Archive for July 2022
Go west
Few people were surprised when land-based fish farming new boy Salmon Evolution announced last month that it was looking to North America for long term growth prospects. The company, due to start production at its first Norwegian facility later this year, clearly sees it as the region with the most promising potential. The Norwegian Seafood…
Read MoreMark of quality
The certification scheme operated by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) is one of the most widely used and recognised in the seafood sector. So far in Scotland, 22 salmon farms are ASC-certified, representing 10% of the industry. Mowi was the first to be ASC-certified, in 2015, and Scottish Sea Farms announced its first ASC-certified farms…
Read MoreHistory lessons
The decline of European native oyster (Ostrea edulis) populations in England by 95% since the mid 19th Century, due to overfishing, disease, pollution, predators and loss of habitat, is well documented, as are the various attempts to reintroduce this species throughout the UK. The benefits of growing oyster reefs are numerous, including their ability to…
Read MoreFresh salmon prices suffer big hit
Fresh salmon has suffered its biggest price fall of the year in the past few days, according to the latest data from Statistics Norway. Prices were down by NOK 7.78 or 8.8% to NOK 80.74 (£6.83) per kilo in week 29. A sharp drop had been widely predicted and further corrections could be on the…
Read MoreMarel reports higher revenues, lower profits for H1
International food processing equipment manufacturer Marel saw a strong order book and increased revenue for the first half of 2022, but the group’s net profits were slashed by nearly 30% year on year. Marel, which is headquartered in Iceland, has reported an order book of €893.5m (£748.3m) for H1 2022, compared with €740.7m (£620.3m) for…
Read MoreInnovation on land and sea
Lessons from farming across different species will be a key theme at the Livestock & Aquaculture Innovation Summit, being held this year in London on 6, 7 & 8 September. The Summit, organised by Kisaco, begins with a day dedicated to aquaculture on Tuesday 6 September, including contributions from Jaime Santana, Fish Health Manager, Mowi…
Read MoreOTAQ sees revenue rise, profits fall
Marine technology business OTAQ achieved revenue growth in 2021/22 but recorded a loss for the same period as questions continue over whether its seal scaring devices will be allowed to operate in some major markets. Based in the UK and Chile, OTAQ supplies international customers including aquaculture, renewables and offshore energy. For the 12 months…
Read MoreMajor investors backing Atlantic Sapphire
Investor interest in the Florida-based salmon farming company Atlantic Sapphire has increased significantly in the past few days with two major share transactions. The Norwegian billionaire and businessman Petter Stordalen has bought heavily into the Miami business through his investment company Strawberry Capital, according to the latest shareholder list. A self-proclaimed environmentalist, his net worth…
Read MoreSamherji set to focus on expansion
Samherji, Iceland’s largest integrated fishing and seafood company, is planning to invest 60 billion kroner (£365m) on expanding its aquaculture business over the next few years. Announcing its financial results for last year, Samherji CEO Þorstein Más Baldvinsson, said the emphasis would be on land based salmon farming. The group announced profits after tax of…
Read MoreWarning over wild salmon numbers
Wild Atlantic salmon stocks in rivers around the UK are reaching crisis point, the Environment Agency has warned. The Agency’s (EA) latest stock assessment report for England and Wales estimates wild salmon numbers are at their lowest levels on record, with English rivers facing the most acute threat. Out of 64 major salmon rivers, 51…
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