Features
Steady as she goes
The Netherlands’ fish farming sector is steadily growing, reports Eugene Gerden The Netherlands’ fish farming sector has been steadily growing, thanks to continuing stable domestic demand for farmed fish and improving economics in the country. That was the message presented at a recent symposium as part of the 40th anniversary of the Dutch Society for…
Read MorePowered up
Selcoth Fisheries already runs largely on renewable energy but the family running it want to do more. Robert Outram finds out why Selcoth Fisheries is a trout farm in the hills near Moffat in Dumfries and Galloway, in the southwest of Scotland. It’s a small family business, run by Olly and Shara Routledge but earlier…
Read MoreNorthern lights
Orkney and Shetland are key to hopes for expansion for the Scottish salmon sector, reports Robert Outram Some of the most exciting developments in Scottish fish farming are taking place in the Northern Isles – Orkney and Shetland – where operators are investing in expansion, new sites and improved processing facilities. Back in December 2021,…
Read MoreFeeding frenzy
High feed prices could be set to continue in 2024, experts say. Fiona Nicolson reports At the end of 2022, Rabobank’s Global Animal Protein Outlook for 2023 revealed that global grain and oilseed prices had almost doubled between May 2020 and May 2022, due to increased demand, concerns about supply and increased geopolitical uncertainty. Some…
Read MoreA tricky spot
A new report appears to have found a dangerous gap in shrimp disease testing The standard test applied to detect a devastating disease in farmed shrimp falls dangerously short of what is required, according to a study carried out by researchers in Australia. White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is a pathogen that can cause huge…
Read MoreAquaculture for a thriving future
Fishmongers’ Hall in London was the venue for an event focused on low-trophic aquaculture, as Nicki Holmyard reports The Fishmongers’ Company held a highly successful conference on 30 November, which looked at how the UK can grow nature positive and economically sustainable shellfish and seaweed. The event brought together policymakers, scientists, researchers, NGOs, farmers and…
Read MoreMapping out the lice threat
Consultation is over and SEPA is getting ready to start enforcing Wild Salmon Protection Zones, reports Robert Outram The Scottish Government is to press forward with the roll-out of Wild Salmon Protection Zones, which will restrict fish farming in areas seen as high risk for wild salmon. The proposed regulatory framework has not, however, been…
Read MoreInside job
A tiny sensor implant could tell us far more about fish health Researcher Eirik Svendsen, at Norwegian research institute SINTEF Ocean, has developed an implant capable of measuring data, which can be associated with disease and ailments in farmed fish at an early stage. The tiny device may be the most advanced implant ever made…
Read MoreAmbition in the East
Vietnam is looking to grow its aquaculture – and to make it more efficient. Vince McDonagh reports It might come as a surprise to some people to learn that Vietnam is the world’s fourth-largest producer of farmed fish, generating almost 4.9 million tonnes a year – three times that of Norway, for example. Its products,…
Read MoreSector set for growth
Rabobank’s look ahead to 2024 suggests better days are coming for aquaculture producers, reports Vince McDonagh After a turbulent 2023, the aquaculture industry – and the salmon sector in particular – looks set to rebound next year, according to a report based on input from producers worldwide. What to expect in aquaculture in 2024, the…
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