News
EU raids cost salmon firms millions
ALMOST seven billion kroner (about £625 million) has been wiped off the value of a number of Norwegian salmon farming companies following a series of inspections by EU officials in Scotland and the Netherland last week. The Seafood Index on the Oslo Stock Exchange has taken a huge hit during the last few days, with…
Read MoreIntelligent feed tool a farming ‘breakthrough’
A FEEDING system using artificial intelligence has been described as a ‘revolutionary breakthrough’ for fish farmers. The innovative software uses artificial intelligence (AI) to not only optimise feed costs with pellet recognition technology, but also provides a detailed analysis of fish behaviour. Created by London based Observe Technologies in partnership with AKVA group Scotland, the…
Read MoreSalMar to accelerate Iceland expansion
SALMAR has announced it is to speed up the development of its Icelandic salmon business Arnarlax after it completed securing a majority stake in the company today. The Norwegian salmon farmer has informed the Oslo Stock Exchange that it has proceeded with its plan to purchase 3,268,670 shares in Arnlarlax at a price of NOK…
Read MoreInsect farmer secures $125m funding
A FRENCH insect farmer has secured $125 million from venture capital investors to build the world’s biggest insect farm, to be run by robots. Ynsect, one of the early pioneers of insect farming, rears a type of beetle for fish feed, as well as for pets and fertilising plants. The fundraising round, which will be…
Read MoreWelfare focus of fish vets forum
WELFARE in farmed fish is the main theme of this year’s Fish Vet Society (FVS) conference, to be held near Edinburgh from March 26-27. The subject will be examined from three distinct angles: training in welfare, responsible use of therapeutants, and prevention strategies. Speakers include Dr Francis Murray and Dr Andrew Desbois from Stirling University’s…
Read MoreFarmers in ‘Norwegian salmon’ probe
EUROPEAN Union officials visited several Norwegian owned salmon companies in Scotland yesterday to explore alleged anti-competitive behaviour in the sector, according to a report by Undercurrent News. Grieg, Mowi (formerly Marine Harvest) and Scottish Sea Farms were all subject to inspections, the report said. But there is some confusion over why Scottish producers were at…
Read MoreCountdown to awards deadline
THE deadline for entries to this year’s Aquaculture Awards is fast approaching, with the final day for submissions on March 1. Some of the most influential companies and organisations in global aquaculture are supporting the awards, which are open to international entrants for the first time. The winners will be announced at a special ceremony…
Read MoreFarmer’s role in wild salmon success
A SCOTTISH salmon farmer has launched a restocking project on Mull in collaboration with local wild fisheries interests. The Scottish Salmon Company (SSC) supplied 300,000 ova to the Glen Forsa hatchery at Benmore Estate at Gruline as part of a long-term partnership. The hatchery marks a significant investment for the estate and will see salmon…
Read MoreBakkafrost hit by ‘difficult conditions’
THE Faroese salmon farming company Bakkafrost today announced lower than expected results for the final quarter of 2018, blaming ‘difficult market conditions’. Total operating income before interest and tax (EBIT) fell by almost a third to 230.5 million Danish kroner (DKK) compared to DKK 331.2 million in Q4 2017. But harvested volumes were up from…
Read MoreNZ salmon exports hit as China tensions rise
INCREASED tension between Beijing and the West appears to be affecting New Zealand salmon exports to China. The company so far hardest hit is New Zealand\’s biggest seafood exporter, Sanford. It has been experiencing problems in obtaining clearance for salmon through Chinese ports, as suspicions grow that China is turning up the heat on the…
Read More