Fish Waste for Profit - Last Chance to Sign Up!

 The 2022 edition of the Fish Waste for Profit webinar kick starts tomorrow - 3rd November 14:00 UTC. Join this session to gain insights on the key topics of Fish Skin. Sign up today to join this year's webinar!

This conference is supported by the Icelandic Ocean cluster, and being moderated by Dr Thor Sigfusson, the founder of the Iceland Ocean Cluster, Fish Waste for Profit will provide you with an opportunity that reaches across our extensive audience in By Product utilisation.

Fish Waste for Profit explores how you can maximise return on investment from potentially discarded parts of the catch that can be turned into high value products for non-food sectors.

This bitesize online conference will deliver an expert panel looking at fish skin and how it can be utilised to create everything from leather and collagen to dog food.

Fish Waste for Profit provides attendees with knowledge on how to maximise their return on investment from potentially discarded parts of the catch that can be turned into high value products for non-food sectors. It is a must attend event for those looking to discover new innovations and industry insights, and to develop relations with key industry stakeholders.

Book now for this free to attend online session and learn from our panel of experts. The conference will deliver case-study-based presentations, selected with the aim of informing attendees about recent industry developments and the 'big business' that fish waste is becoming.

You could be throwing away up to 43% of potential profit that can be generated from otherwise discarded material! Learn how at Fish Waste for Profit!

Book now for this must-attend November webinar HERE!

For details on Fish Waste for Profit 2022, or for any other information, email conferences@mercatormedia.com or call the Events team on: +44 1329 825335

SAIC unlocks new funding to encourage innovation amid economic uncertainty

 The Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) has opened a new funding call for collaborative innovation projects, helping the sector to continue with vital research and development as cost-of-living pressures rise.

More than £500,000 will be split between successful project proposals designed to future-proof Scottish aquaculture and support sustainable growth while minimising its environmental impact. Collaborative research teams involving experts from across the sector, along with Scottish Higher Education Institutions are invited to submit their applications before the 7^th December deadline.

SAIC said that ongoing discussions across its network and members point towards a strong pipeline of opportunities that could progress into funded projects, highlighting the importance of research for building resilience against challenges such as the current economic pressures.

In each proposal, research teams must demonstrate meaningful and measurable impact for the sector. They should also align with SAIC's three priority innovation areas: addressing environmental and health challenges, unlocking additional capacity in the sector through new technology or processes to secure sustainable growth, or a focus on shellfish and other non-finfish species. Projects should be ready to begin next spring and must be completed by July 2024.

Recent SAIC-backed collaborations – including three projects valued at a combined £1.1m – involve efforts to use artificial intelligence and imaging technology to support environmental monitoring, as well as research to boost the use of cleaner fish as an effective, sustainable treatment for sea lice.

Heather Jones, CEO of SAIC, said: 'Particularly during challenging times, it is important to continue supporting innovation that will help to shape the future of aquaculture. Collaborative research and knowledge sharing is helping to drive the whole sector forward, making it more efficient and more sustainable so that it can continue to fulfil the rising demand for high-quality protein for years to come.

'We look forward to receiving a range of proposals representing all parts of the sector, including initiatives that address the impact of climate change on farming conditions, as well as projects closely linked to the aims of the Farmed Fish Health Framework - a collaboration between the sector and the Scottish Government.

'Scotland has a wealth of expertise and experience in aquaculture to draw upon and we are keen to support initiatives that reflect that, unlocking opportunities that support rural communities, small businesses and a global supply chain.'

For more information and to complete an application form, visit: HERE

New Zealand's first land-based salmon farm

 With the support of the New Zealand Government and backing from the Ministry for Primary Industries' (MPI) Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures (SFF Futures) fund, Mount Cook Alpine Salmon will be developing a prototype of New Zealand's first sustainable, land-based salmon farm.

Plans have been unveiled for the construction of a prototype facility in Twizel, Canterbury. Oceans and Fisheries Minister David Parker attended the launch and visited the freshwater salmon farms, where SFF Futures announced their commitment of $6.7 million over six years to the $16.7 million project.

The facility will be designed to optimise energy use through gravity-fed water and integrating renewable and low-energy solutions, differing from how most overseas land-based farms use a recirculated water system. It's also planned to be a 1000 tonne hybrid structure that will use a part flow-through system to emulate the unique conditions of the glacial-fed canals.

Mt Cook Alpine Salmon Board Chairman, Sir Bill English, says it is an exciting project.

'Mt Cook Alpine Salmon pioneered salmon farming in the hydro-canals in 1992. It is very fitting that it will continue to lead the way with this innovative approach to a land-based farm. A successful pilot will see the opportunity to scale up and to later replicate the proven concept, with huge potential overseas,' says Sir English.

The location of the farm had yet to be determined but would be within either the Mackenzie or Waitaki Districts.

Steve Penno, MPI's director of investment programmes, says that internationally there are over 70 land-based salmon projects either in their planning stage, under construction, or already in operation.

'Mt Cook Alpine Salmon already has international expertise in building land-based salmon farms within its aquaculture division and will harness this knowledge. They'll also consult with global experts to design the advanced water management system.'

The featured image is a concept illustration of what the land-based farm may look like.

About Mt Cook Alpine Salmon

A leading producer of freshwater King Salmon in New Zealand and the first salmon farm in Australiasia to be BAP (Best Aquaculture Practice) rated.

The company operates five salmon farms in the unique glacier-fed hydro-canals that run through the Mackenzie and Waitaki districts. The also own two hatcheries with shares in a third along with a large primary processing plant in Timaru and a secondary one in Christchurch where it produces its popular Aoraki smoked product range.  

To find out more visit HERE.

Ace Aquatec gets onboard with Greek distributor Stamatiou

 Aquaculture technology specialists Ace Aquatec have appointed Stamatiou Aquaculture as their distributor of their award-winning in-water electric stunners in Greece. 

Image credit: Joi Ito on Flickr
(CC BY 2.0)

As the EU's largest producers for farmed sea bass and gilthead sea bream, exported to over 42 countries, this partnership will accelerate Greece's adoption of newer, higher welfare technology at the point of harvest.  Ace Aquatec's in-water electrical stunner has a 100 percent stun rate and an impressive record of reducing stress at harvest, making it well-equipped to meet increasing consumer demand in the region for improved husbandry and higher levels of animal welfare.

With over 30 years' experience in the aquaculture industry and an established client network, Stamatiou Aquaculture is well-placed to share expertise with fish farmers interested in improving welfare standards and quality control at harvest. 

Ace Aquatec's Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Tara McGregor-Woodhams, says, 'Demand has increased three-fold for our in-water stunners this year as supermarkets, consumers and regulators demand clearer efficacy around the slaughter of seabass and bream. Establishing a partnership with Stamatiou, who build state-of-the-art vessels for over 70 percent of the industry in the Mediterranean, means we can work together to equip these amazing boats at the outset with the best technology to improve welfare without compromising efficiency.'

Stamatiou Aquaculture's CEO Mr. Kyriakos Stamatiou adds, 'Sea bass and sea bream are known for being particularly sensitive to suboptimal farming and harvesting conditions. We have always championed technology that will allow seafood to be harvested more humanely, so it's great to be working with Ace Aquatec to incorporate their innovative solution in our designs.

"This partnership heralds a significant advancement in harvesting standards in the region.'

Earlier this month, Ace Aquatec appointed Pisces as their key distributor in North, Central and South America. The newly formed partnership supplies the in-water electrical stunner to its customers across the Americas, where fish welfare and ethical practices have moved to the top of the agenda for many producers, supermarkets and consumers.

For more information about Ace Aquatec visit the website, HERE.

Introducing MinGro+: Less Application, More Performance

 Blue Aqua launches the second generation of its first ever Mineral product for aquaculture water balance – MinGro.

First sold in India in 2010, MinGro became a household name amongst Indian shrimp farmers for being one of the first bioavailable mineral products that effectively managed their pond water quality to substantially improve productivity. To date, the company has manufactured more than 24,000 tons of MinGro being supplied to shrimp farmers across Asia.

MinGro+: A Superior Mineral Supplement and Environmental Modulator

MinGro+ is specially developed to provide bioavailable forms of essential minerals and ions into pond water for shrimp to absorb directly from the water across gills and other membranes. Important nutrients in MinGro+ help to promote the growth of beneficial organisms in ponds such as plankton and benthos.

• 20% lower application rate
• Higher bioavailable mineral content
• Can be used as a feed additive to improve mineral deficiency in aquatic animals
• Increase bioavailable mineral contents in the pond ecosystem
• Improve the osmoregulation process in cultured organisms
• Increase the production of natural live food organisms 
• Minimize pH fluctuation through natural productivity management

MinGro+ Grand Launch in India

The grand launch was held in Amalapuram, Palakollu, and Bhimavaram, India. Jointly organised with distributor RDL Group in September 2022.

'The event was a grand success, after the hiatus in the market, we are more than glad to meet with our loyal customers in India in person again. MinGro+ was developed not only based on Blue Aqua's years of expertise in shrimp ecology, but also with the valuable feedback from all of the shrimp farmers we work with.' – Dr. Farshad Shishehchian, CEO & Founder, Blue Aqua International Group.

We recognise that sustaining our future means more than building productive aquaculture farms. It means hiring passionate people, investing in our shared future, and championing and celebrating farmers.

MinGro+ is the first out of a new range of products to be rolled out in India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand.

For more information go HERE.

Benchmark in search of six new scientists to boost its global genetics department

Global leader in aquaculture genetics and breeding, Benchmark Genetics, is significantly expanding in areas of strategic importance to the company's mission to drive sustainability in aquaculture. The company's six vacancies include a new leadership position for its salmon breeding programs, as well as recruitment to strengthen its innovation activities in gene editing, sterility, and molecular genetics, and its genetic services team.

The six new recruits will join the existing team of more than 20 geneticists and technical experts working on in-house and external breeding programmes, and in active R&D projects. Operating breeding programmes for three species in six countries worldwide, the company is genuinely international, reflecting the location of the new positions in Norway, Iceland and the UK.

Leadership position for the Atlantic salmon programmes

A fundamental part of the in-house selective breeding expertise relates to Atlantic Salmon. To lead the team optimising the performance and dissemination of elite salmon strains, Benchmark is hiring a Head of Breeding Programs Salmon to be located at the headquarters in Bergen, Norway.

"Benchmark holds a leading position and continues to expand in the global salmon egg market. The new senior role offers a unique opening for a motivated candidate to coordinate our three programmes: SalmoBreed, StofnFiskur and SagaChile. The successful candidate will work in close collaboration across the company to ensure optimum dissemination of high-quality salmon eggs to the global markets", says Dr Morten Rye, Director of Genetics, to whom this position will report.

R&D positions for gene editing and sterility projects

Benchmark Genetics has an active R&D program with extensive internal and external collaboration. The company is now looking to strengthen R&D programs in strategic areas, consolidating the company's position at the forefront of key emerging technologies within aquaculture genetics. Two positions, based in Edinburgh or Iceland, are part of an expanding Reproductive Biotechnology program that links gene editing research with reproductive biology and sterility. Building on Benchmark's excellent track record in reproductive technologies such as cryopreservation and year-round production, this program will develop and implement scalable methods for sterility and gene editing.

Dr Ross Houston, Director of Innovation in Benchmark Genetics, explains:

"We see gene editing technology as having the potential to develop new products which can have breakthrough impacts to improve sustainable aquaculture production, reduce environmental impact, and improve animal health."  

"In the coming years, we aim to develop disease-resistant and sterile salmon, including via pertinent applications of emerging technologies such as gene editing. Benchmark is currently involved in collaborative R&D in gene editing, for example, to develop resistance to sea lice in Atlantic salmon. Part of the purpose of these positions is to bring outputs from such projects to market. We will also translate these technologies and methods to shrimp, tilapia, and potentially other species"

External genetics services role with a strategic focus

In addition to its in-house programmes, Benchmark is a global leader in providing external breeding programmes for many aquatic species worldwide, and this is a strategic area of growth. The company seeks a motivated candidate to provide consultancy services, including developing and supervising optimised broodstock management and selective breeding programmes.

"A crucial part of the role is to build strong relationships with clients and provide leading services that reflect each client's priorities and available resources. This is vital for sustainable aquaculture production and development in many regions of the world", explains Dr Rye.

Strengthening Benchmark's genomics capability

The final position is a part of Benchmark's new Molecular Genetics program, which focuses on developing optimised genotyping and genomics solutions for our internal breeding programs, and external genetic services. Located in Edinburgh, UK, this position will include laboratory work and computational analyses.

"The successful candidate will contribute to implementing cost-effective genotyping solutions for genomic selection, parentage assignment, and assessment of genetic diversity. These are important contributions to our R&D projects and to expand our Genetic Services offering to the aquaculture industry", concludes the Director of Innovation in Benchmark.

For more information about the positions, click HERE

Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod adopts welfare focused technology in regional first

Aquaculture technology specialists Ace Aquatec and their Australian distributor Fresh by Design have signed a first-of-its kind deal with Aquana Sustainable Murray Cod to build and install an in-water electrical stunner for cod in the APAC region.

In a trailblazing moment for Australian fish farming, the introduction of the company's innovative in-water stunning technology, which has a demonstrable track record of reducing stress to fish at the point of harvest, will help facilitate Murray Cod's commitment to humane farming processes, as well as contribute towards furthering ethical practices in the region.  

 

Mat Ryan, Managing Director of Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, said: 'At Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod fish welfare is of the utmost importance to us and we are excited to be able to use the stunning equipment from Ace Aquatec that allows us to maximise the fish welfare outcomes from our harvesting process. This means that fish will not be handled at all until post stunning during the harvest process which also significantly reduces our labour requirements and minimises any injury risk to staff.' 

 

Ace Aquatec's Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Tara McGregor-Woodhams, added: 'With the theme of humane harvesting continuing to dominate discussions globally, we are excited to see Murray Cod's highly skilled production team adopt our in-water stunning technology as a core element in their processing strategy.  This will enhance their quality and welfare first promise to their customers.' 

 

Australian supplier Fresh by Design, appointed by Ace Aquatec as their first distributor in the APAC region earlier this year will supply and install the cod stunning system and also provide ongoing servicing and support with comprehensive advice on its implementation.  

 

Fresh by Design General Manager, Lachlan Bassett said: 'This is a key milestone for fish welfare in Australia with Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod the first producer to implement the Ace Aquatec in-water stunning system for cod. We are proud to be involved with this project and to provide our support to Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod'. 

 

Over the last few years, Ace Aquatec has become a global technology provider with offices in the UK, Norway, North America and Chile. They have also provided a number of global installations in Japan, Canada, and New Zealand. 

Moving mussels: new insights into shellfish farming

Researches have identified how mussel larvae move - giving mussel and other shellfish farmers important insights into where and how to grow them.

The University of Stirling's Institute of Aquaculture used genetic testing of mussels at sample sites along Scotland's west coast combined with mathematical modelling to understand where mussels grow well – and it's all about the current.

PhD researcher Ana Corrochano-Fraile said: 'Mussel growing has been a bit of a black box. The larvae float in the water, we put ropes at sea and larvae appear there. If the stock goes down, we don't know why. If the quality goes down, we don't know why.

'Our model shows us how the larvae move in the currents, from south to north. We found that, in 30 days, a cloud of larvae can move from the Scottish border near Stranraer up to Islay, for example. They then attach to substrate – anything solid in the water, which could be ropes – and grow for one and a half years until they start reproducing. The next generation of larvae is carried on the current from Islay to the Outer Hebrides in 30 days – that's a lot further, because the current is faster there.

'For example, we found that 90 per cent of the mussels in Loch Roag on Lewis have come from Barra. Knowing where mussels come from and where they go tells us a lot about the best and worst locations for farms.'

The researchers worked with the Scottish Association of Marine Science, as well as mussel farms at different west coast locations, through the Fishmongers' Company, Scottish Sea Farms Ltd and Association of Scottish Seafood Growers. They discovered, for example, that larvae from Loch Eil farm leave the loch, but no new larvae come in, so although Loch Eil has a self-sustaining population, it also contributes to populations at other locations, such as Loch Linnhe.

Ms Corrochano-Fraile's supervisor, computational biologist Dr Michaël Bekaert, said: 'We were surprised by how fast the larvae moved in a short amount of time, and also how fragile and vulnerable they are.

'The research shows that if we were to block the current in some way between Scotland and Northern Ireland, or slow it down, we would lose larvae. Similarly, if we were to pollute the sea there, or somewhere like Loch Linnhe, where many fresh larvae are washing in, that would have a huge impact. To breed quality mussels, like with anything else, you need maximum diversity in the genes, so you don't want to lose fresh genes by messing with the current or polluting.

'We will need to understand the effects of climate change better, but if the current were to move much faster, for example, the larvae might be swept past the Outer Hebrides without stopping at all!'

Forty per cent of the UK's mussels are produced in Scotland, with half of these growing along the west coast and the rest around Shetland. Mussel farming has a low impact on the environment, as they require no food, grow on ropes and, by nature of being bivalves, they even clean the water around them.

'This does mean they are vulnerable to pollution though,' explained Dr Bekaert. 'They will absorb heavy metals, for example. If we give them rubbish to eat, they keep it. But if these fast-flowing waters are clean, the mussels are clean.

'It is possible to produce a lot of mussels at very low cost – environmental and economic. The most expensive part is harvesting and processing them.'

Increasing mussel production is part of industry organisation Scotland Food and Drink's ambition to double Scotland's food production by 2030.

Dr Bekaert said: 'This level of detailed oceanographic information is also relevant to other valuable bivalves such as scallops and oysters and, being at a scale of metres rather than kilometres, is even useful for the salmon industry.'

The paper, 'Predictive biophysical models of bivalve larvae dispersal in Scotland', is published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science.

For more information visit the Uniersity of Stirling website HERE.

Project into 3D imaging creates potential for the aquaculture sector

Experts in underwater imaging technology are trialling the use of a system that could see 3D digital models being used by Scottish seafood producers, to map out and monitor complex marine environments.

Led by Tritonia Scientific with support from the Lyell Centre at Heriot-Watt university, seafood producer Mowi and the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC), the company is testing the effectiveness of using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to create digital twins of the seabed.

Over the next 12 months, Tritonia will be developing a digital record of hard substrate found at selected Mowi sites, using a technique known as georeferenced photogrammetry. In comparison to soft seabed – where sediment samples can be taken easily – monitoring hard substrates can prove challenging because of the low visibility of the water when using dives or drop-down cameras. In addition, the hard nature of the seabed makes taking samples difficult.

"Using imaging technology could help the aquaculture sector to gain a much more detailed, accurate picture of the complex seabeds they are operating beside or above," explains Martin Sayer, managing director at Tritonia Scientific. "Our hope is that the system could ultimately support regulation and environmental monitoring in ways that would provide the levels of evidence that would be necessary for future sustainable operations."

The system will be using underwater ROVs linked to water GPS technology and acoustic transponders, all of which will work to capture digital images of the seabed to assess current and future finfish farms and identify the presence of protected habitats and essential ecosystems in Scotland's coastal seas.

Image credit: SAIC

Using these images, Tritonia will then create an accurate 3D model which will display physical characteristics and be used alongside comparison software to monitor changes to the seabed.

The company currently uses 3D photogrammetry to survey and monitor marine renewable installations, piers and harbours, and inform decommissioning programmes in the oil and sector. This project represents their first step into aquaculture and could present significant opportunities for companies in the sector to obtain accurate digital records of the seabed.

From a single ROV dive, a high number of data and images can be captured to provide producers with accurate information, such as the volume and area of geographical features. It can also be used to detect protected habitats which, while difficult to map, are an important consideration when it comes to making decisions about potential fish farm locations.

"Technology is becoming increasingly important for the aquaculture sector and collaborative research projects and trials can be an increasingly valuable demonstration of the real-world applications of new data-led techniques," says Heather Jones, CEO of SAIC. "In this case, we could see ROVs and imaging technology playing a vital role in monitoring the sector's environmental impact and increasing its economic impact by supporting future decisions about farm locations and possible expansion."

"Costal habitats are some of the most physically and biologically diverse ecosystems on our plant … Monitoring the effect of coastal industry and human activity on these habitats is crucial for understanding how best to protect them, but it remains logistically difficult," says Dr Heidi Burdett, associate professor at the Lyell Centre.

"This project will allow us to overcome this using a scalable and flexible approach that brings the seabed into a virtual laboratory," Dr Burdett concludes.

Production update on RAS facilities

NaturalShrimp has issued a production update on its facilities operating in Iowa and Texas, reporting that they are expecting production to increase in both facilities.

The retrofit and ongoing production of 20 percent the Webster City facility in Iowa has confirmed the company's patented treatment technology can adapt to existing aquaculture facilities. Production continues to increase each month and will begin stocking in an additional 20 percent this month, bringing the total production area to 40 percent of the building.

"We continue to focus on the retrofit of our production facility in Webster City and are encouraged by the confirmation of the adaptability of our treatment technology," comments Gerald Easterling, CEO of NaturalShrimp. "As we steadily increase stocking in the completed retrofits, we are confident production will rise."

Retrofit of the facility has included replacing the tank biofiltration with NaturalShrimp technology and upgrading the tank heating system. Retrofit of the remaining 60 percent of the facility will happen next, in order to increase weekly production to approximately eight kilograms by the second quarter of 2023.

Development of a hatchery at the Blairsburg facility is beginning, which will enable the company to control the post larvae supply while lowering the cost for other facilities.

At the facility in Texas, the production team were forced to cut back feeding of the shrimp after a water treatment plant fire damaged electrocoagulation equipment and drum filters. Consequently, growth of the shrimp slowed for two weeks, and production is now back on track. Expectations for production is for it to increase each month and reach a weekly total of almost three kilograms during the first quarter of 2023.

The company's patented electrocoagulation treatment is capable of removing ammonia from tanks before it converts to nitrites, without using a biofilter in a recirculating aquaculture system.

"We are pleased to announce that production has resumed using our emergency mobile treatment system in our Texas production facility with minimal delay," adds Mr Easterling. "Looking ahead, we expect to scale up regular production in the coming months."

This announcement comes a month after NaturalShrimp's report that its hydrenesis technology had been successfully applied to Hanilu Farms. You can read more about that HERE.

For more information on NaturalShrimp visit their website, HERE.

AKVA group's Egersund Net launches net cleaning service station

AKVA group's Egersund Net have announced plans for a net-cleaning service station based in Sandstrand, Norway. The project, which was planned to take place earlier, was held back as the company cited issues relating to the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

The results of this have been "difficult contract negotiations, price increases, longer delivery times, and thus delays to the project," according to the company in a press release they put out June 29. The project was planned to happen in May this year but will now happen this August. Work is estimated to take approximately 20 weeks, from start to completion.

Local sports team IL Santor has already carried out demolition work in support of their community.

"They have done a fantastic job so far, and we believe this a good way to support the local community, which in turn benefits Tovik municipality," explains Geir Henning Risholm, service manager at AKVA group, Egersund Net. "We will probably use IL Santor again on a couple of different small projects for AKVA group, Egersund Net."

Image credit: AKVA group

"We are very happy that we are finally getting started with this exciting project at Sandstrand, which will be completed early in January 2023," says Mr Risholm. "The project and new service station will create several new jobs in the region."

In a few years from now, Egersund Net plans to have around 15 employees stationed at Sandstrand, as people have expressed interest in working there. Future new customers in the area can expect an efficient, high-quality service station for net bags and other related equipment.

"Through our best philosophy and thorough training, we shall offer strong professional services by skilled employees. In addition, we have a strong focus on the environment. With our methods and high-tech equipment, we will be running a sustainable facility," adds Mr Risholm.

AKVA group, Egersund Net's history dates back to the production of nets in the 1970s, later becoming a separate company in 1996. In recent years, the company has experienced enormous growth in terms of turnover and the number of locations. Egersund Net is now one of the leading suppliers of net technology, service, and equipment for the aquaculture industry.

For more information on AKVA group visit their website, HERE.

Aquabyte completes $25 million financing round

Aquabyte recently announced the completion of its series B financing of US$25 million, led by SoftBank Ventures Asia. Aquabyte, which uses computer vision and artificial intelligence (AI) to give fish farms insight into the health and growth of their fish, says that the funding will be used to continue its mission of transforming aquaculture to meeting growing global demand for sustainable protein.

By 2050, it is estimated that there will be a 50 percent protein gap worldwide, and farmed fish is the most sustainable and efficient protein source to fill that gap. Aquabyte has built international, cross-disciplinary teams working in fish welfare, AI and engineering, using practices drawn from salmon farms in Norway.

"Before Aquabyte, it was virtually impossible for fish farms to monitor the health of their underwater fish," explains Bryton Shang, Founder and CEO of Aquabyte. "Our engineering team solved that problem with a smart underwater camera that can accurately detect lice, monitor other welfare indicators, and identify and weigh individual fish without removing them from the water."

"Our fish welfare biologists work with our AI teams to transform those images and underwater signals into real-time data … Farms can take immediate action to improve the health and growth of their fish with less waste and fewer treatments," Mr Shang adds.

Sherman Li, Partner at SoftBank Ventures Asia, expressed that he was "proud" to be supporting Aquabyte in their journey. "By combining machine learning and computer vision with fish welfare insights, Aquabyte is leading a transformation in the aquaculture and food industry," he says.

The Nature Conservancy and Westerly Wind also joined the round as new investors.

"We firmly believe embracing technology is the solution for a more sustainable future," explains Karim Abdel-Ghaffar Plaza, Managing Partner at Westerly Winds. "Aquabyte in our opinion is a clear leader, enabling the path towards a healthier aquaculture industry needed to feed the growing world population. We're tremendously excited to be backing the team and business in the years to come."

Original investors New Enterprise Associates, Costanoa Ventures, ArcTern Ventures, Struck Capital and Alliance Venture participated in the round as they pointed out Aquabyte's achievements since its Series A funding in 2019.

Since the funding, the company now has hundreds of systems installed worldwide monitoring salmon and trout, established offices in the US, Norway and Chile, has processed over 300 million fish images, and was the first to receive approval for automatic sea lice counting by the Norwegian Food Safety Authorities.

"Mass market appeal and the potential for positive global impact make for very exciting investment opportunities – Aquabyte has both," says Greg Papadopoulos, Venture Partner at NEA. "We're thrilled to continue partnering with the Aquabyte team to go through this next phase of growth."

With this Series B round of funding, Aquabyte has raised a total of US$46 million since its founding in 2017. It will use the financing to scale its business, to monitor more species in more countries and help fish farms sustainably feed the world.

"It turns out that when you improve fish welfare and sustainability, you solve problems in efficiency as well," concludes Mr Shang.

For more information on Aquabyte visit their website, HERE.

Taste of BC achieves developments in RAS facility

Seafood company Blue Star Foods' wholly owned subsidiary Taste of BC Aquafarms has achieved "recent developments" and "key operating performance metrics", according to the company in a recent press release. These developments are related to the land-based farm Taste of BC is currently operating where it produces steelhead trout.

In the second quarter of 2022 the company hatched its first batch of Chinook Salmon, which are currently performing well in growth trials and demonstrating good food conversion rate (FCR), growth and low mortality. The intention is to raise them to an average size of three kilograms as it evaluates potential species diversification within the Pacific Salmon family.

Over the last six months average fish harvest weight has been 1.94kg, with the target being 2kg for the steelhead salmon it produces. The total harvest downgrade, which measures number of fish at harvest that weren't brought to market at full price in the last lifecycle, was 1.3%.

Construction of the new, state-of-the-art hatchery will be done in the third quarter of this year, which gives the company an opportunity to evaluate performance of next generation designs planned for its large-scale expansion before they are finalised.

Plated steelhead trout.

"The first six months of 2022 have been focused on increasing standing biomass within our pilot facility as we continue to limit test system capabilities," explains Ben Atkinson, the President of Taste of BC. "At the end of Q2-2022, we finished with a standing biomass of 40MT in our facility … without compromising water conditions or fish performance."

"We are extremely pleased with the capabilities of our pilot system which provides a solid foundation upon which we are designing our forthcoming expansion," he concludes.

Blue Star Foods recently began operating its soft-shell crab division in February of this year, having picked HTH Engineering & Equipment as its RAS technology provider for its Atlantic crab farm in South Carolina. You can read more about that and its recent report on RAS operations, HERE.

For more information on Blue Star Foods visit their website, HERE.

Several land-based projects in the pipeline, Samherji reports

According to a financial report released by fish farmer Samherji, who is in the process of constructing a land-based fish farm in Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland, has reported a total investment of EU€400 million into the project, among other investments.

According to Samherji's CEO Thorsteinn Már Baldvinsson, the company has 'faith' in land-based fish farming but expressed the cost of the investments.

"All development in the sector is very costly. Therefore, the company must be financially strong now as before. The consolidated financial statements show that this is the case," Mr Baldvinsson explains.

Once the land-based facility is complete, the company expects for annual production to sit around the 40,000 tonnes mark. The facility will comprise of a hatchery, breeding farm, processing plant and service buildings, all of which have had a total investment of US$340 million.

"The total investment in aquaculture is estimated at around EU€400 million," says Mr Baldvinsson. "The Board of Directors of Samherji hf. has decided to provide funding for the project's first phase in Reykjanes by increasing the share capital … up to EU€50 million."

Image credit: Samherji

Other challenges face operation of their facilities as the price of oil "skyrockets" due to the conflict in Ukraine, and is the second highest cost in fish farming next to employee wages.

"How prices will develop in the future is entirely uncertain and will be affected by many external factors," he remarks.

Also in the company's project pipeline is another land-based facility which will be built in Öxarfjördur, northeast Iceland. Samherji is a main producer of Arctic char, but the facility marks its expansion into salmon production. The site produces 1500 tonnes of salmon annually but is expected to increase to 3000 tonnes when the facility is complete.

"The site in Öxarfjördur can be considerd a 'pilot project' for the development in Reykjanes," explains Mr Baldvinsson. "Next fall, construction will begin for a new hatchery in Stadur in Grindavík. The estimated cost for the project is around EU€6.6 million."

You can read in more detail about the construction of the facilities, HERE.

For more information on Samherji visit their website, HERE.

Mørenot in the process of developing system to tackle ocean plastic

Tackling what it calls "one of the most pressing environmental problems of our age," Mørenot is currently involved in a project to develop a 2.5km-long ocean clean-up system to clear the ocean of marine plastic.

Working cooperatively with Dutch non-profit organisation The Ocean Cleanup, they developed a prototype in 2021 that proved to be highly successful and has collected large amounts of plastic in the Pacific Ocean. The Ocean Cleanup develops and scales technologies to clear the world's oceans of plastic. A new, improved version is under development in a project titled 'System 03' for which Mørenot was the chosen supplier.

Following on from the testing of System 002 in harvesting plastic, it has highlighted key areas where System 03 can improve related to overtopping – referring to when plastic rides waves and evades capture – as well as challenging conditions at sea, requiring consideration of timing extractions and choosing where to deploy the system.

According to CEO of Mørenot, Arne Birkeland, the company can lend their expertise in the aquaculture industry to the project.

"With more than a century's experience from the fisheries and aquaculture industry, it's great that we can now use our technology and know-how to help The Ocean Cleanup develop System 03, which is three times as big the previous system," he explains. "We're really enthusiastic about the project and are proud to be a part of it."

A size comparison of System 03 with System 002.

System 03 is three times the size of System 002 and has been specially designed and tailored for the purpose of cleaning up plastic. It measures four metres deep and is designed as a funnel with an opening at the bottom to ensure fish and other marine life aren't trapped when trawling for plastic.

Two offshore vessels will be pulling the net between them. The net will clean up an area the size of a football field every 15 seconds, with potential to be cleaning the equivalent of 6000 football fields a day.

In addition to being three times the size of System 002, it is also capable of capturing much larger quantities of plastic at a lower cost per kilogram on a year-round basis. Costs for The Ocean Cleanup are related to support vessels, so by expanding the size of the system to remove more plastic per vessel and employing a rotating third vessel allows for the company to drive down anticipated cost per kilogram of plastic removed.

"Around one to two million tonnes of plastic end up in the ocean each year, posing an immense threat to all marine life," adds Mr Birkeland. "As part of an industry that depends on the ocean, this project is extremely important to us, and we will always continue to challenge ourselves to do even more to protect the oceans as an important food source for future generations."

The company aims for System 03 to be in operation in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch near the end of summer this year. You can keep up with developments of the project, HERE.

For more information on Mørenot visit their website, HERE.

For more information on The Ocean Cleanup visit their website, HERE.

Image credit: The Ocean Cleanup

 

Collaboration between Regal Springs and Ace Aquatec for stunning solutions

Tilapia producer Regal Springs is collaborating with aquaculture technology provider Ace Aquatec, to introduce stunning solutions to their main processing facilities following on from successful trials in Mexico.

The collaboration comes after the producer was looking for a stunning solution to harvest their tilapia, one that would address growing demands for responsibly sourced foods. According to research conducted by OpenText, nine in ten consumers prioritise buying from companies with ethical sourcing strategies in place, and 83 percent willing to spend more on a product if it meets certain criteria.

The project, which took place in Mexico, has been two years in the making and began after Ace Aquatec was given UK£1 million in funding from the Humane Slaughter Association to provide stunning equipment to farms with no humane harvesting in place for finfish.

The company then approached Regal Springs, collaborated with Nautilus Collaboration and The Centre for Responsible Seafood (TCRS) to provide full EEG results to certification bodies to validate unconsciousness of fish and provide regulators with evidence to advocate for welfare improvements in the supply chain.

"This is a huge step forward from thermal stunning to a more humane and controlled stunning process, and with this towards better fish welfare," comments Emily McGregor, sustainability manager at Regal Springs. "As a side effect also process and quality parameters improved: reduced bruising, better quality of the fillets, better working conditions for staff. This supported Regal Spring's decision to move from pilot trials to immediate uptake of the equipment, and proliferation across their business."

Image credit: Regal Springs

Nathan Pyne-Cater, the CEO of Ace Aquatec called the project a "unique challenge", and one that provided them with a "general acceleration" for fish farming.

"We are now working with Barramundi farms in Australia, prawn farms in Europe and the trout sector in Canada as consumers and regulators insist upon more humane farming processes," he adds.

Using the pilot Humane Stunner Universal System (HSU) enabled Regal Springs to experience the huge improvements high welfare in-water stunning of fish brings.

"Sustainability has been at the heart of our Regal Springs business since the beginning over 30 years ago and in the spirit of continuous improvement we stand proud of pioneering new ways here with fish welfare," says Petra Weigl, Managing Director for Europe at Regal Springs. "Of course, retailers can be confident in accessing the very best in tilapia fish protein made viable through the way we raise and now harvest the fish – our ASC certification being testament to the quality we offer."

Ace Aquatec's HSU technology continues to be supplied to and used by fish farmers globally. In June of this year, smolt farmers Sævareid Fiskeanlegg signed an agreement with Ace Aquatec for their first in-water smolt stunner, and back in May Fresh by Design became Ace Aquatec's first distributor in the APAC region.

You can read about the smolt farmers story HERE and the supplier story HERE.

For more information on Regal Springs visit their website, HERE.

For more information on Ace Aquatec visit their website, HERE.

Garware launches new net which can be painted with antifouling paints

 As one of the leading textile suppliers in aquaculture, Garware has launched a new, high-density polyethylene net, which can be painted with water-based antifouling paints. The Star V4 polyethylene nets are the latest product of the company's and currently only net on the market that can be 100 percent painted with traditional, water-based antifouling paints.

"Before this technology, HDPE was not paintable," explains Marcos Jofré, Business Associate Garware Chile. "With its development, the nature of the fibre surface is modified, allowing traditional paint to be perfectly fixed with complete compatability."

"Today over 50 percent of salmon companies are conducting tests or permanently using the Star V4 nets, yielding good results, both in impregnation and antifouling," Mr Jofré adds. "And not only have they been impregnated, but in several cases, they have been re-impregnated, surpassing the second cycle of impregnation. For this reason, we ensure that Garware's V4 technology impregnates HDPE with traditional water-based antifouling paints, confirming its effectiveness."

On top of this, the Star V4 nets have all the characteristics of the orgiianl raschel nets as they are knotless even after 10 years of use after aggressive in situ cleaning conditions. Loss of tensile strength is 15 percent after four years, compared with nylon which loses 40 percent or more.

Other characteristics listed by the company include the net's ability to not elongate, high resistance to abrasion in humid conditions, incorporates anti-UV additives and has the highest manufacturing standards worldwide.

"Polyethylene with antifouling does not lose resistance over time, which provides great flexibility in the strategic process of cleaning the nets, since it is possible to migrate from impregnation to cleaning in situ or vice versa, with ease to deliver the better conditions for salmonids complying with the new regulations required by the sectoral authority," says Mr Jofré.

Paints for polyethylene can technically paint any nets but the cost is higher and there are no more than three brands in Chile.

In situ cleaning in Chile is still a complex process in aquaculture, due to logistics – distance from farms, availability of services, cost – meaning the majority of aquaculture companies operating in Chile prefer to use nets with antifouling, compared with other countries where in situ cleaning reduces the use of antifouling. 

For more information on Garware visit their website, HERE.

Successful application of hydrenesis tech at barramundi farm

NaturalShrimp reported on July 14, 2022, that their hydrenesis technology has been successfully applied to Hanilu Farms, a commercial aquaculture facility based in Cutler, Indiana.

Hydrenesis 'Redox' water treatment technologies work by affecting water chemistry and have proven efficient technologies for scaling hatchery and nursery systems while positively impacting health and growth metrics. In doing so, the company is able to produce fresh shrimp without using antibiotics, probiotics or chemicals.

Since 2017 Hanilu Farms has provided locally grown barramundi as its indoor RAS facility. The facility consists of 34 tanks and produces more than 900 kilograms of live fish per week, annually. Natural Aquatic Systems which is an owned subsidiary of NaturalShrimp works closely with Hanilu Farms. Founder of Hanilu Farms, Lealand Meador, has made vital contributions to research, data collection, automation and improvements of the hydrenesis technology particularly the hardware and its ruggedisation.

Independent RAS testing centre Marineholmen RASLab in Norway recently completed a trial where they evaluated the effectiveness of hydrogas and electrocoagulation technologies compared with traditional methods of using a biofilter when raising salmon. The results demonstrated the effectiveness of the former, and NaturalShrimp expects 'technology licensing opportunities' for salmon and finfish producers globally.

"Our success with our early aquaculture partner Hanilu Farms using hydrogas technology supports the significant potential for commercial licensing of the technology as an additional revenue stream," explains Gerald Easterling, CEO of NaturalShrimp. "The ability to increade health and survival rates in commercial facilities opens our opportunity to additional worldwide seafood markets, including salmon, barramundi and other freshwater fish."

Hydrogas works to eliminate industrial and biological problems which are caused by oxidation in production facilities. It is able to solve a number of issues related to corrosion, low oxygenation, ammonia, bacterial growth, and so on.

"Hanilu has noted that while using Hydrenesis, mortality rate goes down, the feed conversion ratio improves, and the fish grow faster. We are incredibly thankful for Hanilu Farms' input as they utilised ur technology, and we look forward to working with them as both companies scale operations," concludes Mr Easterling. 

For more information on NaturalShrimp visit their website, HERE.

For more information on Hanilu Farms visit their website, HERE.

The Kingfish Company's quarterly report shows strong sales and production

Sales for The Kingfish Company doubled in the second quarter of 2022, according to a press release the company put out. This is due to strong demand for sustainably grown Yellowtail Kingfish in the European and American markets, as the company is planning to construct a land-based facility in Maine.

"The second quarter of 2022 was a strong quarter for The Kingfish Company, seeing sales doubling, average sales prices increasing by 12 percent YoY, while achieving record production and sector leading productivity," says Ohad Maiman, CEO of The Kingfish Company.

The company also produced a record number of 402 tonnes of high-value Yelllowtail Kingfish, compared to a lower figure of 340 tonnes in the first quarter. Approximately one million fish have been produced in the company's hatchery.

It is continuing expansion of its facilities in Europe as system installation and construction enter its final stage. In the US, all state and federal permits have been secured for the new facility in Maine, which will produce an estimated 8500 tonnes of fish.

In Europe, construction of EU phase two is nearing completion, which includes an expanded hatchery, second pumphouse and seawater pipelines. System capacity being constructed has upgraded from a projected number of 1750 tonnes to 2000 tonnes per year, bringing total installed capacity in the Netherlands to 2500 tonnes per year.

"While having been able to avoid significant cost overruns in the first 1.5 years of construction, given current supply chain issues and inflation, we anticipate some additional cost and potential delays for the remaining work to completion," explains Mr Maiman. "Strict cost control measures are in place to limit the impact of global market circumstances."

Purchase of land for the Maine facility took place in December of last year. You can read about it HERE.

For more information on The Kingfish Company visit their website, HERE.