‘Blue Economy’ vision for Scotland published

Scotland’s ambition for a world-leading “Blue Economy” has been set out in a paper from the Scottish Government. The document Blue Economy Vision for Scotland defines the concept as “the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, while preserving the health of marine and coastal ecosystem”. It argues that, rather…

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Shetland farms to get early warning of algal blooms

Finfish and shellfish farmers in Shetland are set to get an early warning of potentially deadly algal blooms, thanks to investment in new technology. The initiative, funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise with a grant of £185,000, is being led by UHI (University of the Highlands and Islands) Shetland, in collaboration with the Scottish Association…

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Mount Fuji salmon farm company cuts operating loss

Proximar Seafood has announced an operating loss of NOK 9.8m (£860,000) for 2021, reduced from NOK 11.1m (£940,000) the previous year. The company, which is moving closer to the opening of its high-tech land-based fish farm at the foot of Mount Fuji in Japan , is still in a project development phase so has no…

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Run a half marathon, plant a tree

Sustainability will be the theme for the annual Isle of Skye Half Marathon this year. Supported by the Scottish Salmon Company, runners are being encouraged to plant a tree to offset their carbon emissions. The run takes place on Saturday 11 June and, the organisers say, registrations are already approaching the halfway mark. Runners will…

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Mowi’s new processing centre to cut out wellboats

Mowi has announced plans to build a “state-of-the-art” processing centre in Hitra, Norway. Work on the new factory will start in April and is scheduled for completion in the first half of 2024. The factory will have a production capacity of 100,000 tonnes and will replace Mowi’s current factory at Ulvan. The new plant will…

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SalMar extends takeover decision deadline

Salmon producer SalMar last night extended the shareholder acceptance period for its bid for the NTS aquaculture group. No reason was given. The NOK 15bn (£1.3bn) offer was due to have expired on Friday afternoon, but shareholders now have until 4.30pm (CET) on Friday 29 April to make up their minds. SalMar says it has received…

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Lockdowns fail to dent China’s appetite for salmon

Despite the resurgence of Covid in some parts of the country, seafood exports to China have got off to a strong start in the first two months of this year with salmon taking the lead. The Norwegian Seafood Council says that 28,500 tonnes of fish worth NOK 1.2bn (£100m) were sold during January and February.…

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Scotland helps light up Mowi’s performance for 2021

Mowi Scotland saw a significant improvement in its financial performance last year, the company reveals in its annual report today. The 2021 operational EBIT or operational profit totalled €77.2m (£65.5m) against €46m (£39m) in 2020. The improvement, says Mowi, was due to improved cost and volumes on the back of better biological performance as well…

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Animal welfare campaigners call for a ‘moratorium’ on fish farming

Animal welfare charity Compassion in World Farming has submitted an open letter to the Scottish Parliament calling for a moratorium on salmon farming in Scotland until “a number of animal welfare concerns” have been addressed by the industry. The letter has been signed by nearly 130,000 people and its presentation to Parliament was attended by…

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Call to put NRS-SalmoNor merger on hold

The NTS board has called for the postponement of the proposed merger between two of its subsidiaries, Norway Royal Salmon and SalmoNor. It is also calling for an investigation into the plan. SalMar, which has offered NOK 15.1 billion (£1.25bn) to take over the NTS Group, is not directly involved in this widening rift between…

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