CANADA
April 2012
In This Issue Sales and Market Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Production planning resembles piecing together “fish puzzle”. . . . . . . . . . . 2 Engineer Building Satisfying Life and Career . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 A Little More Help for Our Friends. . . . . . 3 No major damage after pounding storm hits Vancouver Island. . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Aquarium Auction Helps Local Charity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Thank You!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 ‘Tis the season - already!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Update on Chaos the Owl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Farming Seminar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Did you Know? Sharks are thought to be immune to every known disease including cancer.
Trivia time! Which river is the longest in the world? Answer on Page 4
Comments about this Newsletter?
Please email comments, articles and ideas to Ian Roberts, Communications Manager at ian.roberts@marineharvest.com
Wharfside Sales and Market Update
We are just finishing up one of the highest demand periods of the year for seafood, “The Season of Lent”, which this year By Ken Taylor, Sales Director started on Feb 22 and will end on Easter, April 8. Most retailers (grocery stores) across North America have been running ads with salmon fillet prices ranging from US$5.99 – $7.99/ lb. This increase in demand has helped move the prices gradually up over the last couple of months. The International Boston Seafood Show - the annual three day gathering of suppliers, buyers, marketers, retailers, chefs and everyone in between - was held the third week of March. Your representatives from MHC were Vincent Erenst, Clare Backman, Dave Ashcroft and myself. Attendance at the show was better than we have seen in many years. The main questions around farmraised salmon were concerning supply: was Chile going to
be coming back strong for the second half of this year, and what will be the effect of the lifted duty on Norwegian whole fish on the U.S. market? When in the office, please feel free to ask any of us about the Show. As fortunate as we have been with market demand and prices continuing to increase for the first quarter of this year, we have had our challenges in keeping our customers happy due to quality issues. The good news is that we will finish these sites with quality issue by mid-June and the balance of 2012 looks very promising with consistently good quality product. Soon to be warm weather will encourage barbequing and retailers will be setting promotions for Mother’s Day, Victoria Day, and Memorial Day. As we look ahead through April and into the month May we should expect good market demand for salmon, but pricing will depend on the overall supply coming into North America.
International Boston Seafood Show
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Production planning resembles piecing together “fish puzzle” By Gina Forsyth
his future needs are - the forward part of the equation – and for Juan Carlos, he ensures that a sufficient number of smolts of a specific size are ready for salt water introduction to eventually achieve the harvest size and time specified in Stephen’s plan. Juan Carlos can regulate fish growth to match Stephen’s outcomes through careful control of water temperature. Where smolts are grown is also an important part of the puzzle. “Ocean Falls hatchery has cooler water because it’s further north than our other hatcheries so we have to make sure it’s stocked earlier in order to give the smolts sufficient time to reach the needed size,” said Juan Carlos.
Juan Carlos (left) and Stephen help make sure the pieces fit
For Stephen Budgeon, Technical Manager, and Juan Carlos Sanchez-Millar, Freshwater Planner, the end result of their jobs is ensuring that customers consistently have fresh fish at the correct size when they need it, no matter what time of year. In its simplest form, a production plan is the timetable for when fish move and where they go, whether it’s from freshwater to salt water, from site to site, or from the sites to the processing plant. It’s the blueprint for the company and determines labour requirements, processing dates, harvest and transfer boat schedules as well as the need for equipment
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such as compressors, nets, and generators throughout the fish’s life cycle. Production planning focuses on an 18 month window, although it can extend further. “It’s a lot like putting together a giant jigsaw puzzle and making sure all the pieces fit at the right time,” said Stephen. “I put in my order with Juan Carlos for the amount of fish I need throughout the year to meet demand and he does his planning based on that number,” said Stephen. If salt water planning is described as “forward planning,” freshwater planning is best described as “backward planning”. Stephen knows what
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“We’re working with live animals so there’s always the potential for change,” he explained. He always has to take into account the ‘what if’ question and ensure he considers the inevitable loss of a small percentage of eggs, fry, and smolts. This means you start with more eggs than you need to account for those which may not survive. Such high level and complicated planning means Juan Carlos is in constant communication with Stephen and the hatchery managers. The detailed data is tracked using both Excel and, in Stephen’s case, Aqua Future, software that uses water temperature and other data to calculate and predict fish growth and survival.
Engineer Building Satisfying Life and Career By Gina Forsyth
For Matt Clarke, Marine Engineering Manager, the long-term goal of contributing to the aquaculture industry using his unique combination of practical Matt Clarke experience and Marine Engineering Manager formal education became reality sooner than he ever expected. And that’s just fine with him! “I’m responsible for the major things such as cage moorings that are critical every day to the job we do,” explained Matt. Now that Marine Harvest has voluntarily adopted the
mooring standards followed by the Norwegian industry, a current focus is continuing to gather site-specific information such as water current data and weather trends. This data ensures that anchoring needs, which vary from site to site, are taken into account. Born and educated through grade 12 in Port Hardy on the North Island, Matt began playing hockey at age six. This road eventually led to two seasons playing defense for the Campbell River Storm hockey team, which he describes as “a hugely positive experience”. Following a year at the University of Northern BC in Prince George, Matt attended UBC, graduating in 2006 with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Integrated Engineering.
After graduation, diverse job opportunities came Matt’s way, including designing dry suits for search and rescue as well as military applications and a year spent as an Officer in the Army Reserve. Through industry contacts gained while working in the freshwater side of aquaculture at Georgie Lake, Matt recently found his way to his current position. During the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Matt met Heather, a Toronto native who is working towards her designation as a Chartered Financial Analyst. Wedding bells will ring in September for the couple. “We’re looking forward to everything Campbell River and its quality of life offers,” he said. The couple’s new puppy, Zeus, a Terrier/Poodle cross, is an active addition to their household.
A Little More Help for Our Friends Human Resources Director Dean Dobrinsky, on behalf of MHC, was pleased to provide continued yearly support for the Campbell River Salmon Foundation at its annual dinner/ auction fundraiser last month. Since the CRSF was formed five years ago, MHC has provided over $30,000 to help promote wild salmon enhancement between the Oyster River and south of the Salmon River Estuary and the adjacent Mainland Coast. This year’s fundraising event raised $113,000 for the Foundation. Pictured with Dean is Mike Gage, Director of the Foundation. MarineHarvestCanada.com
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No major damage after pounding storm hits Vancouver Island
Aquarium Auction Helps Local Charity
MHC recently auctioned off the large aquarium that had been resident at the office for many years. Brad Hallam was the successful bidder at $450, and the cash was donated to the Cameryn’s Cause for Kids Society. Cait Holmes, Director at the Society, stopped by the office to meet Brad and accept the donation. MHC’s land-based salmon nursery incurred minor damage during a recent storm
After back to back severe storms hit Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Marine Harvest Canada (MHC) confirmed no major damage to its salmon farming operations or injuries to staff.
operations fared well against massive waves and high winds. Some minor equipment damage occurred as could be expected, but nothing that would be deemed critical or life threatening.”
On March 12 and 14, winds gusting up to 137 km/hr wreaked havoc on the Island: uprooting massive trees, knocking out power and cancelling air and boat travel. About 35,000 homes were without power on Vancouver Island - some for over three days.
An incident of serious concern did occur at one of Marine Harvest’s land-based aquaculture facilities 55 km north of Campbell River. Falling trees dropped power lines perilously close to propane storage tanks, and very close to three family homes that are on the property.
“This was one of the strongest storms I can remember,” said Matt Clarke, MHC’s Marine Engineering Manager, “but our marine-based
James Rogers, Health and Safety Manager, commented that no employee injuries requiring medical attention were reported.
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Thank You! I wanted to thank you for the great support at the Y.A.N.A. & St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation event last week-end where we raised 23K. This was up from last year, so it’s a wonderful community event we will build on for next year. Thanks again to your team at Marine Harvest. Lynn Dashkewytch Executive Director St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation
Answer: The Nile (Africa) is the longest at 6,693 kms. The Amazon (South America) is second at 6,436 kms.
‘Tis the season - already! The Marine Harvest barbeque event trailer is back in action. MHC’s charity barbeque committee has now selected 12 charitable events that will have access to our fantastic barbeque trailer, volunteer staff and donated salmon to help them fundraise for their charity or society (the successful charities were selected from 22 applicants who applied via our website). We are still looking for high energy staff that would enjoy volunteering for an event. If interested, send an email to Ian at ian.roberts@marineharvest.com. MHC’s barbeque trailer was a hit at Courtenay’s Vanier Park on St. Paddy’s Day. Mike Mulder, Keith Petrie and Ian Roberts cooked up some delicious salmon burgers to help Y.A.N.A. and St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation raise over $1100.
Please stop by, enjoy a salmon burger and help support the following charities and societies at the following events in 2012: March 17
Vanier Park, Courtenay
Y.A.N.A / St Joseph’s Hospital Foundation
April 14
Spirit Square, Campbell River
John Howard Society
May 26
Port Hardy
Cancer Society - Relay for Life
May 30
Spirit Square, Campbell River
Head Injury Society
June 23
Vanier Park, Courtenay
Cancer Society - Relay for Life
June 30
Dick Murphy Park, Campbell River
Dragon Boat Society
July 1
Robert Ostler Park, Campbell River
BC Firefighters Burn Fund
July 7
Willow Point Sportsplex, Campbell River
Cameryn’s Cause for Kids Society
July 14
Centennial Pool, Campbell River
Salmon Kings Swim Society
July 28
Coastline Mazda, Campbell River
Hospice Society
August 18
OrcaFest, Port McNeill
Harvest Food Bank
September 9
Nunn’s Creek Park, Campbell River
SPCA - Paws for a Cause
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Update on Chaos the Owl Last month, we brought you the story of Chaos the Great Horned Owl. After the story was published, Chaos was again found to be in trouble, so Adam and Ralph brought him from Klemtu to the Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society (MARS) near Courtenay for some much needed help. Marine Harvest has made a donation to MARS to aid in Chaos’ recovery – it seems he’d lost his Care Card!
“Chaos was treated for extreme emaciation probably caused by blood parasites, which he was also treated for. Once his strength was built up a bit and the parasites dealt with he quickly began to improve. He’s now able to fly to the perches in his enclosure and is back to being the feisty, aggressive bird he should be.” We will provide an update with his anticipated release in next month’s issue of Wharfside.
Here’s the latest update from our friends at MARS:
Farming Seminar Salmon farming expertise from within and outside Marine Harvest recently gathered together at the Maritime Heritage Centre in Campbell River for a very informative ‘Farming Seminar’. Over 50 employees attended and discussed such topics as brood performance, development in cage infrastructure, rope and netting, microdose vaccines, fish health, smolt transfer feed diets, algae culturing, product certification and recent farm results.
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