Tag farmed salmon

The CEO of AquaGen knew that the Norwegian research group’s work in genomics was key to the salmon industry’s future. And that was before she even worked there. 

As Steve Bracken retires after more than four decades of fish farming, he reflects on his career producing Scottish salmon and shares his well-earned perspectives on aquaculture’s past and future. 

Cargill and Australia’s Nuseed are both investing large sums of money in the development of a genetically modified canola oil rich in DHA. Meanwhile, a leading nutritionist casts doubts on the necessity of omega-3s from fish. 

A leader at one of the new Maine RAS ventures talks ambitions for his group and the growing land-based aquaculture industry, with his home state at the epicenter of North American operations. 

The potential of a salmon-farming ban in Washington state is being monitored closely next door, in British Columbia, where many more salmon farms operate. But they’re not worried about a spillover effect. 

Alltech and Benchmark have been working on the next generation of sea lice solutions and believe they have new products that can help salmon farmers win. 

A five-year study in Canada aims to provide more answers about warmer waters with lower oxygen levels and a way for farmed fish producers to adapt to climate change. 

The SeaWeb Seafood Summit, held June 5-7 in Seattle, Wash., convenes seafood industry executives, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and ocean advocates from all over the world. 

Few could argue that a reduction in sea lice-fighting chemicals isn't a win for the fish and for the environment. The downside, however, is that increasing numbers of cleaner fish are being caught for use on salmon farms. 

An over-reliance on medical and chemical controls, along with warming waters, led to a surge in sea lice. With such treatments waning in effectiveness, operators turn to other, safer measures. 

Insurance is available for a wide range of species, and will protect capital investment against events or natural hazards that affect fish health, assets and harvests. Effective risk assessment and management strategies are important. 

After some rocky times, ties between B.C. salmon farmers and First Nations, have improved in recent years. Band members report consistent employment, royalties and improved quality of life. “We need aquaculture around,” says one fishing company owner. 

Seafood industry veteran Phil Walsh takes a satirical look at how mainstream media filter news reports about wild and farmed fish. But the marketplace influence of unnamed “insiders” is no joke. 

Investors see the good, bad and ugly aspects of the seafood industry. Experts at the IntraFish Seafood Investors Forum described the headwinds facing the market, like consumer confusion, while offering glimpses into their strategies (hint: patience is a virtue). 

Aquaculture is attractive to investors, but they remain wary of diseases that could stunt projections of massive growth. At the IntraFish Seafood Investors Forum in New York, discussion about the salmon industry and its challenges — antibiotics, genetically modified fish, Chile’s woes, sea lice — revealed both criticism and optimism.