World Fishing July/August 2023

TREATY OF THE HIGH SEAS ADOPTED

The Treaty of the High Seas was adopted by consensus and standing ovation during the United Nations meeting in New York on 19 June 2023. According to the UN, this treaty –also known as “BBNJ” (biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction) – is key to protecting the ocean, promoting equity and fairness, tackling environmental degradation, fighting climate change, and preventing biodiversity loss in the high seas.

Adoption marks a successful end to more than a decade of multilateral work. The treaty will enter into force when 60 parties ratify it.

The European Union has committed to support the treaty’s ratification and early implementation through the EU Global Ocean Programme of €40 million and has invited members of the High Ambition Coalition to do the same within their capabilities.

“This is a major win for biodiversity – a game changer for the protection of the ocean and the sustainable use of its marine resources. The European Union and its member states are committed to signing and ratifying the BBNJ agreement as soon as possible. We urge others to do so too, as we hope the BBNJ Treaty will receive universal ratification and swiftly enter into force,” EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and

Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius said.

The treaty sets up a procedure to establish large-scale marine protected areas in the high seas, which will facilitate achieving the target of effectively conserving and managing 30% of land and sea by 2030. It also establishes the sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources, the transfer of marine technology between parties and contains rules to conduct environmental impact assessments.

Global negotiations on the Treaty of the High Seas concluded in March 2023.

PERU GIVES CRUCIAL SUPPORT TO ARTISANAL FISHERS

Peruvian government has issued a historic decree to enable fisher registration by cooperatives in the mahi-mahi and jumbo flying squid fisheries – two of the most significant artisanal fisheries in the world.

The decision removes the barriers for more than 900 mahi-mahi and squid artisanal vessels in major fisher organisations to be able to operate legally in Peruvian waters.

Peru’s mahi-mahi fishery generates more than 40% of world production by volume. Jumbo flying squid is the world’s largest invertebrate fishery, and Peru’s squid fishery comprises nearly half of global landings. These fisheries experienced uncontrolled fleet growth between 2000 and 2015 due to lack of fisheries research, management and political will. The fisheries were left operating under inadequate, out-of-date laws.

SPECIAL REPORT

Land-based aquaculture technology page 19

INSIGHT

Benelux in troubled waters page 12

NEWBUILDS

High-tech Stødig reaches Norwegian owners page 17

AQUACULTURE

Optimising restorative production page 46

Photo Credit: European Commission

n The EU wants the treaty ratified as soon as possible

n Peru’s mahi-mahi fishery is responsible for over 40% of the total global volume

VIEWPOINT

JASON HOLLAND | Editor | jholland@worldfishing.net

TAKING BLUE GROWTH ON LAND

There’s phenomenal global interest and equally unprecedented levels of investment being made in the land-based production of seafood, and the latest Special Report from World Fishing & Aquaculture, starting on page 19, explores that exciting landscape. The commercial farming of fish and other aquatic species in intensive, closed containment facilities is a concept that’s been around for many years, but what’s different today is the ventures in the spotlight are sophisticated, high-tech food production systems. Underpinning this considerable momentum is the soaring global demand for these products and the sector’s ability to align with consumer expectations.

With the plateauing of wild-capture fisheries in recent decades, the aquaculture industry has ramped up its output dramatically to meet demand. It now produces a harvest volume in excess of 80 million tonnes and accounts for more than half the seafood eaten worldwide. But while it’s accepted that traditional forms of production will continue to grow over the next decade or two, it has also been identified that this expansion could become hindered by a lack of additional coastline and watershed space in which to farm. Consequently, a lot of eyes have become firmly focused on these new farming technologies and the many services and solutions that surround the space. As such, the number of land-based projects coming onstream and joining the waiting wings is increasing on an almost daily basis, with the latest production methods being applied to an ever-widening number of commercially important species and geographies.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those individuals and companies that explained their operations and strategies to us. These discussions reaffirmed our belief that this is a space with a huge future and is on course to be a central component of future sustainable food systems. Later in the year, we will focus on the topic of greener fishing – looking at the technologies that are reshaping the catching sector. Once again, our hope is that many more of you will share your stories and visions with us and our readers.

The international fishing & aquaculture industry magazine

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About World Fishing & Aquaculture

Launched in 1952, World Fishing & Aquaculture is published by Mercator Media, a B2B media and events company specialising in international maritime industries, including marine business and technology, ports and terminals, and environmental strategies.

Through its monthly publication and free access website (www. worldfishing.net), World Fishing & Aquaculture provides expert-written, in-depth coverage of the fisheries, aquaculture and processing sectors, with a strong focus on the emerging solutions, technologies and innovations that are shaping the broader seafood economy’s landscape.

Underpinning this considerable momentum is the soaring global demand for these products and the sector’s ability to align with consumer expectations

BRIEFS NORWEGIAN SALMON FARMING TAX SET AT 25%

Scotland scraps HPMA plans

The proposal to implement highly protected marine areas across 10% of Scotland’s seas by 2026 will not be progressed, Scottish government has confirmed. Instead, it will work with stakeholders to enhance marine protection, while supporting groups that wish to pursue community-led activities in their local area on a quicker timescale.

Australian marine park warning

The addition of more marine parks in Southeast Australia will reduce the fish supply and impact jobs in rural towns, according to the South East Trawl Fishing Industry Association and the Southern Shark Industry Alliance. Their warning follows the Department of the Environment’s announcement that it will look at potentially expanding fishing lock-outs in the region’s marine park network.

McDonald’s China menus eco-label

Filet-o-Fish sandwiches, Double Fish burgers and Kids Fish Fillet burgers served in more than 5,000 McDonald’s restaurants in China will now include the Marine Stewardship Council blue eco-label. Nearly 3,500 tonnes of MSCcertified whitefish are sold in McDonald’s China every year.

US aquaculture bill reintroduced

A bipartisan bill to establish national standards for sustainable offshore aquaculture has been reintroduced in the US Senate. The AQUAA act, which aims to designate NOAA as the lead for marine aquaculture, will seek to harmonise the permit system for offshore farms in federal waters and impel an R&D programme to drive innovation in the industry.

The government of Norway has had its resource rent tax on aquaculture passed by the country’s parliament (Storting), but the controversial proposal’s rate of 35% was lowered to 25%.

Including corporate tax, the new rate will be 47%, rising to about 65% when including Norwegian wealth tax. The additional tax only applies to the value added to fish during the final at-sea grow-out stage.

The initial proposal,

announced in September 2022 by the Labour Party and Centre Party coalition government, was for a 40% tax. There has been considerable opposition to this rate and a revised 35% was put forward in March this year, with salmon farmers putting investments on hold and warning of further economic impacts.

The new rate secured the support of the Liberal Party and Patient Focus, giving the government sufficient votes to

pass the tax.

In a statement, producer Grieg Seafood ASA said the new resource tax is “significantly better” than the original proposal of 40%.

“Grieg Seafood will study the details of the final tax when they have been made public and evaluate all investments that are put on hold in light of the final tax,” it said.

EU FISH STOCKS IMPROVING

Overfishing in the European Union has decreased, according to the latest figures from the European Commission.

The Commission’s ‘Sustainable fishing in the EU: state of play and orientations for 2024’ is based on independent scientific research and reports how overall sustainability has improved with fewer overfished stocks. However, it warns that more effort is needed to ensure progress continues.

It finds that stocks in the Northeast Atlantic are generally within healthy ranges, with the latest assessment pointing to the

best so far sustainability results. In the Mediterranean and the Black Seas, while stocks are slowly becoming healthier, fishing mortality continues to pose difficulties. The rate for 2020, the latest available data, is the lowest so far, but is still 71% above the recommended sustainability rate.

Moreover, climate change is causing some species to decline, leading to uncertainty for the communities which depend on them. Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing is also a threat to fishing communities, as is the state of ecosystems within the Baltic

Sea and the impact of the Ukraine war on fisheries in the Black Sea.

The Commission proposed a package of measures last February to improve the sustainability and resilience of the EU’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors and is now encouraging member states, industry and NGOs to share their views as part of an online public consultation. Following the consultation, the Commission will table three proposals for consideration by the Council of the European Union to help inform fish quota decisions for 2024.

n The additional tax only applies to the value added to the fish during the final at-sea grow-out stage

FURUNO IS RESHAPING THE FUTURE OF FISHING WITH ITS 3D VISUALIZATION TOOL

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FISHING VESSEL WINS SHIP OF THE YEAR

Bluewild AS, Ulstein Design & Solutions AS and Westcon Yards have been awarded Ship of the Year 2023 for the environmentally-friendly factory trawler Ecofive.

This is the first time a fishing vessel has received the award, which was given at an award ceremony held on 6 June 2023 at the Nor-Shipping exhibition, with Norway’s Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy, Bjørnar Skjæran, announcing the winners.

The awards jury stated that Ecofive offers ground-breaking technology with several innovations for a greener fishing fleet.

Ecofive is 73.2 metres long, has a cargo space of approximately 2,000 cubic metres and is equipped with a triple trawl and a pelagic trawl. The equipment suppliers are mainly from the Norwegian maritime cluster.

It is fitted with a hybrid

propulsion system where the battery system has a capacity of 1,130 kWh. In addition to several energy efficiency measures, this will collectively provide at least a 25% reduction in fuel consumption and emissions compared to a corresponding modern vessel of this type. The savings can be up to 40% for some operations.

The twin propulsion system with rudder nozzles is the most significant single area for energy efficiency.

This alone reduces energy consumption by 15% compared to conventional vessels of the same type. Ecofive was also delivered with electrical winches, comprehensive heat recovery, and further energy efficiency measures.

It features catch technology designed to take care of raw materials from catch to finished product. This includes a gentle trawling and boarding process where the catch flows in below

the waterline.

Live storage of the catch takes place in water-filled tanks at the reception system, while CO2 is used as a refrigerant to provide a lower temperature during freezing and endproduct higher quality.

Ecofive is also capable of processing multiple products,

and all residual raw materials are recovered for use.

Shipowner Bluewild and ship designer Ulstein Design & Solutions said the technology used was taken from fish carriers and land-based facilities and merged into a complete design package for onboard production.

ALASKA AQUACULTURE OPPORTUNITIES PROJECT

Plans to identify Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs) in Alaska state waters have been announced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and partners in the US state.

Areas will be selected through engagement with tribes and the public, which NOAA said is a process that allows constituents to share their community, tribal and stewardship goals for sustainable aquaculture development in Alaska’s coastal and marine waters.

Alaska will join Southern California and the Gulf of Mexico as the third region in which NOAA is working with partners to identify AOAs.

The multi-year process to identify AOAs will be conducted in partnership with the State of Alaska and follows a comment period during which NOAA

received public support for aquaculture from Alaska Native organisations, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, members of Alaska’s legislature as well as industry and research institutions.

“With more coastline than all of the Lower 48 states combined, Alaska is uniquely

positioned to benefit from a growing marine aquaculture industry,” NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Janet Coit said. “Aquaculture Opportunity Area identification efforts use the best available science, Indigenous Knowledge and collaboration with local communities to foster shellfish and seaweed aquaculture

– benefiting Alaska’s blue economy.”

In 2022, aquaculture production sales in Alaska totalled US$1.9 million, and the state is experiencing an increase in aquaculture permit applications.

The identification process for AOAs will not include federal waters, and NOAA will only consider marine invertebrates like shellfish and sea cucumbers and seaweed farming when identifying AOAs in Alaska.

Finfish farming in Alaska state waters is prohibited by law.

Identifying AOAs does not serve as a preapproval in the process. Prospective aquaculture growers will still have to go through state and federal permitting processes.

n The name Ecofive comes from the working title of the project “ecofriendly-fishing-vessel”

n Seaweed farming in Doyle Bay, Alaska

Har vesting Oceans of Possibilities .

The Damen Landing Utility Vessel 2208 is designed to perform diverse tasks in the aquaculture industry. Its scope includes the transportation of people, cargo and feed, with multiple loading and unloading options. Once on location, the vessel supports a wide range of activities including pen maintenance and net cleaning.

BRIEFS

Sunken Spanish trawler found

The wreck of Spanish fishing trawler Villa de Pitanxo that sunk off the Canadian coast in February 2022 claiming 21 lives has been found. Described as Spain’s worst fishing tragedy in nearly 40 years, Villa de Pitanxo went down in waters off Newfoundland with 24 people going overboard.

Faroes extends ban on Russia

The Government of the Faroe Islands has imposed further restrictive measures against Russia by only allowing entry to vessels conducting fisheries under the bilateral agreement between the Faroes and Russia. Also, the activities of those vessels in port are limited to crew changes, bunkering, provisioning, landing and transhipment.

Washington issues Mexico warning

The US Fish and Wildlife Service has advised that Mexico has failed to halt the illegal wildlife trade threatening the critically endangered vaquita porpoise, thereby diminishing the effectiveness of an international wildlife treaty. Under US law, President Biden must decide by mid-August whether to take action against Mexico, including imposing a trade embargo.

Seafish unveils new corporate plan

Responding to priorities identified by the UK’s seafood industry and government, public body Seafish has launched its new Corporate Plan 20232028. This strategy aims to provide the support industry needs to address current challenges, such as labour shortages, the climate emergency, postBrexit trade as well as reputational issues.

FISHING JOBS ADDED TO UK OCCUPATION SHORTAGE LIST

From this summer, share fishermen, trawler skippers and experienced deckhands on large fishing vessels are to benefit from lower fees and salary requirements. This will ensure that the fishing sector can continue to access the talent it needs at a reduced cost.

“We are backing the UK fishing industry with a comprehensive package of support to ensure that they are able to fully benefit from the fish in UK waters. We strongly encourage the sector to engage with this to ensure they can attract the workers they need,” UK Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick said.

Inclusion on the SOL means jobs qualify at a 20% lower salary threshold (GBP 20,960 instead of GBP 26,200). Applicants also pay lower fees (GBP 479 for a 3-year visa instead of GBP 625). The broader English language requirements of the Skilled Worker route also apply on the SOL.

The new roles added to the SOL follow the inclusion of

five construction-related roles added at the Spring Budget, after the government accepted the independent, evidencebased recommendations of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC).

To be included on the SOL, a role must not only be skilled and in shortage, it must also be sensible to include it on the list in the context of alternative solutions to tackling the shortage, other than through immigration. It is not the purpose of the immigration system to provide a source of workers at pay and conditions which are not attractive to resident workers.

The changes ensure the points-based system delivers for the UK and works in the best interests of the economy, by prioritising the skills and talent needed and encouraging long-term investment in the domestic workforce. The SOL will remain under review to ensure it reflects the current labour market.

This new support forms part of the GBP 100 million UK Seafood Fund, to help modernise facilities, train and upskill fishermen, and invest in better scientific research on key fish stocks. The changes were set to be implemented ahead of the summer fishing season.

REPORT: CLIMATE CHANGE CAUSING FISH DISPLACEMENT

The majority of fish populations in the sea are responding to global warming by relocating towards colder waters nearer the north and south poles, according to new research on the impact of climate change on oceans.

Analysing current worldwide data on marine fish changes in recent years, researchers from the University of Glasgow have found that in response to ocean warming many marine fish populations are shifting toward the earth’s poles or are moving to deeper waters to stay cool.

According to the paper “Temperature change effects on marine fish range shifts: a meta-analysis of ecological and methodological predictors”, Over

the last century,global warming has had substantial impacts on marine ecosystems, with fish species disappearing from some locations altogether. In some cases, they may have adapted or changed aspects of their biology in order to adapt to warmer conditions. But in many cases, a change in the geographical range may be the only means of coping with rapid warming.

As the current effects of global warming on marine ecosystems are predicted to increase – and with sea temperatures forecasted to continue rising – the study advises that the ability to predict fish relocations will be vital to protect global ecosystems and maintain food security.

The latest study examined data on 115 species spanning all major oceanic regions, totalling 595 marine fish population responses to rising sea temperatures.

“We observed a striking trend wherewith species living in areas that are warming faster are also showing the most rapid shifts in their geographical distributions,” said Carolin Dahms, lead author on the study. “It’s possible that rate of warming in some regions may be too fast for fish to adapt, and so relocating may be their best coping strategy. At the same time, we see that their ability to do so is also impacted by other factors such as fishing, with commercially-exploited species moving more slowly.”

n Inclusion on the SOL means jobs qualify at a 20% lower salary threshold

APPETITE FOR SEAFOOD SOARS STATESIDE

The US population is eating more seafood, with the consumption of both fresh and frozen products up nearly 8% in a single year.

In 2021, Americans consumed a record 20.5 pounds (9.3 kg) per head of seafood, an increase of 1.5 pounds (0.68 kg) from the previous year, according to figures released by trade body National Fisheries Institute (NFI).

“The 2021 Top 10 List bears out some long-held consumption predictions,” said NFI Programmes Director Richard Barry.

“For years, industry experts have reported a big overall increase in pandemic-era seafood consumption. There’s

no doubt we’ll continue to see pandemic-related market forces influence these numbers in different ways over the next few years.

“But this snapshot in time is evidence of a big consumption win.”

Shrimp grew its number by nearly a pound per person, solidifying its place as

America’s favourite seafood. Salmon also saw big gains whilst staples like canned tuna, tilapia and Alaska pollock held their ground. Meanwhile, pangasius jumped three spots to number six and clam made its way back onto the list.

In previous years, the Top 10 list has made up an outsized portion of US seafood consumption at nearly 90%. This time the familiar names on the list make up only 76%, evidence, said the NFI, that Americans are slowly trying new things.

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n Shrimp continues to be America’s favourite seafood

BLUE FOOD THINKING

Aquatic foods are central to a healthy, sustainable and equitable food system, but innovative endeavours are needed on all fronts, writes Jason

Blue foods – those products we consume that are derived from aquatic animals and plants which are caught or cultivated in marine and freshwater environments – are ideally placed to solve many of our future food system challenges, but it’s critical they are supported through action and innovation from all stakeholders across the entire value chain, according to Jim Leape, Co-founder and leader of the Blue Food Assessment, William and Eva Price Senior Fellow and Co-director of the Center for Ocean Solutions in the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment.

Delivering the Blue Food Innovation Summit 2023’s keynote presentation entitled “Bridging Silos: Raising the profile of blue food in climate, sustainability and food conversations”, Leape acknowledged that “blue food is an odd phrase” and in certain situations “a challenging term”, but he also maintained it’s been important innovation in the way we talk about these food sources.

“The ‘blue food frame’ has helped us realise the fish, crustaceans and plants we harvest are not just natural and economic resources, they are food, and we need to be increasingly thinking about what roles they can play in achieving the array of goals we have for food systems. That recognition should open our lens to thinking about what we are doing with this resource and what we could be doing with this resource, and how can we develop it to meet the urgent needs that we will have in the future.”

The food systems that are in place are in trouble, Leape told the London conference. They are, he said, by far the principal driver of biodiversity loss, the principal use of water and cause of deforestation, as well as being the main contributor to climate change – all coming from producing so much of our food on land through agriculture, and in particular, through livestock farming.

Holland

“If we are going to build a food system that provides better diets than we have today for maybe 9 or 10 billion people, then it’s clear we can’t just continue to expand the production of food on land; we have to find ways to take better opportunities from the water. That’s what prompted the Blue Food Assessment four years ago, and that’s what brings us into this conversation – thinking much more broadly about the roles blue foods can play and building the systems we need.”

Through diversity comes possibility

While just four species of terrestrial animals provide more than 90% of the animal-source protein that we eat, there are 2,500 species of blue foods in production, including 600 species that are already cultivated in aquaculture, and most of these foods are also rich in vital micronutrients, Leape said.

“With diversity comes possibilities: Possibilities for

resilience, but also possibilities for meeting the many needs that we have in creating the food system of the future.”

To this end, there are some important considerations to be made, he said. Not least, that small-scale producers are at the heart of the blue food system and that most of the food consumed worldwide comes from smallscale production. And yet these producers are generally neglected in both management and market terms.

“Finding a way to support small-scale producers is an essential part of building the food system of the future,” Leape said. He also stressed that blue food is not just about more seafood, instead and to “serve our multiple needs” it’s about having more kinds of seafood and finding ways to expand the diversity of production to take better advantage of the huge array of species available.

There’s also a need think more expansively about what “sustainable” should mean in the context of blue foods, he told the summit. “The existing sustainable seafood movement has been crucially important: It’s taken a sector that was in many ways heedlessly destructive in terms of both capture fisheries and early industrial aquaculture and really raised the bar to show what good production looks like…If you look over the last 20 years, there’s been many gains on many fronts,” Leape said.

However, he insists the sustainability horizons now need to be broadened. On the environmental side, advantage needs to be taken of opportunities to develop and produce or shift to species that are intrinsically better in footprint, while from a social perspective, food systems need to be built that recognise the hugely important roles that women (as an estimated half the workforce) and also small-scale producers have.

“There are multiple dimensions to sustainability, and this is true of every walk of life – not just in blue food. But as we get a better understanding of what it’s going to take to live on this planet in a way that it can sustain, we need to be thinking much more broadly about what the elements of sustainability are and how we bring those into developing blue food resources. We need a lot of innovation on a lot of fronts – there’s plenty for all of us to do.

“Like most sustainability challenges, it’s all hands-ondeck, but the blue food frame has helped us understand this is a central part of meeting the challenges of the future and that it’s an agenda that’s full of opportunity,” Leape said.

We need a lot of innovation on a lot of fronts – there’s plenty for all of us to do

Jim Leape, Blue Food Assessment

n Blue food systems need to recognise the critical roles played by women and small-scale producers

Longer ow route over the rope More speed = lower pressure

Longer ow route over the rope More speed = lower pressure

Shorter ow route under the rope Less speed = more pressure

INSIGHT

The future of fishing

BENELUX IN TROUBLED WATERS

Ever-tightening EU standards and steadily rising costs are forcing many of the states’ fishers to leave the industry whilst also driving up the price of seafood, writes Eugene

Gerden

The Benelux states of Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg have never been amongst Europe’s elite band of fish-producing nations, despite the first two having North Sea coastlines. Consequently, a significant proportion of their fish and seafood needs have been traditionally met by imports.

As has been the case with many other EU states in recent months, Belgian and Dutch fishers have faced significant cost increases. This has compounded problems that they were already facing as a result of increasingly tighter national and EU fishing regulations.

Many close to Benelux’s fishing industry feel problems have been accumulating for years. More recently, the Brexit deal has changed fishing rights, while the introduction of a ban on highly efficient pulse fishing in Netherlands, and the war in Ukraine has exacerbated the situation.

Some fishers have been saying that while authorities provide some support for them, in this current climate, it’s not sufficient for them to stay afloat. Indeed, amid these economic challenges, many Benelux fisherman have been forced to turn to buy-out schemes and will likely not return to commercial catching.

Royal support

In the case of the Netherlands, complexities facing the country’s fisheries sector have even forced local fishers to seek the support of King Willem-Alexander. In a letter sent to the king, Dutch fishers voiced concerns about the future of their industry. They explained that restrictive rules from the government would “kill the fishing industry in the Netherlands”.

Signed by 400 skippers and fishing companies, the letter also warned of what could happen should the plans

proceed for the introduction of nitrogen standards for trawlers and cutters that fish in so-called Natura 2000 areas. To comply with the standards, all these vessels must be converted to cleaner engines before 1 October 2023.

This, they have calculated, will cost an average €10,000 per vessel, with subsidies only available for half that amount.

Another area of serious concern for Dutch fishers is the ever-increasing area in which bottom fishing is not allowed. This is worrying shrimp catchers and also fishers working on larger cutters that specialise in sole and plaice – two of the most important species caught by the sector.

Plans are being drawn up to increase these protected areas. At the same time, the construction of new offshore windfarms is posing a serious threat to the Dutch shrimp catch.

According to Wageningen University & Research (WUR), the Netherlands has 283 active fishing cutters, with 120 targeting fish, the rest focus on shrimp, lobsters and other seafood products.

Socio-economic concerns

The biggest concern for Belgian fishers also centres on the regular reduction of quotas for sole and plaice catches by the European Commission.

While there has been increases made for haddock and cod quotas for the current year, Flemish Fisheries Minister Hilde Crevits explained these species are not a priority for Belgium fishers.

“Our Belgian fishermen are disappointed,” Crevits said. “The fishing rights for sole are very important to us. I am concerned about the socio-economic consequences of limiting the large catches of sole and plaice.”

Again, the situation has been further complicated by

n Dutch fishers are growing increasingly concerned by the expanding area in which bottom fishing is not allowed

Brexit, with the UK’s departure from the EU ending the Belgian fleet’s access to certain waters. Added to this, the country’s fishers are unhappy with plans to make the fisheries sector more sustainable through the use of cleaner energy sources and phasing out fossil fuels.

“We have serious concerns about the feasibility and workability of European plans for the fisheries sector,” Crevits said. “We impose unfeasible or unworkable obligations on our own fishermen. Our fishermen already make a lot of effort today and are prepared to do so in the future, but on the basis of workable proposals.”

In addition to fuel, the European Commission also wants fishing methods and gear to become more sustainable. This includes phasing out bottom fishing with towed gear by 2030 in all marine protected areas (MPAs).

Farming interest

If there is a positive, it’s that Benelux’s aquaculture sector is in generally better shape than its fisheries. Head of research at Belgium-based Inagro Stefan Teerlinck told WF that Belgium has a very diverse and well-developed aquaculture sector, with the most popular fish species including pikeperch, sturgeon, rainbow trout and white shrimp.

He explained that fish farming is carried out both in the Flemish region (north) and Walloon region (south) and has strong research base. In addition, the aquaculture sector traditionally receives strong support from authorities.

“In our North Sea, we see an expansion of our mussel production. Also, foreign investors in aquaculture are interested in our region, while Asian businessmen want to invest in multitrophic shrimp production on land – in closed system with minimal water replacement.”

In terms of local consumption, Belgium’s total annual consumption of farmed fish and seafood sold via retail

channels is estimated at 17,333 tonnes, with the main species including salmon, shrimp and pangasius – most of which is imported. Local production and consumption is in the region of 300 tonnes, with trout accounting for 80%.

Salmon’s rising importance

Meanwhile, analysts have confirmed that the high level of inflation in the Benelux region is continuing to put pressure on its fish and seafood sector, and this is negatively affecting sales in the market.

Luc Van Bellegem, Senior Market Advisor of the Flanders’ Agricultural Marketing Board, an agency specialising on the promotion of Belgium fish products in domestic and foreign markets confirmed this trend.

“The demand for fish in Belgium is price-driven. The fish from aquaculture, such as salmon, will become more important in the future. Salmon represents already 30% of the home consumption of fish and will grow. Wild fish will become [more] expensive and demand will decline. Concerning exports, as we see from statistics, the export of both fish and fish products from Belgium is growing,” he said.

Cod remains the most popular fish in the Belgium market, closely followed by salmon.

We have serious concerns about the feasibility and workability of European plans for the fisheries sector

Hilde Crevits, Flemish Fisheries Minister

n Pikeperch farming in Belgium land-based systems

n North Sea mussel production

NEWHORIZONS Focusing

on Fisheries Development

RAISING THE BAR WITH BARRAMUNDI IN SRI LANKA

Oceanpick – the country’s first oceanic fish farm – offers a tantalising glimpse into the importance and value of barramundi farming, writes Bonnie

n Oceanpick harvested 1,200 tonnes and is expected to produce 1,800 tonnes in 2023

Over the past century, seafood consumption has grown significantly, and the vast majority of us are thinking differently about how we use natural resources like the ocean. As we reach ever closer to a tipping point, sustainability has become a more prominent topic in conversations, not only with consumers but also among industry, including aquaculture.

In 2012, Irfan Thassim, Founder and Director of barramundi farm Oceanpick, realised that change was needed, with more than 90% of Sri Lanka’s fish coming from wild capture with many stocks at risk of depletion. With a vision of establishing the first oceanic farm in Sri Lanka, Thassim turned to Kames Fish Farming Ltd in Scotland for help. The result was Oceanpick, Sri Lanka’s first and only commercial producer of barramundi (Lates calcarifer), a versatile and highly sought-after species that is known for its delicate flavour, firm texture and excellent nutritional profile.

Thassim said the significance of sustainable aquaculture is gaining prominence across the globe, and Sri Lanka recognises this as a valuable economic and environmental opportunity.

“Oceanpick is a pioneer in barramundi farming and it’s South Asia’s largest fin-fish farm, playing an important role in promoting the innovative aquaculture industry,” he told WF

“Barramundi farming in Sri Lanka is a huge opportunity for the country. It positively impacts economic, environmental and health aspects, and develops and fosters local communities. Oceanpick’s commitment to responsible farming practices ensures the production of

high-quality barramundi while minimising environmental impact. It provides a natural and spacious environment for the fish to grow, resulting in healthier and tastier barramundi and helping to meet the growing demand for fish protein while reducing pressure on wild fish stocks.”

Production increases

Oceanpick’s farms are located off the coast of Trincomalee on the north-eastern seaboard of Sri Lanka. Trincomalee is an ideal location for aquaculture as it’s free of the largescale industrial activities that are typical to other farming sites in the region. At the heart of its operations is the Alain Michel Hatchery, where carefully selected broodstock produce eggs that hatch into fry. The fry are then nurtured in controlled environments until they reach a suitable size for transfer to sea.

Waycott

Barramundi farming in Sri Lanka is a huge opportunity for the country. It positively impacts economic, environmental and health aspects, and develops and fosters local communities.

Irfan Thassim, Oceanpick

Photo

Credit: Oceanpick

Oceanpick operates three distinct sites that are dedicated to the pre-grow-out and grow-out phases. Selected for their pristine water conditions and ideal temperature ranges, the fish have ample space in which to swim and thrive, benefitting from the nutrient-rich waters and natural conditions. They are also closely monitored with regular health checks. Their diet consists of highquality, sustainable feed that is formulated to support their growth and enhance their flavour.

As they approach harvest size, they are carefully selected and transported to the processing plants, where they are handled with precision to preserve freshness and flavour and ensure optimal quality. After thorough cleaning, scaling and filleting, the barramundi are ready to be packaged and shipped to customers worldwide.

In 2022, Oceanpick harvested 1,200 tonnes and is expected to produce 1,800 tonnes this year. Its main export markets are Australia, the United States, the Maldives and more recently the EU.

CSR focus

Barramundi farming has had some key impacts on Sri Lanka, said Thassim, for example by stimulating economic growth in rural areas and contributing to the country’s overall economic development. It also provides an affordable source of fish to local populations, reducing the reliance on wild fish stocks, and has helped to facilitate the transfer of technology, expertise and best practices among different stakeholders. This can contribute to the development of local aquaculture knowledge and skills, empowering communities to engage in sustainable farming practices.

As well as its farm operations, Oceanpick also runs corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes that focus on community welfare, education and environmental conservation. Through these, it promotes sustainable practices, empowers local communities and strengthens social harmony.

“Barramundi farming plays a crucial role in social impact and community development initiatives,” said Thassim. “Oceanpick actively engages with local communities. By empowering individuals through job creation, it contributes to poverty alleviation and social mobility. It also actively seeks partnerships with local fishermen, recognising their expertise and contribution to the fishing industry.

“Fishermen can work on the farm, leveraging their knowledge of fishing techniques and fish handling, and receive a source of income, especially during periods of low fishing activity or when fish stocks are depleted. This reduces their dependence solely on wild catches. They can also be involved in decision-making processes and provide feedback and insights, something which strengthens the social fabric of fishing communities.”

International standards

Recognising that sustainability is an important factor to the discerning global customer, Oceanpick ensures it conforms to strict industry standards, one of which is Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP).

“This certification demonstrates Oceanpick’s dedication to sustainable practices such as responsible sourcing, environmental stewardship and social accountability,” said Thassim. “By adhering to BAP guidelines, Oceanpick ensures that its barramundi are produced in a manner that prioritises the well-being of both the marine environment and local communities.”

Oceanpick also holds the Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) certification, which verifies that Oceanpick maintains ethical and socially responsible practices and establishes itself as a company that values fairness, transparency and integrity in all aspects of its business. Plans are also underway to obtain the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification. Certifications

have been a huge boost to Oceanpick’s brand value and resulted in greater interest from customers.

“They have compelled Oceanpick to enhance practices such as fish welfare, feed management, water quality and disease prevention, ensuring that the farm operates in an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible manner, minimising any negative impacts on the ecosystem,” said Thassim.

“Barramundi products have gained increased credibility and value in the market, opening up opportunities for Oceanpick to access premium markets and command higher prices. Certification also provides a platform to educate consumers about the positive environmental and social impacts of responsible fish farming practices, and sets Oceanpick apart from competitors, helping it differentiate itself in crowded marketplaces and attract environmentally conscious consumers. Oceanpick also assumes a position of industry leadership in sustainable barramundi farming, inspiring other producers to adopt similar responsible practices.”

New species

Oceanpick has put Sri Lanka firmly on the global aquaculture map. The demand for barramundi is rising with greater interest from the US, Europe and Australia where the species originated, said Thassim.

Future plans include exploring the potential of other species such as grouper and snapper.

Oceanpick is currently engaged in research and evaluation processes to understand the suitability of different species for aquaculture, with growth characteristics, nutritional requirements, disease resistance and market demand studied extensively. A trial production of snapper has already been successful and provided valuable insights and practical knowledge that allow Oceanpick to refine its farming methods for successful production.

“The decision to develop other fish species is driven by market demand and feasibility assessments,” said Thassim. “Careful analysis of market trends, consumer preferences and commercial viability of each species are under consideration. Oceanpick’s research-driven approach, successful trial of snapper, collaboration efforts, consideration of market demand and environmental sustainability, and focus on continuous learning, enables the diversification of its species portfolio, while its commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainable seafood and contributing to aquaculture’s growth and development remains firm. It’s an exciting time and we are looking forward to seeing what the future holds.”

Photo Credit: Oceanpick

n Oceanpick’s farm team

SAFER SOLUTIONS THAT WITHSTAND THE TOUGHEST ENVIRONMENTS

Plenty of options for new Stødig

There’s a remarkable amount of technology packed into the 39.3-metre length of the new Norwegian fishing vessel, delivered to its owners Asbjørn Selsbane by the Karstensen yard in Denmark

Stødig steamed from the yard northward to Ålesund to pick up gear before heading to fishing grounds to start on shrimp that are frozen onboard. The new vessel is fishing with a pair of Vónin’s Storm trawl doors and Kodiak trawls. Later in the year there will be a switch to working on fresh whitefish with seine net gear. Next winter there’ll be another switch, this time to fishing for snow crab – also processed onboard.

To handle three very different fisheries, PE Bjørdal supplied Stødig with a three lane-factory deck. Catches of whitefish pass through Baader and KM Fish Machinery gutting and heading systems and the expectation is that whitefish catches will be landed fresh in tubs. The option is also there for landing live whitefish, and Stødig has a C-Flow vacuum pump system and 450 cubic metres of RSW tank capacity with a PTG FrioNordica RSW system to make this possible.

Shrimp and snow crab catches are destined for frozen production, with separate processing lines for both, and refrigeration system has four DSI V3 32/100B plate freezers capable of handling 40 tonnes per 24 hours.

Stødig is laid out with Evotec MultiSoft winches, with a Scantrol management system. There are three 22-tonne trawl winches mounted in a space below the wheelhouse, alongside a pair of 24-tonne fly-shooting winches. A set of three 15-tonne double net drums is mounted over the deck. Evotec also supplied the 5-tonne unloading and anchor winches.

The forward deck crane is a TMP 750K and the gallowsmounted deck crane serving the working deck aft is a 4-tonne/11-metre SeaQuest PKB.

For the snow crab fishery, Stødig is outfitted with an ice plough that can be dropped into place to keep ice clear of the hauling hatch on the starboard side while working along lines of traps.

Well powered

Stødig has a 1370kW Yanmar 6EY22AW main engine, powering a 3900mm K850/4 propeller via a HG7, 900/99rpm reduction gear, both from Nogva Heimdal. A PTO is mounted on the main gear, provides the primary power supply via a 800kW shaft generator. Additional power is derived from the pair of 400kWe Nogva Scania DI13 gensets. The electrical system is provided with a Power Management System (PMS) which has automatic start-up of the generator system.

During fishing, with the winch system largely in continuous use, the shaft generator is engaged, and when full power is needed on the winches, the main engine can consequently be used as a power source partly for propulsion and partly for the power supply. As a result, there’s no need to run the auxiliary engines.

If there’s a demand for additional power for the propulsion system, the auxiliary engines have the capacity to run the vessel’s normal power supply, including load on the electrical winch system. The energy configuration has been envisaged as providing fuel and operating economy,

with optimal yield from the main engine, plus delivering a high level of operational reliability.

Steering is a Kongsberg Tenfjord SR622 installation and there is a KSP design rudder with flap. The bow thruster is a 260hp Hundested SFT5 unit.

The wheelhouse is outfitted with three main screens facing the two control positions, with the key fishfinding and navigation data feeds channelled through these, while five overhead screens provide additional feeds. The fishfinders are a Simrad ES80 echo sounder and an EK80 broadband sounder, plus a Furuno DFF3 sounder. A Marport array of gear-mounted is used to monitor the doors and trawls.

Navigation systems are a pair of Tecdis T-2138A ECDIS sets, a MaxSea Time Zero plotter and an Olex 3D system.

n Stødig was designed and built by Karstensen for Norwegian fishing company Asbjørn Selsbane n Stødig has started fishing with Vónin Kodiak shrimp trawls and Storm trawl doors

CLEOPATRAS POPULAR WITH NORWEGIAN COASTAL FLEET

Icelandic boatbuilder Trefjar built its reputation supplying its robust Cleopatra fast fishing vessels to its home market, but these days a substantial part of its activity is in exports –notably in Norway where these designs have proved themselves in coastal fisheries

Icelandic boatbuilder Trefjar built its reputation supplying its robust Cleopatra fast fishing vessels to its home market, but these days a substantial part of its activity is in exports – notably in Norway where these designs have proved themselves in coastal fisheries

Brothers Tom-Kenneth and Kurth-Anders Slettvoll fish from Kabelvåg in the Lofoten islands went to Trefjar for a pair of Cleopatras to replace an older boat they have been working since 2019. They are now fishing with new Ørsvåg II and Ørsvåg III: identical 9.99-metre boats outfitted for longlining.

The brothers’ boats have 410hp FPT C90 main engines driving a ZF286IV reduction gear. Electronic systems are from Furuno, Simrad and Olex, and include autopilots linked to the hydraulic bow and aft thrusters to activate automatically when required.

The longline systems onboard both boats have been delivered by Beitir. Ørsvåg II and Ørsvåg III each has fishroom capacity for twelve 380-litre tubs.

Their layout places the skipper’s control position on the starboard side of the wheelhouse, with a galley/mess area on the port side and there is a bunkroom with three berths below.

However, the most recent Trefjar delivery is Barents Gadus, a 10.99-metre, 3.8-metre breadth Cleopatra 36 for Piera Gaup, fishing from Tana in the far north of Norway. This is a standard Cleopatra 36 outfitted for longlining and netting.

Barents Gadus’ main engine is a 520hp FPT C13 coupled to a ZF325IV transmission and auxiliary power is supplied by a 9kW Nanni generator.

Its electronics package is a combination of instruments supplied by JRC, Olex and Simrad, and the hydraulic bow and stern trusters are interfaced to the autopilot to be activated automatically.

Catches are stored in the midships fishroom which has space for fifteen 380 litre tubs.

The forward section is laid out with bunks for three below, and with a toilet and shower in the cabin. The wheelhouse has the skipper’s control position on the starboard side and a galley/mess area to port.

DOWNSCALING FOR NEW PELAGIC CATCHER

Parlevliet & van der Plas’ new pelagic freezer trawler already under construction at the Tersan yard in Turkey is going to be significantly more modest in size than the vessel it replaces P&P’s Skipsteknisk-designed newbuild at 111.5 metres and with a 21.2-metre beam is a long way from the sheer bulk of the Annelies Ilena (ex-Atlantic Dawn) that it will replace when it comes into service in 2025. The focus in the design has been on efficient operation, with a Wärtsilä 32 main engine and twin-screw propulsion, contributing to optimised fuel consumption, lower emissions and reduced noise levels. The new vessel will be equipped with scrubber technology and selective catalytic reactors, reducing effluents of particles and greenhouse gases to the environment to the lowest standards possible.

Accommodation will be for a crew of up to 60 and the new vessel will be capable of worldwide operation. It is expected to operate on similar lines to the company’s existing vessels – targeting herring, sardine, mackerel, horse mackerel and blue whiting, with all catches frozen at sea and destined for human consumption.

The refrigeration systems for the fishroom and the factory deck will use natural, environmentally friendly refrigerants for cold storage and for the 44 Dantech DSI Type V8 26/100 B SS vertical plate freezers, designed for CO2. Its Naust Marine deck equipment package extends

to 23 winches, as well as the Automatic Trawl Winch (ATW) control system and other critical deck equipment in a system that has been custom-designed to meet the P&P’s requirements.

The package as a whole includes three trawl winches managed by the Naust ATW system, four net drums and two net sounder winches. In addition, the new vessel will be outfitted with 10 auxiliary winches of various sizes, an anchor winch, two stoppers and three mooring winches, as well as additional deck equipment.

n Ørsvåg II and Ørsvåg III, are identical Cleopatras now fishing from Kabelvåg in the Lofoten Islands

n P&P’s new pelagic catcher has been designed by Skipsteknisk and is expected to be operational in early 2025

SPECIALREPORT

LAND-BASED AQUACULTURE TECHNOLOGY

Expanding the horizon for RAS

Rapid growth brings focused investment

New systems look to overcome industry challenges

Where flow-through is capitalising on natural advantage

Plans progress for UK’s first land-based salmon farm

New shrimp feed focuses on farm performance

Fish farming firsts for South Korea

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ANDFJORD SALMON LOOKS TO CAPITALISE ON ITS NATURAL ADVANTAGE

The land-based flow-through producer has a roadmap in place to produce 90,000 tonnes of fish by 2032 from its sites on the Norwegian island of Andøya. Jason Holland reports

At the time of writing, Atlantic salmon farmer Andfjord Salmon AS had just confirmed that it is to progress with plans that will increase the total production volume at it Kvalnes site to 40,000 tonnes of head-on gutted (HOG) fish in the next seven years. To deliver this growth, the company has secured a NOK 700 million bank loan to expand the Kvalnes’ operations.

The very first commercial harvest from the facility’s first/pilot pool – an expected 800 tonnes of 4kg fish – is only a matter of weeks away, but the company is looking further ahead, having now proven its concept – a farming system based on flow-through technology that capitalises on Andøya’s close proximity to the oxygen-rich Gulf Stream.

For those unfamiliar with the location, Andøya is the northernmost island in the Vesterålen archipelago, situated about 300km inside the Arctic circle. It’s also where Andfjord Salmon has a licence in place for 10,000 tonnes maximum allowed biomass (MAB) of land-based production. This will allow the Kvalnes’ facility to produce around 19,000 tonnes of HOG salmon.

Its new capacity will gradually be added over five phases between 2025 and 2030, with the next 8,000 tonnes of production scheduled to be added in 2025 via four new pools. From then, the company’s plan is to build four new pools every year to reach the 40,000-tonne target in 2030.

Reaching the 90,000-tonne total will be achieved through Andfjord Salmon’s two other locations on Andøya: Breivik and Fiskenes, which are expected to deliver a combined 50,000 tonnes. Preparatory work on these sites

is already underway, with construction anticipated to begin in 2026/27.

‘Simple but ingenious’

At 30,000 cubic metres each, Andfjord Salmon’s pools are huge. They are also square in shape. The reason for this, explains company CEO Martin Rasmussen is to create enough space for the 200,000 fast-growing salmon in each pool to behave naturally.

Through the company’s own patented technology, it has introduced a laminar waterflow, whereby a parallel current moves from one side of the pool to the other. Not only does this establish an even distribution of water in the system, it means there’s no turbulence.

“The fish can swim where they want to; they can have a schooling behaviour. We are simply housing a crosssection of the Gulf Stream on land,” Rasmussen told WF. “We have endless access to new, clean, clear seawater with the perfect temperature, salinity and oxygen levels for salmon production.”

All the pools will be built at sea level to enable the farm to move 5 tonnes of water per second (or 20,000 cubic metres per hour) without the need of additional energy to lift it. With a water intake at approximately 40 metres water depth, this water is also coming from below the upper columns where sea lice and harmful algae tend to be much more prevalent.

“The concept is protecting the fish and protecting the environment,” Rasmussen said. “It’s very simple but it’s also

Photo Credit: Andfjord Salmon

n Andfjord Salmon plans to produce 40,000 tonnes of fish at Kvalnes by 2030

ingenious. It allows us to have a land-based model but with very low operational costs.”

He said the first production cycle has been very successful, with the first Kvalnes’ pool achieving good fish health and welfare, strong growth, low energy consumption whereby one kilogram of salmon can be produced at under 1 kilowatt per hour, and a survival rate of 97.8%, alongside an accumulated feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 0.96.

“When it comes to energy consumption, it’s very important to be below the surface level. We’re not lifting the water, but just pushing it through the pool, and this is

why our energy consumption is so low.”

Meanwhile, to achieve its FCR, the producer has put tight biological and feed controls in place, while the feeds themselves contain special ingredients and have properties that slow the rate at which they sink in the pool.

“This allows us to have much better control over the feeding process, which in turn reduces waste. Our feeding can be done with much greater precision than traditional at-sea salmon farmers,” Rasmussen said.

“And where flow-through really differs from RAS [recirculating aquaculture systems] is it’s merely borrowing the water to create a salmon habitat on land with the water passing back into the ocean without negative impacts. However, if you’re in a place where you don’t have these same natural advantages, you must have many processes in place just to change the water parameters. We’re able to avoid all that – there’s much less complexity in our methods compared to models where you don’t have these natural advantages.

“Also, there’s a lot of land-based aquaculture concepts being launched around the world, but we have chosen to be where Atlantic salmon swim naturally. On my way to work every day, I drive over nine salmon rivers. It’s part of the nature here.”

Traditional farming limitations

The Andfjord Salmon concept has been more than 20 years in development, with a great deal of time taken to properly research and develop its location, said Rasmussen. The company was therefore delighted to release its first 120gram smolt into the pilot pool at the end of June 2022.

By the start of May 2023, these fish had grown to an average weight of 3kg, which

demonstrated very stable production during the oftentricky winter period.

“The growth was about 40% better compared to our initial production plan so we have been very satisfied with the salmon production. We tend to compare our operations with those of traditional salmon farmers because its more similar to that sector than to RAS, and compared to traditional at-sea farming, we have very good numbers,” Rasmussen said.

He added that lot of biological performance seen in the first production cycle can be attributed to the emphasis it has placed on having high-quality smolt.

“We have quite a conservative approach when it comes to how fast we want to grow our smolt. I see many producers pushing the biological growth of smolt to levels that are perhaps too fast. They may achieve good growth but lose out when it comes to the maturation of the fish and their organs. This could also have a negative impact in the sea grow-out phase. So, for us it was important that the smolt producer had a similar profile as we have when it comes to temperature profiles. I didn’t want them to push the biology too fast, I wanted a conservative production cycle.

“So far, we have achieved a survival rate of around 98%, so having just 2% mortality in our first commercial production cycle is very, very good.”

As for the potential of land-based salmon farming in general, Rasmussen said it’s “a very interesting time” to be part of the developments in an “industry that’s growing up”, with a number of different models are coming into play.

“When it comes to the sustainable production of food, there are many upsides to land-based aquaculture. But in general, the industry needs more time to get experience so that it can solve many of the early, initial issues that it’s had.

“Ours is a unique concept; it’s quite different from the other landbased production methods because it’s so close to sea-based salmon farming. Therefore, I see us growing and developing alongside traditional production, which has of course become limited in terms of its growth possibilities.”

It’s very simple but it’s also ingenious. It allows us to have a land-based model but with very low operational costs

Martin Rasmussen

Photo Credit: Andfjord Salmon

Photo Credit: Andfjord Salmon

n Cross section of Andfjord Salmon’s flow-through system

n Andfjord Salmon CEO Martin Rasmussen

Immediate potential focus

Once its first harvest is complete, and with “everything already on the upside when it comes to growth, mortality and feed conversion rates” Andfjord Salmon will immediately get to work to have the next batch of pools in place, Rasmussen confirmed, adding that any adjustments to the next pools will only be very minor, as a lot has already been learned getting to this stage.

“We see different things being achieved in the future but they’re more likely to be optimisations,” he said. “We’re extremely proud the concept is working as it should be. But we’ve still seen some ways we can optimise things within our teams and with our equipment, so there’s more we can and shall do to improve the numbers further still.” The new pools will also be part of a substantial construction stage that will also include the delivery of new infrastructure such as waterways and a port area to support the increased salmon volumes that Kvalnes will produce. This is where a lot of the new financing will be diverted.

Asked whether Andfjord Salmon has any plans to extend its operations beyond Andøya and Norway, Rasmussen insisted that while it’s always tempting to look at additional possibilities, the current focus is very much on the significant plans that are now in place.

“We consider Andøya to be the perfect location for this concept, but of course there are other locations in the world that are suitable for this kind of salmon farming. But we are thinking one step at a time and want to build up our location and the opportunity that we have here before going out further into the world,” he said.

So far, we have achieved a survival rate of around 98%, so having just 2% mortality in our first commercial production cycle is very, very good

Martin Rasmussen

Photo Credit: Andfjord Salmon

n Kvalnes’ first pool ahead of smolt transfer

MULTI-STOREY RAS FOR HIGH-VALUE PRODUCTION

Can a new farming system for olive flounder reignite aquaculture in South Korea? Bonnie Waycott reports

While working in Norway between 1998 and 2014, Dr Woo-Jai Lee, CEO and founder of genomics and precision-breeding aquaculture firm BluGen, gained a deeper insight into the South Korean fish farming industry. But he was shocked by what he saw.

“At that time, South Korea was a leading country in many industrial sectors such as cars, electronics and shipbuilding,” he told WF. “However, fish farming was far behind major leading countries with extremely segmented value chains, poor sustainability practices and high inefficiencies. And yet, I saw that there was huge potential for the industry, and that the main reason behind the lagging development was the market situation. Fish farmers didn’t need to invest in R&D and new facilities for better production because they enjoyed a still-profitable market in which demand far outweighed supply.”

Lee founded BluGen in 2013 to introduce more sophisticated genomics and breeding technology, as well as recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), to South Korea.

Hoping to change the country’s underdeveloped fish farming industry into a more modern and efficient one, Lee, who has over 20 years’ experience in genomics and breeding projects in Norway, is developing a system that can attract sound investments and offers new opportunities for younger workers – South Korea’s first RAS for olive flounder (Paralychthys olivaceus).

Located in Goheung, Jeollanam-do Province, one of the southernmost areas of the Korean peninsula, the 2,000-tonnes per year facility will include a hatchery of 2,000 breeder fish that are made up of 300 families. These will produce around 40 million units of juveniles each year.

There will also be shallow grow-out raceways of around 45cm in depth, built by Norwegian fish farm innovator SIFT Group (SIFT Group has developed a new concept for raceways and efficient water treatment technology, which makes an intensive farming density possible). Because the raceways can be stacked, shallow raceway designs will optimise footprint and increase production volume. For dwelling species like olive flounder, the density can be kept as high as 70kg/m2.

Woo-Jai Lee,

The aerobic and anaerobic phases have been separated and water treatment capacity and energy consumption rate both improved, while the concepts of sustainable and healthy (no antibiotics) production will be introduced for the first time. Construction is around 80% complete, and production is expected to begin by the end of 2023 pending no delays.

Industry firsts

The facility will house and vertically-integrate components

We have the strongest olive flounder broodstock in the world and hope to pioneer a successful RAS deployment strategy

Dr

BluGen

n BluGen hopes to produce 2,000 tonnes of olive flounder at the new facility

Photo Credit: BluGen

of the value chain that currently do not exist in South Korea – from R&D to broodstock management to grow-out –in an environmentally sustainable way and bring a new standard and approach to aquaculture in the country.

The olive flounder will be fed extruded pellets based on BluGen’s own proprietary formula (insect meal and other alternative formulations and combinations are currently being investigated) and grow at an FCR of 1.1. Although the vast majority of farmed olive flounder is around 1kg or less in size, BluGen is planning to grow the fish to the 2-3kg mark to fulfil a rarer market segment and fetch premium farm gate prices.

From stocking, it usually takes 10 months to reach 1kg, 14 months to 2kg and 18 months to 3kg.

According to Lee, olive flounder is native to South Korea and arguably the most important fish domestically in terms of consumption, seafood identity and representation. Current domestic production sits at around 45,000MT/ year, of which nearly the entire supply is consumed domestically.

Olive flounder is also important in Japan, and consumption is assumed to be around the same as that of South Korea. It is also widely consumed in China. Demand for the species in South Korea, Japan and China has been on the rise, but supply has been decreasing due to production challenges from disease and climate change, while there is still a significant dependency on wild catch and flow-through systems.

Pivotal project

The average Korean flow-through farmer experiences 65-70% mortality rates between the points of stocking juveniles to harvest, said Lee, who is also aiming to demonstrate the economic viability of his new RAS facility. These types of facilities should be conceived with a strong species-market match, a biologically RAS-friendly species and excellent value chain support, he said, and these are all elements that make BluGen a compelling project from an investors’ point of view.

“BluGen may be one of the most pivotal projects in South Korea’s aquaculture history,” said Lee. “Our inception was in genomics R&D, and we have selectively bred nine generations of olive flounder to produce what we consider a genetically superior fish. We are the only company in the world that has mapped the whole flounder genome, with a proprietary selective breeding programme that integrates and implements the entire value chain from disease challenges and vaccine development programs to feed development.

“This is the first time that we’re introducing genomics-level selective breeding and other value-chain technologies to commercial-level operations, and we are building the country’s first RAS project. We have the strongest olive flounder broodstock in the world and hope to pioneer a successful RAS deployment strategy for the domestic and international aquaculture community in areas including production, sustainability and investability.”

Lee is confident BluGen’s combination of selective breeding and RAS facility means its olive flounder will have better survivability and grow to a larger, more attractive size. The species is also particularly sensitive to water quality and disease and doesn’t require deep tanks,

he said, which makes it suitable for shallow raceways that offer controlled and stable growth conditions while maximising production.

Olive flounder also grow optimally within a certain temperature range, which RAS can provide, while the new facility should also be able to reduce mortality dramatically by treating the intake water and switching the feed from moisturised pellets to extruded pellets. Both steps can also block most of the pathogen introduction to the farm.

International potential

The National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS) and the South Korean government have recognised the commercial and symbolic importance of BluGen’s work. Both support the initiatives for implementing new technology to improve production efficiency and ultimately give farmers a strong position in the markets.

So far, BluGen has received support for actual farming practices, and for this particular project, a US$3.2 million non-dilutive grant from the South Korean government to begin construction.

“There are a lot of eyes on BluGen, since with a proof of concept, it will transform the South Korean way of farming olive flounder,” said Lee. “The domestic farming industry is waiting for BluGen to begin production. Their intent is to partner and cooperate with us throughout the whole value chain of the olive flounder farming sector. There are already several entities and regional governments within Korea that are interested in partnering with BluGen to accelerate this new way of farming.”

“We are also seeing a lot of focus on RAS projects, and we know that olive flounder is an uncommon species – at least to Western markets – that we can put on the map, with the successful implementation of RAS,” continued Lee. “Although yet to be discovered internationally, olive flounder is known for its texture and mild but delicious flavour, and we believe that it will continue to do well, for example in high-end Japanese restaurants.

“It’s an appealing and versatile species that can be successfully marketed and propagated worldwide. Right now, the current BluGen project won’t be able to supply much to export markets, so in future we plan to seek opportunities to farm the species near the export markets, together with ambitious investors.”

n The multi-story facility will feature shallow grow-out raceways

n BluGen CEO and Founder Dr Woo-Jai Lee

Photo Credit: BluGen

BIOFISHENCY ELX: NEW APPROACHES FOR RAS FARMS

Work is underway in Israel to ensure even better RAS-farmed fish, writes Bonnie Waycott

As projections continue for the expansion of global seafood demand and concerns rise over the effects of offshore farming, recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and the potential of seafood production on land are more in focus than ever. But although their advantages have been documented extensively, some limiting factors restrict their wider application, such as the inefficient removal of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds, the possible increase in pathogens within biofilters and the generation of off-flavour in fish. These can result in increased production costs and fish health issues that affect growth and survival.

Two other challenges for RAS are the limited availability of water and the build-up of toxic ammonia excreted by fish. In order to solve these particular issues, BioFishency in Atlit, Israel was established in 2013. The company provides electro-chemical and biological aquaculture water treatment solutions for RAS and began as a start-up to develop a plug-and-play biofiltration unit.

“We developed a Single Pass Biofilter, or SPB, with funding from the Israeli government,” said Igal Magen, Co-founder and CTO of BioFishency and a former head of aquaculture at Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture. “In about a year and a half, we completed the design and had fullyoperating systems by 2016. We wanted to provide an easy-to-use, affordable unit with a focus on developing countries. Today we have systems in Israel, Ghana Cong,

Nigeria, India and China.”

A patented system, the BioFishency SPB is a water treatment filtration unit that strips carbon dioxide from water and enriches it with atmospheric oxygen. A charger converts ammonia to nitrate and a mechanical filter removes solid waste. BioFishency refers to this as a plugand-play system because it requires minimal technical expertise, enabling farmers to upgrade their facilities using their existing infrastructure.

Considered the bread and butter of the company, the BioFishency SPB is sold and deployed in different locations around the world today.

Off-flavour solution

BioFishency is also addressing other challenges for RAS, such as off-flavour. This occurs when bacteria such as streptomyces, myxobacteria and actinomycetes build up in the water, producing geosmin (GSM) and 2-methylisoborneol (MIB), which are absorbed into the gills and tissues of fish and accumulate in the flesh.

“Without creative strategies to mitigate the unpleasant odour and taste, said Magen, negative perceptions about farmed fish will impact final sales.” To that end, he and his team have been working to eliminate GSM and MIB in RAS and recently developed BioFishency ELX, an advanced electro-chemical water treatment (ECWT) system.

Ideal for both cold and warm water species, BioFishency

n BioFishency has sought to address common challenges seen with RAS systems

Photo Credit: BioFishency

ELX uses a built-in electro-chemical reactor to remove offflavour in a multi-stage, single-cycle solution.

BioFishency ELX is a cloud-based solution with realtime data collection and management. It transforms ammonia to nitrogen without a denitrification reactor for nitrate and phosphate removal, and operates immediately upon electrical supply, powered by an advanced controller with a dashboard that can conveniently fit into existing control rooms. Its disinfection processes facilitate the removal of ammonia, CO2 and fine particles, while it continuously monitors water pH, temperature, O2, ORP, Cl2 and NH4 levels.

BioFishency conducted multiple tests with the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology and found that BioFishency ELX eliminates MIB and GSM in less than 10 days. During the testing, fish were exposed to water containing high levels of MIB and GSM and BioFishency ELX was introduced during purging while feeding. In seven days, MIB was not detected in the flesh, and within 10 days, GSM was fully removed from the skin and muscles.

“When MIB and GSM accumulate, a farm must conduct expensive purging, which can take about five to 15 days depending on the species, temperature and severity of the case,” said Magen. “Purging involves moving fish into clean water and supplying a large amount of water to depurate. The fish must also be starved or given minimal feed, so growers lose a considerable amount of fish weight, lowering market value. What’s more, once MIB and GSM are detected, they stay, but our test results have been extremely promising when it comes to the removal of both.”

Improved performance

Additional testing with Atlantic salmon in Bergen, Norway, was carried out to compare fish health and welfare

parameters and the levels of organic matter in BioFishency ELX and in a standard biofilter. Fish weighing 190g were stocked at 25kg/m3 for 54 days with temperature, pH, oxygen levels and more analysed daily. Results showed a steady high growth rate and better health, with both mucous cell size and density of the fish smaller than in the biofilter system. This indicated a lower defence activity and more optimal environmental conditions.

While electro-chemical water treatment is a viable, costeffective alternative to biological processes, some areas require further research. For example, more investigations are needed into the reduction of energy demand by focusing on alternative electrode structures, materials and coatings; on removing compounds with a high affinity for reacting with chlorine, and on optimising the physical and chemical characteristics of the electrolyte.

The disinfection feature of electro-oxidation has also not yet been sufficiently defined in the context of aquaculture applications, with the weight of participating disinfection mechanisms such as electrical field, presence of radicals, presence of chlorine, extreme redox and pH conditions not fully elucidated. However, with BioFishency ELX already well-received, Magen is optimistic that the system will take off.

“Covid hurt us financially because we couldn’t take the system worldwide, but it enabled us to focus on technology for two years,” he said. “As a result, we did a lot of R&D on the control panel and our software. We have just completed the design of our commercial operating system and will be focusing on marketing and working with commercial farms and companies. We will be looking for innovative partners to work with us and help us highlight that there is something here that has the power to change the future of the RAS industry.”

INSIDE FINLAND’S NEW PARAS CONCEPT

Could a modular fish farming system be the answer to RAS challenges? Bonnie Waycott reports

In October 2022, the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) announced it had developed a modular and versatile Partial air-driven Recirculation Aquaculture System (PaRAS) to improve energy efficiency and production capacity for fish farming. A spin-off on an earlier model that used a shipping container-based fish farming concept, hopes are high that this latest innovation could help to address challenges associated with RAS.

“RAS technology has many challenges, but in short, the main problem is that their capital expenditure and operation costs are too high,” Tapio Kiuru, principal specialist at Luke, told WF. “RAS technology has become much better over the last decade or two, but cost and efficiency haven’t improved much, with challenges in production capacity, water quality and even product quality. The production

cost in these systems hasn’t really decreased even though the scale of RAS has increased. We are yet to see the benefits of economies of scale.”

There is also the issue of high energy consumption on RAS farms, he said. “Over the last few years, energy prices have been so high that this has become a major issue in terms of production costs. It’s one more headache for developers – how to reduce energy consumption in order to make production profitable.”

Greater flexibility

Luke’s PaRAS concept operates a mixed-cell tank principle, in which the size of a single water treatment cell is around 32 cubic metres. In a rectangular tank, several cells are rotating and working, and any number of these cells can be joined together according to the needs of a farm. However, unlike conventional mixed cell tanks, the PaRAS system uses low pressure air to move water, add oxygen and remove carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide removal also adjusts the pH of the water.

This type of production strategy is known as a low pH high ammonia fish production strategy, said Kiuru. Low levels of carbon dioxide can be accumulated into the water but not at harmful levels, and this concentration is enough to lower pH in the water to below seven, in which case, ammonia extracted by the fish will remain in ionised form rather than an un-ionised toxic form.

RAS technology has become much better over the last decade or two, but cost and efficiency haven’t improved much

Tapio Kiuru, Natural Resources Institute Finland

Photo Credit: Tapio Kiuru

n 700g rainbow trout in a 100-cubicmetre PaRAS tank

Aeration and flow systems and solids removal systems are also tank-specific in the PaRAS concept, while it also uses continuous peroxide dosing to improve water quality and prevent off-flavour. When hydrogen peroxide breaks down in the water, the end products are pure water and oxygen –improving the overall oxygen balance in the system.

Furthermore, because aeration, flow systems and solids removal systems are tank-specific, the PaRAS tanks have no water connection. This increases biosecurity and enables the use of a so-called all-in all-out production strategy. The tanks can also cover more than 80% of a farm area, as the water treatment technology is integrated into the tanks and no separate fasting tanks are required. The tank shape also makes the use of space more effective. In other words, farms may double their production capacity compared to farms using full recirculation technology.

“This tank-specific concept makes our system stand out from conventional RAS,” said Kiuru. “We also usually don’t have biological water treatment. However, a full RAS concept based on PaRAS tanks is possible. The only requirement is that a biofilter must be added. A RAS farm that is based on PaRAS tanks is actually more flexible than a conventional RAS farm in which all water treatment is centralised.

“PaRAS tank units can be isolated from centralised biofiltration at any time without any impact on feeding or production. We use RAS feed because our solids separation system is based on gravity, and we need stable feed to maintain and improve water quality. The PaRAS is also truly modular. It can be built from elements that can be easily shipped across the world in standard shipping containers, while putting everything together on site is much faster than traditional RAS farm construction where a lot of concrete is used, and many construction phases take place,” he said.

PaRAS’ purging concept can also streamline and improve profitability, as fish do not need to be transferred to separate purging tanks and can be fed during the purging phase. This means that they do not lose weight before sale and fewer work stages are required.

Flavour control

Off-flavour is another main issue for RAS, said Kiuru. “If you have high production costs and your product quality isn’t good, it’s a very bad combination. There are ways to prevent off-flavour, but many people do not realise how expensive a process it is. It increases investment costs, labour costs, makes the production cycle long, and fish lose weight during depuration, so you have less endproducts to sell.

“However, there are tools available that can improve quality and remove off-flavour, and this is one area where the PaRAS concept really stands out. Farmers can improve the purging process as their fish can be fed all the way to the end, and thanks to the solid separation system and aeration in PaRAS, there is no need for fasting during the purging period. We have data that shows that off-flavour can be controlled and this is something that current RAS farms could use to make their production more profitable.”

To date, the concept has been tested on rainbow trout, a species that represents around 90% of all the edible fish that is farmed in Finland. Tests have also started with European white fish, the second most important species in Finland, with promising results, and salmon tests are due to begin in 2024.

Although Kiuru and his team are confident that rainbow trout is suitable for the PaRAS concept, they believe that it can also be applied to all aquaculture species, including tilapia which is being produced in California using a more conventional partial reuse system.

Meanwhile, Kiuru has also received enquiries from shrimp farmers and plans to test and develop systems for species other than coldwater fish and salmon.

Farmer interest

So far, Kiuru and his team have carried out two smallscale laboratory experiments and eight full-scale or pilot experiments, with 24 tonnes of fish produced so far. Results show no technical issues, high fish growth, excellent feed conversion ratio and very low mortality. Fish also have a better appetite and feed intake compared to conventional RAS.

The next step is to make the PaRAS concept commercially available and establish a company that will start offering the technology for commercial purposes.

“Here in Finland, we did a market survey with fish farms that cover more than 50% of Finland’s total aquaculture production,” said Kiuru. “Every farmer we spoke to described the PaRAS concept as very promising and they were keen to learn how they could use it in their own farms. Interest in Finland is very high, and we hope that we will soon see the first commercial farms here based on PaRAS and that these could act as examples for other countries.”

With RAS farms the promise of the future for so long now, Kiuru said that many farmers would like to try alternative technologies, and that a much smaller farm with a lower cost than a conventional RAS farm could be built from the PaRAS concept. He also pointed out that in future, customers may prefer seafood that is more local and from smaller production, rather than seafood that has been produced in huge farms further away.

Although the PaRAS concept has not yet reached the commercial stage, it seems that the project will continue, and cooperation will expand.

n Tapio Kiuru handfeeding rainbow trout before the process was automated

Photo Credit: Jouni Peltomaa

Photo Credit: Tapio Kiuru

n The new element structure enables the assembly of tanks of any size

A STEP UP FOR RECIRC SHRIMP

Aller Aqua and VDS have collaborated on the delivery of a new shrimp feed for RAS systems that could improve farm efficiency and profitability

In recognition that recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) are becoming increasingly popular in Europe as they allow to shrimp producers produce high-quality, fresh products within close proximity of key markets, Danish aquaculture feed company Aller Aqua Group and premix specialist VDS have developed a range of feed products specifically designed for use by the emerging sector.

The new feed products, called “Shrimp Grower” and “Shrimp Finisher” have been designed to provide rapid feed availability and high performance, whilst also addressing the key concerns of shrimp producers. “Ex” versions have also been developed that don’t contain any land animalbased ingredients.

These current solutions cover the final grow-out stage of shrimp production, with the animals at a size of 1.5 to 2 grams.

In research and commercial trials, it was evidenced the new feed delivers faster growth and a more even size distribution of shrimp, which makes it capable of improving the efficiency and profitability of shrimp farming operations.  Aller Aqua and VDS are longstanding collaborators, and both identified the same shrimp producer demands about feed availability and performance as well as physical quality.

Special emphasis has been given to levels of minerals, trace elements and vitamins to ensure optimal growth and health

Dr Robert Tiller, Aller Aqua

“With the growing demand, we found it was time to get together and develop an optimal feed for shrimp farmed in RAS,” Aller Aqua Group R&D Director Hanno Slawski said. VDS CEO Koen Blanchaert explained that that the feeds have been tested in the company’s own RAS system, where it found faster growth and a very even size distribution of shrimp with the now market-ready products.

“Shrimp farmed in RAS is a growing market and our feed concentrate solution in combination with Aller Aqua’s experience in feed manufacturing, raw material selection, and high standard for physical pellet quality, have led to a range of products that have already gained customer attention,” Blanchaert said.

Meeting nutritional needs

The partners confirmed that the success of the onfarm trials conducted using the new feed products has generated significant interest among shrimp producers and the aquaculture industry.

Aller Aqua Product Manager Dr Robert Tiller told WF that the new feeds have been developed over recent years, and with the trials demonstrating how promising they were, it was felt that now was the right time to bring the product to the market.

“The feeds have been carefully formulated according to the [shrimps’] nutritional needs. Special emphasis has been given to levels of minerals, trace elements and vitamins to ensure optimal growth and health,” Tiller said.

“In our trials, we have seen superior growth compared to other commercial shrimp feeds. Also, the growth has been more uniform in the stock, reducing the risk of larger animals predating on smaller ones. A more uniform stock also reduces the risk of large animals dominating during the feeding process.”

He also explained that the extra nutrients will make the shrimp more resistant, for example, against handling stress.

With regards to markets, Tiller highlighted that RAS shrimp projects “are popping up everywhere”, with an increasing number of operations getting underway in Europe.

Other interesting markets include the Middle East, he said.

“Customers have been reporting apparent better and more uniform growth just by visual inspection. Later on, this has been confirmed by hard data.”

With regards to ways that RAS feeds need to differ from the diets used in traditional pond farming, for example, Tiller explained that special emphasis has been given to the stability of the feed pellet to reduce water pollution in RAS.

“At the same time the feed is very palatable and digestible to secure rapid feed uptake and growth of the shrimp,” he said.

Besides this new shrimp feed, Aller Aqua has been developing and commercialising RAS feeds for a variety of different species, including trout, salmon, pike perch, African catfish, sturgeon, barramundi and yellowtail kingfish.

Image

Credit: Aller Aqua

n Shrimp Grower and Shrimp Finisher have been specifically designed for use in shrimp RAS systems

EXPANDING THE HORIZON FOR RAS

What does the future look like for the sector and how could it be propelled to the next level?

Jason Holland reports

n New innovations can improve costefficiencies and make RAS facilities less expensive to build and run

There’s been a lot of talk about recirculation aquaculture systems – or RAS – in recent years, with a torrent of new projects coming onstream for a growing number of species and many more waiting in the pipeline. Indeed, the recent Blue Food Innovation Summit 2023, held in London, heard there are more than 130 RAS projects being readied for salmon production alone, which could represent an additional 2.8 million tonnes of fish. Current global production through traditional systems is around 2.7 million tonnes.

“This is a uniquely exciting time in the development of land-based aquaculture,” said Ohad Maiman, Managing Partner of AquaFounders Capital and Founder of The Kingfish Company. “If you look at the adoption curve of other technologies, it pretty much follows the same pattern: First there’s a lot of scepticism, then there’s arguments about whether it’ll work, but I believe we’ve crossed the rubicon of proof of concept – there are a few companies that have shown you can grow fish to market.”

Maiman’s said: “Now comes the next stage – the maturity of the sector, where it needs to be able to scale and become profitable. That’s a challenge but it’s a challenge that solar, wind power and electric vehicles have crossed. So as soon as there is enough confirmation then the sooner solutions - systems, software, AI etc –come into the sector and enable further success.”

According to Siri Tommeras, Commercial Director – Land Based at AKVA Group, with the proof of concept now in place, it’s important RAS systems are documented so companies have evidence of how they run “as is” before they begin looking at the critical area of reducing costs.

In this regard, Tommeras said: “We have seen an increasing cost of around 30% over the last three years which is making it very difficult to get the business cases right. We have to focus on that, and then we have other elements like operational costs, energy use – what can we do there to reduce the resources going into the daily running of these systems?”

New thinking

In terms of opportunities, Maiman believes there should be a shift in thinking whereby ventures look at which species are capable of maximising the advantages offered by the technology. At the moment, system costs imply the focus is on high-value end-products, but it should also be factored in that they can be deployed almost anywhere, he said.

“The way I looked at kingfish, and the way I analyse any other business case for RAS now, is this trifecta of highvalue species deployed in a market where the fish is not otherwise or widely available, and species need to work well within the system.”

Mathew Zimola, Founder & CEO ReelData AI, told the summit RAS “has to be” a big part of feeding people in the future. “When you look at the supply and demand gap, we can’t produce enough fish right now that want to buy it and you map that on top of the fact that traditional aquaculture is built on the finite resource of shoreline.

“How do we produce more fish? I see three ways…we go where we’re able to do it offshore, we can do it on land, or we can do it in bioreactors like one company is trying to do in California. The reality is the economics makes sense for RAS to scale up and fill that supply and demand gap,” he said.

Tommeras also highlighted RAS makes it possible to increase the volumes harvested from traditional at-sea fish farms, particularly in the salmon sector through post-smolt production. “In some cases, you can increase this by 30% with existing licences,” she said, adding that this also tends to lead to less mortality and lower sea lice-related costs.

While the opportunities are clear, the challenge to scaleup RAS while reducing risks remain. Historically, a lot of the associated risks have come from human error, Zimola explained. But using AI to feed fish, for example, enables these companies to understand how hungry their fish really are, an in turn reduce waste and also biosecurity threats.

“Going forward, to reduce risks and allow these farmers to scale, a lot will be in assistive technologies – genetics, fish feed etc – and having these companies work with the farmers so the issues of the past don’t happen again,” he said.

GREAT GRIMSBY LOOKS TO LEAD UK’S RAS REVOLUTION

AquaCultured Seafood sees processing heartland as the ideal setting for the country’s first land-based salmon farm, writes

Jason Holland

Grimsby and the wider Humber region is synonymous with fish. It is home to most of the UK’s largest processing companies and manufactures around 80% of the country’s seafood. It’s also estimated the entire industry, including some 5,000 skilled workers, are within a 15-minute radius. But another string could soon be added to its bow, with plans unveiled by new firm AquaCultured Seafood Ltd (ASL) to build and operate a land-based recirculation aquaculture system (RAS) in the port town for the production of around 5,000 tonnes of Atlantic salmon.

ASL was established in 2021 by the current directors, all of whom are active in the running of the business. Importantly, many of these individuals have substantial experience of the salmon industry in the UK, as well as of planning applications and finance.

Director Craig Anderson confirmed the company’s intention is to be the UK’s first on-shore salmon farm.

“Planning permission was recently submitted, and we expect a response back from the planning committee in September 2023. The next stage is to start building the facility and installing it with the latest RAS technology, which will take approximately 18 months to complete,” he said.

“Our target is to complete the building by June 2024 and have our first commercial harvest by December 2025.”

Right place, right time

Anderson told WF that ASL believes the time is right for this project for a number of reasons. First and foremost, technology has been developed that enables salmon to be grown on land at a price which makes it economic to run. At the same time, there is much greater awareness of the increasing importance of food security. It’s also accepted that on-shore production can decrease pressure on the oceans in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG14: Life below water.

“Great Grimsby is well named and is an ideal location for the UK’s first land-based RAS aquaculture system. We have freshwater, seawater and a wide pool of local talent that we look forward to working with. Grimsby is a wellknown hub for fish processing and has a long history of being involved with the fishing industry.”

It’s widely accepted that land-based aquaculture isn’t a cheap production method and that significant investments are usually required. To keep energy costs down, ASL intends to utilise the maximum amount of solar energy possible using the latest technology of photo voltaic panels on the roof of the 40,000-square-metre building.

“Our technology partner is using the latest tech to ensure that our water is kept in pristine condition and that the filtering systems keep all pathogens out. Sustainable sourced feed will be used at all stages and the fish health and welfare will be monitored on a 24-hour basis,” Anderson said.

Low carbon footprint

‘‘

Our aim is to supply local processors with top quality salmon an hour after being harvested

Craig Anderson, ASL

He also explained that decarbonisation is being demanded by government as is a reduction in food miles by retailers, foodservice companies and consumers and that the facility’s proximity to the fish processors of Grimsby will mean it has over 110,000 tonnes per annum of salmon processing within a couple of miles of the site. Additionally, the closeness that ASL will have to its customers will mean that only minimal if any packaging will be required.

“We have received huge support both locally and nationally, from a wide spectrum of people, businesses and institutions. These include the local council, national government, local and national fish processing businesses, other local businesses and salmon fishing charities.

Many surveys have already been undertaken in line with the planning permission process, with the ASL team and its advisors working “diligently” to ensure that rules are being followed, Anderson said.

From the outset, ASL has expected the delivery of the farm to take about three years from start to finish, and it remains within that timeframe, he added.

“Being the first UK land-based producer of salmon will be an achievement in its own right,” he said. “Our board of directors have many professional qualities including finance, shellfish aquaculture, and of course the salmon industry itself. We will use our expertise to be hands-on when we hire, develop and build our management team of like-minded people.”

ASL also sees plenty of opportunity to innovate in the RAS space and meet the shifting demands of markets and consumers.

“The food market in general is moving towards locally grown, locally-processed and locally-delivered food. We aim to enter this market with a view that our carbon footprint will be as small as possible. For instance, we will not use any polystyrene boxed to transport the harvested fish, we won’t be using a fleet of trucks to transport the fish, and we won’t have a fleet of vessels at sea.

n UK consumers could be eating Great Grimsby salmon by the end of 2025

A NICHE APPROACH

Bluefront Equity is looking to show there’s a lot more to investing in land-based aquaculture than building farms, writes

Jason Holland

“The potential for land-based aquaculture is huge,” says Kjetil Haga, founding partner of impact seafood investor Bluefront Equity, “and a lot of that is down to events taking place in the salmon industry.”

Launched in July 2020 by Haga and fellow co-founder Simen Landmark, Oslo-headquartered Bluefront invests in companies with products, services and technologies aimed at making the seafood value chain more sustainable, with a strong leaning towards the digitalisation and automisation of the aquaculture industry. Among its most recent aquatech investments are AI feed analysis provider Spillfree and workflow software supplier Naviaq. To date, it has made some 10 investments into six platforms through its fund Bluefront Capital 1.

“If you look at the market today, maybe 99% of the salmon supply is produced in open net pens. But there’s rapid change taking place,” Haga told WF. “In Norway, we have seen politicians say that for animal health reasons –mostly related to sea lice treatments – and to uphold ocean health, salmon farming needs to reduce the impacts of its production. They are withholding new licenses until these two key issues are overcome. Closed containment either in the sea, including offshore farming, or in land-based is a way to do this.”

Land-based is also starting to make sense from a commercial viability perspective, with Haga highlighting that Norway saw zero growth in its salmon production between 2021 and 2022, and with global demand continuing to grow, the price of the fish has soared.

In 2021, the average market price of Norwegian salmon was NOK 60 per kg – the same level that had been achieved since 2016. Over this time period, the volume produced increased at a rate of around 5% per annum. However, with no increase in supply in 2021/22, the price climbed to an average NOK 80 per kg. In the first-quarter of 2023, it climbed further still to NOK 100 per kg.

“The market is still growing, and the supply is lacking,” he said. “The problem is that it will take time. We can’t do it just like that – produce salmon on land with the click of a finger – but the high price makes it more attractive to try. In addition, the cost of producing open net pens is also increasing due to the tightened regulations, so we actually have the situation where the price is high and the cost of land-based is lowering slightly. Then factor in the [new Norwegian] resource tax and suddenly the production costs are around the same.”

We can’t do it just like that – produce salmon on land with the click of a finger – but the high price makes it more attractive to try

Simen Landmark, Bluefront Equity

n A cooling unit for a vessel, delivered by Proff Kulde AS

(Photo Credit: Bluefront Equity)

Typically, getting a land-based farm up a running takes around six years, estimates Haga. This comprises two years of regulatory work, two years of construction and a further two years to optimise the production.

“I believe that during this timeframe and for the next 10 years, there will be massive investments made in closed systems and the suppliers supplying the technologies that go into those new production methods will be the winners, so that’s where I’m putting my capital,” he said.

Beating the tide

The biological side of aquaculture and investing in farming businesses doesn’t appeal to Bluefront. Indeed, Haga had already seen 130 recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) farms built around the world for a variety of species during his time at fish farm design and manufacturing specialist Billund Aquaculture.

“There were a lot of big projects, and they were only getting bigger, especially in land-based salmon farming,” he said.

Instead, Bluefront took the early decision to look more in the direction of investing in suppliers – firms providing technologies and solutions to the likes of companies like Billund to construct and run the farms. In most cases, these are not enterprises that are specifically related to just one production method. They can be involved in closed containment on-land and at-sea, with traditional net pens and in small facilities, and across a wide variety of species. It also only invests in companies that are earning money, with a proven track record, Haga explained.

“Crucially, these are also companies that are targeting niches which we believe will grow more than the overall

megatrend,” he said. “If you look at salmon farming over the last 30 years, it has been growing at 10% every year. And, like our industry partner Alf-Helge Aarskog (the former Mowi CEO) says, ‘the tide lifts all boats when you invest in the seafood sector’. So, we try to find those niches where we can grow more than the tide.”

Haga continued: “When we launched Bluefront, we sat down and discussed the key areas we felt were going

n Spillfree Analytics’ feed optimisation software interface

(Photo

Credit: Bluefront Equity)

to grow more. One of those was hygiene systems – it’s an area of the seafood sector that we believe is heavily underinvested. That relates to several things, including processing facilities which are typically still manually cleaned by maybe 30 people. You compare that to other food processing industries, where they push a button and a few minutes later a facility is 100% disinfected. It can be much more automated, and we feel that has potential.”

Raising efficiency levels

“Related to land-based farming, when I was at Billund, we built a lot of smolt facilities and when you have a tank that’s 5 metres in diameter and maybe 3 metres deep, it’s not an issue to climb down and manually clean the tanks. But now with the RAS grow-out tanks, it’s like 30 metres in diameter and 13-15 metres deep, so just to cleaning the tanks after a production cycle is a lot of work. We have to figure out solutions and new ways of doing things that are sustainable. That’s why hygiene systems is an area we want to invest in.”

“We believe that investing in digital solutions will also grow more than the overall megatrend,” he said.

Another element that Bluefront would like to build into its portfolio is solutions that lower energy consumption, and Haga believes this is something that could be of great benefit to land-based aquaculture operations in particular – making them a more attractive proposition.

“Land-based farms, especially RAS facilities, consume a lot of energy, so technologies and designs that can make land-based farms more energy efficient and more sustainable is an area that we believe in,” he said. Overall, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the future of aquatic fish production, including the landbased sector, insisted Haga.

“Aquaculture is gaining good traction. There’s also a lot of capital targeting the ocean through agri-funds and bluefunds and aquaculture is a part of that. There are some huge capital sources out there now targeting the sector,” he said. “However, I still feel the industry is in its infancy; it’s certainly not as far down the road as many of the new investors coming in believe it to be. One reason I say that is because every time I look at a land-based farm, for example, I see they have done something different from the last time I was there. Look also at how much RAS designs have changed in the past few years – dramatic changes from one facility to the next. This tells me, as an investor, that we haven’t found the one, ideal way of doing it.

Areas of equal interest are traceability and digitalisation, with Haga explaining that for the latter, less than 1% of salmon farmers’ revenues are spent on digital initiatives, while other industries are averaging 7 or 8%.

“Of course, the industry is evolving very fast. That’s why you need investors like us that are industry-specific, and which only work in this space. We won’t make the mistake of investing in something that doesn’t work. Therefore, my advice to investors looking at the sector is to understand that it’s at an early beginning stage and that adds an extra layer of risk. And that layer of risk is hard to understand if you don’t spend a lot of time in the sector.”

n Kjetil Haga

(left) and Simen Landmark

There’s also a lot of capital targeting the ocean through agri-funds and blue-funds and aquaculture is a part of that

Simen Landmark, Bluefront Equity

VÓNIN’S TORNADOS MAKE BERING SEA DEBUT

Seattle trawler Storm Petrel has finished its first trips using a pair of Tornado pelagic trawl doors from Vónin. Skipper Acácio DoMar has been impressed with how the new doors have handled

“The Tornado doors tow well, square well and shoot away well. They’re a great fit to what we do,” he said, as the A-season for Alaska pollock was coming to an end. This is the 37-metre Storm Petrel’s main fishery.

“We fish pollock for most of the year. There’s some codfish, but it’s a small season.”

The company did its homework ahead of investing in new doors, with DoMar’s fellow captain and fleet manager Dan Martin travelling to Scotland and other places to check out the latest technology.

“He sent me the info and after watching the videos and multiple calls to Óli á Gravarbø at Vónin with plenty of questions, we made the decision to go for these doors,” he said.

“I got the Tornado doors in March. And we tested them with the settings we thought would be best for the fishing, with different angles of attack. They responded as I hoped, from more spread to faster towing, and we haven’t been disappointed.”

The 6-square-metre Tornados replace an older 8.5-square-metre pair of conventional doors – and going for smaller doors called for a change of attitude.

“I’m happy with these doors because the idea that bigger is better isn’t always true – and this is one of those cases,” DoMar explained.

“I’d like to point out that Óli at Vónin made me believe

in them – because the ‘bigger is better’ mindset made me nervous about this. But I’m very pleased we have these doors. This is all happening thanks to Óli. He helped me accept that it wasn’t a mistake going for smaller doors.”

During the A-season, Storm Petrel towed the doors from 30 down to 70 fathoms, both midwater and close to the bottom.

“We adjusted some settings to try them out, but didn’t need to. They tow well, and I noticed that I was able to keep up with other boats that I had a tough time to match speed-wise before we got the Tornados,” he said, adding that it’s not easy to tell how much of a fuel saving there is with the Tornado doors.

“I feel that we fill the bag faster as the net stays open all the time. There are two things that impressed me –first that typically the net transducer is 3-5 fathoms lower than the doors, but in this setup they’re always at the same depth, which to me means more efficiency. Secondly, the net spread stays the same all the time, with an empty cod-end or with 150 tonnes in there. That’s impressive.”

Now that the A-season is over, there’s a break in the pollock fishery until the second season of the year opens.

“We used these doors for a month and we’ll be back in June for the B-season,” DoMar said. “And people are noticing these doors in the Bering Sea.”

n Storm Petrel has concluded the Alaska pollock A-season successfully with its new Tornado trawl doors from Vónin

18 20 TO Smárinn Kópavogur Iceland 2024

We look forward to welcoming you in 2024

The Icelandic Fisheries Exhibition covers every aspect of the commercial fishing industry from locating, catching, processing and packaging, right through to the marketing and distribution of the end product.

For more information about exhibiting, visiting or sponsoring, contact the events team

Visit: Icefish.is

Contact: +44 1329 825 335 or Email: info@icefish.is

#Icefish

Organised by:

JELLY FADS PRESENT A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION

Developing Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs) that are biodegradable and non-entangling have been the subject of a trial funded the EU, the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) and the US, through a Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) scientific project

The development has been in the hands of ISSF and a scientific team from the Institute de Ciències del Mar in Barcelona, and these jelly FADs are currently being tested by SPC as part of the WCPFC FAD trial. These jelly FADs use natural materials such as bamboo canes, cotton canvas and ropes, which become saturated with seawater after 20-25 days. Sand or clay blocks are used as ballast, and these gradually dissolve as the bamboo canes become neutrally buoyant.

“These materials give the structure a density similar to seawater, allowing it to drift neutrally in the water column like a jellyfish, hence the name,” said Dr Lauriane Escalle, the SPC project lead.

“The design has a very limited surface-level floating structure – just four plastic buoys that are the only nonbiodegradable materials present, with the satellite beacon. This neutrally buoyant design reduces structural stress from wind, waves and currents and gives the jelly FAD a longer lifespan.

“This is a key design feature as biodegradable materials are not as robust as synthetic materials. The biodegradable materials should ideally degrade slowly after around 9-12 months of use and leave little in the way of an environmental footprint.”

The FADs are expected to drift for around a year, with fishing taking place around them as with conventional drifting FADs. The trial aims to evaluate how effective the jelly FADs are at aggregating tuna, how they drift, and how long they last.

Satellite buoys with echosounders attached to the jelly FADs will provide crucial scientific information for the trial on how they drift and how they attract tuna. The data will

be compared with similar data collected at the same time for traditional synthetic drifting FADs.

So far, 100 jelly FADs have been constructed in Pohnpei in Federated States of Micronesia for deployment by partner fishing companies, Caroline Fisheries Corporation and FCF Co Ltd. Further jelly FAD construction is happening in Pago Pago in American Samoa, and in the Ecuadorian port of Manta, and these are deployed in the eastern part of the WCPO, with the American Tunaboat Association and Cape Fisheries will be responsible for these deployments.

SPC and ISSF scientists will analyse the data collected by skippers, fisheries observers, and through the satellite and echosounder buoys, with the first results expected by the end of 2023.

Hampiðjan joins stock market

Hampiðjan Group CEO Hjörtur Erlendsson rang the bell in the company’s Reykjavík workshops to signal the moment trading in Hampiðjan shares commenced on the Nasdaq Iceland Main Market

Hampiðjan is the eleventh company to be admitted to trading on Nasdaq’s Nordics markets in 2023. It has been a listed company in Iceland since 1993, including on Nasdaq‘s First North Growth Market in Iceland.

“The move from the Nasdaq First North Growth Market Iceland to the Main Market in Iceland is important step for Hampiðjan,” Hjörtur Erlendsson said.

“The successful offering of new share capital last week, together with the listing on the Main Market, enables us to fully utilise the synergy opportunities inherent in our recent acquisition of the Norwegian company Mørenot and achieve optimisation

of the company’s operations. Extensive knowledge of fishing gear and fish farming together with strong product development has put us in the forefront of companies that serve those important sectors, and we want to continue on the same path and reinforce Hampidjan even further. We are truly pleased to see that investors share our vision and warmly welcome new shareholders on board.”

Today, there are 51 companies with service at 76 locations in 21 geographical areas within the Hampiðjan Group, with an overall workforce of around 2,000 staff.

“We proudly welcome Hampiðjan to the Main Market of Nasdaq Iceland and at the same time celebrate the company’s 30-year milestone as a listed company. We congratulate Hampiðjan on its share offering, and we look forward to supporting them on

n The only nonbiodegradable component of the jelly FADs are the floats and the satellite beacon

n A biodegradable, non-entangling

their ongoing journey as a listed company, through increased visibility and investor access as a Main Market company,” said Nasdaq Iceland president Magnús Harðarson.

n Hampiðjan CEO Hjörtur Erlendsson rang the bell in the company’s Skarfagarðar workshops as trading in the company’s shares opened on the Nasdaq Iceland Main Market

jelly FAD ready to be deployed

LANDSCAPE STILL SHIFTING FOR EUROPEAN PROCESSORS

Fast-tracking innovation and aligning operations closer to consumer needs could prove essential to the industry’s growth, writes Jason

Europe’s fish processors demonstrated their resilience with aplomb during Covid and in its immediate aftermath – successfully upholding and in many instances increasing sales. However, since the pandemic, they’ve had to come to terms with the fallout from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and now added to the mix is rising food inflation. This last trend is perhaps having the greatest impact on seafood consumption in European markets at present, and a special conference session held at this year’s Seafood Expo Global (SEG) in Barcelona heard this has in turn shifted the industry’s focus from being about sustaining business to sustaining both business and profit, whilst also continuing to try to grow markets and add value.

“Since March 2022, inflation has been getting higher and we don’t know exactly when that will end, but it’s creating a real problem for the EU economy. First, we were talking about energy inflation, and now we are talking about food inflation. It is affecting our business and affecting how we are able to compete,” said Robert Carlos Alonso, Secretary General of Anfaco-Cecopesca, the Spanish association of fish processors.

Holland

This comes at a time when there’s little or no growth in markets, he added. Furthermore, the falling value of the euro is impacting purchasing and trade capabilities for products like tuna, which are predominantly sold in dollar terms. This, Alonso said, is also “kicking up” inflation levels and putting the European industry at a disadvantage.

“We need to find solutions for the challenges that we are facing: a contraction of consumption, continuing the innovation of production processes, levelling the playing field, sustaining a competitive supply, adapting to the green and digital transitions that are changing a lot of processes and also the generational [shifts],” he said.

Import dependent

Guus Pastoor, Chairman of AIPCE-CEP, which represents EU fish processor and trader associations, told the conference that the industry has an overall turnover of around €35 billion and comprises some 3,500 enterprises and 116,000 direct employees. It is also heavily reliant on imports with around 9 million tonnes of products coming into the bloc and a more modest 2.4 million tonnes being exported to third-countries.

He also informed the session that EU production now amounts to around 3.6 million tonnes of wild catch and 1.1 million tonnes of aquaculture, and that collectively, the imports, exports and domestic yields equate to a total consumption level of approximately 10.1 million tonnes (whole fish equivalent – WFE).

“If we want to increase our production, especially in

the added-value segment, we don’t have the materials,” Pastoor said. “Our market growth is not hindered because of consumers, it’s because we don’t have enough materials. It’s essential for us to get these materials to be able to boost the market, and getting those materials is the main issue in our industry.”

With regards to imports, he confirmed that the EU was just under 60% dependent on overseas supplies in 2019, but now that level is much higher and growing further still. Part of the reason for this is that EU production has slipped, mainly due to declining wild catches.

While rising fuel prices have played a part in this, a lot is down to fishing effort now being conducted at sustainable levels, he said.

“In most cases, this has meant that production has gone down – with lower quotas and stricter controls. Everything is better than it used to be, but production has gone down because of that.”

Conflict challenge

Raw material supplies and prices have also been affected by the restrictions placed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, Pastoor confirmed. Related to this, energy prices have climbed, which have affected fishing companies and processing ventures alike. As have the dollar rate and inflation, he added.

“All materials went up in price quite a lot and that didn’t translate into higher costs for consumers right away. That was because of timelapses caused by the contracts in place but we’re seeing now that prices are going up.”

What that translates to is a potential decrease in EU seafood consumption in 2023, although consumer spend may increase because of the higher prices, he said.

A long-term solution to this challenge is increasing the EU’s own production, Pastoor suggested, adding that one way to do that is to utilise all of the region’s catch quotas, with some only being utilised at 30-35% of their sustainable limit due to existing obstacles in the sector. At the same time, he said the EU’s aquaculture sector could provide much greater volumes if the regulatory landscape is improved, and better trade agreements could ensure processors have better access to overseas raw materials.

n Analysis suggests European consumers are seeking more convenient and practical food products

Our market growth is not hindered because of consumers, it’s because we don’t have enough materials

Guus Pastoor, AIPCE-CEP

“In the end, we need to facilitate better competitiveness of Europe’s processing because the alternative is we import processed products from third-countries,” he said.

Retail shifts

From an EU seafood consumption perspective, much has changed in the last few years, said Alonso, telling the conference that as recently as 2020/21, consumption levels were good.

This was because inflation at that time was not impacting cost structures, but in the past 18 months and even in significant seafood markets like Spain, consumption has gone on a downward trend, he said.

“There are of course differences between east and west [Europe]. The east has higher levels of inflation which is lowering consumption. But we are all facing inflation, and this is changing our buying behaviour.” European retailers are expecting a “normalisation of price and volume” as well as a stronger focus on cheaper products due to Europeans having less buying power because of inflationary pressures. Consequently, these channels are going to prioritise cheaper offerings and do more offers, which tends to not be a good thing for private label, he said.

In Spain, for example, the Mercadona supermarket chain, has already moved to lower the price of 500 products so as to provide its customers with savings estimated at €200 million.

As recently reported by WF, the Spanish population’s at-home fish consumption is now down to a level of 20kg per capita, with dining-out taking this up to only between 35 and 37kg.

Spanish consumption has fallen 15% in volume terms and 10% in value, Alonso said, advising that in April this year, the country’s fish inflation stood at around 9.6%. However, with this being lower than meat and milk, he believes that focusing on the three main consumption drivers of health and wellbeing, convenience and practical products, and sustainability and ethical sourcing provide a strong opportunity to once again elevate demand.

“A contraction of consumption is not a problem of science; it’s a problem of the market and we have to have answers.

“It’s time to use innovation to give more value and capture the needs of customers in Europe. Also, with the retailers are telling us they are going to put more pressure on cost structures, we need to improve business models while also tackling the broader trends in the processing sector,” he said.

n Analysis suggests European consumers are seeking more convenient and practical food products

TROUBLES MOUNT FOR EGYPTIAN AQUACULTURE

The industry is bearing the brunt of climate change and economic turbulence, writes Vladislav

Vorotnikov

Although Egypt’s aquaculture industry has witnessed spectacular growth over the past decade, its future has become uncertain for a variety of reasons. While immediate challenges are primarily economic, it is also braced for more fundamental threats associated with climate change and water scarcity.

“Egypt has seen a huge expansion in aquaculture over the past eight years or so,” said Mirette Mabrouk, Senior Fellow and Director Egypt Programme at the Middle East Institute. “As of 2022, it was number one in Africa, sixth worldwide, and the third largest producer of tilapia.”

This production growth has mainly been driven through the need to establish food security and has been achieved through the expansion of new technologies and improved farming practices, Mabrouk said.

“The country will definitely want to keep this trend up, and as I understand it, they are working on expanding inland fisheries, expanding the use of reclaimed land and developing hatcheries, but it will depend on whether it can maintain sustainable farming management practices.”

Dr Salah Hajjaj of the Egyptian Agriculture Ministry told WF that Egypt now produces around 2 million tonnes of fish per year, with 80% or 1.6 million tonnes coming from aquaculture. Of these, 60-70% is tilapia, with mullet, catfish

and some other species accounting for the rest. In the past few years, the country has also seen increased investments made in saltwater farms – mainly growing seabream and seabass.

But Egypt still needs to ramp up its tilapia production in order to be self-sufficient on the domestic market, Hajjaj said, explaining that the government plans for the next few years to prioritise intensification across the industry.

Golden land

Over the past few years, Egyptian fish farmers have seen production costs soar. Beyond the common factors contributing to this trend, like a hike in energy and feedstuff prices, problems lie in the toughening competition for suitable land.

Aquaculture in Egypt is concentrated in the Nile River Delta – a fertile region that stretches 240km along the Mediterranean coast of northern Egypt. Remarkably, accounting for less than 3% of Egypt’s total area, the Nile Delta is home to around 40% of the country’s population and accommodates nearly 70% of its fish farms.

But local analysts say the growing urbanisation of the Nile Delta areas and the Mediterranean coast makes the fish farming sector vulnerable.

n Authorities have urged fish farmers to establish operations in the desert

Photo Credit: Al-Arish University

Mohamed Foila, Chairman of the Port Said-based Foila fish farming company, said that a few years back, his company paid only around 3,000 Egyptian pounds (US$97) a year per acre of land. Now, the figure has jumped to 30,000 Egyptian pounds ($970), effectively driving some farmers out of business. Foila has recently embarked on a new project worth 20 million Egyptian pounds ($650,000) pounds aimed at expanding production.

At present, the company produces 1,500 tonnes of fish per year and plans to invest to boost this figure and start breeding new fish species, primarily seabass and grouper. However, with current rent rates now almost unbearable, Foila suggests that in order to ensure the industry’s longterm growth, the government should abolish the real estate tax for fish farms and lower rent rates.

Unfortunately, analysts believe the rents are likely to increase further over the coming years.

“It’s very likely that rents will continue to rise and that smaller farmers will be impacted adversely, especially since they now have to compete with the government mega projects,” Mabrouk said. “They’re already being impacted by a series of challenges, including climate changes, poor water quality and rising sea levels – many smaller farms are in low-lying areas in the Delta.”

In general, analysts expect increased industry consolidation and diversification in the coming years, with both trends driven by the cost-of-living crisis.

“The current economic situation in Egypt has impacted every sector of the economy. Rising costs are exacerbated by a foreign exchange crunch that has adversely affected imports,” Mabrouk said. “And once producers have tackled those challenges, they must deal with the fact that the rising cost of their product means there will be fewer buyers in the domestic market since people are struggling with soaring inflation and fish is significantly less affordable to the average consumer. It is also likely to edge out more of the smaller farmers.”

Climate challenges

On the climate side, Egypt and Egyptian fish farmers are facing an annual water deficit estimated to be categorised as “water scarcity” by 2025, according to the United

Nations. At the same time, rising sea levels are prompting saltwater intrusions that are not only affecting water supply but also spoiling agricultural farmland.

“Definitely, climate change is starting to have an impact. Most of our lakes in the north are much saltier now than they used to be due to saltwater intrusion into the groundwater from the Mediterranean Sea. There are no true freshwater lakes anywhere in the country,” said Wasseem Emam, Founder of Ethical Seafood Research and a PhD Researcher in the Institute of Aquaculture at the University of Stirling.

He added there are signs authorities are already considering stepping in.

“I think the government has started to question whether it still makes sense that, by law, fish farms are only able to use agricultural drainage water in their operations. In light of the effects of climate change, it is very likely that the internal discussions on the possibility of relaxing those rules, that we know have taken place in the past, will be looked at again more seriously, at least to some extent.”

Emam said he expects Egyptian farmers to follow in the footsteps of other water-scarce countries in Africa and the Middle East and transition to farming saltwater-adapted tilapia. Given the increasing salinity of all freshwater sources in Egypt, he believes there will also be a shift in the production systems with cages increasing in abundance and being legally authorised.

Small-scale farmers are likely to be the most worse off since they don’t have the flexibility to adapt to the ongoing changes and can’t afford the huge investments needed to adjust their business model and start to farm other species, he said.

Hajjaj said that in light of climate change and the soaring rent rates, one possible solution is to build inland fish farms based on the underground wells., and explained that this approach offers apparent benefits, including access to clean water.

However, Emam warned that climate change’s impact is not limited to issues around water availability. It also indirectly drives up the cost of feed ingredients, triggering an upward price rally in the aquafeed market.

n Egypt produces large amounts of fish in pond systems

OPTIMISING RESTORATIVE AQUACULTURE

By championing positive ecosystem outcomes, aquatic food producers could meet the future needs of people and planet, writes Jason Holland

Much in the same way that the restorative agriculture movement is looking to increasingly nurture and restorative and regenerative aquaculture is also gathering decent momentum.

Indeed, the recent Blue Food Innovation Summit 2023 in London heard that with the pressure on society to find ways to produce foods that contribute positively to ecosystems, biodiversity and nature, there’s significant evidence that restorative aquaculture operations, such as shellfish and seaweed farms, are not only an ecologically and economically sound approach, they’re critical to the future food production system and meeting growing demand. It was also stressed that environmentally and socially harming practices have no place in that landscape.

“We are in a new age in this space, [when you compare] what’s available to us now and what was available to us 20 years ago in terms of tools and capital to do the kinds of things that we are talking about, which is to use the production side of aquaculture to benefit the environment,” said Nik Sachlikidis, Managing Director of Aquaculture at Cadman Capital Group. “The opportunity we have now is unprecedented.”

Sachlikidis said that what the private equity investment firm is looking to do is apply the tools, the production and the capital to get these outcomes. This, he said, involves getting things right in the hatcheries so that economic opportunities are created for the production of endemic and keystone species.

Then those best-practices must be used “knowledgeably and thoughtfully” to find opportunities for restoration, using relevant ecological practices, while also getting the most economic benefit for those operations, he added.

Doing right

Danielle Blacklock, Director – Office of Aquaculture at the US’ National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), suggested that terms like “restorative” and “regenerative” might be confusing the process of establishing sustainable aquaculture systems, including new international guidelines that are now moving through the United Nations process for approval.

“All types of aquaculture can be sustainable if done right. Complicating things by adding terms like these creates some kind of moral hierarchy with consumers. But in the store, we want people to choose things from the sea. That in itself is a good choice, so the simpler we can make it to choose things from the sea and also implementing things like these global guidelines so that everything coming from the sea is sustainable, especially when it’s farmed.

“That setting of a baseline is a clear and simple message that all aquaculture can be part of the solution as long as it’s done right,” she said.

To this end, NOAA has been building on the concept of an ecosystem approach to aquaculture, whereby you must have a thorough understanding of the ecosystem that you’re working in, so that in some locations, bivalves are the best and/or most beneficial form of farming, while in other places it might be algae or finfish, or perhaps all three, she explained. Fin-fish aquaculture can have positive benefits for the environment, insisted Bill Bien, CEO of offshore kanpachi (yellowtail) producer Forever Oceans.

“It all starts with the product,” Bien said. “You can’t be sustainable unless you have a successful business. You have to find a way to combine both. That’s what I think we are doing at Forever Oceans.

“For us, it’s not do no harm, it’s actually do better,” he said.

n Urchinomics’ concept can restore kelp forests all over the world

All types of aquaculture can be sustainable if done right

Danielle Blacklock, NOAA

n Danielle Blacklock, Director – Office of Aquaculture at NOAA

The art of processing fish

Kroma A/S values quality and high proficiency at all stages of the fish processing equipment production. Hence, with up-to-date insight of the aquaculture market the company constantly evolves by inventing new solutions and designing next level of fish processing machinery with the most advanced technology available. Their GUTMASTER X for salmon and other fish species is designed with a special technique of making a princess cut, that can process various fish sizes impeccably. While Kroma’s SCALEMASTER equipment can de-scale fish without damaging its head and eyes plus works with minimum use of water.

As forward thinkers, Kroma A/S with know-how and international expertise has tools to demonstrate their innovative solutions to the aquaculture industry. For instance, SILAGEMASTER, which is an effective waste handling system can transform waste from the fish processing plant or dead fish from the site to a product. This system not only reduces the environmental footprint, but also optimizes the biosecurity on a processing site.

Contact Kroma A/S to learn how they can optimize your fish processing site in the most proficient and sustainable way.

visit

Master of fish processing

kroma@kroma.dk

+45 9752 2099

www.kroma.dk

2022 Downloads still available including:

• Keynote Address: Iceland’s Use of Captured Seafood By-Products

Jonas R. Vidarsson, Director of division of value creation, Matís

• Keynote Address: What role may byproducts play in the future of marine ingredients?

Petter Johannessen, Director General, IFFO

• Innovative Technology unleashing fish waste value potential

Wenche Uksnay, Cluster Manager, NCE Blue Legasea

• The Journey to 100% Utilisation

Erla Ósk Pétursdóttir, Managing, Director, Marine Collagen ehf

Note: recordings of the sessions are also available

To make your purchase, or download the papers visit: icefishconference.com contact: +44 1329 825335 or email: info@icefishconference.com

#FishWasteForProfit

Media Partner: WORLDFISHING

SINCE 1952 & AQUACULTURE

Operated by:

Master of fish processing

Forever Oceans has 200,000 hectares of water under its control through its concessions with the governments of Panama, Brazil and Indonesia and is farming its fish 10 miles offshore using a lot of sophisticated technologies, including machine learning-based cameras that diagnose fish health, growth, and fully automated barges that double up as data centres.

“This has enabled us to automate farming and animal husbandry, so we produce the fish better,” Bien said. “With our technology, we have created a way that creates less greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere and less sediment into the water. That’s our starting point. We thought it, we designed it, and we made it.”

It has also been audited on it after opening its farms and its books to The Nature Conservancy.

But the company isn’t stopping there, Bien said.

Recognising that it only uses about 1 or 2% of its 200,000 hectares to grow fish, it’s hoping that, with the support of the local governments, it can open up the remaining 98% to start-ups in the aquaculture space “to see if they can do good things”.

He confirmed talks are already underway to look at how seaweed can be grown in its waters by other parties. It has reached an agreement with the Indonesian government to reinvest in mangrove planting, and it will also look at seagrass planting as it will in turn “make the seawater healthier for us, our fish, and better for the whole ecosystem”.

“I would challenge the whole industry to look at this. We have 15 years to fix this planet. Let’s not just think about how we do no harm, but how we do better. Food should be sustainable, and we can do this if we work together.”

Building brands

Under its licenses, Forever Oceans has the capability to build farms with US$3-4 billion worth of product, but Bien insisted that the point is “to do something good with it”. As such, and with the help of local and global NGOs, the company is exploring what to do with all of its water rights.

“We are looking at MPAs and protected zones. For example, in Indonesia, where we are building our next farm in north Bali, there are coral reefs within the zones that we have deliberately designed in and so some of our money and others will go back into MPAs.”

There’s good commercial reason for this too, he added. “If you can build a brand equity that goes to the 30% of the consumers that think about the environment, you can build an affinity with them. It pulls them back to the companies that we are building. You can’t charge exorbitant prices, but you can be the same price and have a brand advantage if you’re reinvesting into the ocean.

“I think we all need to do that because the ocean is the major source of our oxygen and one of the primary sources of carbon sinks.”

Reinforcing the point, Brian Tsuyoshi Takeda, Founder and CEO of Urchinomics, said the restorative urchins his company are selling are now at price parity – equivalent or perhaps higher – than some of the world’s best wildcaught sea urchin roe.

Urchinomics is essentially removing overgrazing sea urchins and ranching them on land before selling them as a high-end seafood. The concept has helped turn what had

become barren seabeds back into vibrant wild kelp forests.

“Our aquaculture is really about rewilding nature – not on land but in the sea,” Takeda said, advising that kelp forests are one of the planet’s most important ecosystems, with an ecosystem services value estimated at 30 times that of tropical rainforests. They also account for 25-30% of global coastal environments. And yet, nearly half of them have been destroyed.

“We are averaging between $400 and $500 per kg with our product, and as much I like to say our products are good and can compete with quality, it seems to be that the driver is that affinity and the ability of consumers to say, ‘by eating this I am contributing to the restoration of our kelp forests.

“The more we generate revenues and profits, and the more we pursue profit, the better the environment becomes,” Takeda said. “Our model of aquaculture is really using and leveraging technologies to not only drive profits but to also support rural coastal communities, and most importantly restore wild kelp forests.”

Urchinomics currently has commercial operations in Japan, as well as pilots in California, eastern Canada and Norway. It has also identified the potential to apply the model in Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Spain and Russia.

“Essentially anywhere that has industrial overfishing also has urchin barrens, so our business model could apply to all of these places,” Takeda said.

n Forever Oceans is a leading innovator in sustainable seafood and offshore, warmwater aquaculture

n

Forever Oceans has sustainable aquaculture operations in Panama, Indonesia, and Brazil

You can’t be sustainable unless you have a successful business. You have to find a way to combine both

Bill Bien, Forever Oceans

‘‘

Building back

With the global challenge of climate change, one of the areas a lot of aquaculture ventures are now looking at is the carbon footprint of their operations and Bien highlighted that if Forever Oceans achieves its plans, it will take out 26 million tonnes of carbon by displacing red meat.

But that is only a start, he said. “You need to design your farms so they are carbon-reducing for your own operations and then think more broadly about providing a platform for others. Our goal, for instance, is within five years of scope 1 and 2 we want to be completely carbon-free. We have a plan to do that; it will involve seaweed use and this is what we want to move forward on. You have to have plans and you have to act.”

NOAA’s Blacklock also highlighted the growing importance of aquaculture to individuals.

“We know that aquaculture is incredibly efficient and that food from the ocean is always a good choice. But one thing

that I think we sometimes miss is that aquaculture can also be good for the resilience of communities and the people along the waterfront. In the United States, we’re seeing wild stocks shift and fishing communities are going to have to start to transition and go without as these stocks shift.”

While the US government won’t be looking to turn fishers into farmers, one of many ways it could look to offer help, is to create seafood “anchors” in communities by diversifying portfolios, including adding aquaculture, Blacklock said.

“In the US, we recognise that aquaculture is part of the solution. The Whitehouse recently released the Ocean Climate Action Plan with goals like carbon neutral future and resilient communities, nature-based solutions, and one of those climate actions is to increase US aquaculture production.

“All the way up to the Whitehouse, they are seeing aquaculture as a solution. And we are ready to make sure we create an enabling environment to do that,” she said.

Aquaculture also has role to play in restoring some of the ecosystems that make these communities, Sachlikidis said. He highlighted that Cadman company, the Oyster Restoration Company, based in Orkney, is looking to restore the native oyster and associated ecosystems through restoration (as well helping in decarbonisation efforts).

“It’s putting back whole ecosystems like oyster reefs – putting them back along coastlines where they are missing. Ninety-five percent of the European native oyster population has gone – that’s an unacceptable statistic. “Aquaculture done thoughtfully enables us to take that production ability and apply it back in a meaningful scale where it can then put those systems back in place to protect us and rebalance,” he said.

“Sustainability needs to be sustainable for the local community; it’s not just environmentalism,” added Bien. “I grew up on a farm – it’s hard work; fishing is even harder work, and it’s not a lucrative job. So, if you go in there as we do – as a foreign company – but just running a farm for the benefit of the environment and consumers, you’re not doing the right thing…so what we did, and what everyone should consider, is become as local as possible.

“Our workforce is 50-60% local employees, local people from the universities, giving them good, high paid jobs. The second thing is we put money back into the local community because we want to be part of that community.

So in Panama we’ve paved roads and put in bicycle improvements, and in Indonesia, we’ve put in hatchery piping to have good water for us but also for the local community, as well as vaccinations for Covid.

“Sustainability means so much more if it includes people and not just the planet.”

Community engagement

While communities can benefit from aquaculture, historically, a lot of them in a lot of different places have pushed back on the industry. This trend has been acknowledged by US officials, Blacklock confirmed. “Communities often feel like they have been put in a reactive state, like ‘this is coming; there’s nothing you can do about it; these are the benefits’ rather than being a part of the conversation to begin with,” she said.

Our aquaculture is really about rewilding nature –not on land but in the sea

Brian Tsuyoshi Takeda, Urchinomics

n Averaging $400-500 per kg, Urchinomics is receiving topend prices for its products

n Brian Tsuyoshi Takeda, Founder and CEO of Urchinomics

Specialized in development and manufacturing of man overboard recovery systems. Most known for the Markusnet type MS and the variety of Markus Scramble-nets type SCN, Markus Emergency ladders type MEL2/SCN2 and Throw-line type RLC.

www.Markusnet.com

Markusnet

For commercial and leisure. Lloyd´s Register EMEA type certified for ISO19898/2019

Light, quick fastening, takes little space, provides easy and fast method to place the casualty in the net, is soft but firm around the casualty, provides easy lift by one or two persons and is easy to repack after use

Emergency ladder

For upto 1,8 metre freeboard. Provides safe passage back on board at the side of the boat, can be pulled down from the water and it is made to go 1 metre into the water in lowered position.

Throw line

For all types of ships and boats. Ideal to carry on hikes near water.

Markus Lifenet ehf

MOB Boat Rescue-net

Markus Lifenet ehf., Hvaleyrarbraut 27, 220 Hafnarfirði Tel:

sales@markusnet.com - www.markusnet.com

Therefore, a major effort at NOAA is the creation of “Aquaculture Opportunity Areas”. These, she explained, are intended to take the conversation away from an individual permit applicant with society to the government with society – asking where aquaculture should go? Also asking what communities want aquaculture and what can it bring to them?

As part of the process to find these Aquaculture Opportunity Areas, NOAA is looking for areas that appropriate in three ways: economically, they can’t be too far from shore – ideally near a port or processing facility; they need to be appropriate environmentally and ecologically – in areas that are away from protected species and have plenty of current flow; and it is looking at areas that are appropriate socially, with a lot of social engagement while staying out of the way of transit paths, fishing grounds etc.

“That’s a lot for an individual company to take on, so we’re trying to take it off the plate. Let’s find the space upfront that’s

appropriate for aquaculture; let’s have these conversations with communities from the beginning and clear out some of the noise in the system so that we know we are finding sustainable locations for aquaculture to grow – making it easier for farmers and applicants to get in.”

The first Aquaculture Opportunity Areas are currently in development in the Gulf of Mexico and southern California, with plans to expand further very soon, Blacklock said. When it comes to some regions where there are strong indigenous communities, Urchinomics has asked them to become co-investors in its operations. One such arrangement is in place in New Zealand, said Takeda.

“To be able to deploy our models around the world, we are looking for collaborative partnerships. The indigenous communities know what their oceans looked like not just 10, 20 or 30 years ago, they have historical records going back thousands of years and that knowledge can be leveraged.

“For us to be able to go to the New Zealand government and say this is what it looked like a few thousand years ago or 100 years ago, and now it looks like this because of fishing practices – [telling them that] we’ve got to change it. Essentially, the local communities give us the extra rocket fuel to be able to do what we need to do.

“Partnerships are not about just trying to appease or accommodate, I think they can be one of our best allies and drivers for restoration,” he added.

n Nik Sachlikiis,  Managing Aquaculture at  Cadman Capital Group

Aquaculture done thoughtfully enables us to take that production ability and apply it back in a meaningful scale

Nik Sachlikidis, Cadman Capital Group

Known as the worlds largest stockist of mooring- and deck equipment

A Global

in Frozen Food Packaging

Beck Pack Systems A/S DK-3700, Roenne, Denmark

Tel: +45 56 95 25 22 info@beck-liner.com

Beck Pack Systems, Inc. Seattle, WA, USA Tel: +1 425 222 9515

ISO-9001, ISO-22000, FSSC 22000 certified manufacturer and supplier of block liners, folding cartons, and freezer frames for the international food processing industry. To find the agent in your region visit: www.beck-liner.com

Cartolit A/S.

Skovdalvej 30, 8300 Odder, Denmark

Tel: +45 86784099

Fax: +45 86784060

Email cartolit@cartolit.dk

Website www.cartolit.dk

Fishing Gear

Metallurgica Abruzzese S.p.a. Strada della Repubblica, 58 43121 Parma – Italy

Tel: +39 0521 221411

Fax: +39 0521 221449

email: a.contini@cavatorta.it web: www.cavatorta.it/EN

Cavatorta Group is a dynamic European manufacturer that specializes in the production of galvanized and PVC coated multifunctional wire mesh products. Our SEAPLAX marine mesh uses include lobster and crab traps, oyser trays, aquaculture and general marine applications.

Fishing Gear

EUROROCK NV ALLEWERELT

Nv Allewerelt, Biekorfstraat 60, 8400 Oostende, Belgium

Tel: +32 478 960744

Email: laurent@eurorock-belgium.com

www.eurorock-belgium.com

Contact: COO Laurent Messiaen

Manufacturers of steel bobbins, rubber bobbins, spoked and bunt bobbins, rubber disc (tyres, conveyor and moulded discs), rockhoppers, spacers

Shirmpgear We can make other rubber products as clients needs

Fishing Gear

Founded in 1927, Sounete focuses its activity on the design and manufacture of hardware for trawling/ industrial fishing: steel and rubber bobbins, rubber spacers, trawl doors, blocks, swivels, large size thimbles, shackles, and other metal gear, including customized models SOUNETE INTERNACIONAL, S.A. Rua da Seara 588, 4430-291 Vila Nova de Gaia, PORTUGAL

Sales: André Pinho Phone: +351 227 860 930

GSM: +351 917 207 052

Email: andre.pinho@sounete.pt www.sounete.pt

1-2 Shing Nung Road, Tungkang, Pingtung,Taiwan

Tel: 886-8-8331100~9

Fax: 886-8-8327022

E-mail: export@chingfa.com.tw

Website: www.chingfa.com.tw

Email: correo@apoutada.com

Website: www.apoutada.com

Manufacturer of fishing hooks since 1985. Steels and internationally proven designs and best warranty.

ASANO is a supplier and manufacturer of high-quality stainless steel fishing gears

sales@asano-global.com

https://asano-global.com/

ALL STAINLESS STEEL PRODUCTS DESIGNED IN JAPAN

Specialized manufacturer & exporter of: Hi-tech 7 tuna purse seine nets, Super 20 aquaculture knotless nets (Raschel type), nylon longline & its spare parts, nylon fishing line, nylon mono & multi-mono nets, nylon twisted and braided nets, PE trawl nets, ropes, twines, floats and etc.

Rua da Cerfil (Cap. Gramaxo)

P.O. Box 1029, 4471-909 Maia PORTUGAL Tel: +351 22 961 9200

Fax: +351 22 960 5757

Email: sales@lankhorsteuronete.com www.euronete.com

Contact: Mafalda Gramaxo

Salvador Castro

Producer of the recognized brands:

Netting: Euroline®, Eurocross®, Premium®, Premium Plus, Lankoforce®

Wire Ropes: Eurowire® and Europact®

Fibre Ropes: Lankoforce®, Eurosteel®, Tipto® Super 12 net twines. Recently Launched!

SICOR INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

Gore Cross Business Park

Bridport Dorset DT6 3UX

Tel: 01308 428 224

Fax: 01308 428 228

Email: sales@sicor-int.com

Website: www.sicor-int.com

Contact: Toby Eeles

The Crosby Group is the world’s leading manufacturer of rigging, lifting, and material handling hardware. With a global network of more than 3,000 authorized distributors and unmatched local support, Crosby sets the standard for quality, training, and technical expertise in the eld.

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SICOR INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

Unit 3

Murcar Trading Estate, Denmore Road, Bridge of Don

Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom

Tel: 01224 707560

Fax: 01224 707561

Email: aberdeen@sicor-int.com

Contact: Gary Mitchell

Manufacturers of all types of fishing ropes, netting and twines including poly steel ropes and compact netting.

Fish Processing

VMK pelagic processing solutons combines high performance machines with small square meter usage and cost e.cient maintenance.

VMK solutions combines high performance small meter usage and cost efficient maintenance.

Fornandergatan 1, 392 33 Kalmar, SWEDEN +46 (0) 480 945 00 vmk@arenco.com

Fornandergatan 1, 392 33 Kalmar, SWEDEN +46 (0) 480 945 12 vmk@arenco.com www.vmkfish.com

Fish Processing Machines - FPM - for smaller fish

SEAC FPM-400 Nobbing and Filleting machine now also with Automatic Feeder

SEAC AB

Industrigatan 8 386 32 ISLAND OF ÖLAND SWEDEN

+4648535200 +46704391454 info@seac.se

Fish Processing

Supplying the fish and seafood industry for decades

Cabinplant’s solutions for the fish and seafood industry include solutions for reception of raw material, sorting, grading, cleaning, filleting, cooking, cooling, weighing and packing.

www.cabinplant.com

Fish Processing

Kroma A/S

RÆVEVEJ 22 - DK-7800 SKIVE

Phone: +45 9752 2099

Fax: +45 9752 0572

Web: www.kroma.dk

E-mail: kroma@kroma.dk

Kroma A/S is a supplier of high quality de-scaling, gutting and filleting machines for all kind of fish species. Specialist in handling of roe, and filleting of soft fish species like mackerel.

TRAUST

Know­how

9000 • Gent • Belgium

Tel: +32 9 376 95 95

Fax: +32 9 376 95 96

info@cretel.com www.cretel.com

Cretel is manufacturing in Belgium

FISH SKINNERS

FISH SCALERS

VACUUM PACKAGING MACHINES

INDUSTRIAL WASHING AND DRYING EQUIPMENT

Consult us and take advantage of our worldwide experience and expertise.

Trusted solutions for 40 years

Advanced raw material usage

LIMA are specialists in the manufacture of meat-bone separators, deboning and desinewing machines for poultry, pork, fish, lamb and beef industries. 70 different models are available from 100 to 20.000 kg/hr. (220 – 44.000 lbs/hr).

LIMA S.A.S.

456 Route de Rosporden

Z.I. du Guélen • 29000 QUIMPER

Tel. : 02 98 94 89 68 • Fax : 02 98 94 89 69

E-Mail : lima@lima-france.com www.lima-france.com

Ice & Refrigeration

IRAS A/S

Gammelby Mollevej 3

DK-6700 Esbjerg, Denmark

Tel: +45 7611 4949

Email: iras@iras.dkWeb: www.iras.dk

IRAS is supplying the modern fishing and aquaculture industry with innovative solutions within: Pumping, Classification, Weighing, Ice handling, Storage, Transport and Distribution systems. IRAS offers single products or complete systems for raw material handling.

Based on decades of experience, IRAS KNOW HOW to handle fish

Since 1958, FAIVRE Group designs, manufactures and commercializes high quality machines for the aquaculture industry.

Today, Faivre goes further and offers its know-how to the fishing industry! www.faivregroup.com

Injectors and Protein-Tec

MARELEC Food Technologies designs and manufactures hightech portioning, weighing, grading and control systems for the fishing and food industry.

Increases yield natural way

Low pressure injection

Adjustable injection levels

Packing yield increase

Increases yield natural way

Protein in Protein

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No chemicals

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Know-how

Sale: +354 516 3000 traust@traust.is www.traust.is

Ice & Refrigeration

Worldwide #1 in Ice Factories

Tel: +34 981 705722

Email: tucal@tucal.es www.tucal.es

Fishing nets, aquaculture nets, agriculture nets, sports nets, all types of ropes and twines.

Forever Industries Co., Ltd.

No.88, Di An Truong Tre St., Di An Town, Binh Duong, Vietnam

Tel: (+84) 916 225 068 (+84) 251 378 9125 sales@forevernetco.com www.forevernetco.com

Ropes & Net Coatings

Van Beelen

Ice Plants for Fish and Seafood

Flake Ice & Plate Ice up to 100t / 24h Ice Storage with Automatic Rake System Systems for Ice Conveying and Weighing Built in a Container or on a Frame www.kti-plersch.com | info@kti-plersch.com

Industrial Ice Making & Storage Systems

We have specialized in the development, construction, installation, service and maintenance of key components and technical solutions.

REAL-SNOW AS Filipstadveien 15, 0250 Oslo, NORWAY Phone: +47 9687 4080

E-mail: post@real-snow.com

Manufacturing plate freezers since 1989

Longlining & Jigging

BELITRONIC SWEDEN AB

Rattarevagen 7, S-872 63 Lunde, Sweden Tel: +46 6123 2000 mailbox@belitronic.se www.belitronic.se

Top of the line Jig fishing machine – BJ 5000Ex. Friendly, Flexible and Intelligent! Reliable, effective and recently improved Jig Fishing Machine, special programs on request. The BJ 5000Ex can reach fishing depth fast!

Netting

Serious Fishing Gear for Serious Fisherman

Fishing Net, Rope, Float, Crab Trap, Long Line Fishing.

Tel:++86 631 5306208 Fax:++86 631 5306209

Cell/Whatsapp:++86 138 0631 1778

E-mail: ericdu@dnsnetting.com www.fishingnetchina.com

Fortune Net Group of Companies

No.42 Sto. Domingo Ave, Brgy. Matalahib, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Tel: 0063287125362, 0063287119238

Fax: 006387125351, 0063287110169

Email: export_fntgrp@yahoo.com melmorales_728@yahoo.com alextanfortune@yahoo.com

Contact person: Mel Morales, Alex Tan

Braided knotted nets; Twisted knotted nets; Raschel knotless nets; Monofilament double knots net; PE Shade nets. All types of twines and ropes, Specializing in: Tuna & Sandrine Nets; Purse Seiners; Mono and Multi gill nets; Nylon & HDPE Trawl nets; Aquaculture Fence & Cage nets; Safety and Sports nets; Ornamental nets.

World’s leading supplier of Fishing nets (our globally trusted brands are SNG, Sapphire and Olivene), assembled trawls, Purse Seines, Aquaculture cages and anti-predator nets for aquaculture industry, ropes for the fishing, aquaculture and shipping industry. Our products are exported to over 60 countries globally.

Garware Technical Fibres

Plot No 11, Block D-1, MIDC, Chinchwad, Pune, India

Web: www.garwarefibres.com

Tel: (+91)2027990381

Contact: Vivek Kumar

Email: vkumar@garwarefibres.com

Mobile: +917767802806

KING CHOU MARINE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.

Purse Seine Nets

Catch all the fish all the time!

AS Fiskenett is the only company in Norway to design, manufacture, maintain and repair commercial fishing nets for both offshore and coastal fishing fleets.

NET MANUFACTURERS

We are a professional fish net maker and provide assembly & design service for various nets. We use Nylon, HDPE, PP, PE to make purse seine net, fish farming cage net for smolt, grower, growout, predator & anti-bird, trawl net, trap net, safety net, sports net, twine, float and steel wire. The making of fish nets can be twisted, braided, super-knot knotless or raschell knotless, mono or multi-mono filaments.

Website: www.king-net.com.tw

Email: sales@mail.king-net.com.tw

Main phone No. +886 7 535 2939

Fax No. +886 7 535 2938

23F-2, No.2 Chung Shang 2nd Road Kaohsiung City, Taiwan , Zip code: #806

Salvador

a full range of products for fishing applications: Steel Wire Ropes: Green Strand®, Super Yellow Fin®, Super Atlantic®, Zincal® Compact and several other constructions also with possibility of a plastic core impregnation. Combination Ropes: we produce combination ropes, both in 4 and 6 strands. Synthetic Ropes: Braided/Twisted and Double Braided ropes with recognized brands such as Astra Line®, Libra Line® and X Trema Line®

SÁ

BJ 5000Ex

Ropes & Net Coatings

REDES SALINAS S.A

Carretera de Catral, 30 03360 Callosa de Segura, Alicante, Spain

Tel: 0034 965 310 408

Tel: 0034 965 310 354

Email: redessalinas@redessalinas.com www.redessalinas.com

Contact: Srta. Carmen Salinas

Manufacturer of special purse seining nets for tuna and horse mackerel, also trawl gear, ropes and twines

I-COATS N.V.

K. Mercierlei 29 • B-2600 Berchem • Belgium

Tel: +32 32 81 73 03 • Fax: +32 32 81 73 04 info@i-coats.be • www.i-coats.be

Contact: Koen Van Goethem

We offer environmentally friendly, waterbased coatings for ropes and nets made out of all types of synthetic fibers.

(ARAMIDS, HMPE, LCP , …) Tailor-made products developed to the needs of the market. Waxes, acrylics, polyurethanes, pigments and specialty coatings (LAGO 45, LAGO BF 10A, ICO-LUBE 10, ICO-THANE 10, ICO-THANE 32, ICO – THANE 96, ICO-THANE 98) All coatings are compatible, allowing development for individual solutions.

REACH PREREGISTERED

MARKUS LIFENET LTD

Breidvangur 30

IS-220 Hafnarfjordur, Iceland

Tel.Iceland: +354 5651375

Tel. UK: 01525 851234

Email: sales@markusnet.com

Contact: Petur Th. Petursson

We specialise in the development and manufacture of man overboard recovery systems suitable for all types of fishing vessels, such as the Markusnet and the Markus MOB Scramble-net/Cradle.

Ship Design

Trawl Makers

Estrada de Fortons 23 36812 Redondela (Pontevedra) Spain

Tel: +34 986 20 33 12

E-mail: info@grupoeurored.com

Website: www.grupoeurored.com

Hi tech design and production of pelagic and bottom fishing trawl systems. Nets and deck material for tuna purse seiners, inshore fishing and longliners. Everything necessary for fishing activities:

MORGERE trawl doors, COTESI nets, ropes, mooring, BRIDON cable, flotation, CROSBY GROUP naval hardware, longline material, etc. Aquaculture integral supplies and installation of fish farming and Long Line production systems, OFFSHORE facilities.

Eurored Directory.indd 1 30/09/2020 14:32 -we make fishing more profitable

Thyborøn & Poly-Ice Trawldoors for all kinds of pelagic, semi-pelagic and demersal trawling with single, twin- and multipurpose rigging. All doors are “Made in Denmark” according to customer demands and wishes.

8, Sydhalevej, DK-7680 Thyborøn, Denmark mail@thyboron-trawldoor.dk www.trawldoor.dk

Trawl Makers

AKVASERVIS TRAWLS

Email: office@akvaservis.lt www.akvaservis-trawl.com

Tel: +370 46 365 363

Las Palmas - Baltic - Murmansk

Designer & manufacturer of Pelagic, Semi-Pelagic & Bottom trawls since 1992 with active trawls in North Atlantic, Far-Eastern & Western-African fisheries. COMPETITIVE

VÓNIN LTD

P.O. Box 19

P.O. Box 19 FO-530 Fuglafjørõur Faroe Islands

FO-530 Fuglafjørður Faroe Islands

Tel: +298 474 200

Tel: +298 474 200

Fax: +298 474 201

Fax: +298 474 201

Email: info@vonin.com

E-mail: info@vonin.com

Web: www.vonin.com

Web: www.vonin.com

Contact: Bogi Non

Contact: Eystein Elttør

Vónin is a major supplier to the fishing fleet and aquaculture industry with branches in the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Canada, Denmark and Norway. Vónin manufactures pelagic trawls, semi pelagic trawl, shrimp trawls, bottom trawls, sorting grids, crab pots, net cages, mooring systems and net washing systems.

Manufacturer of pelagic trawls, semi-pelagic trawls, shrimp trawls, various bottom trawls, purse seine nets, fish farming nets and sorting grids. Vónin is a major supplier to the North Atlantic/Arctic fishing fleet. We have all accessories in stock.

DON’T GET CAUGHT WITH A FAILED PUMP ON THE JOB.

Bring confidence to your net cleaning job, with the most reliable pump on the market.

NLB’s high-pressure water jet pumps are proven reliable for offshore and onshore net cleaning. Engineered specifically for the aquaculture market, they withstand the harsh conditions of open seas, foul weather, and salt corrosion, all while delivering the same performance and durability NLB has been recognized for since 1971. Our units also offer a compatible interface with the industry’s leading head cleaning systems.

NLB will go the extra mile to make the switch easy for you. Let’s discuss your options at AquaNor!

NLB’s 205 Series aquaculture unit will be on display at our booth at the AquaNor show in Trondheim, Norway from August 22-25th. Be sure to stop by!