 1,367 audits of farm performances were conducted by 12 accredited independent Conformity Bodies (CABs) year-round across 51 countries.
A year of milestones
ASC CEO Chris Ninnes said: “2023 was a year of milestones for ASC as we formally launched the ASC Feed Standard, the Improver Programme by ASC and the ASC Chain of Custody Module.
“I am extremely proud of our work to
drive transformation and our impact not just in the wider seafood farming sector, but also in offering improvement and learning opportunities to smaller scale farms where change is not always easily accessible and to those at the very beginning of their improvement journey.”
He added: “Now is the time to play a more active role in driving transformation in seafood farming. We do this by having a clear goal and vision, reinforced by measurable and meaningful impact which is reflected in this latest report.
THE Florida-based salmon farming company Atlantic Sapphire is seeking more cash – up to US $80m (£61m) in new equity and convertible loans. It was revealed in August that three major shareholders including north Norwegian salmon farmer Nordlaks had pre-subscribed some $60m (£46m).
The news of the new fundraising exercise sent the company’s share plummeting yesterday – by almost 80% at one point - and long-time investor Blue Future Holding opted to sell the whole of its stake.
Atlantic Sapphire also disclosed its half year results which showed a turnover of just over $11m (£8.4m) and a pre-tax loss of $52m (£39.7m). It also produced a harvest volume of 2,395 tonnes during the period.
The company also said it had identified bottlenecks in the water treatment system, as well as unplanned downtime, which has had the effect of limiting feed volume. At the same time the company has found its sales price falling, driven by the sale of sexually mature fish in Q1 and small fish in Q2.The company has also seen low average weight due to excess fish in the tanks.
Several measures have now been implemented to increase harvest weight. In the short term, with low mortality and current limitations in feeding volume, the company has reduced the number of fish to allow the remaining fish to grow to a larger weight.
In the medium term, the company has initiated measures to increase feeding capacity at the recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) plant.
“We plan to continue setting the standard for seafood and grow the programme further with ongoing investment in dedicated ASC campaigns and more valuable new services for our partners.”
More than 300 stakeholders participated in a public consultation on the ASC Farm Standard which, the ASC said, will align all ASC speciesspecific standards into a single global, robust standard. ASC plans to finalise the Farm Standard in 2024, for it to take effect in 2025.
The report is available on the ASC website asc-aqua.org.
FOUR new board members have joined the leadership team of family-owned seafood business, Joseph Robertson (Aberdeen) Ltd. The company, based in the north-east of Scotland, has set out its ambitions to double its turnover, currently around £45m.
Ryan Robertson, son of Managing Director Michael Robertson, has been appointed Deputy Managing Director with a view to succeeding Michael in the years ahead.
Ryan joined Joseph Robertson in
2013 after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in business administration management at the University of Nevada. His roles within the company have been heavily focused in the finance department and strategy, and prior to his new appointment, he served as Head of Finance.
Joining Ryan Robertson on the board, Evan Robertson has been appointed Operations Director. During the last decade within the business, Evan has covered several roles, including
Indian group acquires Polish smoked salmon
purchasing, planning, logistics and production.
Also appointed to the board is the firm’s Technical Director, Kate Richardson. She has worked at Joseph Robertson since July 2023 and has 26 years of experience in technical roles in the food industry
The final appointment is Ajay Chintalapati as Director of Planning, Systems and IT bringing 14 years of experience to the board. He started with the company in 2012 and has worked his way through planning and project management roles while achieving a BSc (Hons) in computer science from Robert Gordon University in 2022.
Founded in 1878, Joseph Robertson is one of Scotland’s oldest independent seafood companies. It supplies a range of products to major retailers across the UK and further afield for their own label brands, as well as its own “Swankies” and “Get Hooked” brands. Ryan
“The company has set out its ambitions to double its turnover ”
Koral Takeover of Danish processor may be good news for Scotland’s salmon industry
SCOTTISH salmon sales could receive a lift following the takeover of Danish processing company Insula Hvide Sande.
The Norwegian company First Seafood, based in Bergen, has announced its decision to acquire 100% of the shares in the company.
First Seafood Chief Commercial Officer Roy Olsen said the acquisition should give an increase in filleting capacity up to around 40,000 tonnes.
He said that the location gives it a larger sourcing capacity, meaning that it will now be buying salmon from Scotland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands as well as Norway.
He added: “There are strong traditions for seafood in Hvide Sande. The factory that has been purchased has previously operated with white fish and shellfish. In recent years, it has been converted to salmon fillet production and MAP packaging [modified atmosphere packaging] of seafood products. “
First Seafood CEO Andreas Sundres said: “First Seafood was originally a white fish and shellfish company until we decided to build our own factory in Kongsvinger. In other words, First Seafood has a similar history to our subsidiary in Hvide Sande. The ability and will to win is a core value at First Seafood, and I am sure that we share this value with our new colleagues in Hvide Sande.”
First Seafood is a relatively new company and was founded just 10 years ago, offering fresh and frozen products to the hotel, catering and restaurant (HORECA) trade.
It became part of the Insula Group in 2016 and in September 2022 a brand new fully owned salmon fillet facility in Kongsvinger started its operations.
Based on Denmark’s west coast, Hvide Sande’s core business is fish filleting, using a range of processes. The company is an expert in nitrogen freezing, a process that preserves the quality and consistency of the fish after thawing.
SEAFOOD supplier Iceland
Seafood International (ISI) has reported a positive turnaround during the first six months of this year, but high salmon prices early on in the period have continued to affect sales.
The group, which sold its Grimsby operation more than a year ago, reported revenues totalling €98.2m (£82m) which were only marginally down on the previous period in 2023.
The company also managed to convert a net loss of €15.3m (£12.8m) in H1 2023 to a deficit of just €0.7m (£0.6m) this time.
ISI said slower sales of premium products, affected by the economic climate, impacted both volume and margins.
Higher than expected salmon prices at the beginning of the quarter impacted sales volume, presenting challenges similar to those faced last year, as it takes time to pass on cost increases to customers.
The production volumes of Argentinian shrimp were below expectations due to lower quality, while the squid campaign outperformed expectations and last year’s results.
Sales of ahumados (smoked fish) increased by 8% in value during 1H 2024, while volume remained consistent.
The VA N-Europe division achieved sales of €13.8m (£11.5m), a 3% rise from Q2 last year. Sales for the first half totalled €26.7m (£22m), slightly up from €26.4m in the same period of 2023.
Ægir Páll Friðbertsson, CEO, said: ”Salmon prices were high during the first half, leading to losses in our salmon operations, similar to the previous two years.
“On a more positive note, our salmon activity performed significantly better in 1H 2024 than in 1H 2023, and the forecast for a decline in salmon prices by the end of Q2 was accurate. We anticipate stable salmon prices throughout Q3 and the latter part of Q4.”
NORWAY’S Coast Seafood has reported a 30% increase in revenue for last year, but interest rate rises meant pre-tax profits fell.
Coast purchased the Danish fresh and frozen seafood business Vega Salmon in January 2023. Vega has an annual production turnover of around 25,000 tonnes of salmon and this acquisition was the main reason for Coast’s surge in turnover.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Coast Seafood exported fish worth NOK 8.3bn (£601m) last year.
The company said that turnover for 2023 was the highest in its history so far.
Operating profit increased by 14% to NOK 128m (just over £9m) however the company reports that higher interest rates led to a fall in the bottom line. Pre-tax profit ended at NOK 97m (£7m), a decrease of 23% on 2022. After tax, the group was left with a profit of NOK 69m (£5m).
A FINNISH food tech company has developed a technique to turn fish processing sidestreams into a high quality fillet-like consumer product.
Hailia Nordic’s “Nyhtökirjolohi” (rainbow trout) is based on trout sidestreams, but the company says the concept could be applied to other finfish.
The “pulled rainbow trout” packs will be on the shelves of 500 Finnish supermarkets this month. Hailia’s groundbreaking technology takes the parts of the fish that are discarded in the fille�ng process but are s�ll nutri�ous and full of meat, such as frames, heads and fins, and turns them into a tasty food product that is ready to use.
The texture of the end product resembles that of cooked fish fillet, making it a versa�le ingredient for home kitchens and industrial food producers alike. The product launched now uses rainbow trout, but the process can also be applied to other fish as well.
Hailia is working with fish supplier Kalavapriikki and S Group, a retail coopera�ve that holds a 48% market share of Finnish retail and also operates in Estonia, to bring its product to the market.
Michaela Lindström, CEO of Hailia, said: “We are commi�ed to driving the blue food revolu�on and redefining seafood industry prac�ces to operate within planetary boundaries while improving profitability. However, no company can do this alone. Through this partnership with S Group and Kalavapriikki, we can provide a very strong proof of concept for this en�re circular concept.
“The food produced with Hailia’s patent-pending technology �cks all the boxes required by industrial food producers, including sufficient produc�on capacity to meet the needs of a major retail chain like S Group.”
CONTINUED improvement in the seafood sector has helped the Hilton Food group achieve growth in profits for the first half of this year.
In its interim results for H1, Hilton reported revenue of £1.9bn and adjusted pre-tax operating profit of £33.5m, representing respectively a revenue fall of 8.4% year-on-year and profit growth of 25.3%.
On a constant currency basis (applying a fixed exchange rate to offset the negative impact of currency fluctuations), the company reported revenue growth of 1% and pre-tax profit growth of 37.8%
Volume traded was 260,907 tonnes, down 4.2% on H1 last year.
The board said Hilton’s seafood business continues to improve, underpinning profit growth in UK & Ireland, while its core meat category is delivering strong retail volume growth across all operating regions.
Meanwhile, Hilton has announced the appointment of experienced business executive Mark Allen OBE as a Non-Executive Director and Chair Designate with effect from 1 October 2024. He will become Chair of Hilton Foods’ Board from 1 January 2025, at which time
Robert Watson OBE will step down from the board, after more than 20 years with the business.
Mark Allen is currently Chair of soft drinks group AG Barr, a role he took up in March 2022. He was previously CEO at Dairy Crest Group from 2007 to 2019 and has held non-executive director roles at Halo Foods, Warburtons, Dairy UK, Howden Joinery Group and Norcros, where he was Chair.
The reputation of salmon farming has suffered as a result of criticism that does not have much to back it up, says Martin Jaffa
THE reputation of farmed salmon in Norway is apparently in tatters. The latest survey from Kantar TNS has found that the aquaculture industry’s reputation scored 29 out of a possible 100 points, a significant drop from its long-standing average of more than 40 points. This is not surprising.
It is easy to forget that salmon is big business in Norway and therefore is the subject of extensive discussion in the mainstream press and media, whether it be farm earnings or, as more recently, coverage of mortality or the closure of rivers to anglers in salmon farming areas.
Being exposed to such negative coverage means that the Norwegian public can quickly acquire a very dim view of salmon farming and because the media, like mainstream media everywhere, aren’t very good at providing a balanced view of the issues, the negative image persists, as reflected in this latest survey. Of course, in terms of the business of farmed salmon, this survey is relatively meaningless. The majority of farmed salmon is exported to overseas markets where the reputation of Norwegian salmon is at a totally different level. This is because much of the debate of salmon farming in Norway is driven by the wild fish sector, supported by a scientific community with a vested interest, who continue to blame the presence of salmon farming for declines in wild fish.
The English language summary of the annual report of the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Salmon Management has just been published. Yet again they suggest that sea lice and escapes are the main negative impacts on wild salmon but provide no evidence to support their claims. Like most critics of the salmon farming industry, these scientists refuse to enter into any discussion of the possibility that they may be wrong, but readily share their views with the media anyway.
This is because, as President, he should have shown an interest in investigating the claims and even visiting a farm to see what’s happening for himself.
As a confirmed vegan, Mr Packham is simply against farming animals for food. He misses the point that the RSPCA believes that it is better to work with farming communities, and not just those producing salmon, to ensure the highest standards than to simply criticise.
The RSPCA should end its involvement, not because he is a vegan, but because in recent months, he seems to have lost the plot. In August Mr Packham attended an anti-grouse shooting event in Derbyshire to promote “Action for Wildlife Day” and told people that they should not bank with financial institutions that invest in fossil fuels, weapons and poverty. His major criticism was aimed at Barclays Bank, with him suggesting that “anyone banking with the bank should stick your head in a bucket of fuel and set fire to it”.
The reality is that if Mr Packham was not a TV personality, his views would be dismissed as that of an eccentric and never reach the press. In fact, in one of the trials of Just Stop Oil protesters, in which Mr Packham acted as a witness, the prosecutor told him that these activists “just love having you as a public figure”. The same can be said for the NGO “Feedback” which has joined with Mr Packham to promote its campaign urging the restaurant chain Wagamama to stop using farmed salmon.
Whilst Mr Packham has a high profile, it doesn’t mean that he knows anything about the issues on which he campaigns, Certainly, this is very much the case with salmon farming. He just joins in with existing criticism that is already aimed at the industry.
Critics of salmon farming in Scotland are also equally keen to share their views with the media. Recently TV presenter Chris Packham said that he may quit as President of the RSPCA unless it shuts down the assurance scheme that certifies farmed salmon. His comments received extensive coverage, although it seems that he has yet to enact his threat. However, in my opinion, the RSPCA should not wait for him to quit but should replace him as President as soon as possible.
Mr Packham did write about salmon farming in his book Back to Nature in 2020. His lack of knowledge is apparent from the outset when he wrote: “Salmon farming originated in Europe in the second half of the eighteenth century and hatcheries were established a century later and on a significant scale in the 1950s in Japan, the USSR, the United States and Canada.
The modern technique of farming salmon in floating sea cages was initiated in Norway in the late 1960s.”
Salmon farming did not originate in Europe in the second half of the 18th century but early attempts to fertilise fish eggs did, as detailed in a 2007 report from the Institute of Social and Economic Research at the University of Alaska. Its report highlighted some key points, the first of which states: “The origins of salmon farming can be traced back to fertilization trials in
Above: Campaigners say fish armin is to blame or ild salmon decline but can roduce li�le e idence
Opposite: Chris ac ham
Europe in the second half of the eighteenth century. Hatcheries were established one century later in both Europe and North America. Hatchery-based enhancement programs were introduced at a significant scale only after the 1950s in Japan, the USSR, United States and Canada. The modern techniques of salmon culture in floating sea cages were initiated in Norway in the late 1960s.”
Mr Packham does not reference any of the sources of the information used in his book including the ISER report.
Sadly because of his high-media profile
Mr
and his association with the BBC, his views are generally taken seriously. In some instances, his knowledge of wildlife may be extensive but not when it comes to salmon farming.
Of course, like other critics, Mr Packham does not respond to any attempt to correct the misinformation he spreads. He doesn’t like the idea of farming animals for food, and it only takes an image of one sick fish, out of many hundreds of thousands, for him to be sufficiently outraged to obtain press coverage.
Meanwhile, similar negative press coverage appears to have undermined the reputation of farmed salmon, especially amongst people in the 30 to 45 age group who live in and around Oslo. These are the part of the population who are most likely to be most divorced from how food is produced and thus are least likely to understand the challenges faced by farmers, irrespective of species. Consumption of salmon is slower than would be expected in Norway, but this is not because of its reputation. Salmon’s reputation is the least of the problems as consumption of all fish and seafood is in decline. The advisor to the Norwegian Fishermen’s Association has said that when she was growing up, the family ate fish four out of five days a week and now she is likely to eat fish and seafood five times a month. She is not alone in these changes, but that is another story…
Holyrood
WITH summer behind us, it’s back to business for politicians at Westminster and Holyrood. The buckets and spades have been packed away for another year as minds shift to the pressing issues of public finances and spending pressures.
UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Scotland’s Finance Secretary Shona Robison have already outlined a series of budget curbs as they prepare for their respective announcements.
Amid these economic challenges — exacerbated by the lingering effects of Covid, the ongoing cost of living crisis, and inflated costs — there are signs of recovery.
One sector standing out positively is our own — a true bright spot for Scotland’s world-renowned food and drink offer.
Scottish salmon is making giant leaps in global markets. Recent HMRC figures reveal that international sales surged by 41% in the first half of 2024, making Scottish salmon the UK’s largest food export.
This translates to a remarkable £431m in value between January and June, a clear indicator of our sector’s robust performance.
We are seeing notable growth in key markets such as the USA and Asia, with significant gains in China, Taiwan and Singapore. France remains our largest export destination, with sales nearly
doubling to £261m, driven by postpandemic recovery and tighter supplies last year. If these trends continue, 2024 could well be a record year for Scottish salmon exports.
This success reflects the hard work and dedication of our salmon farmers, a contribution recognised by both the UK and Scottish governments.
Challenges ahead
UK Government Trade Minister Douglas Alexander has praised these achievements, while Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has highlighted the sector’s crucial role in providing well-paid jobs across Scotland’s rural and island communities.
Nonetheless, several significant challenges remain.
The impact of Brexit has been considerable. Since the UK’s departure from the EU in 2020, increased bureaucracy has driven up direct export costs to Europe by £3m annually.
In addition, Brexit is estimated to have resulted in £100m a year in lost sales of Scottish salmon.
While markets in Asia and the United States are growing, the EU remains our most significant export region, accounting for around 60% of our international sales.
Encouragingly, Whitehall seems to be taking note
The additional red tape and bureaucracy from Brexit continue to hinder our full export potential, despite the considerable efforts and investments made by our farmers.
There is substantial potential to expand further into key European markets such as Spain, Italy and Germany, where demand for nutritious, low-carbon salmon is on the rise.
The reputation and provenance of our salmon provides a strong foundation, but we need more government support to navigate the bureaucracy and streamline export processes.
Encouragingly, Whitehall seems to be taking note.
We have had constructive meetings with Douglas and his ministerial colleagues from the Department for Business and Trade and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
We are also looking forward to meeting Scottish MPs at a Westminster reception hosted by Torcuil Crichton, the new Labour MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, who has proven to be a strong advocate for our sector. At this event, we will highlight the economic and jobs contribution our sector makes in every Scottish constituency.
Post-election, there is a clear commitment in London to addressing long-standing issues and reducing trade barriers with the EU.
Our immediate focus is on implementing electronic export health certificates (EHCs) and streamlining veterinary paperwork.
The successful pilot of an electronic EHC system highlights its potential to cut costs and reduce the bureaucracy – and often delays – associated with exporting our fresh produce across the English Channel.
This will require goodwill on both sides of the short straits so Sir Keir Starmer’s enthusiasm for resetting our relationship with Europe and strengthening ties with the EU and his apparent adoption of a more flexible approach to labour movement into the UK will, we hope, enable us to make progress on this issue.
Similarly, Scottish Labour’s support for a more adaptable immigration system is encouraging.
However, any proposed changes must address the specific
challenges faced by communities in the Highlands and islands, including updating key worker definitions and clearly signalling that the UK is open to skilled workers from abroad.
We are also excited by Labour’s plans to bolster “Brand Scotland” and recognise food and drink producers as vital to our economic growth.
We look forward to hearing more from Scottish Secretary Ian Murray on how trade missions and the use of embassy and consular staff can be used to strengthen ties with emerging markets and consolidate sales in established ones.
Continued government support for promoting Scottish food and drink on the global stage will enhance prospects for producers like us.
Against the backdrop of a challenging fiscal situation, it is crucial that relevant government departments that enable the economic growth the country needs are properly resourced.
At Holyrood, we have been engaging with the Scottish Government ahead of the First Minister’s Programme for Government to set out our priorities.
This includes much-needed progress toward implementing the recommendations from the independent review into aquaculture by Professor Russel Griggs.
The review outlined a detailed roadmap to better regulation, but it remains far from fully realised.
Reducing bureaucracy and improving domestic government regulation would save costs and support economic growth, driving sustainable development within the blue economy and signalling that Scotland is open for business.
While economic growth remains fragile and impacts public spending, our sector has the potential to play a significant role in recovering from the long-term effects of Covid and Brexit.
Harnessing the potential of salmon farming could turbocharge local communities and contribute £1bn to the UK economy within just a few years.
Tavish Scott is Chief Executive of Salmon Scotland.
An
offshore mussel farm is restoring not just mussels
but a whole eco-system – and the discovery of an old map illustrates its success, as Nicki Holmyard reports
WE have seen a huge upturn in interest in our offshore mussel farm in the past few weeks. Our MD, along with our Plymouth University research team, have had invitations to appear on local and national TV and radio, and friends all over the world have been in touch to tell us they have seen the story.
So, what is the big news and what sparked all the excitement? In reality, to us it is not news. Our research has long shown that the Lyme Bay mussel farm run by Offshore Shellfish is having a beneficial effect on the environment, increasing biodiversity as a result of its floating reef structure, and also building a biogenic reef on a flat, muddy area of seabed that previously had been heavily trawled. Two PhDs have been gained studying the environmental effects of the farm, and many papers published in esteemed journals.
However, the good news rarely caught the eye of the mainstream or even social media, until the chance discovery of an old map, which overnight, became the focus of a story that the general public could relate to.
Dr Emma Sheehan, Associate Professor in Marine Conservation at the University of Plymouth, explains: “I was out shopping with my partner, and we wandered into a gallery where artist Hannah Wisdom knew that we were marine biologists.
“She showed us an old French map from 1871 that had come into her p=ossession from the Marine Biological Association’s collection, because she thought it might be of interest to us. However, she had no idea just how interesting it actually was!”
The map depicted an area of seabed
stretching from Torquay in the west and beyond Lyme Regis to the east, and denoted the area as being home to “rich shell beds”, which the scientists believe were likely to have been oyster and/or mussel reefs.
“This is the exact area that I and my team have been studying in detail for the past 16 years. We have been working with fishing communities along the Lyme Bay coastline to monitor the impacts of the Lyme Bay Marine Protected Area (MPA) since 2008, and the mussel farm since 2013,” Dr Sheehan says.
She adds: “The map immediately changed the way we had been thinking about the mussel farm. Instead of mussels dropping from the lines on the farm causing the creation of new habitats on the barren seabed below, the map revealed that those habitats were actually being restored. Shellfish habitats had been well known and plentiful in the area before they were heavily fished by bottom-towed gear during the 20th century.”
Several parts of Lyme Bay are now designated as an MPA, where trawling is
banned, and the use of mobile fishing gear is prohibited by the Devon and Severn Inshore Fisheries Authority (D&S IFCA) in the mussel farm, which is marked on navigation charts as a marine farm.
“Unfortunately, this has not stopped fishing vessels from entering the farm and causing tens if not hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage to our gear and stock, and we have several active cases being followed up by our lawyers. However, the recent designation by the IFCA has helped considerably in instantly being able to recognise which vessel has transgressed,” John Holmyard, MD and founder of Offshore Shellfish says.
He explains that extensive surveys of the seabed have been undertaken every year by Plymouth University since before the farm was first set up, adding: “During that time, the seabed beneath the farm’s ropes has started to be transformed. Initially the videos and grab samples showed little or no life, but a muddy sediment clearly crisscrossed with trawl track marks that had limited biodiversity. We are now seeing the area teeming with life, and many commercial fish and crustacean species make use of the farm both as a nursery and a feeding ground.
“This is something that I had anticipated, so it is really exciting to see it happening in real life. The dynamic, high current offshore environment is very different from that found inshore, where mussel farms have been associated in some areas with the build-up of anoxic sediments.”
Dr Sheehan, senior author of the study, published in Science of the Total Environment that first revealed the
Top: Sec�on rom ma sho in shellfish beds (mar ed in rey)
off the south est coast
o n land
Above right: ussels on the seabed
Opposite: ussel ro es
importance of the map, adds that she had also hoped the mussel farm studies would find evidence of the farm’s potential to restore the health of the seabed.
She says: “We started to notice a change straight away and have consistently seen new species of marine flora and fauna both within the ropes and on the seabed. It is really exciting to think that the farm is not only having a positive impact on the health of the ocean now, but also returning the seabed to some semblance of its former state.”
The Plymouth scientists, using a combination of acoustic tags and underwater monitoring equipment, have found that individual European lobsters (Homarus gammarus) remained beneath the farm for up to 283 days before moving out, providing a resource for local fisheries. The lobsters were found to use both the farm
The map immediately changed the way we had been thinking
anchors and areas of seabed dominated by fallen mussels for feeding and refuge, in the same way that they use their typical habitat on rocky reefs.
Brown crabs, (Cancer pagurus) on the other hand, showed little willingness to stay within the farm’s infrastructure, and all tagged crabs had left the area of the farm under surveillance within nine days.
The wider benefits of the farm are now being studied in a Fisheries Industry Science Partnership (FISP)-funded project entitled “Ropes to Reefs”.
The project aims to assess the ecosystem services and benefits of offshore mussel farming and the restoration potential of essential fish habitat, along with biodiversity and associated healthy fish stocks. The project also aims to quantify the connectivity of these ecosystem services with the adjacent MPA and spillover effect to fishing grounds.
Dr Sheehan concludes: “Offshore mussel farming has the potential to become one of the world’s most sustainable, large-scale sources of healthy protein. Through the Ropes to Reefs project, we can gauge the industry’s potential benefits far beyond just providing a sustainable source of food. Working closely with the fishing and mussel farming industry, and building on previous and ongoing research, we can deliver essential evidence regarding the impact of offshore aquaculture. This will enable us to fully assess whether it can serve as a nature-based solution that preserves – if not enhances – the health and productivity of our oceans.”
Nicki Holmyard is a freelance journalist and communications consultant, and a director of Offshore Shellfish Ltd.
Mowi Scotland has been pioneering a new approach to sea lice modelling that suggests regulators may be over-cautious
MOWI Scotland has pioneered new sea lice modelling as part of its application to grow post-smolt salmon at its farm in Loch Etive, which has now been approved. The model aims to offer the most effective control of sea lice and was developed by Dr Philip Gillibrand, Mowi’s Head of Oceanography and Environmental Monitoring.
Dr Gillibrand produced a complex sea lice distribution model for Loch Etive which compares the continuous production of sea-grown rainbow trout to the production of salmon smolts in two crops annually with fallowing events in every year. Sea lice levels were predicted to be vastly reduced under this farming strategy and, in midJuly, Dr Gillibrand and Ben Hadfield, COO Mowi Farming Scotland, Ireland, Faroes and Atlantic Canada, visited the site to analyse and validate the model against sea lice levels.
Dr Gillibrand has been developing sea lice models within Mowi for over six years and has collaborated with SEPA, Marine Directorate and other scientific institutes
to achieve a robust and transparent model architecture. As with all environmental modelling, the complex parameters come with a degree of precaution, but intense work is needed to ensure accuracy over precautionary assumption, which can result in an inaccurate outcome.
The initial validation of sea lice modelling in Loch Etive, which was done with the largest ever deployment of post-smolt salmon (2.5 million), shows that the model has good accuracy, but still over-predicted sea lice levels in the first five months of stocking.
Dr Gillibrand said: “We used a sea lice dispersal model to establish the connectivity between our farm sites in Loch Etive and neighbouring sites, and then combined that with a population dynamics model to predict the lifecycle of the lice on the farms and estimate the daily production of lice larvae. Both models include a degree of precaution, and the lice count data we are collecting will help fine-tune the models and improve the predictions in the future.”
Commenting on the initial validation of
sea lice modelling, Ben Hadfield, COO Mowi Farming Scotland, Ireland, Faroes and Atlantic Canada, said: “The post-smolt salmon looked excellent: perfect form, healthy gills and low sea lice levels. Our model has a strong correlation to lice epidemiology, but still over-predicts to a reasonable level, due to the precautionary assumptions in line with the disciplines expected in environmental modelling such as the fact that we are not able to model the full extent of our farmed cleaner fish removing sea lice from our salmon.”
Sea lice modelling now forms a big part of regulation in Scottish salmon farming due to SEPA’s Sea Lice Risk Framework where the migration of wild salmon through salmon farming regions on the West Coast is modelled. This was first suggested by the salmon industry as part of the Salmon Interactions Working Group as a practical way of improving the relationship between the industry and wild fish interests.
Hadfield believes that a robust and validated model which predicts sea lice levels is an important part of the world leading aquaculture regulation but warns that it will take three to six years to do it properly and accurately, even with the intense resource deployed by Mowi Scotland in the case of Loch Etive.
He is also critical of what he describes as “ultra-precautionary and therefore unrealistic model architecture” that has been presented by wild fish ENGOs such as Wild Fish, Coastal Communities Network and Fisheries Management Scotland, which recently gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament: “I was disappointed to see Wild Fish and CCN state that sea lice levels were high and uncontrolled when the data shows they are at the lowest level for 20 years. I believe that this recent evidence was at best misleading and given with the express intent of damaging the salmon farming industry. Indeed, this was duly
refuted by Charles Allan, the most senior operational regulator at the Scottish Government, who gave evidence to the Parliamentary Committee that sea lice were under control and at low levels.”
What SEPA’s SLRF Screening Model shows, the company says, is that out of more than 220 operational salmon farms in Scotland, only 19 have a theoretical risk, according to a model that vastly overpredicts effect.
ever more precautionary and rushed approach is misleading and is designed to achieve an over-prediction of impact. I fervently hope that this can be corrected in future sessions, and we can talk with confidence about the reality of conditions in the sea and how salmon farmers across Scotland understand and adapt their methods accordingly.”
Post-smolt salmon at Loch Etive
Mowi Scotland acquired the farms at Loch Etive as part of its acquisition of Dawnfresh Farming, Scotland’s largest trout producer, in 2023.
Opposite: The research team at och � e:
(From le�) r hili
Gillibrand, Sean Anderson, Allan urdoch and u e lummer
Above: Fish arm, och
� e
Below right: o i lice modellin ra hic:
� e ost smolt lice counts redicted and obser ed ee s
On Fisheries Management Scotland (FMS), Hadfield believes that whilst both organisations agree that a robust and validated model is a major step forward, what FMS failed to say to the committee was unacceptable: “The current SEPA model over-predicts sea lice concentrations, possibly by a factor of 4-5, and uses a very low impact threshold which equates to detectable effects on wild salmon smolt behaviour but not levels that would induce high mortality. It assumes all salmon farm biomass is constantly at its maximum, which it is not, and, crucially, it is yet to undergo full validation to remove layer upon layer of over-precautionary assumption in order to attain a realistic correlation.
“If this is not changed, then it will over-regulate and force unnecessary treatment of farm-raised salmon which will challenge the high welfare of stocks, which all salmon farmers work for daily. Not explaining this clearly and calling for an
Out of more than 220 operational salmon farms in Scotland, only 19 have a theoretical risk
Mowi was granted consents to grow post-smolt salmon in Loch Etive in late 2023, and the first fish were put to sea in February 2024. Fish from Loch Etive will be used to stock the company’s larger sites in the Small Isles, Loch Linnhe and Loch Seaforth.
Mowi says it is confident that the post-smolt salmon production at Loch Etive is a sustainable alternative to land-based postsmolt production which incurs intense construction costs and energy consumption. Additionally, the company believes that this approach will deliver the most effective control of sea lice due to the new approach to fallowing.
Previously, individual sites at Loch Etive were fallowed at different times. Mowi’s new production plan includes six-month growth cycles to enable farms to synchronise fallow periods throughout the whole loch system. This break in production, combined with the loch’s naturally brackish waters, is intended to maintain a low sea lice population in Loch Etive (sea lice do not flourish in low salinity).
With less standing biomass on site, less feed will be used and therefore less organic waste generated which will reduce the benthic footprint of carbon on the sea bed.
Adam Wing reports from a key trade show in Tokyo, where the Scottish seafood industry was well represented
IN August, a team from Seafood Scotland co-hosted a delegation of eight Scottish seafood companies at the Japan International Seafood & Technology Expo in Tokyo. Working in partnership with the UK Government and Seafish, we were able to showcase the absolute best of what Scotland had to offer across the pavilion. We’ve been doing this for nine years, so seeds sown several years ago are now coming to fruition.
The Japanese market is an increasingly important target for Scottish seafood exports, with sales of Scottish mackerel continuing to rise and salmon still in a post-Covid recovery phase, reinforcing Japan’s desire to import the highest quality products – something that Scotland has in abundance.
Japan is a fascinating place to do business, with attractive – and reducing – trade tariffs for UK seafood exporters, particularly Scottish salmon and mackerel producers. This gives us an advantage over non-EU countries such as Norway, and it’s been so satisfying to see Scottish companies gain a stronger foothold in the attractive Japanese market as a result of our commitment to the annual event.
Compared to last year, the 2024 Expo was busier, particularly on the last day, with a wider spread of nations attending. We observed more countries represented this time around, notably those that we consider to be our competition – such as Ireland. However, our collective Scottish seafood brand remains strong in Japan and fruitful connections were made.
Above: Adam Wing (centre) demonstrates Sco sh salmon
Below: Che Nobu Kurihara conduc�n a demonstra�on
Opposite from top: Japan Interna�onal Sea ood echnolo y o; sea ood rom Scotland on dis lay
The companies attending – Ace Aquatec, Associated Seafoods, Denholm Seafoods, Hebridean Smokehouse, Lunar Freezing, Macduff, the Scottish Fishermen’s Organisation and Wester Ross Salmon –exemplify the diversity and quality of Scottish seafood. As well as mackerel and salmon, oysters, lobster, langoustines and crab featured on the pavilion.
It was clear to us all that buyers understand and appreciate the premium quality and provenance of Scottish seafood.
A key opportunity we have identified as a direct result of attending involves the World Sushi Championships, which are held alongside the Expo. We met with the chair of the All-Japan Sushi Association which organises the Championships. Scottish Development International’s Senior Trade Advisor in Japan, Keigo Yoshida and I have opened discussions about partnering with the championships next year with a view to Scottish salmon and mackerel featuring in the competition. While discussions are at an early stage, I am hopeful that we will be able to agree terms as this would shine a deserving spotlight on Scottish salmon and mackerel in Japan.
Mackerel is deservedly having a moment
A key opportunity we have identified… involves the World Sushi Championships
in the – land of the rising – sun. Exports have grown exponentially since 2019, with volume sales rising from around 1.5m kilos to more than 15m kilos in that timeframe, according to e-stat, a Japanese government statistics portal site. This has led to Scotland accounting for almost 20% of the total market share of mackerel in Japan.
We see the species acting as a driver to accelerate export opportunities across a range of Scottish species, farmed and wild.
Interestingly, we got a lot of enquiries about langoustines too.
During the Expo we visited Aeon supermarket, the biggest supermarket chain in Japan. The mackerel buyer’s enthusiasm for our mackerel was quite something! He explained that the key driver for him is the consistent quality he receives. It arrives with him as frozen whole product. Some is sold frozen “as is” whereas other products are defrosted and filleted for selling in the chiller cabinets as smaller packs. It’s good to see the opportunities for Denholm Seafood and Lunar in this respect, as there is definitely an opportunity to upsell here.
Another visit was to the world’s biggest fish market, Toyuso in Tokyo, with Wester Ross Salmon in attendance. We saw Scottish salmon being brought into the market. It’s not sold under auction – unlike the famous tuna sales that also take place there – but it was gratifying to see Scottish salmon earning its spot in such a prestigious marketplace. In terms of company trade deals, that will be for the individual companies to announce. However, I know that Ace Aquatec launched their A-Biomass camera at the Expo, an underwater camera that uses machine learning and artificial intelligence which could ultimately transform the way fish farmers monitor and grade their fish stock. They had a lot of interest at their stand which was great to see.
Elsewhere, Wester Ross Salmon told me they struck a deal on the last day of the show to supply Scottish salmon to a trade buyer. Details to follow no doubt!
Adam Wing is Seafood Scotland’s Head of Trade Marketing for the UK, Asia and the Middle East.
The legacy of the Covid-19 pandemic is just one of a number of factors shaping consumer demand for seafood, a new report from the Norwegian Seafood Council concludes. Vince McDonagh explains
SEAFOOD consumption is now being driven in many directions, making it difficult for companies to follow a clear strategy.
This is the conclusion of the latest Norwegian Seafood Council global survey into how the market is shaping up this year.
While issues such as cost and taste probably continue to dominate, other factors such as sustainability and the way we shop and eat are playing an increasingly important role.
The Seafood Council has 15 offices worldwide plus representatives in several other countries, so it is probably better able than most to study what is happening around the globe. It has taken a deep dive into some of the most pressing developments facing the both the aquaculture and wild fish industry and reveals how they are helping to drive transformative change.
The report titled Oceans Of Change provides a powerful overview of the latest trends shaping the sector.
The previous year’s report underscored escalating consumer
”
demand for transparency in supply chains and the growing appetite for convenient, nutritious proteins.
This year’s edition shows continued interest in these areas, but shifts the focus to the pivotal role of technology and innovation.
Lars Moksness, the council’s Analyst on Consumer Behaviours said: “Some years a single trend dominates the path of the seafood industry. In 2024, it is a balanced handful of converging trends that influence and push each other along: technology, innovation, sustainability and the cost-ofliving crisis to name a few.”
“It’s health, it’s convenience, it’s indulgence and it is country of origin,” said Seafood Council CEO Christian Chramer, talking about how coming back to the sector after an eight-year absence, he sees that the megatrends affecting seafood have continued to follow the same themes.
But that isn’t to say things haven’t changed. Health is an area Chramer points to as example of a key theme that has expanded in recent years.
“In some regions, it will be more about lifestyle, the way we live and how we treat our body,” he says. “Elsewhere, coming out of the pandemic, it is more about the effect of our way of living and wanting to be healthier.”
It’s health, it’s convenience, it’s indulgence and it is country of origin
course, was not exempt.
Many consumers attempted to seek out cheaper deals for food, looking for a balance between quality and cost.
The study says that across many countries, consumers switched supermarkets as they tightened their belts, either opting for more value-focused brands or looking for special offers.
Even though inflation has eased somewhat, food prices in particular remain high at the time of writing and consumers have yet to feel the benefit of a shift in western economies.
of online seafood options are available, from market stalls with a 60-year history offering online ordering, to high-end, former restaurant-only suppliers, and to others promising same-day delivery.
In the UK, the company Dockside Seafood is one of a growing number of omni channel seafood retailers.
Founded in 1980, the Fleetwood Docks firm has a fishmongers and a preparation centre that is open to the public seven days a week.
Twenty years ago, it expanded into the wholesale business and today it also offers fresh and frozen seafood online – as well as seafood selection boxes, fish boxes, condiments and recipe inspirations.
A recent worldwide study (The Power of Seafood: FMI) found that seafood sales totalled $16.2bn (£12.4bn) in 2022 – a 3.8% decrease compared with 2021.
Here are some of the study’s key points: Sustainability and ethical consumption
Sustainability has been a growing buzzword in recent years and the trend has only become more relevant this year. At COP28 in Dubai – the biggest UN climate meeting to date – for example, campaigners highlighted the potential offered by aquatic food systems to feed the growing global population.
The report says: “Seafood businesses that prioritise sustainability and ethical practices can tap into the growing market segment of eco-conscious consumers while also contributing to the long-term health of marine ecosystems and the overall sustainability of the seafood industry. This long-term view is a key element that should not be forgotten.”
It adds that certification programmes like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) serve as drivers in moving the industry toward sustainability as well as providing consumers with confidence that the seafood they eat is sourced responsibly. But education is needed to help consumers understand what all this means.
Inflation began climbing in late 2021 and many countries saw the cost of living –including food prices – rise faster than at any point in the last 40 years. Seafood, of
This led to a dramatic shift in action in some countries. In Portugal, for example, shoppers were looking for deals and promotions while across the border in Spain more people began cooking at home, and UK and Japanese consumers visited restaurants less frequently.
The growth of seafood at home
The study says it is hard to underestimate the impact of the pandemic on where people eat. The boost that was given to at-home consumption by lockdowns and social distancing has been given a further nudge in the cost-of-living crisis, where people have responded by further cutting restaurant visits.
Looking at data from the Seafood Council’s Deep Dive research – and focusing only on salmon – it sees that, across several markets at least 45% of consumers most often eat salmon at home. In some countries the figure was far higher and at 85% Norway led the pack.
Cooking habits also changed, with some countries devouring sushi although in the UK frying salmon remains the most popular method of cooking seafood. Snacking, often featuring salmon, is also on the rise.
The way we shop and eat
Another pre-pandemic trend that got a huge boost under Covid-19 is the online shopping and delivery market.
Analysts noted that the “market gained a great deal of traction from the pandemic,” with “growth seen in almost every market”. It expects the online food delivery market to reach US $1.22 trillion (£0.9 trillion) in 2024, with a predicted compound annual growth rate of 10.06%, resulting in a projected market volume of US $1.79 trillion (£1.4 trillion) by 2028.
Across these segments, China and the US are leading the way with what the report calls their “large consumer bases and robust delivery infrastructures”.
In Singapore, for example, a whole host
The study says that this year it is a handful of converging trends, as mentioned earlier, that influence and push each other along; technology, innovation, sustainability and the cost-of-living crisis to name a few.
“The seafood industry can use technology to streamline processes, saving money and potentially making products more affordable to consumers.
“As well as offering the potential to cut waste and costs, innovation also addresses many of the questions around the sustainability of fish and seafood as an essential – and increasingly important –source of protein. “
So why do consumers continue to add sometimes expensive seafood to their shopping baskets in a cost-of-living crisis?
The Seafood Council believes: “While taste, tradition and the general appeal are obviously big factors, an overarching theme is health: a focus on living longer, better and the avoidance of ill-health.
“Fish and seafood was always the healthy choice, but that healthy lifestyle was further thrust into the spotlight under Covid-19 and has become a lasting legacy of the pandemic.”
RURAL Aquaculture Development (RAD) is a novel, value-chain based approach to developing aquaculture production in East Africa using a for-profit business model that supports networks of farmers. It was established to help plug the gap between protein needs in the region and current challenges in scaling aquaculture production; the Food and Agriculture Organisation has highlighted a deficit of up to 75% in fish consumption in this part of the world compared to the global average. The first hub, successfully piloted in the landlocked Rukungiri district in the west of Uganda, serves as a model for wider replication in the region.
Founded by Tim Messeder and Pauson Mpabukire, RAD initiated operations in 2020, establishing its aquaculture venture through pond construction and production. Achieving its first fish sale in early 2022 marked a significant milestone, propelling growth and job creation. By focusing on affordable, smaller tilapia and optimising production processes, RAD has solidified its market position. Strategic partnerships (ThinkAqua, Gatsby Africa and Energy Savings Trust) have strengthened production and service offerings, ensuring wider accessibility of its products. RAD’s pioneering model, which simultaneously cultivates and markets its own tilapia while bolstering the local aquaculture industry, is designed to create clusters of multiple small and medium scale enterprises.
RAD’s ‘hub’ approach
Unlike traditional fish farming models, RAD takes a holistic approach, acting as a hub (one-stop-shop) for all things aquaculture. Its comprehensive suite of services empowers farmers to overcome the hurdles often associated with starting and maintaining a fish farm. Here’s how RAD’s model fosters success:
• Hatchery operations: RAD provides high-quality fingerlings sourced from its own hatchery, ensuring a healthy and robust starting point for farmers
• Innovative feeding solutions: RAD offers a unique and sustainable feed option – black soldier fly (BSF) larvae, fed whole. These protein-rich insects provide essential nutrients for fish while promoting waste management within the farming system, and more
importantly deliver large cost savings to farmers
• Equipment rental: Acquiring all the necessary equipment upfront can be a major barrier for small-scale farmers. RAD’s equipment rental programme allows farmers to access essential tools without breaking the bank
• Post-harvest “buy-back” support: RAD offers a reliable market for farmers with the buy-back programme, offering farmers a fair price and giving consumers a steady supply of fish. This is only made possible through the selling of small affordable fish which are more accessible for local families while helping to reduce food waste
• Technical assistance: Throughout the farming journey, RAD’s dedicated team offers invaluable training and ongoing support, empowering farmers with the knowledge and confidence to succeed.
RAD’s business model is underpinned by a deep understanding of the local context and the specific challenges faced by smallholder farmers. By tailoring its services to meet the unique needs of this market segment, RAD has achieved encouraging results. The company’s ability to demonstrate a strong return on investment and measure its social impact has been instrumental in attracting support from investors, collaborators and partners.
As local farmer John Mutaaga puts it: “I would never have managed to grow fish without RAD.”
This integrated approach empowers smallholder farmers by addressing their most pressing needs. It fosters a sense of ownership and cultivates self-sufficiency within the wider communities RAD serves.
The results of RAD’s work are evident in the transformed livelihoods of Rukungiri’s farmers. We have several stories of local farmers who have doubled or even tripled their income through significantly increased fish production. A prime example is local farmer Mauda Rutaremwa. After RAD provided her with fish fingerlings, she successfully raised them to market size and sold some of them back to RAD through their buy-back programme. The income generated has enabled her to begin construction on an additional fish pond.
Recognition for innovation: the FoodShot Global Prize
RAD’s commitment to social impact and environmental sustainability has not gone unnoticed. In June 2024 not-for-profit organisation ThinkAqua, a partner of RAD, was proudly awarded a FoodShot Global Prize, recognising the value of the project.
Research Lead Alexandra Pounds was a key player in shining a light on the work of RAD. The prize also recognises Alex’s wider research in East Africa, as part of her PhD at the University of Stirling. This international award celebrates innovative solutions that tackle food insecurity and malnutrition while promoting environmental health.
“Winning the FoodShot Global Prize is a tremendous honour,” remarked Tim Messeder, Founder of RAD. “It validates our approach, recognises the power of partnership and serves as a powerful motivator to continue scaling our impact across East Africa.”
Scaling the model: building a brighter future for East Africa in collaboration with Gatsby Africa
RAD’s vision extends beyond the borders of Rukungiri. With the success of its first hub site (Rukungiri) and a deep understanding of the East African aquaculture landscape, the organisation is poised for expansion. Gatsby Africa, an organisation committed to sector transformation and helping change lives for the better in East Africa, has recently come on board as supportive partners providing funding to solve some production bottlenecks; and, crucially, to develop a set of metrics by which RAD can validate the impact of the hub.
Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania have been identified as key target countries for expansion, where RAD intends to replicate its success story and empower countless more farmers.
Partnerships: building a sustainable future together
RAD is actively seeking strategic partnerships with investors, technology providers and distribution channels. A prime example of this is RAD’s involvement in the Efficiency for Access Research and Development Fund, where it was one of 11 organisations awarded a share of US $1.7m (£1.3m) to develop clean energy agricultural technologies. RAD is leading a project to create a low-cost, refrigerated cooling box for fish transport and storage in Uganda. This innovation will be a significant step towards reducing food waste within the cold food chain.
Collaborations such as this are enabling RAD to expand its reach, enhance its service offerings and strengthen its market position. By adopting a business-led approach, RAD is demonstrating that it is possible to generate significant social and environmental impact while building a profitable and sustainable business.
Building a legacy of change
Rural Aquaculture Development is a shining example of how business can be a powerful force for positive change. By equipping smallholder farmers with the knowledge, resources and ongoing support they need to thrive, RAD is not only fostering sustainable
livelihoods but also contributing to a more secure and equitable food system in East Africa. As the organisation embarks on its expansion plans, one thing remains certain – RAD’s innovative approach and unwavering commitment to social impact have the potential to transform the lives of countless individuals and reshape the future of aquaculture in the region.
Anton Immink is CEO of ThinkAqua, a global non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the social, economic, and environmental impact of aquaculture. Tim Messeder is CEO and co-founder of RAD, and a strategic partner of ThinkAqua.
Learn more:
FoodShot Global Prize: foodshot.org/ portfolio_4.htm
RAD YouTube Channel: www.youtube. com/@RuralAquacultureDevelopment
I would never have managed to grow fish without RAD
From highway robbery to lawsuits from indigenous communities, as Vince McDonagh reports, the Chilean salmon industry is facing challenges on a
number of
OF all the major fish farming producing nations, Chile is the one facing some of the most difficult challenges.
It ranks second to Norway in global salmon production and is a long way ahead of the third largest producer, Scotland.
Last year Chile’s aquaculture sector generated total revenues of US $6.5bn (£5bn), according to the Central Bank of Chile.
Modern salmon farming got underway in the early 1980s, little more than a decade after it took off in Norway.
However, the first efforts in commercial aquaculture began in the 1920s, driven by governmental plans and initiatives for extensive and semi-intensive systems for use in the rearing of molluscs and salmonids.
A number of cultivation centres for scallop and mussel cultures, as well as for salmonid species, were created in the 50 years between 1920 and 1970.
With Chile’s prolific ocean coastline, its fish have been in high demand on international markets, which has led to the over exploitation of local fishery stocks of native species.
fronts
This was one of the drivers for the development of the aquaculture industry, which placed emphasis on developing aquaculture species with a high commercial value internationally.
Many of the companies today are nationally owned, but the industry has attracted huge investment from Norway and, more lately, Canada.
Like their Canadian counterparts, Chilean salmon companies face opposition from indigenous groups who don’t want fish farms in their neighbourhood and a sometimes hostile government, despite the huge contribution it makes to the national economy.
The current Chilean President Gabriel Boric has been a strong critic of the industry on a number of occasions, pushing reforms at the expense of businesses.
He has softened some of his rhetoric recently, turning his attention to the practices of the fishing industry instead.
The Chilean industry probably doesn’t get the attention it deserves on this side of the Atlantic, probably because it is a long way from Europe and it has its main markets in the United States, China and the rest of South America.
But the industry is fighting back, signalling that it has not only cleaned up its act, but is going for significant growth.
One of its biggest problems is that anti-salmon farming groups are gaining in influence with environmentalists claiming that the industry’s expansion in the south of the country, where most of the industry is based, is a major threat to the environmental and biodiversity.
These groups are pushing the government for greater regulation and the very least they want is a moratorium on growth.
The industry is worried. Some companies believe they may be forced out of some of their locations in the south.
While the industry’s long-term objective may be growth, the next couple of years are expected to see a modest reduction in both Atlantic and Coho salmon output.
The DNB Bank said in a recent presentation in the country that Atlantic salmon will decline by 5% to 727,000 tonnes this year, followed by a smaller decline next year before recovering to 730,000 tonnes in 2026.
And thanks to increased demand from the United States, prices are also likely to pick up within a year or two. At the moment, however, the price movement is down.
Price movements apart, it is what is happening politically that is worrying industry leaders more than anything else.
A new aquaculture general law is being debated and the fear is that some of the proposals represent bad legislation which could damage or even destroy part of the industry.
As the law currently stands, local communities can apply for Coastal Marine Spaces for Native Peoples which they would be allowed to manage and control.
This has led to some communities, comprising just a handful of people, to apply to take over thousands of hectares of valuable land.
It means that further aquaculture development cannot take place in those areas until the application is decided.
Industry leaders have not been afraid to speak out on this and other issues when they feel there are likely to be injustices.
Only recently Andrés Parodi, the Chief Executive of Cooke Aquaculture Chile,
voiced concerns about some of the legislation now being discussed.
This has already involved attempts by some indigenous groups to take control of large areas of coastal water where salmon farms are based.
He said on social media that “the regulations must be rigorous, but simple to administer and apply. Today, they prevent us from moving forward and not even those who created them understand them”.
The former Chilean president Eduardo Frei told the recent Salmon Summit 2024 this summer that the industry has been the driving force of growth in the south of the country over the last three decades.
“This has been built by the regions, by businessmen, workers, institutions, among others, but without a penny from the state. And are we going to stop it, are we going to complicate it?” he asked.
Chilean fish farmers clearly have a fight on their hands if they want to grow the industry but will need to proceed with caution.
The lesson from South America is that salmon companies are quickly losing friends, not just across the Atlantic, but in Europe and Australia too.
It is important they try to reduce any grounds for criticism as much as they possibly can.
But a lot of good things are happening within the Chilean industry and, in some respects, the country is ahead of Norway in controlling certain diseases and biological issues.
COOKE Aquaculture, a relative newcomer to Chile, has begun harvesting the first organic farm-raised Atlantic salmon, launching it as a new brand: Shima.
This marine aquaculture production will initially be equivalent to 25% of Cooke’s total salmon production in the country and is certified organic pursuant to European Commission regulations and equivalents in Great Britain. The company has been producing organic salmon in Scotland for some time now.
Cooke Chile organic salmon, Shima, is now approved to use the EU Organic green and white leaf logo for export to EU and Great Britain markets.
Companies who hold this certification must meet the strict conditions related to all stages of production, processing, transportation and storage.
Andres Parodi, Regional General Manager for Latin America at Cooke, said: “This milestone in Chilean salmon farming is a result of keen innovation and strong dedication to providing a sustainable food source.”
Opposite from top: President Gabriel oric; fish
This is a “true company-wide vision” and was made possible because of collaborative efforts and support along the way, he added.
Group CEO Glenn Cooke said: “Our team in Chile has driven this project forward with passion, commitment and respect for the environment. We are proud of this achievement and credit the hard work of our people for dedicating years to accomplish this.”
ARMED robberies have become a big headache for salmon distributors in some parts of Chile with organised crime costing the industry around £70m.
The gangs are not dissimilar in style in the way they operate to the old Wild West bandits - except that fast trucks have replaced the horses and the stagecoach.
Some of Chile’s highways are very isolated, giving the gangs a further advantage.
The trucking companies have asked the police for greater protection and there have been some notable arrests over the past year.
They say that stealing salmon had become attractive to highway robbers because of the high price of the fish, with a large load worth thousands of dollars.
The Chilean courts have been imposing some stiff sentences on anyone caught and this is also helping to reduce the problem.
THE latest in Fish Farmer’s Agenda webinar series addressed the question of recruitment and diversity in aquaculture.
We looked at how fish farming and seafood businesses can ensure they continue recruiting successfully in what can be a difficult market for employers looking for the right talent, and what is being done to encourage young people into this field.
We also examined how the industry could become more diverse and offer more opportunities for women and minorities.
Our expert panel was made up of: Jillian Couto-Phoenix, representing SAIC (the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre); Donald Waring, Mowi; Jeni Adamson, Seafood Scotland; and Liz Barron-Majerik, Lantra (for details see box on the page opposite).
Jillian Couto-Phoenix explained that SAIC plays a key role in connecting industry’s research and development challenges with the academic expertise in universities.
SAIC’s activities have also included funding “soft skills” training, for example networking skills and how to develop new products and services, as well as hosting events where students can hear first-hand from industry
professionals about the kind of roles they could be in when they finish their studies.
SAIC has run an internship programme for students, supported upskilling for those already within the sector and helped to set up and support WiSA (Women in Scottish Aquaculture), including WiSA’s mentoring programme and its annual awards (since the webinar took place it has been confirmed that Lantra will step in as lead supporter for WiSA).
For Mowi, Donald Waring said: “Equality and diversity are at the heart of what we do.”
He added that Mowi is a great supporter of WiSA and said: “Aquaculture, even today, is seen as a male-dominated industry.
“In the past five or six years we have recruited a lot of women into our ranks including some key positions at quite senior
This month our Careers feature focuses on the Aqua Agenda webinar, which addressed recruitment and diversity in aquaculture
level. Aquaculture isn’t a men-only club, it’s for everybody.”
Mowi also offers flexible working benefits, so many key roles are not “nine to five”.
Housing remained a major challenge when recruiting staff to some locations, however.
Jeni Adamson explained that Seafood Scotland is a member of the Scotland Food and Drink Partnership and the organisation’s Chief Executive, Donna Fordyce, is a member of the Partnership’s Skills Advisory Group.
Seafood Scotland also runs a “Seafood in Schools” programme reaching out to primary and secondary schools.
Adamson said: “This is focused on supporting children to learn about the species we have in Scottish waters and the health
LIZ BARRON-MAJERIK is Scotland Director for Lantra, the organisation dedicated to promoting skills, training and career opportunities in the land-based, aquaculture and environmental sectors.
As Scotland Director, she leads on all the projects Lantra delivers in Scotland with and on behalf of its key stakeholders and works with Lantra colleagues to ensure the organisation is sharing its practice and learning from others.
Her background is in science and education, across a wide range of sectors and areas. Her academic background is in plant science and agronomy, but she is also a Chartered Forester, STEM Ambassador, and in 2011 received an MBE for her work in STEM Engagement (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
JILLIAN COUTO-PHOENIX is the former Head of Skills and Talent at the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC), leading SAIC’s range of career development programmes. She has worked closely with aquaculture professionals, colleges and universities on skills initiatives as well as the development of SAIC’s support for internships, graduates and masters students.
Following a refocusing of SAIC’s activities, she has now been appointed as Head of Aquaculture at Lantra Scotland, a move which took effect after the date of the webinar.
She joined SAIC from the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), where she was a Programme Manager for the National Transition Training Fund (NTTF).
DONALD WARING is Head of Learning and Development with Mowi Scotland, part of the largest salmon farming group worldwide. He has been in that role from 2019 and, before that, was Head of Learning and Organisational Development with Arvato Financial Solutions.
Mowi Scotland has won awards for training and development, including at the Aquaculture Awards and the Highland Business Awards, and Donald was recognised in the Women in Scottish Aquaculture (WiSA) Awards last year as Ally of the Year.
JENI ADAMSON is Industry Engagement Manager with Seafood Scotland, the organisation dedicated to promoting Scotland’s seafood sector and encouraging development with the industry.
Her role is to support Seafood Scotland in strengthening relationships with key stakeholders across the entire supply chain of Scottish seafood, ensuring programmes and activities are relevant and helpful for all sectors of the industry.
Jeni joined Seafood Scotland after working with Lantra UK, in the role of Head of Careers, promoting opportunities for new entrants in the land-based, aquaculture and environmental sectors.
Her academic background is marine biology, and estuarine & coastal science.
benefits of our delicious seafood and providing information about career opportunities and case studies of people in the industry.”
As Scotland Director for Lantra, Liz Barron-Majerik, said: “Aquaculture is one of the key industries within our sector, so it is important for us to help them to meet their skills needs.
“Aquaculture is different from many of the other industries within our sector; it tends to be large companies compared with other branches of agriculture like farming which tend to be micro-SMEs; but as for those industries, recruitment is a challenge.”
Among the initiatives Lantra runs or supports are the Aquaculture STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Ambassador programme and SeaStory, a joint initiative with Salmon Scotland and the not-for-profit organisation Daydream Believers, that takes pupils on a “deep dive” into the science and mythology of the ocean, with the aim of kindling interest and enthusiasm for the marine world.
Lantra also runs the ALBAS (Land Based and Aquaculture Skills) awards, which provide an opportunity to recognise the “best of the best”. Finalists are invited to be industry champions and are supported in their skills development.
The panel discussed the challenges around recruitment in aquaculture. Jillian Couto-Phoenix commented: “It can be challenging for students to find their first jobs. There is a disconnect between workplaces and the education system.”
She added that diversity is “a multi-faceted challenge”. One issue is
representation and this is why WiSA plays a key role.
Donald Waring said: “The biggest challenge is that we are competing with other companies in a very shallow talent pool. So one challenge is attracting talent and another is retaining that talent.
“Somewhere like Fort William and Lochaber, it is harder because there are more employers competing; it is less so in more rural areas.
“Attracting the young workforce is key. The
”Equality and diversity are at the heart of what we do
industry has an ageing workforce with many due to retire in the next four or five years.”
Jeni Adamson commented: “We also have to focus on the seafood sector’s need to recruit people from beyond our shores. It might be that there are skills that don’t exist in the UK at the moment, or don’t exist in the right numbers, so we need something the UK government can support in supply chain roles that’s long term.
“That’s something we’re hearing a lot about in our industry.”
Liz Barron-Majerik suggested there may be an upside to the transferability of skills between sectors: “Aquaculture has the opportunity to present a really attractive package to somebody coming in from another sector.”
She warned, however: “The market will become much more competitive before it gets better.”
The panel also addressed the question of what we mean when we talk about “diversity” in recruitment – and why is diversity a desirable thing for employers?
Jillian Couto-Phoenix said: “It has been shown that diversity is a competitive advantage… but aside from that it offers a positive working environment. Gains such as creating a great workplace culture will create better retention as well as improved wellbeing.
“Investing in a long-term inclusion programme with a clear strategy for talent retention could actually mean that you are creating an environment where you are nurturing your staff.”
As Liz Barron-Majerik put it: “It makes the company more interesting, too!”
Aquaculture can often be seen as a male-dominated industry. The panel discussed how that could change, and what is already being done to attract more women into these roles.
Jeni Adamson commented: “It is great to see that companies like Mowi are appointing more women to company boards, and in C suite roles.
“You need to SEE it to BE it. It may not seem accessible to you if you don’t see someone who looks like you, or talks like you, in those senior roles.
“Having good ambassadors for the industry is key and we have good people taking on this role in the sector. This is something we have put together for our Seafood in Schools initiative because we want to encourage more people to get involved. Also, case studies can show the careers people have forged – especially those from diverse
backgrounds. They provide inspiration and encouragement for those coming into the industry or those who want to progress their careers.”
The panel agreed that it is important for the industry to be represented in schools and at careers events, whether in secondary, further or higher education.
One question, however, is whether there needs to be more opportunities to study aquaculture-specific qualifications, or do apprenticeships provide a better, practical way into the industry? One of the webinar attendees also asked whether those taking masters degrees in aquaculture in the UK are usually able to find a job in the industry.
Speaking about her time with SAIC, Jillian Couto-Phoenix said the organisation had developed a network to liaise with universities and its soft skills training helps students to meet early-career professionals in the sector and understand the roles to which their qualification could lead.
SAIC has also been working with industry and the education sector, to help ensure that degree courses are relevant to the world of work where that is appropriate.
She said: “There is not a direct connection between higher education and the industry at this moment in time. The world of work is changing very quickly and there are always new roles and new functions.”
Liz Barron-Majerik noted that the profile for people going into aquaculture is different from land-based agriculture. In aquaculture there are a greater proportion of career changers, and a lot of people become interested in fish farming later in life or when they return to the area having been away to work or study. The funding model for education, however, is generally set up with a focus on younger people going straight from school to university or further education.
She noted: “For aquaculture, apprenticeships have been giving a great return on investment.”
This, however, is not a solution for everyone, she warned. Most educational institutions are generally located quite far from the areas where fish farming companies have their operations. Also, for individuals still not entirely sure about which direction they want their career to go, an apprenticeship is seen by some as a bigger commitment to one career path than a college course might be, which can often be changed part way through, or used to apply for a wider variety of jobs.
One of the obstacles to recruitment can be negative comment, in the media or by word of mouth, about the aquaculture industry. This is especially a problem because not many people get to experience the reality of day-today life in the sector.
Liz Barron-Majerik said that the extent to which negative press might influence potential recruits to the industry partly depends on their
Being confident with data is becoming ever more important
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motivation. In agriculture and aquaculture, some individuals are motivated by technical aspects of the job – such as driving a tractor or a boat – and some because they want to work with animals. The latter group, she said, are probably more likely to be put off by negative comments about aquaculture.
She added, however, that spreading the word about the positive aspects of aquaculture will help to win back those who are passionate about working with animals and the marine environment.
She said: “It is a challenge… but I think we have a really good counter-message.”
Jillian Couto-Phoenix said that, with food security a major issue in terms of planning for the future, we have to talk about the need to build sustainable food systems.
And Jeni Adamson commented: “A lot of it is just misunderstanding.”
She added that communication with the parents of school pupils is also crucial.
A changing industry
Technology and new practices are changing aquaculture – how does this affect the skills required and the attractiveness of the industry?
For Liz Barron-Majerik, the increased amount of data being used in the industry is a key factor, with more monitoring devices and more remote management of farm sites. She said: “Understanding data, being
confident with data is becoming ever more important.”
Jillian Couto-Phoenix agreed that “data skills are essential”.
She noted that the fish farming operators are hiring more data analysts – and they are training biologists to use data and training engineers in biological systems.
For Seafood Scotland, Jeni Adamson said: “Processing involves more technology too, now – and it’s a more pleasant environment to work in when there is more automation.”
A final question from the audience concerned whether employing people from overseas for remote roles might help recruitment.
The panel felt that this was still not an option for most jobs in the industry, however, and it could also be a two-edged sword if people with aquaculture skills in Scotland might be tempted to work remotely for overseas companies.
Wrapping up, it is clear first of all that there is a challenge in recruiting in what is, in numbers terms, a limited pool.
A key route for the industry is to get the message across to schools, and we are already seeing some very exciting projects around that.
There is also a need to strengthen still further communications and engagement between educational institutions and industry, to ensure they are in alignment – recognising all the while that supporting industry is not the sole priority of the education sector.
The panel were in agreement that diversity is a positive thing in its own right. Even more importantly, it is about making organisations a better place to work. An effective approach to diversity can help employers to attract and retain the people they need.
Finally, it is clear that technology is changing the aquaculture and the seafood industry generally. This is changing the skills required and the nature of the work, which is also something that employers in the sector need to explain.
To see the webinar in full, go online to youtu. be/I3xY_ZM81MM or use the QR code (right) to access Fish Farmer’s YouTube channel.
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The move to net zero requires a rethink for the way marine vessels are powered but, as Sandy Neil reports, there are a number of alternatives to consider
ON 14 August, 18-year-old Harry Besley became the first, fastest, and the youngest person to circumnavigate the UK in an electric boat.
After a month on the water – 31 days, 20 hours and 46 minutes to be exact – the Taunton teenager returned to his starting point at Lyme Regis in Dorset, 1,600 nautical miles later. The point of this Round Britain eRIB Challenge? Proving what is possible.
“This is really to raise awareness of the possibility of electric boats,” said Harry. “The electric boat, because it’s silent, doesn’t cause noise, air or water pollution, so there’s many benefits. I just wanted to do something to make people aware of the alternatives.”
Before the start, the leader of Harry’s support crew – his mum Jaqui – said: “We cannot underestimate the scale of this challenge. EBoat technology is only just developing and EV battery management systems are not designed for continual impact. We have massive range constraints and virtually no shore-side charging infrastructure.”
The rigid inflatable boat (RIB), named Electra, has a Ukrainian-built aluminium hull and Norwegian propulsion system from EVOY. Put together in the Netherlands, Electra carries 126kWh batteries and a 150 peak horsepower equivalent motor.
The secret to covering longer distances in electric boats is a slower speed. At a very slow five knots, the battery will last for 55 miles. At 20 knots, that drops to just 25 miles. They stopped at over 40 points along the way to charge the boat’s engine, and promote the new technology.
Standard marina facilities provide an AC supply but, as with electric cars, a faster charge can be delivered from a DC fast charger.
“At some stops, we’ve been pulling the boat out of the water
to put it on a trailer and take it to a car charger,” Jaqui said. “In supermarket car parks, a fast charger is ideal. We’ve been doing that in the middle of the night to meet the next tide.”
Crossing the Irish Sea and navigating the Scottish islands was challenging. The team had to miss the whole north-west coast of Scotland, from Fort William to Inverness, passing through the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness.
“We aren’t able to go right round the top of Scotland sadly as there isn’t anywhere to come in and the sea state is always rough!” the team’s website explained. “There are also stretches of the coast on the North Sea where there just isn’t any three-phase power available at all.” But despite all these challenges, Harry showed it can be done: he became the youngest person to circumnavigate the UK in a powerboat, and the first person to achieve it in an electric vessel.
The fuel alternatives
Traditionally, workboats have relied heavily on diesel engines for propulsion. The aquaculture sector is seeing an increasing trend to hybrid diesel-electric options, and even all-electric boats. Could these become the norm? What are the advantages of switching from diesel – and what are the most common challenges? Is it feasible to retrofit existing vessels for hybrid operation? Are other alternative fuels, such as hydrogen, biofuel or ammonia, feasible?
“All around the world, new regulations are coming into force that will require maritime operators to report – and reduce – the carbon impact of their fleets,” writes Joost Mathôt, a director in the workboats division at Damen shipyard. “To say this presents a challenge to the industry is to understate the situation.
“For one thing, carbon reduction technology requires an increase in CAPEX (capital expenditure), and frequently OPEX (operational expenditure) too, at a time when it offers no increase in earning potential. A further challenge exists; in most cases, the technology has not yet reached a state of maturity.
“We’ve been spoiled by diesel. It has a high energy density and can be used for all operations, anywhere in the world. The fuels of the future will not have those characteristics. There will be no ‘one-sizefits-all’ solution. None of the currently available alternative fuel types provides a definitive solution. Plus, the origins of the fuels raise further questions.
“On the surface of it, methanol, for example, can offer significant reductions in emissions. But are we talking about grey methanol, blue methanol, or green methanol? All of them have different emissions implications from well-to-wake.
It’s the same with electrification. An electric operation is often referred to synonymously as zero emissions. If that operation is drawing energy from a coal power station, though, then emissions reduction is only taking place locally – from tank-to-wake. You’ve just moved the problem ashore.”
Damen has unveiled a “groundbreaking” fully electric Service Operations Vessel (SOV), called the SOV E, that is able to charge from a turbine or substation at an offshore wind farm. The emissions-free vessel will be able to recharge its batteries once a day, thanks to its operational profile, where it deploys technicians to the wind
To say this presents a challenge… is to understate the situation
turbines and then loiters nearby until it is time to retrieve them. It will therefore generally have idling time in each 24-hour period, which can be used for recharging the vessel, using just a small part of the energy generated by the wind farm.
At the Seawork exhibition in Southampton on 13 June, Damen also unveiled the Multi Cat 1908 Electric: a multi-purpose workboat designed for operations up to 20 nautical miles from shore. The MuC 1908 E is able to operate for up to 12 hours on a single charge, bringing a full day’s work comfortably into range. The batteries are, additionally, able to power the vessel for up to a decade following delivery.
Back in September, Unst Inshore Services Ltd built the UK’s first 100% electric workboat. The 7.5m Fluggaboat uses an Evoy 120hp continuous rated, electric outboard powered by a 63kWh lithiumion battery housed in the console. Charging uses an onboard
charger, so the vessel can be fully charged overnight or topped up during the day, depending on the rate of use.
The top speed is 30 knots but the most economical speed is 24 knots. The touch screen dash panel gives a good indication of battery state of charge, and use, speed and available range are constantly updated, while motor RPM and kw are also displayed. Below 20%, the battery management system will go into a “get home” reduced power mode to enhance the range for the return trip to a charge point.
Meanwhile Coastal Workboats, a shipbuilder based in Lewis and Devon, is delivering the E-LUV (Electric-Landing Utility Vessel).
“The E-LUV will be the first all-electric workboat built and operating in the UK,” it said. “The E-LUV is a highly capable vessel, built to withstand the toughest marine environments found in our harsh waters.
“Most workboats are deployed in areas with low or no grid power to support recharging of e-vessels. The new E-LUV addresses this via its accompanying shore power storage system (SPSS) which can be used to recharge the vessel, power other applications and, with its innovative rapid-charging capability, significantly reduce vessel turnaround. The power unit can also be carried on the E-LUV’s deck, significantly extending the vessel’s working range and enabling underway charging.
“The SPSS has 1200kWh capacity and can act as a range extender to increase the range of the E-LUV by 50%. Predicted range is 100 miles in good conditions, allowing for three round trips to Papa Stour if an emergency required this. This is increased to 150 miles if relocating the vessel by placing the SPSS on the vessel.”
In spring 2025, the E-LUV is scheduled to enter a four-week trial in the Shetland Isles, serving the West Burrafirth to Papa Stour ferry route.
Hybrid engines represent another alternative. Hybrid propulsion systems combine conventional combustion engines with electric motors and rechargeable batteries, offering lower fuel consumption and reduced maintenance costs. The battery on a hybrid ship can smooth out the peaks and troughs in power demand, allowing the engine to run at optimal load, known as “peak shaving”. Marine technology innovator Wärtsilä says a hybrid ship can provide fuel savings of 15–25% compared to an equivalent diesel-powered vessel.
With the price of batteries steadily coming down while their performance continues to go up, hybrids are becoming an ever-more attractive option. Whilst initial investment may be higher than traditional engines, the long-term savings in fuel and maintenance can make them a cost-effective choice.
Mull-based Inverlussa Marine Services, which provides services to Scotland’s aquaculture sector, has commissioned a new hybrid diesel-electric workboat from Macduff Shipyards in Aberdeenshire. It will be equipped with upgraded crane and deck equipment, including larger towing and heavy-duty winches designed to lift and tow heavy objects such as feed barges.
new hybrid diesel-electric workboat from operate with a crew of six, and feature five
Intended to service larger sites operating in deeper, more exposed, and remote offshore locations, the vessel’s design emphasises advanced seakeeping capabilities to provide a stable platform in rough seas. It will be 25-metres long, operate with a crew of six, and feature five ensuite cabins with a significant focus on noise reduction especially when conducting 24-hour operations to enhance living conditions aboard. It should be operational by the third quarter of 2025, supporting salmon farms off the west coast, as well as in Shetland and Orkney.
Witnessing the contract signing at Macduff Harbour, Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “It is crucial that we continue to embrace innovation in aquaculture practices so that the sector can become resilient to the pressing challenges posed by climate change.”
Following the installation of its first hybrid
”It is crucial that we continue to embrace innovation in aquaculture practices
This page from top: Evoy electric aquaculture workboat; Electric Goldfish , o ered by oy; Co ister hybrid eed bar e, Cooke Scotland Opposite: Stewart Rendall, Coo e Scotland s North Isles ana er, r ney ( ) ith site assistant ean Shearer (R) on Coo e s Vestness hybrid bar e
barge system at Mill Bay on Orkney in 2022, salmon producer Cooke Scotland added two additional hybrid systems at Vestness, Orkney, and Copister in Yell, Shetland, in 2023.
“Energy savings have been immediate,” a spokesperson told us, “with the barges being able to operate for up to 20 hours each day from the batteries alone, and only relying on four to six hours of power from the generator at optimum load. Cooke Scotland also has a workboat which is powered by the latest battery hybrid technology to reduce the vessel’s carbon footprint whilst significantly increasing our site service capacity. The hybrid technology has reduced fuel usage and CO2 emissions whilst further resulting in a reduction in noise, vibrations and exhaust gases.”
Meanwhile a brand new semi-hybrid fish farm service vessel is joining the fleet of Scottish salmon producer Organic Sea Harvest in partnership with Inverlussa Marine Services. The 21-metre long Arthur Douglas was built by Nauplius Workboats in the Netherlands and will take up duties at the Organic Sea Harvest sea sites off the coast of the Trotternish peninsula on the Isle of Skye.
The Arthur Douglas has been custom built with aquaculture and mooring operations in mind, with a deck cargo capacity of 90 tonnes and a 15-tonne deck winch. Two deck cranes – one forward and one aft – have lifting capabilities of 72 tonnes/m and 30 tonne/m respectively.
The semi-hybrid system onboard the Arthur Douglas uses a battery pack to harvest energy during operational hours, which can then be used to power harbour settings, allowing the generators to be shut down. This will also be the first time that Organic Sea Harvest has introduced a semi-hybrid vessel to the fleet, which will reduce noise and fuel consumption during overnights or days when the vessel is stormed off.
“There are several advantages to using ammonia as a marine fuel. One of the precursors of the molecule, atmospheric nitrogen (N2), is widely and freely available. As a commonly traded battery hybrid technology to reduce the vessel’s carbon footprint
Other alternative fuels are also in the pipeline.
“We like to think of ammonia as the next iteration of LNG [liquid natural gas] – a low-emission fuel with safety challenges, but enormous decarbonisation potential,” says Laurent LeBlanc, Senior Vice President of Technical & Operations at Bureau Veritas, a company testing, inspecting and certifying products.
“When produced using renewable energy, ammonia becomes ‘green ammonia’, a zero-carbon fuel from production to use,” its website explains. “Green ammonia is also known as e-ammonia. It is produced via the Haber-Bosch process, which converts green hydrogen and nitrogen into ammonia. Other methods for producing green ammonia – such as electrochemical nitrogen reduction – are under development, but will take time to mature and become industrialized.
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commodity, ammonia also benefits from well-developed storage infrastructure and a worldwide terminal network.
Internal combustion engines which consume ammonia directly are closer to at-scale development than other solutions for alternative fuels.
Bureau Veritas warns, however: “While fossil fuel-based ammonia is cheap and widely traded, green ammonia is expensive and in short supply. Ammonia is highly toxic to both people and marine life, and its powerful smell can be a physical irritant. It has low energy density – about three times less than conventional fuels – requiring greater amounts to be carried onboard and reducing space for other cargo. In terms of emissions, while ammonia combustion releases no CO2, it may produce nitrous oxide (N2O), a gas 270 times more potent in terms of greenhouse effects than CO2
“From a well-to-wake perspective, only green ammonia (‘e-ammonia’) can be considered carbon-free. Ammonia produced from fossil fuels (‘brown ammonia’) in fact has a worse well-to-wake emissions footprint than heavy fuel oil.”
Hydrogen presents another alternative. “Hydrogen shows great promise, but technological maturity has to catch up with ambition,” says Julien Boulland, Bureau Veritas’ Global Market Leader for Sustainable Shipping.
“From a well-to-wake perspective, hydrogen is a potentially zero-carbon fuel,” as the Bureau Veritas website explains. “Green hydrogen is sourced from the process of electrolysis which relies on renewable electricity to split water (H2O) into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2).
temperatures. This poses storage design challenges for ships.
“Production and supply are not yet available at the necessary scale, but the groundwork is being laid around the world,”Bureau Veritas concludes.
To sum up, we turn to the Workboat Association’s Chief Executive Officer Kerrie Forster. “Although the quest for ‘the future fuel’ of the maritime sector appears to have come to a halt with a long list of variable options,” she said, “we do know that within aquaculture, due to the often short-distance between pen and shore, the requirement for large capacity energy types is typically not necessary. Thus, electrifying the common aquaculture fleet is a realistic and achievable objective.
”Electrifying the common aquaculture fleet is a realistic and achievable objective
“But this won’t work for all vessel types, for example those vessels often moving between different farm locations, or those of larger design or more intensive operations. Also, the infrastructure requirements need to be taken into consideration. Electricity cannot be transported by road, and if we take the Scottish Highlands and Islands as a case study, generally speaking, the ground is often extremely hard for digging and laying miles of high-capacity electrical cabling and its associated technical apparatus.
“There is no silver bullet, but with the size requirements on board taken into consideration, the high cost of manufacturing and transporting and storing fuels such as hydrogen, methanol and ammonia, electrification does stand out as a strong alternative to current forecourt fuels in a number of cases within the aquaculture industry.”
Harry Besley, and many e-boat builders, are showing us it can be done.
“On a tank-to-wake basis, hydrogen is considered carbon-free as it cannot generate CO or CO2 as a by-product (however, some NOx by-products can be produced with engines). With that said, not all hydrogen is sustainably produced; most is currently of fossil origin, using coal and oil. The only truly zerocarbon hydrogen fuel – called green hydrogen – is produced by renewably-sourced electricity via electrolysis. Reaching the required levels will entail an enormous scaling-up of renewable energy production to provide a sustainable source of electricity.”
The company argues that hydrogen fuel cells are a mature and available technology and could be a solution for some vessels.
Hydrogen is highly flammable and potentially explosive. Both the gas itself and the flames it produces are colourless and odourless, making leaks difficult to identify.Also, hydrogen must either be compressed or stored in liquid form at very low
The Damen Landing Utility Vessel (LUV) 2208 o ers the aquaculture sector a strong, stable workboat based on the proven credentials of the iconic Damen Multi Cat series. The LUV boasts ample deck space, with a capacity of 70 tonnes, or 2.5 tonnes per m2. She's the only LUV in her class capable of supporting a heavy duty deck crane - HS Marine AK 72 series.
Unst Inshore Services Ltd were exhibiting the 100% electric Fluggaboat at Aquaculture UK 2024. We also had a representative from Evoy, who make the propulsion system. He was there to help us on our stand and answer any questions from visitors.
At the previous Aquaculture UK exhibition, in 2022, we did not have the boat trialled and so could not guarantee its performance. We now know what the boat can do, and we have also been able to code the boat to MCA Cat 5, so the boat is fully compliant with WB3 and ready to go.
The top speed is 30 knots, but the most economical speed is 25 knots. A slower speed will enhance the range a little, but at 25 knots the range is 15 nm. The touch screen dash panel gives a good indication of the battery’s state of charge, and use, speed and available range are constantly updated. Motor rpm and Kw are also displayed.
The boat is a viable unit and is no different to that which farms expect as far as performance and handling is concerned. In heavy use the range can be enhanced via the onboard charger” if this is necessary, but an overnight charge should see the boat operate through the next day without issue.
We are still building our standard top quality boats with petrol or diesel engines, if that is what is needed, including both cabin or open boats to the customer’s requirement and coding to suit.
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Evoy’s electric motor systems are the strategic choice for sustainable and cost-effective aquaculture
The commercial marine sector is evolving. It’s not just the cruise ship industries which recognise the economic benefits of using electric boats for daytrips and eco-minded excursions.
The electrification of boats used within aquaculture and fish-farming industries is rapidly gaining in popularity as well. Where vessels are typically being used for short-range duties, electric is a soughtafter alternative to internal combustion.
Norwegian electric motor manufacturer, Evoy, specialises in high-output inboard and outboard motors, that can be installed either in new-builds, or retrofitted to existing hulls, with batteries that normally take up the same space that once housed the fuel tank. Evoy has several aquaculture customers and is at the forefront of aquaculture’s shift to electric.
Advantages of electric boats for fish farming
From a sense of collective responsibility to reduce emissions, the use of zeroemission propulsion deserves as much attention as we can possibly give it.
From a business perspective, electric boats make a compelling case as to why more aquaculture and fish-farming businesses should be transitioning towards electric within their fleets.
With zero diesel fuel costs, significantly fewer moving parts compared to an internal combustion engine, and with no regular service items such as fuel filters to think about, electric motors are easier and less costly to run and maintain.
Initial acquisition cost is higher, but after operational expenses are taken into consideration, such as the high cost of fuel and servicing that diesel engines
”We are quite sure that electric will be the future
Grønå s, Technical Leader, Bremnes Seashore Group
require, electric motors start paying back immediately. Certain use cases show that aquaculture businesses start to see a financial return from electric in two-plus years.
“We are quite sure that electric will be the future,” said Anders Grønås, Technical Leader at Bremnes Seashore Group.
Bremnes uses 400hp Evoy Hurricane motor systems to power two of their workboats.
“As with anything else that’s new, we were fully aware there would be costs at the beginning.”
Accelerating the shift to emission-free operations is Evoy’s mission. The Norwaybased company is now one of the world’s leading suppliers of high-output electric motor systems, with inboards from 120hp to 400hp and outboards from 120hp to 300hp, for boats of between 15ft to 50ft.
User experience: electric boats enhance efficiency and comfort
From a user’s perspective, aquaculture professionals have told us they much prefer to drive an electric boat, with inherently less vibration, less noise, less fumes, and the knowledge that they won’t be leaving behind an oily residue. All in all, their workday is calmer and easier.
“Our boat personnel and our maintenance team are quite happy. You only need to remember to plug it in,” said Grønås.
Reliable and ready: charging and range for electric workboats
Evoy motors can be charged with a 6kW, 22kW or 44kW onboard charger with standard shore power cable, or from a charging point on a barge out at sea. The typical charge pattern is at the end of a shift, ready for the next day’s use. For quick turnaround times, Evoy systems can DCfast charge, which will give 80% boost in less than an hour.
With no need to warm up the motor, electric boats can be driven straightaway. Electric motor systems have smooth
continuous power delivery and instant torque; they are quick and responsive to drive, adding a level of immersive contentment when underway.
Range is always a discussion point with electric boats. With battery density levels and hull efficiency improving all the time, however, range is far less of a concern than ever before.
The working range for normal average use is 25nm (nautical miles) at 25knots*, but this can extend to more than 40nm with slower speeds or multiple battery packs, and range extenders carried onboard will ensure there is enough range for higher-thanaverage needs.
* Based on 126kWh configuration, 80% DoD, 4.0 kWh/nm, exp. from Goldfish X9.
Norway’s Bremnes Seashore Group: an electric boat use case for salmon farming
Aquaculture is one of the world’s most efficient, sustainable methods to produce high-quality protein. As Norwegian fish farmers work towards responsibly filling needs in global food supply, fish farming in Norway has grown from 0.8% of the GDP in 2004 to 3% in recent years. If you’ve ever experienced salmon from a licensed Norwegian farm, you’ll know that it’s not only a delicacy, but little else compares from a nutritional perspective.
The Bremnes Seashore Group — renowned for the premium SALMA brand — account for 35,000 farmed and harvested tonnes annually, with another 15,000 tonnes processed and packaged on behalf of other Norwegian producers. For Bremnes, sustainable production starts with farming methods and extends to the fleet. Out of 30 workboats boats, made up of personnel carriers and working boats, two have been converted to electric so far.
‘Tobias’, an Admiral 25 shaft-drive of 7.8m length and ‘Elisabeth’ an 8.6m Polarcirkel 860, have Evoy Hurricane 400+ hp inboard motors installed, with battery packs relevant to each boat’s needs.
The company has committed to reducing its carbon footprint and has plans to acquire more electric boats in 2025.
Substantiating the decision to place electric firmly on the agenda, Anders Grønås told us: “The reality is that boats used in this industry spend quite a lot of their time at zero speed and engines are left switched on and idling for much of their time.
“This seems to make little or no sense, because apart from burning unnecessary fuel, leaving an internal combustion engine idling for too long can sometimes cause premature wear on the internals, and reduce the engine’s service life.
“Electric motors on the other hand, use none of their energy when the throttle is at zero, which prolongs the batteries and causes no mechanical harm.
“Bremnes has a huge focus on reducing carbon emissions. We were the first company worldwide to have an emission-free fish farm. We’re looking at adding more electric boats to our fleet in 2025.”
Researchers have charted how low levels of hydrogen sulphide in RAS systems trigger a defensive reaction in salmon – and their findings could be used to help manage the risks associated with this toxic gas
ASTUDY has revealed how Atlantic salmon in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) deploy natural defences against low levels of hydrogen sulphide.
The findings could help fish farmers to detect underlying problems with hydrogen sulphide (H2S) in RAS facilities.
Hydrogen sulphide is a toxic gas that can form in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), particularly at higher salinity levels. Even low levels of H2S have been linked to health problems and mortality in salmon.
react by activating genes that help the fish cope with stress and activate the immune responses. Another finding is that salmon mucosae have natural ability for detoxifying hydrogen sulphide. The researchers also identified several protein markers in the mucus from the skin and gills that can be used for non-invasive testing for H2S response.
The study, published in the journal Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, looked at how salmon are affected by being in water with low amounts of hydrogen sulphide over an extended period, which can occur during normal production in RAS.
Researchers from the Norwegian food research establishment Nofima, working with international collaborators, have investigated how salmon mucosal surfaces (skin, gills and nose), which are the first line of defence against environmental threats, react to prolonged exposure to low, non-lethal levels of H2S.
The study was conducted at DTU Aqua, Technical University of Denmark, Hirtshals, using three RAS units to test H2S concentrations at low and high levels in addition to a control unit.
One of the key findings is that when salmon are exposed to hydrogen sulphide, the gills and olfactory organ in particular
The study concludes: “Prolonged exposure to sub-lethal H2S concentrations induced immune and metabolic responses in Atlantic salmon mucosa, supported by targeted gene expression and mucus proteomics [referring to the structure and functions of proteins within cells] and metabolomics [referring to the small molecules, commonly known as metabolites, within cells, biofluids, tissues or organisms].
“Both proteomics and metabolomics revealed that gill and skin mucus had little similarity in their response to H2S. Histological and morphological analysis showed that H2S exposure resulted in minimal changes in mucosal structures. Key molecules related to sulphide detoxification were identified and localised in Atlantic salmon mucosa.
“The results offer new insights into hydrogen sulphide biology in fish, especially on key biological processes involved in detoxification and associated physiological countermeasures. The identification H2S-responsive molecules can be further explored as markers for H2S response in salmon.”
“Our findings suggest that salmon can largely adapt to the low H2S levels we tested, without serious negative health effects,” said Project Leader Carlo C Lazado from Nofima, adding: “This is good news for the aquaculture industry, but also underscores the importance of careful monitoring and control of H2S levels in RAS facilities.”
The results can contribute to better farming of Atlantic salmon in several ways, Nofima said. One of the most important points that the researchers highlight in the report is improved risk assessment and setting of limit values for H2S in RAS facilities. There is potential here for developing new standards to strengthen salmon’s resistance to H2S exposure.
Nofima said the study represents an important step towards more sustainable and efficient land-based salmon farming, with a focus on fish welfare and production quality. The findings are particularly relevant for land-based fish farms where H2S levels may be higher than in open sea facilities. By monitoring and controlling H2S levels, as well as implementing measures to strengthen the fish’s natural defences, farmers can ensure healthier and more productive fish.
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Shellfish • Processing News • Featured Species For more information on opportunities for advertising with editorial content around these subjects please contact: Janice Johnston 0044 (0) 131 551 7925 o o @fi farmerma a e.com Copy deadline - Friday 27 September
Mucosal organs exhibit distinct response signatures to hydrogen sulphide in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) (Ara-Díaz, Juan Bosco; Bergstedt, Julie Hansen; Albaladejo-Riad, Nora; Malik, Muhammad Salman; Andersen, Øivind; Lazado, Carlo C) published in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, vol. 281 , p. 1–13 , 2024.
Our findings suggest that salmon can largely adapt to the low H2S levels we tested
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SCANDINAVIA is famous for the dish of savoury treats known as smorgasbord – the Danes call it “smørrebrød” – and Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen, is one of the best places to try it.
AQUA 2024, the joint event hosted in Copenhagen last month by the European Aquaculture Society (EAS) and the World Aquaculture Society (WAS), also offered a mixed platter of insights, shared scientific knowledge and networking.
The theme of the event was “Blue Food, Green Solutions”. It took place at the Marriott Bella Sky hotel and conference centre.
It included presentations of scientific research on topics ranging from climate change and alternative feeds to aquaponics and the aquaculture industry’s need to establish a “social licence” for its operations.
‘The Force is with us’
Addressing the conference in the first plenary session was Dag Sletmo, Senior Vice President Seafood Division, DNB Bank.
He started on an upbeat note – “the Force is with us” – but he did not gloss over the many challenges for aquaculture.
The reason he gave for optimism was quite simply the sheer necessity for growth in aquaculture.
With a projected world population of 10 billion by 2050, it is a wellworn statistic that the world will need to produce 50% more food.
But – despite his background in the sector – Sletmo stressed “salmon farming cannot save the world”.
In fact, for Norway, he said, the supply by volume of salmon has been trending downwards since 1982 – even though demand for this premium fish is growing.
Aquaculture worldwide – of which salmon accounts for a relatively small share – is growing, however, by around 2% a year.
What are the barriers for salmon? One is profitability – Sletmo
pointed out that profit in NOK per fish put out to sea in Norway varies very widely with location, from as low as NOK 41 in western Norway to NOK 170 in one region, Helgeland til Bodø.
Productivity in the salmon sector, unlike in many industries, is declining. In fact the industry’s wealth in recent years has come, he said, not from higher productivity but from higher prices.
There is spatial conflict over limited marine resources, insufficient know-how and increasing expectations on the part of society regarding issues like fish welfare and the environment.
How can all this be fixed? Sletmo advised: “Don’t build your house on sand.”
In other words, the industry needs a framework for growth that is science-based. He called for stronger cooperation between regulators, researchers and the industry.
New technology opens the possibility of growth that is “new and different”, not just “bigger and better”, he said, but it is expensive in terms of capital expenditure.
Fish farming, he said, has a smaller carbon footprint than other forms of animal protein, but “sustainability is a double-edged sword”.
The aquaculture sector must have answers to the charges that it has negative impacts on the environment and on the welfare of its farmed animals.
Sustained growth, Sletmo said will need: at least “okay” prices; building customer preferences and establishing sustainability; building distribution channels; producing consistent volumes every week; and avoiding a boom and bust cycle of over- and under-production.
He finished with a selection of research topics which, in his view, would help pave the way to sustainable growth in aquaculture:
”Once you start connecting things, the magic happens
Opposite from top: First plenary; Bella Sky Hotel and Conference Centre
This page from top: Dag Sletmo; Signe RiemerSørensen; Razzmatazz event
• Insights on how the fish and the environment function and interact;
• Technology
• Value chain perspective
• Farming practices
• Institutional framework and social licence
• Economics – how to build markets;
• Innovation; and
• Training, education and sharing best practice.
Morpol ASA, he became Morpol Chairman 2012-2013. He has been a board member of several companies and is Chairman of Rendalsfiskand Fjord Aqua. He is currently Vice President of the EAS and Chair of AQUA 2024.
WAS awards were presented by the society’s President, Humberto Villareal. An honorary fellowship was awarded to Dr Delbert Gatlin of Texas A&M University System, a former Editor-inChief of Elsevier’s journal Aquaculture.
Exemplary service awards went to John Ewart, Coordinator of the WAS Employment Service; and Maria Célia Portella, Associate Professor at the Sao Paulo State University (UNESP) and at the Aquaculture Centre of UNESP, Brazil.
The conference was the last official engagement for Bente Torstensen as EAS President and for Umberto Villarreal as WAS President. Their successors are, respectively, Marc Vandeputte (EAS) and Dave Klein (WAS).
Three students had been shortlisted to present their projects, and the delegates voted for the best presentation. The projects were:
• Assessing the role of heart morphology in determining cardiac functionality in Atlantic salmon, Victoria Becker, University of Oslo (winner);
• Influence of macroalgae inclusion in the feed on the growth performance and gut microbiome of Litopenaeus vannamei, Nataly Gómez Gómez, Ghent University (runner-up); and
The opening morning of AQUA 2024 also saw the EAS announce an Honorary Life Membership Award for Bjørn Myrseth, one of the sector’s pioneers.
A biologist, Myrseth was co-founder and CEO at Stolt Sea Farms between 1972 and 1987. He was CEO of Marine Farms 1987-2011, operating in several locations including Greece, the UK, Chile and Spain.
He was a founding member of the EAS’ predecessor body and was EAS President for two non-consecutive terms, in 1992-94 and 2016-18.
When Marine Farms was acquired by
• 5 days of AQUA 2024, Copenhagen
• 3,684 registered attendees
• 945 presentations in 66 sessions
• 275 e-posters
• 1,132 abstracts
• 235 booths at the accompanying trade show
• Nature’s arsenal unlocked: Next-generation screening of aquaculture-derived bacteria to prevent oyster diseases, Valentina Romboli, Wageningen University.
Mariana Ferreira also received an award for Outstanding Student Representative on the EAS Board of Directors, as her two-year term concluded this year. She was replaced by Silvia Natale. The award was presented by Kathrin Steinberg and Antonis Chalaris, both previously involved in student activities.
The Aquaculture Industry Forum covered several topics around the industry’s value chain, from efficient water use to measuring a farm’s environmental footprint. The panel on waste addressed the question of how to turn waste and “sidestreams” from fish farming and processing into something of value.
The panel was made up of: Kristine Albrechtsen, Pisco Group (Moderator); Steffen Nielsen, trout producer Danforel; Charlotte Jacobsen, Technical University of Denmark (DTU); Trevor Gent, Alumichem; Linn Indrestrand, Port of Hirtshals & Danish Ocean Cluster.
Steffen Nielsen said his company had had to focus on margins and look at costs in a different way, including the waste water and sludge from its farms. He said this had led to an effort to concentrate waste, so that sludge now takes up only around a sixth of its previous volume.
Already, around 10% of Danforel’s revenue already comes from sidestreams, he added, and it is growing. There is a double benefit in that, previously, the company had to pay to get it taken away.
DTU’s Charlotte Jacobsen said: “We have to treat the sidestreams from fish processing in the same way as the main product – don’t think of them as ‘waste’!”
Alumichem’s Trevor Gent noted that fish farmers need to consider whether they have the ability to process waste or whether they need a relationship with a specialist. He asked: “Do you want to be a biochar producer or a fish farmer?”
The panel noted that proximity, local infrastructure and the ease of transporting waste across borders (which is heavily regulated) are all important factors.
Sidestreams from fish slaughter and processing could also be valuable, even blood which makes up 2% or more of the fish by weight.
The panel talked about what is holding back investment in the “circular economy”. Money is an issue, but so also is regulation. Lawmakers need to realise that fish farm waste can be more than “toxic sludge”! Collaboration, between fish farmers, processors and others, will also be key.
As Linn Indrestrand put it: “Once you start connecting things, the magic happens.”
Other sessions in the Industry Forum covered water as a resource, measuring environmental footprint and optimising fish farm operations.
Meanwhile, other specialist sessions at AQUA 2024 included the Innovation Forum, focused on fostering and sharing innovation within Europe and between regions; the EURO Shrimp Forum; and the Quantitative Atlantic Salmon Health Assessment.
Following on from its introduction in Vienna last year, the Razzmatazz session returned, combining Happy Hour with a quickfire presentation of innovative ideas and bold concepts.
The panel discussion hosted by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council addressed the theme: “Future aquafeed supply chains in a transitioning industry and a changing climate.”
Chaired by Ola Luthman, ASC Researcher, the panel included Max Troell of Stockholm University; Erik Olav Gracey, BioMar; Lisbeth Jess, Chief Adviser with forestry group HedeDanmark, which also farms mussels; and Douglas Martin, founder of MiAlgae, a feed supplement producer using by-products from the whisky industry.
As Max Troell explained in his introduction, “the window of opportunity is closing” if we are to put world food production on a sustainable footing. With more than 30% of cereal production and more than 20% of capture fisheries going to animal feed rather than human food, there is an urgent need to look for alternative feed sources.
The picture is a complex one – a pellet of aquafeed can include up to 50 separate ingredients.
As Group Sustainability Manager with BioMar, Erik Olav Gracey said sustainability was an important issue for the group, with five key indices including carbon footprint, eutrophication risk and land use. Nutritional benefit and palatability are also critical, and consumer perceptions cannot be ignored, as some feed ingredients might be seen as off-putting.
The panel discussed alternative aquafeed sources, but it was agreed that focusing on the sustainability of existing fisheries and agricultural crops is still the most important thing.
Gracey said: “It’s been a journey and it’s already changing the way we do business, especially the due diligence process. We are keen to learn as much as possible about our supply chain, which is the root of all sustainability.”
One of the key events of the conference was an all-day presentation, hosted jointly by Nofima, Benchmark Genetics and the Roslin Institute, on sea lice and the differing responses to these parasites seen in Atlantic salmon and a related species, coho salmon. It is already known that coho appear to have much greater resistance to sea lice. Now, a study carried out by an international team of researchers has identified the mechanism behind this, pinpointing the changes in coho skin cells when a sea louse attaches.
They found that keratinocytes in the three outermost layers of coho salmon’s skin play a central role in their response to infection,
Am I optimistic? Yes, because we know we can do it
swelling and hardening to ensure the louse eventually drops off.
Using state-of-the-art genomic analysis, the scientists were able to analyse what was happening genetically at the level of an individual cell. Their findings open up the possibility that genes could be identified in Atlantic salmon that, with gene editing, could be used to breed strains of farmed fish with a high level of resistance to sea lice, reducing the need for delousing measures that often harm the fish.
(See News in this issue for more on this).
The final plenary session of AQUA 2024 was given by Signe Riemer-Sørensen of Norwegian research establishment SINTEF. Her theme was “AI with knowledge” and she took the audience inside what is, to most of us, a “black box” which few fully understand.
As she pointed out, while fish farmers are above all interested in health, growth and safety, none of those things can be measured in themselves. We need to measure and interpret other data as proxies for those key issues.
Artificial intelligence refers to any system that mimics human intelligence through machine learning, but as Riemer-Sørensen explained, that learning can be set up to work in several very different ways. For example, the system can be provided with a lot of pre-supplied knowledge, or none.
AI is not a “free” resource – digital applications in total use around a quarter of the world’s energy output – but it represents a huge opportunity. As RiemerSørensen put it: “AI alone will not save the world, or aquaculture, but it can help humans to make better decisions.”
The lead sponsor for AQUA 2024 was BioMar. Silver sponsors were: Biorigin, University of Stavanger, Stiim, Blue Planet Academy and US Soy. WAS premier sponsors were: Zeigler, SyAqua, Blue Aqua and Blue Genetics. Session sponsor was Aquasoja.
The next EAS conference takes place in Valencia 22-25 September 2025. Next year’s World Aquaculture Society will be held in Qingdao, China, on 24-27 April 2025.
AS AQUA 2024 got under way, Fish Farmer caught up with Humberto Villarreal, outgoing President of the World Aquaculture Society. He has held senior roles at CIBNOR, the Northwest Biological Research Centre based in La Paz, Mexico, and is Chairman of the Advisory Board of Singapore-based aquaculture analysts Shrimpl.
there is a problem, can we start solving it with the information we have, and then can we optimise with the new knowledge that research will produce?
Fish Farmer: “What are you hoping for, from AQUA 2024?” Humberto Villarreal: “The conference brings an opportunity to bring the stakeholders together so that we can establish better networking.
“You will see scientists, producers, government officials, students and investors. We need to bring them together to help them understand each other better.”
FF: “You have mentioned the need for better communication between industry, politicians and the scientists in this sector. What needs to happen to improve that communication?”
HV: “The first thing we need to realise is that every group of stakeholders has a particular set of qualifications and interests. Scientists want to develop knowledge, investors want to make money, a producer wants to optimise production. And a politician wants to do the right thing for their country.
“The languages are not the same, so we need to be able to translate, so there is a common language for aquaculture.
“Communication is the biggest challenge, in that regard.
“The different stakeholders are working to different time scales – a producer needs a solution for tomorrow and a scientist needs funding to provide a solution in five to 10 years’ time.
“So we need to work together – if
“Who is going to action that knowledge in the industry? That is where students, for example, come in.
“We need to be talking to each other all the time.”
FF: ”How optimistic are you about the target of growing aquaculture production by half again to meet the 2050 target?”
HV: “The good news is that we have technologies available that would allow us to do that, if we put that technology to use, at the right time, in the right place.
“We need national programmes for aquaculture development, you will not develop something unless you have a programme for development.
“We need to understand that aquaculture is not a part of other industries, it is not a part of agriculture or fisheries.
“We don’t know where to put aquaculture… we need a set of rules that prevents overregulation, which is causing a lack of development in many countries… we do not understand the dynamics of the new technologies in aquaculture.
“That’s where we are failing. We need to send a clear message, give better information to the policymakers.
“We need about seven million more people in the sector and we need 50%, 60%, 70% more feed by 2050.
“Am I optimistic? Yes, because we know we can do it. There are technologies, there are human resources, there is interest from new students.
“We need to communicate these things in a very easy way, so society understands that aquaculture is not an enemy. It’s an enabler of better times.”
The latest aquaculture events, conferences and courses
SEPTEMBER 24
SEAGRICULTURE USA 2024
www.seagriculture-usa.com
Ketchikan, Alaska
September 11-12, 2024
Leading conference for the seaweed sector in the US.
LATIN AMERICAN & CARIBBEAN AQUACULTURE 2024
www.was.org
Medellin, Colombia
September 24-27, 2024
OCTOBER 24
ASSG CONFERENCE 2024
www.assg.org.uk
Corran Halls, Oban UK
October 29-30, 2024
With the theme “Scottish Cultivated ShellfishAssuring Value”, the Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers annual conference takes place in Oban.
NOVEMBER 24
SCOTTISH SEAWEED INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
www.ssia.scot
Corran Halls, Oban UK
November 19-21, 2024
SSIA is an organisation dedicated to the growth and innovation of the seaweed industry.
AFRAQ 2024
www.was.org
Hammamet, Tunisia
November 19-22, 2024
24
ALGAEUROPE 2024
www.algaeurope.org
Athens, Greece
December 10-13, 2024
Venue: Grandior Hotel Prague Conference on science, technology and business in the algae biomass sector.
25
AQUACULTURE 2025
www.was.org
New Orleans, Louisiana USA
March 6-10, 2025
SEAGRICULTURE ASIAPACIFIC 2025
seagriculture-asiapacific.com
Adelaide, Australia 18-20 March 2025
APRIL 25
WORLD AQUACULTURE 2025 CHINA
www.was.org
Qingdao, China
April 24-27, 2025
MAY 25
AQUAFUTURE SPAIN 2025
www.aquafuturespain.com
Vigo, Spain
May 20-22, 2025
Venue: Ifevi Fairgrounds
An international meeting space for the Spanish aquaculture industry.
25
SEAWORK
www.seawork.com
Southampton, United Kingdom
June 10-12, 2025
Europe’s largest on-water commercial marine and workboat exhibition.
SEAGRICULTURE EU 2025
www.seagriculture.eu
Rotterdam, The Netherlands
June 17-19, 2025
Leading conference for the seaweed industry in Europe
WORLD AQUACULTURE SAFARI 2025
www.was.org
Entebbe, Uganda
June 23-26, 2025
AUGUST 25
AQUA NOR 2025
www.aquanor.no
Trondheim, Norway
August 19-21, 2025
The world’s largest aquaculture technology showcase.
25
AQUACULTURE EUROPE 2025
www.aquaeas.org
Valencia, Spain
September 22-25, 2025
OCTOBER 25
LACQUA 2025
www.was.org
Puerto Varas, Chile
October 6-9, 2025
‘Feed from gas’ project launches pilot
A project aiming to transform food production and supply chains by creating animal feed from carbon dioxide and hydrogen gases has taken another big step forward with the opening of its first pilot facility. Aerbio - formed from the management buy-out of Nottinghamheadquartered Deep Branch - is working with a consortium of partners, including the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC), as part of the REACT-FIRST initiative to produce a novel single-cell protein called Proton, which can be used as feed for salmon and chickens. The pilot facility is based in the Netherlands at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus.
ANB rolls out new features for range of pH sensors
ANB Sensors has unveiled new features for its calibration-free pH sensor, designed to provide even more value and functionality for fish farmers. The new additions include a simpler,more intuitive set-upfor quicker, hassle-free deployment, improved stability and accuracyfor sensors that are remotely powered, and enhanced Modbus outputsfor seamless data integration. Coming soon, the company says, will be a Cloud back-up option and analogue outputconverter, making integration into a wider range of systems even easier. All sensors ordered now will includethe ability tobootload firmware via RS485, as well as via RS232, enabling remote updates.
FIAP’s Alu series is light but strong
FIAP GmbH from Bavaria, Germany, has for many years offered a range of light but sturdy aluminium landing nets for fish farmers to facilitate their work. The FIAP profinet Alu was developed in-house by the company many years ago.
Among the features contributing to its robust and user-friendly design is the aluminium bow system of the net, which is reinforced for strength and resilience. The net is pulled into a guide rail in the bracket and flexibly secured with plastic beads. The series comes in several different sizes to meet every need. Options are available in terms of frame width and mesh size, and spare parts such as extra nets, beads, clamps or handles are obtainable from the company.
For more information, go online to www.fiap.com, call +49 96 2892130 or email verkauf@fiap.de
Aquatec showcases A-Biomass camera in Tokyo
After successfully launching the A-Biomass camera system in Europe last year, Ace Aquatec introduced the device at this year’s Japan International Seafood and Technology Expo in Tokyo, on 21-23 August. The camera is the product of years of development, and has been lauded by existing customers for its lightness, easy deployment and high degree of accuracy, which means it can monitor fish biomass down to the millimetre. (Pictured: Sales Manager Ben Perry with the A-Biomass camera).
FormoreontheJapanInternationalSeafood&TechnologyExposeepage32.
By Nick Joy
MY grandkids came to stay last week and I am currently sitting in a soft play centre in Forfar, having my hearing aids blown up by the sheer noise. Somehow I still seem to have an enormous grin on my face, which made me think about the habit I have developed of looking at the world through rather dark and depressed glasses.
I decided this morning that I would pen something more cheerful, about how lucky we all are. By “we” I mean those of us lucky enough to live and work in the countryside.
In my other life in agriculture I am in the process of trying to find a new farm manager. It has been an education in so many ways. We had one candidate who nearly took the job but decided that an outer isle of Orkney would be just too much. He was currently living in an area of England where badgers are infecting the cattle with TB. On the first test of his farm he lost 60 cattle out of 140, which were slaughtered immediately. Often the second test after slaughter was negative! He lost his best bull this way, being told 14 days later that it wasn’t really a positive. He was losing on average £400 per cow and a lot more on that bull as compensation is not paid at market value. Despite all of this he and his partner were a lovely couple, full of humour and country wisdom.
In the last days I have met a family from near Aberdeen who seem very keen on the job. Let’s hope so, as I like them very much! Again I have taken up references and had chats with farmers in various corners of the land. Each one has horror stories to tell about the difficulties of farming these days and how little money it makes. Yet somehow the cheerful nature of those who step outside in foul or good weather is constant and very infectious.
The public have lost sight of the people who supply their food but that will not last. Food is going to get much more expensive, because so many things are coming together to make it so. We will see respect for our profession again and there will be a great surge of people wanting to work in it again.
Holding our nerve and believing in what we do has created an extraordinary industry and will create a bigger one yet. I find the latest stats produced about our industry utterly amazing. That farmed salmon is the UK’s top food export is just as impressive, given that the industry I joined was so tiny, but such is the power of determination and positive thinking. So here it is after 45 years of working in the countryside: I have been so close to a whale that I could play the noise of the blow hole to friends; my daughter remembers well watching an otter playing on the beach and
” We will see respect for our profession again
creeping up on it so we could get really close; I have watched gannets diving and feeding about five yards from where I was standing; and I have seen mackerel herding sand eels into the corner of pens and flashing through them. There are many more sights that have made my life such a wonderful one.
I have left till last the best of all. I have worked with and made friends with some of the most wonderful, decent people who – pretty invariably – have had a great sense of humour. The best times have nearly always involved a glass or two at the end of a hard working day, laughing at the daftness of what we do and why we do it. So thank you to all of those people who have made my life so special and here’s to a few more of those glasses!
