FEB 2022 - International Aquafeed magazine

FISH FARMING TECHNOLOGY

CYBER ATTACKS

How cyber-attacks are impacting the aquaculture industry, and what can be done about it

International Aquafeed - Volume 25 - Issue 2 - February 2022

- KRILL: What are the costs versus benefits for fish feed manufacturers?

- Introducing the world’s first pen made from recycled materials - Sulfate removal by nanomembrane filtration - Octopus farming: The implications and considerations for the welfare of the European octopus Proud supporter of Aquaculture without Frontiers UK CIO

February 2022

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PRODUCTIVITY

NUTRITION

NOURISH PROTECT SUSTAIN

PERFORMANCE

PROTECTION

WELCOME

Whilst many of us remain in our working Well it had to happen! and living locations, this is a good time Despite of all the careful pre-planning, the to consider how to expand your skills and preventative measures and precautions taken, knowledge in the area of aquafeed production. our four team members travelling internationally We have been reporting throughout most in the last week of January, returned home to of 2021 the lectures held during the Online develop Covid-19 like symptoms, before then Milling School’s Aqua Feed Production testing positive for the disease. course.

It’s debatable where we contracted the disease Now is the time to sign up for this year’s but the symptoms did not start appearing until course by visiting www.onlinemillingschool. the Saturday afternoon following our arrival back Roger Gilbert com and registering for the whole 12 sessions. in the UK. In fact, it has taken two of our team Publisher – International Aquafeed There’s one session of two-hours each week until Wednesday and Thursday to test positive for and Fish Farming Technology (with a catch-up at the end to ensure you Covid. participate in all 12 sessions) with a certificate at Has being fully vaccinated helped? Being the end that can be validated by your employer. from the older generation within our group, I would have to say It's a valuable means of improving your understanding of the feed most definitely. The symptoms are milder and recovery is slightly process and will enhance your status in the eyes of your employers. shorter, with less intensity than expected from the various symptoms Myself and Joe Kearns – who we interview this month in our experienced.

‘Interview’ page at the back of the magazine - are moderators and The question is – was it worth making this trip if the risk of illness lecturers on the Course. We look forward to welcoming you at the start outweigh the benefits - and given the more serious consequences that of the 2022 Course in a few weeks. could have resulted? I would say yes.

Finally, I had the opportunity to meet up with Erik Visser of We have avoided contracting the disease for almost two years, we have isolated when coming into contact with someone who might have Hamlet Protein and interviewed him on topics that are close to his heart – microbial resistance being one of them. That interview is contracted the disease. We have also all taken all of our jabs and we below and the link will take you to our website (www.aquafeed. continue to comply with all government requirements – especially in co.uk) where you can watch the full discussion. the work environment.

Once again this issue has a lot to offer our broad-based readership.

However, there comes a time when we must face the world as it is and get on with life. It’s a decision that each of us must make based on You can read us in print (by subscribing at https://magstand.com/ aquafeed) or via our App, which is available both on Apple Store and our individual circumstances and ‘one size’ will not always ‘fit all’.

Google Play.

Therefore, each of my staff took responsibility for their decision However, if you downloaded and use the App from our Magstand to attend and I’m very proud of them for doing that, despite the you will have access to our online library of back issues from your discomfort they are experiencing during their 10 days of isolation. desktop.

Thanks to them you have a strong and dedicated team serving your Happy reading! industry!

This month on IAF TV Erik Visser, the CEO of Hamlet Protein in Denmark talks with Roger Gilbert, publisher of International Aquafeed magazine, about the drivers that will shape the development of the livestock and aqua industries over the coming months of 2022. Mr Visser visited IPPE 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA in the last week of January and identified antimicrobial resistance, African Swine Fever along with gut helath in addition to current economic considtions being caused by the ongoing pandemic to give his assessment of the animal protein production industries. See our IPPE 2022 report in the March editions of both International Aquafeed magazine and Milling aad Grain.

Scan to watch the video for FREE

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Watch more videos at: www.aquafeed.co.uk/videos

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NUTRITION & HEALTH We face February now, our smallest month of the year. But do not be fooled by its variable weather in the northern hemisphere - that’s despite our increasing day length and that hint of spring in the air.

Insect production is set to increase

Insect meal is always making the news in our industry with recent focus by a talk given by Rabobank seafood analyst Gorjan Nikolik, in a talk headed ‘No longer crawling: insect protein to come of age in the 2020s’. This was featured at a recent meeting held by Adisseo. Nikolik noted that the Sudden cold snaps, severe gale force winds and aquafeed sector depends on some 42 million Atlantic storms here in Plymouth, England are Professor Simon Davies global tonnes of raw materials annually. always on the horizon. However, the temperatures Nutrition Editor, International Aquafeed However, world insect production is currently have been unseasonably higher than average and standing at 10,000 tonnes. Insect production is set to relatively mild. increase significantly over the next decade – generated by appreciable levels The longer days will of course affect our fish as they have several of investment in this emerging industry to around 500,000 tonnes a year by biological means to register light intensity and this exposure will induce 2030. About 200,000 tonnes are likely to be available for aquafeeds. important change in fish metabolism and affect behaviour and appetite.

Nikolik also stated this is only a fraction of the total feed ingredients Rising temperature in the coming months will play a major part in the activation of routine metabolism and scope for growth of fish in open ponds required in aquaculture so more development and expansion will become necessary to meet the protein gap and demands. In the short to medium and raceway systems. term, it was mentioned that we need to apply a strategic approach to insect As fish feed specialists and nutrition scientists we are concerned with feed intake and appetite control. The abiotic and biotic factors regulating appetite meal use in aquafeeds and ascertain whether specific stages of growth and appropriate species of fish such a high value carnivorous fish would be the are certainly very important areas that need more research. Many years ago, best target species of such novel ingredients. when I was in the University of Plymouth as a principal lecturer and then Fish like salmon would be very appropriate recipients during stressful chaired professor, I had three PhD Students working on fish physiology stages for niche diets during smoltification for example and could also ranging from sharks (dogfish) to trout and seabream where the focus was be beneficiaries of special diets such as for brood-stock in pre-spawning on regulation of feed intake and gastric emptying time linked to the return conditioning feeds. of appetite.

On the academic front, I note good news from Vietnam regarding its We expanded the much earlier work of Malcolm Jobling in Norway who prestigious Can Tho University – an institution that has been at the core of was a pioneer in this area and conducted numerous investigations to define the impressive rise of the country’s aquaculture sector over the past decades. our understanding of appetite control and its relevance to fish nutrition and Its pioneering work on artemia and hatchery applications is ranked highly, aquaculture production. We found that energy density and protein to energy and new investment is being made to expand courses for students and ratio was influential and the level of feeding and frequency of feeding and to increase research activities relevant to the Vietnamese species such as consistency of the diet of paramount importance. pangasius.

This work required a specialist technique using X-radiography and radioIn this issue of IAF and Fish Farming Technology, I include an article on opaque micro-beads. These were carefully measured into test diets so that octopus that received attention recently due to its potential of being raised feed intake could be quantitated in the fish stomach and feed passage rate in captive environments for farming. This has been mentioned in the press determined. With serial X-Rays of individual fish, we could construct time and concerns expressed to its welfare due to the advanced intelligence and flow curves and by linear regression to extrapolate the decay of feed and sentience capabilities of octopus. I hope you will find this informative, calculate zero stomach contents. timely and interesting.

This was really pioneering work and provided excellent data to support We have all been told from good scientific and medical research that better feeding strategies for fish and optimal frequency of meals as well as consuming fish is good for our health. I know that Her Majesty Queen meal sizes. It resulted in a series of very good publications in peer-review Elizabeth II is a regular fish eater with salmon, trout and grilled Dover sole journals. Indeed, no matter how good our fish feed is in terms of nutrients being favourites of our famous Royal, Head of State. At nearly 96, she is and high-quality feed ingredients we must be able to obtain effective in wonderful health so we may like to follow her example and eat more feeding to avoid waste and to promote good feed conversions in practice. seafood for longevity.

Turning to aquafeed, I notice that some very good work has shown the This month on February 6 the Queen marks her incredible 70 Year benefits of yeast in diets for tilapia recently from investigations conducted reign being the longest serving and oldest British monarch in our history. in Bangladesh at the Laboratory of Fish Ecophysiology, Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University. Supplementing So I personally congratulate her on this magnificent achievement for her Platinum Jubilee and best wishes from our magazine. Also, in SE Asia fish Nile tilapia diets with bakers’ yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) can alter positively their intestinal morphology, resulting in enhanced nutrient uptake, is widely consumed and especially in Japan and China with some of the oldest people in the world and quite a few centenarians. feed efficiency and immune responses with associated improved growth To me the evidence is clear! performance.

Finally, to all our readers in China and beyond, I wish you all a Happy and This is not too surprising as there is a plethora of work that advocates prosperous Chinese New Year. I was born in 1957, the year of the rooster! yeast of varying types as having prebiotic and probiotic action in the With that, enjoy our February issue and keep up the supply of articles and gastrointestinal tract of animals including aquatic farmed species. However news. more confirmatory evidence is much welcomed.

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FISH FARMING TECHNOLOGY I spent my short Christmas holiday at home. The Covid pandemic did not allow me to visit family or friends, so I opted for reading up on the industry. And of course, I ran across several articles of interest about technology.

The desire to increase production dramatically. The world needs more seafood, and fish farming countries are making the most of this fact. The Norwegian government, for example, has set a goal of five million tonnes of salmon to be produced in 2050. Is that possible?

The technologies for all the different alternative production methods are being developed at this moment, and a lot of research and development costs are going into this.

One of the most interesting subjects I came across was the focus on the need Erik Hempel for diversification in the aquaculture The Nor-Fishing Foundation industry. Nowhere is that more important than in salmon-producing Norway, it seemed.

A systematic and scientific approach One aspect of diversification is the diversification of species Over the years, I have been approached by many who are under culture. I will stick to Norway, because the country has keen to learn how they can achieve the same success that the struggled with species diversification for the past 25 years. The Norwegian salmon farming industry has achieved. How can enormous success of salmon farming could not last, according the development of salmon farming technologies benefit other to some observers. species in other geographical and climactic environments?

However, it is still lasting, and in fact 2021 was another There are some characteristics of modern salmon farming record year for Norwegian salmon farming. But what that are worth highlighting and that can be transferred to about other species, like cod, halibut, lobster and what practically all other species in aquaculture. not?

First and foremost, it is the need to approach the problems In other climates, like the Tropics, species diversification and opportunities with a systematic and scientific mind. Fish is vast. Many fish farmers are trying to raise a number of farming today can only make advancements through modest different species, but very few are successful with such a incremental improvements based on science. multi-species approach.

The days of giant leaps are over. But science costs money, and therefore financing is needed. In some countries, basic research is sponsored by the authorities, while applied research Focused on just two species is often paid for by the industry. This is a good model and can One of the main reasons for the success of Norwegian be duplicated in most countries. salmon farming, is the fact that the industry focused on just But whichever way we look at it, finance is limited, and two species, and two very similar species: trout and salmon. therefore we must make priorities. We cannot support This concentration allowed the industry to focus its attention on the development of just these two species and to make rapid everything that looks interesting. Making priorities means that we have to decide which species to focus on, and then advancements in the farming of both. They avoided to spread concentrate our research and development efforts on this one their resources thinly over a number of species. or very, very few species that we have chosen.

This is a mistake that is being made in so many countries One fact that investors and operators must face, is the fact with aspirations for their fish farming industry.

In Norway, there is now renewed interest in cod farming. But that some of these alternative technologies will require much greater investments. Both land-based production and offshore production is still very, very modest. According to figures I production is more expensive than the old floating cage found in one publication, there are at present some two million technology. And it remains to be seen if these technologies cod in cages along the Norwegian coast. In 2008, there were indeed are “better” than cage farming.

24 million. And then the cod farming industry went bust.

Land-based salmon farming has so far run into great Perhaps more interesting, however, is the discussion about diversification of production technology. Production in floating problems, and it is still not entirely clear why. Offshore farming, on the other hand, looks promising, but is extremely cages has been and is the dominating technology used in capital intensive. In both cases, very strong financial backing Norwegian salmon farming. is necessary.

In recent years, there has been an explosive interest in Looking at this development, one is tempted to ask: Is the land-based salmon farming, RAS, and in offshore farming. aquaculture industry developing into just another industry, But there are other technologies that could also be emerging. where finance, management, stock market and R&D are just Closed systems on land or in the ocean, semi-closed systems, like every other industry? etc.

In my view: Yes. It already is. It is time that we accept Common to these different technologies are a few this. The good old days of romance and genuine interest in considerations: the basics of the sector are over. It is time we accept that The environmental considerations: reduced pollution, aquaculture is an industrial sector. reduced escapes, reduced contamination of wild fish stocks; International Aquafeed - February 2022 | 5

Perendale Publishers Ltd 7 St George’s Terrace St James’ Square, Cheltenham, Glos, GL50 3PT, United Kingdom Tel: +44 1242 267700 Publisher Roger Gilbert rogerg@perendale.co.uk Managing Editor Peter Parker peterp@perendale.co.uk

February 2022 Volume 25 Issue 2

IN THIS ISSUE

FISH FARMING TECHNOLOGY

International Editors Dr Kangsen Mai (Chinese edition) mai@perendale.com Prof Antonio Garza (Spanish edition) antoniog@perendale.com Erik Hempel (Norwegian edition) erikh@perendale.com Editorial Advisory Panel • Prof Dr Abdel-Fattah M. El-Sayed • Dr Allen Wu • Prof António Gouveia • Prof Charles Bai • Dr Daniel Merrifield • Dr Dominique Bureau • Dr Elizabeth Sweetman • Dr Kim Jauncey • Dr Eric De Muylder • Dr Pedro Encarnação • Dr Mohammad R Hasan Editorial team Prof Simon Davies sjdaquafeed@gmail.com Andrew Wilkinson andreww@perendale.co.uk Caitlin Gittins caitling@perendale.co.uk Levana Hall levanah@perendale.co.uk International Marketing Team Darren Parris Tel: +44 7854 436407 darrenp@perendale.co.uk Latin America Marketing Team Clarissa Garza de Yta Tel: +52 669 120 0140 clarissag@perendale.com Cristina María Roldán Otero Tel: +44 1242 267700 cristinaperendale@gmail.com Egyptian Marketing Team Mohamed Baromh Tel: +20 100 358 3839 mohamedb@perendale.com India Marketing Team Dr T.D. Babu +91 9884114721 tdbabu@aquafeed.org

REGULAR ITEMS 8

Industry News

42 Technology showcase 48 Industry Events 56 The Market Place 60 The Aquafeed Interview 62

Industry Faces

The Aquaculture case study

44 Mangrove crabs

Asia Marketing Team Dante Feng Tel: +886 0227930286 dantef@perendale.com Nigeria Marketing Team Nathan Nwosu Tel: +234 8132 478092 nathann@perendale.com Design Manager James Taylor jamest@perendale.co.uk Design support Marcin Podlasiak marcinp@perendale.co.uk Circulation & Events Manager Tuti Tan Tel: +44 1242 267706 tutit@perendale.co.uk Development Manager Antoine Tanguy antoinet@perendale.co.uk ©Copyright 2020 Perendale Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior permission of the copyright owner.

More information can be found at www.perendale.com ISSN 1464-0058

COLUMNS 3 Roger Gilbert 4 Professor Simon Davies 5

Erik Hempel

10 Brett Glencross

FEATURES 14 KRILL: What are the costs versus benefits for fish feed manufacturers?

20 KRILL MEAL: Improving european sea bass growth performance & feed utilisation

22 OCTOPUS FARMING: The implications and considerations for the welfare of the European octopus O. vulgaris in research and aquaculture

28 How cyber-attacks are impacting the FISH FARMING TECHNOLOGY aquaculture industry, and what can be done about it 34 Introducing the world’s first pen made from recycled materials

THE BIG PICTURE Introducing the world’s first pen made from recycled materials See more on page 34

38 Sulfate removal by nanomembrane filtration

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Brace of companies receives funding to develop novel salmon vaccine

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enchmark Animal Health and Cermaq Group have received funding from the Research Council of Norway for the development of a novel vaccine for salmon. Benchmark develops biotechnology to improve animal health and welfare, and will be working together with Cermaq, a leading salmon and trout producer.

“The funding from the Research Council of Norway enables Benchmark and Cermaq to undertake important research evaluating and optimising novel vaccines against Tenacibaculumbacteria,” says a Cermaq spokesperson.

The funding was given in a total sum of NOK 4.2 million (US$47.57 million), to support their collaborative project in developing a Tenacibaculum vaccine, to combat the diseases caused by the Tenacibaculum bacteria.

In 2020, the Tenacibaculum bacteria was reported by the Norwegian Veterinary Institute to be considered

the fifth most important cause of mortality in salmon. These diseases include mouthrot and tenacibaculosis, both of which can lead to increased mortality, reduced quality at harvest and the need for antibiotic treatments, resulting in economic losses. The success of a developed vaccine would provide great benefit for the aquaculture sector.

The collaborative project between Benchmark and Cermaq combines their experience of biotechnology and fish health, along with Cermaq’s own research onto Tenacibaculum bacteria.

The two aims of the project are to reduce the need for antibiotic use in treating both diseases, and to reduce production costs by reducing antibiotic treatments and reducing mortalities.

From Cermaq, the project will be led by PhD Sverre Småge and the researchers Cecilie Isachsen Lie and Helene Velle Mayer. The team from Benchmark will be Sarah Barker and Sindrew Rosenlund, with researchers

8 | February 2022 - International Aquafeed

Claire Stanley, Fiona Tulloch and Matthias Winkle.

Developing an effective vaccine “The research team at Benchmark Animal Health are delighted to receive this recognition from the Research Council of Norway.

“We are looking forward to working on this important project in collaboration with our partner Cermaq Group AS, supporting our mission to achieve the highest standards of fish welfare and support the sustainable growth of the aquaculture industry,” says Sarah Barker, the Senior Research Scientist at Benchmark.

“Preventive fish health is always the best option, and Cermaq invest much in preventive fish health.

This joint project with Benchmark Animal Health is a great opportunity to succeed in developing an effective vaccine against the Tenacibaculum bacteria, and hence is important for salmon farming,” concludes Olai Einen, the Global Head of Feed and Fish Health Research at Cermaq.

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ASC announces first turbot farmer to achieve flatfish certification

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utch turbot farmer Seafarm has become the first in the world to achieve certification against the rigorous standards of the ASC Flatfish Standard.

Based in the province of Zeeland, Seafarm has been producing farmed seafood for decades, and takes a ‘whole circle’ approach to farming turbot, from breeding to selling the fish in their on-site restaurant.

ASC’s Flatfish Standard was developed in response to market demand for species like turbot, halibut and flounder, with total global production of the species covered by the standard estimated at around 200,000 tonnes per year.

The standard was launched in 2019 following a rigorous development and consultation period. Seafarm achieved certification following a rigorous auditing process carried out by independent certifier SGS. To achieve certification a flatfish farm has to demonstrate it is limiting environmental impacts such as minimising chemical use and maintaining high water quality, as well as acting in a socially responsible way by providing workers with a safe and fair working environment and treating neighbours and local communities with respect.

Seafarm take their environmental and social responsibilities seriously. They take advantage of natural spring water and do not use antibiotics or drugs in their production.

Their certification is good news for a diverse group of turbot-lovers thanks to their long list of customers. This includes supermarkets and restaurants, including their own situated near their farm for those who like their turbot extra fresh.

Strong connection with the sea Dave Bout, co-owner of Seafarm says, “We come from a fishing family so we have always had a strong connection with the sea, and a strong desire to protect the environment on which we rely for our food.

“ASC certification gives our customers a demonstrable assurance of this commitment. It means we can show them that our environmental dedication has been transparently audited.

“Running our own restaurant on-site, we know that this sort of assurance is increasingly important to seafood lovers.”

First of many “This certification is a demonstration of Seafarm’s dedicated approach to responsible farming, and it is a proud moment for all Dutch seafood lovers,” says Maud van den Haspel, ASC General Manager for The Netherlands.

“It’s also great news for consumers because it means they can enjoy turbot knowing it has been produced with minimal environmental and social impacts.

“I’m confident that this will be the first of many certifications. Seafarm’s achievement will encourage more producers to follow suit and demonstrate their environmental credentials.”

This is not the end of Seafarm’s environmental ambitions.

They are currently working on improvements to their energyefficiency and waste disposal with the aim of producing fish using only renewable energy.

Fascinating flatfish Flatfish such as turbot have been farmed commercially for a number of decades, and are well suited to aquaculture.

However, the farming of these fish can have a number of environmental and social impacts if not done responsibly.

These include negative impacts on biodiversity, use of antibiotics, pollution on water quality, and negative impacts for workers or communities. ASC certification requires that farms minimise any negative environmental impacts, treating and paying their workers fairly, and being responsible neighbours.

As well as turbot, the ASC Flatfish Standard covers a number of halibut and flounder species. These fascinating fish are hard to mistake, with two eyes on one side of their face.

Their firm, meaty texture makes them a favourite in restaurants and supermarkets around the world.

International Aquafeed - February 2022 | 9

that the problem? Science papers are not exactly a well-read communication medium, with very few outside what are very specialist science domains, reading what is actually written.

In fact, in my own view, formed over a twenty-year scientific career, publishing science papers is more about a quality assurance (QA) of the work than actual communication. But that might not be a widely shared view.

Brett Glencross How to capitalise on publicly funded science: the case of the GMO revolution

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read with interest recently a column in the online journal FeedNavigator that reported predictions

by Rabobank of an imminent upturn in genetically modified crop technology being adopted by China as it seeks to reduce its dependence on feed imports.

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are one of those topics that polarises people. While seen as a cutting-edge and futuristic science topic to scientists, the impact and benefits to consumers has not been met with the same enthusiasm to say the least.

Why is this? What is it that consumers see that scientists don’t, and vice versa? And why do we see such differing opinions around the world?

Much of this story I suspect stems from the communications of the benefits that such technologies bring. However, the number of scientific publications coming out on this area over the past twenty years is not insignificant. Scientists have been great at communicating their work in that regard. But is

Global food production systems

In terms of broader media (like newspapers and TV), my own experience with that has been that rarely does the media have a positive news story to tell about food. They are more likely to dial up the doom-and-gloom of how we are all being poisoned and are going to die (despite that our food is safer now than at any point in history and the average life expectancy continues to climb), than point out some of the fantastic progress made in global food production systems.

So that is probably not the best strategy to rely on to communicate the benefits either. Maybe the answer lies with publishing less (in any kind of medium) and commercialising things more? From experience, the two tend often be in counterbalance to some degree.

Afterall, for businesses to make money, they usually need to have a commercial advantage over their competitors. Telling everyone in the world your secrets doesn’t usually help with the advantage part there.

In terms of the actual GMO landscape, the crop-based omega-3 oils area provides an interesting contrast of tales to all this. As serendipity would have it, throughout different parts of my scientific career I managed to work (peripherally) with two such programs.

Too slow to deliver benefits

What I noted was that the two different national science programs, working with different plants, producing different

Dr Brett Glencross is the Technical Director of IFFO - The Marine Ingredients Organisation.

Over the past 25 years he has worked in various academic, institutional, and industrial roles across Australasia, the Middle East and Europe.

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oils, with different levels of omega-3 were busily progressing things using different science and commercialisation strategies.

One of those programs was very commercially focussed, the other quite academically focussed.

Notably, what I would consider the best product (from a nutritional perspective) being produced from all that

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technology has arguably been too slow to deliver benefits, despite that both teams commenced their work not too long after each other.

So why such differences?

Well part of that might be regional differences in the opinion on GMO use (contrast the UK/EU with Australia/ USA here). But a large part of it I suspect is also linked that strategy and focus on how to capitalise on the investment. To commercialise or to publish?

And this has made me reflect on the question of how do we assess the benefits from what have generally been a series of publicly funded science programs?

Ultimately, what is the best outcome from all of this? A few science papers or a major shift in food production technology that will have benefits for decades after and generate millions of dollars or pounds in revenue?

I suspect most non-scientists (and maybe a few scientists as well) will find that one easy to answer.

International Aquafeed - February 2022 | 11

News

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Developing the first high-tech Rainbow Trout farm in Singapore

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lue Aqua is now looking to develop Singapore’s first hightech fish farm for producing

Trout.

This is in part of the group’s intention to invest SGD $45 million (US$33 million) to grow its aquaculture operations in Singapore.

With plans for an annual production capacity of 1200 tonnes of rainbow trout – a cold water species native to the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America.

It plans to cater to the local demand for a sustainable fish of the highest quality. The project will showcase a proprietary ModulRAS system developed by Assentoft Aqua, Denmark, which specialises in sustainable land-based RAS aquaculture technologies.

Singapore has set its sights on a ‘30 by 30’ masterplan to meet 30 percent of its local food production by 2030.

The intended project will incorporate super-intensive technology coupled with AI to help achieve sustainable fish production locally to support Singapore’s food security initiatives, by making available fresh daily harvest of its premium quality rainbow trout.

With Singapore’s ‘Green Plan 2030’ encouraging a vibrant sustainability ecosystem, the project will also look into developing green technology for energy and carbon efficient urban farming through partnerships with clean energy technology firms. The developed sustainable trout farming system will be eventually deployed across South East Asia, Middle East and North Africa.

“Our heartiest congratulations to Dr Farshad and the team at Blue Aqua for their visionary move into super intensive urban farming.

Assentoft Aqua understands that Blue Aqua has undertaken a very rigorous due diligence and technology validation process where leading RAS technologies from across the world were evaluated.

“Today’s announcement is a further attestation of Assentoft's technology and its mark of quality for urban farms of the future,” says A/Prof Matthew Tan, CEO Asia, Assentoft Aqua Asia Pte. Ltd. Dr Farshad Shishehchian, CEO & Founder of Blue Aqua International Group says, “The future lies in sustainable, smart farming systems that are not bound by environmental constraints. Blue Aqua has been a strong advocate for super-intensive, species-focused farming since its inception, and we are excited to grow our efforts to develop a scalable aquaculture technology, with farmed trout and shrimp, to serve as an important and efficient protein food source for decades to come.”

Advised by Lighthouse Finance, an

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Oslo based advisory firm specialised in financing sustainable seafood projects around the globe - the farming project is in the midst of raising funds for a phase-based commercial development over the next three years.

“At Lighthouse Finance we consistently keep exploring for aquaculture projects with a right balance, to assist them in their growth phases and Blue Aqua’s plans tick most of the boxes for us to come in and partner with.

“Along with possessing the technological depth, experience in the value-chain and goodwill, Blue Aqua’s vision to be a solution provider anticipating future challenges should catapult it to be a formidable high-growth enterprise across species.

“Supporting an environmentally sustainable aquaculture project and guiding it to become a circular economy operation is close to our mission’s heart and hence our resolve to partner with Blue Aqua for their next growth cycle,” says Roy Høiås, CEO & Founder of Lighthouse Finance AS, Norway.

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Aquaculture

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News

Training Online Aquafeed Production School returns in February 2022

Following a break over the festive season, February 2022 sees the long-awaited return of the Online Aquafeed Production School for its Spring 2022 Edition.

Presented in its now familiar format of two hours of related material to the topic delivered by selected industry experts, the two hours of presentations is then followed by a dedicated question and answer session that allows participants to interact live with the program facilitators.

Interested? Keep reading to find out more.

What is the Online Aquafeed Production School?

Developed by Progressus Agrischools, this course itself is formulated specifically to help attendees to build an understanding of the design, development, and operation of an aquafeed production plant for the range of products typically used in this industry.

This goal is achieved through two hour long weekly sessions featuring industry experts who share their extensive knowledge relating to aquafeed ingredients, the equipment used, as well as providing a general nutritional review.

These industry experts possess centuries of industry experience includes Joe Kearns, whose experience in our industry includes decades in senior roles at Wenger manufacturing. This edition sees Mr Kearns take over the role of lead presenter, a role that he will no doubt deliver with the same level of professionalism that has seen him earn a solid reputation throughout his career for wisdom and reliability.

Online Aquafeed Production School will enable interested individuals to understand the possibilities and developments over time with regards to what can be produced, as well as examining how all aspects of the process interact in order to achieve and maintain a successful standard of aquafeed production.

Basically, there are four areas of importance for aquafeed production; ingredients, equipment used, how it is operated, and the desired final product specifications.

All aspects interact as each affects the other as the nutritionist makes the formula, sales or the customers define the desired end product while the production needs

Who should attend Online Aquafeed Production School?

• Feed mill plant owners • Feed mill managers and plant operators • Quality assurance and maintenance staff • Nutritionist and feed formulators • Feed additive and animal health suppliers • Industry advisors and technical consultants

to perform efficiently.

Communication between these areas and the interactions between them will vastly increase the chances of producing positive results, including excellent aquafeed produced with acceptable margins.

It’s not too late to enrol The Aquafeed Production School is running every Tuesday, from February 22 to the May 24, 2pm Bangkok time and 9am CET. For those based in the US and Latin America, sessions begin on February 22 and conclude on May 27, 9am Chicago time.

The course certification is very beneficial for the workplace, as it both signals an attendee’s interest in the industry and demonstrates an acquisition of the knowledge that they’ve gained whilst attending the program.

To enrol, be sure to visit https://aquafeed.co.uk/events/ online-aquafeed-production-school-autumn-2021/ for more information.

Online Aquafeed Production School Spring Edition 2022 schedule Week 1 Week 2

Raw Materials: Process interaction and function of use Nutrition aspects of aquafeed production: Basics formulation requirements Week 3 Ingredients: Receiving, storage, batching and mixing Week 4 Course Grinding Through to Micro- Pulverising Week 5 Micro- Ingredients and Final Preparation prior to Pellet Production Week 6 Extrusion vs Pelleting: Production via Single-Screw Extruders Week 7 Extrusion: Utilising Twin-Screw Technology Week 8 Pelleting of Aquatic Feeds Week 9 Drying and Cooling of Aquatic Feeds Week 10 Other Processes of Feed Production and Unique possibilities Week 11 Coating: Atmospheric and Vacuum Week 12 Overall Plant Design and Control Possibilities

International Aquafeed - February 2022 | 13

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ADM opens new Aquaculture Innovation Lab

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global leader in human and animal nutrition announces the opening of its Aquaculture Innovation Lab at the Animal Nutrition Technology Centre (ANTC) in Decatur, Illinois.

This laboratory extends ADM’s international research and development capabilities to a new region, building on existing aquaculture research facilities located in Brazil, Mexico and Vietnam.

“The opening of this new wet lab demonstrates our commitment to scientific discovery, bringing expanded capabilities to our competitive aqua innovation network worldwide,” says Nuria Miquel, PhD, Vice President, R&D, ADM Animal Nutrition.

“It also reinforces knowledge-sharing between our animal and human nutrition colleagues, allowing our innovation projects to benefit from a central hub of expertise.”

Housed within the 12,000ft2 ANTC facility, aqua researchers will have access to a pilot lab that allows production of commercial-equivalent feeds for rapid prototyping of new technologies, such as feed ingredients and additives that can increase

production efficiency, mitigate environmental impact and improve animal health and welfare.

In addition, the ANTC is strategically located near ADM’s James R Randal Research Centre and ADM production facilities in Decatur.

“This location positions the new aquaculture lab at the heart of our innovation capabilities and the project lifecycle teams that drive nutrition breakthroughs, from concept to commercialisation,” says John Bowzer, PhD, Senior Research Scientist in Aquaculture and onsite director of the Aquaculture Innovation Lab. ADM’s aqua facilities in Latin America and Southeast Asia include outdoor research labs for shrimp and fish in large, farm-like systems. The unique flexibility of the North American lab is designed for upstream research and product development.

At the Aquaculture Innovation Lab, trials can be conducted with a variety of target species and segments, including various water temperature and salinity with tight control over water quality conditions, fish performances, behaviour and health status. Its first trials are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2022.

Read International Aquafeed in print, online, and now on your mobile device

GEPRO has developed into a constant and successful player in the aquafeed and the petfood industry for more than 50-year history and always meet challenges with innovative solutions.

Our head office and production site is located in Diepholz, Lower Saxony - in the immediate vicinity of the largest poultry production and processing facilities in Germany.

In addition to our headquarters in Diepholz, GEPRO has other locations around the world for your best possible service.

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14 | February 2022 - International Aquafeed

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Pole Position!

Aller Aqua continues support of WAS African Chapter

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s founding gold sponsors of the African Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society (WASAC), Aller Aqua are happy to announce that they have renewed their sponsorship for another three years.

“The aquaculture sector continues to grow in Africa, and there is still a great deal of unrealised potential. It is an exciting continent and we are proud to take part in driving the development here through the feeding solutions we deliver,” Ole Haubro, Sales Director, Africa explains.

“We want to help develop the market through expanding aquaculture. We want to train farmers and share knowledge. Together with WASAC we can reach more farmers and be more visible on this continent.

“We have had great cooperation for the past three years, and we are therefore excited to sign as gold sponsors of the African Chapter for yet another three years. It also shows our dedication to the continent.”

Aller Aqua has remained dedicated to the African market for many years and has two factories on the continent.

One in Zambia and one in Egypt, host country of the first Aquaculture Africa (AFRAQ) conference re-scheduled for March 2022.

“It has been a great pleasure that the first AFRAQ is hosted in Egypt, which has the largest aquaculture industry in Africa. We can see the benefits of supporting the African Chapter of WAS in terms of sharing knowledge and research in Africa,” states CEO of Aller Aqua Egypt, Hussien Mansour.

“It benefits the entire value chain locally in Egypt, but also in all of Africa. We invite you to visit us at the upcoming AFRAQ in Alexandria in March to learn more about us, our feeding solutions and how we contribute to the development of the aquaculture sector across the Continent.”

Aller Aqua has just finished three years as founding gold sponsors and will now continue the sponsorship until 2024.

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WHAT ARE THE COSTS VERSUS BENEFITS FOR FISH FEED MANUFACTURERS?

by Sigve Nordrum, EVP Animal Health & Nutrition, Aker BioMarine AS, Norway

n what seems like an almost daily occurrence, the Aker BioMarine (AKBM) teams across Chile, Latin America, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Norway are found fielding questions from customers about the cost versus benefits of adding one of its krill meal products, Qrill Aqua, into their feed formulas.

These same customers want to know how adding krill meal can improve growth performance and boost overall yields, without breaking the bank, in their commercial breeding operations. Below is a breakdown of how each of the company’s divisions responds to such enquiries.

Chile

Chile is home to the second largest salmon market in the world, and it wants to stay at the top with a flourishing supply of healthy salmonids. Aker Biomarine Chile states that krill meal is a sustainable source of marine protein, phospholipids, choline, EPA and DHA, feed attractants and astaxanthin.

Krill’s combination of feed attractants and nutrients explains

its growth-enhancing effects, which ultimately leads to less waste from the feed. The inclusion of krill meal in the diet is also shown to result in higher fillet yield and quality, less visceral fat, and better heath and robustness of salmonids in terms of liver, heart, and intestinal health. On top of all that, krill meal is a clean product in comparison to fishmeal, as no plastic content has been discovered in krill.

Europe

The key focus of the European market is all about raising marine fish in healthy and stress-free environments. In order to assist its customers in the pursuit of this, AKBM Europe state that early life stages of marine fish are more vulnerable with high mortality issues, which is why they need good quality marine ingredients to increase their survival, robustness, and disease resistance. Krill meal contains a high amount of phospholipids, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as EPA and DHA, sterols (mainly cholesterol) and astaxanthin esters that contribute to the health and well-being of the fish.

16 | February 2022 - International Aquafeed

Latin America

A thriving shrimp farming industry continues to be built in Latin America, with players seeking high quality nutritional ingredients.

In order to maintain this level of growth, AKBM Latin America suggests including three-to-five percent krill meal in the shrimp diet (for example, 50 kg/MT in starters and 30 kg/MT in grower feeds), farmers can improve shrimp culture performance without adding cost.

When the diet is low in fishmeal, krill meal’s feed attractants increase palatability and improve growth performance of shrimp.

The omega-3 phospholipids present in krill meal assure that fats (cholesterol and triglycerides) are efficiently emulsified and digested, stored in the hepatopancreas, and mobilised when needed.

Southeast Asia

A strong market for both shrimp and marine fish, Southeast Asia has flourishing hubs in both Thailand and Vietnam. AKBM Southeast Asia offers a global recommendation for sustainable development, which is to include marine ingredients from a lower trophic level in aquaculture feeds.

Krill is a sustainable and pure alternative to fish meal and is

characterised by a high content of omega-3 phospholipids, as well as a healthy biomass. Krill meal can be used as a formulation tool to decrease the reliance on fishmeal, which helps improve the cost efficiency and sustainability of feeds.

Norway

When speaking with the AKBM Norway team, the country’s feed manufacturers want to know why krill meal is a superior alternative to fishmeal, and how it meets the strong sustainability standards trending in today’s aquaculture supply chain.

The team response is that Qrill Aqua has biological benefits and improves your production. It can compensate for weaknesses in other feed ingredients by adding taste and essential nutritional components.

Krill meal is commonly used and scientifically proven to be beneficial for the fish and the environment.

During its 15 years as feed supplier, Aker BioMarine has overcome many of the challenges new raw material suppliers face today, including traceability, scalability, and setting up a strong supply chain.

Krill is known today as a well-documented, natural, and highly sustainable ingredient source.

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BELGIUM

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TAIWAN

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BRASIL

International Aquafeed - February 2022 | 17

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CHINA

KRILL MEAL

IMPROVING EUROPEAN SEA BASS GROWTH PERFORMANCE & FEED UTILISATION

by Silvia Torrecillas, ECOAQUA Institute, Las palmas, Spain

The search for new and emergent raw materials for aquafeed continues in response to an increase in demand in aquaculture for feed.

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ver the last few decades and in response to the increasing demand of fish meals (FM) and oils (FO) for aquafeed production, fish feed formulations have evolved in terms of complexity and sustainability.

Initially, this progress was mainly focused on the use of already available alternative raw materials, mainly from plant origin, however in the last years, the development of new ingredients with a relatively low carbon footprint and reduced resource dependence has increased, helping to cover the expansion of the aquaculture sector.

A responsible development requires to be framed not only in the context of providing an efficient response to the existing limitations on the availability of fish-derived raw materials, but also as a tool to increase the flexibility of the current commercial feed formulas without compromising fish performance and health status while maintaining feed quality and costs.

In this scenario, a proactive strategy which promotes a high production efficiency and maintains product quality when partially replacing FM by certified sustainable alternative raw materials, will ensure and support the current farm to fork strategy.

A viable alternative to fishmeal in aquafeeds

To replace a super-ingredient such as FM with other alternative raw materials is not an easy goal and requires a fish diet formulation based in a combination of ingredients covering nutritional fish requirements but also maintaining fish feed acceptability.

Krill meal (KM) is an excellent source of high-quality protein

and lipids for aquafeeds, being its composition very similar to FM in terms of dry matter, ash and protein contents. Krill meal is high in phospholipids, particularly phosphatidylcholine, but also has high levels of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as DHA and EPA and other nutrients as chitin, astaxanthin and vitamins. In terms of diet acceptability, krill meal contains nucleotides, amino acids as glycine and glucosamine, as well as relatively high levels of trimethyl amine oxide, all of them with feed attractant properties.

Previous studies in other marine fish species have proved KM as an efficient FM partial replacer. For example, a former study performed in our facilities at the Ecoaqua Universitary Institute of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Spain), demonstrates that feeding gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) with KM up to a 9% for 12 weeks as partial FM replacer (reducing a 20%FM dietary content) improves growth performance and optimises feed conversion ratio (FCR) (Saleh et al., 2018).

Similarly, olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) juveniles fed KM presented increased growth performance, better feed utilisation and protein and dry matter digestibility when fed at 6% in low FM and FO diets (Tharaka et al., 2019). Another recent study in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) demonstrated that feeding KM at a 12% in a 15% FM for 12 weeks enhances health and fillet quality by improving immune system, gut health and fatty acid metabolism in relation to the upregulation of several immune and structural genes in skeletal muscle, including those related with junctional complexes structure and encoding for structural proteins as well as those related with fatty acids metabolism (Mørkøre et al, 2020).

It is also well known that the supplementation of KM in diets for early life stages of Mediterranean fish species such as gilthead sea bream, promotes larvae growth, reduces the deformities

18 | February 2022 - International Aquafeed

incidence, boosts skeletal mineralisation and reduces hepatocytes lipid vacuolisation in relation to KM high content in phospholipids, well-balanced amino acid profile and high palatability.

Growth performance, feed utilisation & liver lipid metabolism

Two levels of KM (Qrill Aqua; KM5: 5%; KM7.5: 7.5%) supplied by Aker BioMarine were tested in practical diets for European seabass juveniles (initial weight 22.54 ± 0.30 g) as partial FM replacer by reducing FM content in a 33% and 55%, respectively in relation to the control diet (KM0: 0% KM).

Basal diet was formulated in a 15% FM and 4% FO basis. The experiment was carried out at the aquaculture facilities belonging to the IUEcoaqua of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Fish were manually fed until apparent satiation with one of the three experimental diets for 90 days, six days a week, three times a day.

Feed intake was calculated, and survival monitored daily, and growth performance measured monthly. After 90 days of feeding, fish tissue samples were collected for biochemical composition, fatty acid and lipid classes,

Figure 1: Growth performance and feed utilisation of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fed krill meal-based diets for 90 days. (A) fish weight, (B) specific growth rate, (C) total feed intake and (D) feed conversion ratio. KM= krill meal. KM0 = control diet; KM5 = krill meal 50 g/kg diet; KM7.5 = krill meal 75 g/kg diet.

Figure 2: Liver morphology of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles fed the experimental diets after 90 days of supplementation. KM0 = control diet; KM5 = krill meal 50 g/kg diet; KM7.5 = krill meal 75 g/kg diet.

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morphological and gene expression analyses.

At the end of the experiment, all treatments presented similar survival rates but looking at performance parameters, fish fed KM-supplemented diets presented: (i) a tendency to higher feed intake (+8%); (ii) improved (P<0.05) growth performance in terms of final weight (+15%) and specific growth rate (+10%) and (iii) optimised FCR (P<0.05; -15%) from 60 days of feeding compared to fish fed the control diet (Fig. 1).

Besides, compared to fish fed the control diet, fish fed KM based diets presented better (P<0.05) protein and lipid efficiency ratios (PER, LER), similar tissue biochemical composition and no major changes in fatty acid profiles, particularly in total n-3 HUFA and n-6 HUFA contents. Interestingly, liver lipid classes analyses revealed a significant (P<0.05) correlation between the levels of dietary KM and reduced cholesterol and increased free fatty acids and pigmented material levels in this tissue.

In line with these findings, a healthier liver morphological pattern was observed in the groups fed the KM-based diets.

Hepatocytes of the fish fed with KM diets presented lower cytoplasmatic vacuolisation levels, better alignment of the nuclei along the sinusoidal lines, and in general lower sings of steatosis (Fig. 2). The results obtained also indicate a modulation of fatty acid and cholesterol metabolism through the regulation of fatty acyl desaturase (fads2) & 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (hmgcr) expression in this tissue when fed KM. No effects were detected on gut morphology.

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To this point and based in the data presented above we can conclude that KM included in practical diets for European sea bass juveniles at 50 and 75 g/kg diet as partial FM replacer promotes fish growth performance, feed and nutrient utilisation without affecting tissue biochemical composition in line with previous studies with other marine species. Besides, KM modulates lipid metabolism and promotes a healthier liver status, presenting KM not only as feasible FM partial replacer but also as a sustainable marine ingredient with potential functional properties.

In fact, and based on the benefits observed as growth, health and diet acceptability enhancer, KM is an emerging sustainable marine ingredient that potentially can improve flexibility in European sea bass feed formulations, facilitating the inclusion of other emergent sustainable raw materials.

20 | February 2022 - International Aquafeed

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OCTOPUS FARMING

The implications and considerations for the welfare of the European octopus O. vulgaris in research and aquaculture

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by Simon Davies, Alex Wan, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland & James Hinchcliffe Department of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Gothenburg, Sweden

he recent news that Octopus farming has been advanced by various groups has triggered renewed interest in their research with considerations to their husbandry, disease management, nutrition and feeding. This has included questions regarding ethics and welfare of such ventures.

The number of octopuses in the wild are decreasing and prices rising fast. An estimated 350,000 tonnes are captured each year - more than 10 times the number landed in the early 1950s. This has prompted a movement to establish the techniques to breeding the octopus in captivity over several decades in various private facilities, government institutions and universities throughout the world.

The hatchery process has proved to be the most challenging with low survival as the larvae only consume live food and need a carefully controlled environment. The typical lifespan for octopus is between 12-18 months and they die after breeding.

Their growth rates are very high and with excellent food conversion under optimal conditions.

However, it was just announced in 2022 that the Spanish multinational farming enterprise, Nueva Pescanova (NP) has eclipsed companies in Mexico, Japan and Australia, to solve numerous challenges and achieve success to grow out and attain harvest weights of octopus. It has been reported that the group

will start marketing farmed octopus next summer to the seafood industry and to sell to consumers beginning in 2023.

Obviously, this has attracted widespread concern by the public due to the status of cephalopods as being most likely sentient and able to perceive their surroundings. This is to a more advanced level for the octopus and even to a better degree than fish.

There have been numerous reports in the media with unfavourable views regarding octopus welfare and the bioethics of farming this intelligent and socially complex invertebrate. We must therefore consider the science that would be applicable for a balanced appraisal.

Octopus minds must lead to octopus ethics

Jacquet et al (2019) report convincing views about octopuses having ‘a controlling mind, motivated to gather information.'

Indeed, King and Marino (2019) have already advocated that ‘octopus minds must lead to octopus ethics’ and these ought to be considered by all practitioners.

Further to this Noël-Guéry, Alix (2019) discusses octopus sentience with respect to three criteria of definitions and places octopus at a high level in this regard compared to many other animals. This has now been recognised in UK law through an amendment to the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill (2021).

The change has come after a team of experts sifted through more than 300 scientific studies and concluded that octopuses were "sentient beings" and there was "strong scientific evidence"

22 | February 2022 - International Aquafeed

that they could experience pleasure, excitement and joy - but also pain, distress and harm.

Legislation has long existed for vertebrate animals in research but cephalopods that include octopus, cuttlefish and squid have only relatively recently been added to the list of protected animals used in research activities in scientific establishments such as universities and private or government laboratories.

These are usually covered in the respective Institutional Animal Care Committees (IACC’s). There is a long tradition of utilising cephalopods for scientific investigations, particularly in the field of neurophysiology (Wells 1978). Recently, the importance of cephalopods such as octopus for experimentation has increased, largely due to their potential in aquaculture.

When considering the welfare of animals in experiments it is recommended that the three R’s concept (reduction, replacement, and refinement) is considered (Russel and Burch 1959).

The possibility of pain perception

Cephalopods have a well-developed nervous system (Mather, 2019, Andrews et al 2013) and display advanced behaviours (Hanlon and Messenger 1996) suggesting that more welfare guidelines for these animals are needed. Moltschaniwskyj et al (2007) reported that the presence of free nerve endings found in the skin of cephalopods indicates that pain perception is possible.

The concept of pain has been well debated and can be extended to include psychological suffering, underlining the disparity that is caused by the subjectivity of the term. As a consequence of our increasing knowledge of pain reception in cephalopods, the EU, (Directive 2010/63/ EU) was implemented to prevent the use of ‘‘live cephalopods’’ in experimental procedures that were likely to cause pain and suffering to the animals. This shift

in the paradigm took place on January 1, 2013 and means that, under the Directive, cephalopods have the same legal status as vertebrates in relation to research and testing, marking a new era in experimental research.

The Directive has impacted all scientific work using any species of cephalopods. Compliance with this EU legislation has been challenging for many areas of cephalopod research. Some concern was expressed regarding the applicability of ‘‘mammalcentric’’ regulations to cephalopods (Nosengo 2011; Fiorito et al 2014) due to a fundamental lack of knowledge on these organisms.

The inclusion of cephalopods in the Directive was stated to have various implications for different groups of society involved with cephalopod research and practical operations in aquaculture.

Societal implications

Scientists who utilise cephalopods and the octopus in experiments need to send an application to the appropriate authority to gain approval prior to starting experimentation.

The authorisation process involves evaluation of the project through the examination of the purpose of the research, compliance with 3Rs, severity classification of procedures and a harm-benefit analysis (Voipio et al 2004; Fiorito et al, 2014).

There is also extensive regulation of both the location where experiments are undertaken and the standards of housing and care of animals used for research. Researchers will also need to ensure that their whole team is familiar with the national law covering their experiment and that staff are appropriately trained and competent to perform procedures.

National legislation, in some cases, also requires that the project and personnel are covered by licences (e.g. the UK Home Office

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Licences for the UK Animal Scientific Procedures Act 1986). It is likely that these processes might take time and delay progress of research. Training staff will require time and money which will impact funding and timescales for projects involving octopus and other closely related species such as cuttlefish.

Farmers and practitioners of octopus rearing should also consider the protocols and techniques employed following the best scientific evidence to date. The correct approach to husbandry and optimal conditions such as containment (housing) and water quality, nutrition, diets and feeding management are important factors and will contribute to good practice and face increasing public scrutiny.

Animal technologists and academics

The Directive enforces cephalopod welfare within a legal framework requiring documented monitoring by qualified experts. Those responsible for monitoring compliance with the Directive will need training to become familiar with this newly regulated class of animal.

Monitoring may involve inspection of the location where animals are kept, observations of procedures and inspection of experimental records. The records must include the source of the animals, whether they were purpose bred, what they were used for and by whom, and their fate at the end of the study (EU directive 2010/63/ EU).

This form of monitoring will be expensive and time consuming, as it will require regular inspections in order to avoid any adverse and malpractice.

terms of their cultivation.

They will need to be specific regarding the nature of octopus research investigations and the full supporting ethical statements.

The public perception

Cephalopods and octopus in particular make frequent appearances in documentaries, movies and the media. In stark contrast to mice and rats, the public, at present, does not recognise an association between cephalopods and “animal experimentation”. This may change in the future however, as the knowledge of their inclusion in the directives and national legislature becomes more widely known.

Therefore, researchers should be aware of how their studies may be perceived by the media and impact on the wider public.

If scientists and technical specialists in aquaculture seek grants and support from government and industry for research on octopus, they will need to make a very strong case and provide information to meet the public acceptance and societal benefits.

This will be challenging due to the adverse reaction so far in the media and public response on social platforms and websites to intensive octopus farming. There will be resistance to extend

Funding organisations

Most grant funding agencies and charities already require that grant applications involving research on vertebrates certify that, if required, appropriate authorisation to conduct the proposed studies is in place including appropriate facilities and staff.

(Moltschaniwskyj et al 2007).

As cephalopods and the octopus are now covered by the same legislation as vertebrates, grants involving particular types of research concerning their regulated use will need to ensure that the proposed studies comply with the Directive and any national Codes of Practice related to care and welfare (Fiorito et al 2014).

It will be of paramount importance to disseminate this information to stakeholders to forge confidence in the investigator team applications.

Scientific Journal editors

Editors of Journals will need to be made aware of any official government agency regulations within the EU, USA, Canada, China, Australasia and many other countries with responsible legislation to ensure that papers submitted for publication, if appropriate, make reference to compliance with the directives for each nation.

Whilst many papers involving cephalopods already contain such information which comply with any new evolving directives, key information is lacking in some.

For example, an investigation by Fiorito et al (2014) found that only 40 percent of papers published in the 2010 mentioned the conditions in which cephalopods are maintained. Also, no indication of the stocking density of animals was provided in the great majority of studies considered in the review.

The lack of such information makes it difficult to undertake systematic analysis of housing conditions in order to derive guidelines reflecting the consensus in the literature. It will be interesting in 2022, what progress has been made if at all, in articles and publications relating to cephalopod research and in

aquaculture to octopus and stronger evidence for this rationale will be needed by stakeholders and retailers in the seafood supply chain.

Considerations for the future

For vertebrates in general and mammals specifically, objective criteria for identification and assessment of pain are well researched and protocols for surgery, anaesthesia and humane slaughter established.

However, for cephalopods such knowledge is still in its infancy and maybe further hampered by lack of specific veterinary expertise in comparison to vertebrates. Pioneering work on the application of various agents for effective anaesthesia in octopus was reported by Dong-Won et al (2007).

The EU Directive is likely to stimulate research in the above areas in order to facilitate development of guidelines for optimal care and welfare (Moltschaniwskyj et al. 2007; Andrews et al.

2013).

However there are currently also no detailed national codes of practice for care and use of cephalopods under the terms of the Directive. Given that there are more than 700 known living species of cephalopods of which a wide variety are used for scientific purposes, care should be taken to meet the particular requirements of individual species involved in experiments.

Species-specific guidelines will need to be developed and, for

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many aspects of care and welfare, this will require research from wild specimens.

Finding groups with sufficient genetic quality

One potential issue with using research animals from the wild is that it may be harder to ensure that there are groups with sufficient genetic quality to be used as a 'standard' to which other variables can be compared to ‘‘standardised’’ groups.

This inherent variability may lead to the use of a larger number of animals than in other studies to demonstrate statistically significant effects.

This could become an issue in project evaluation and authorisation, where factors taken into account include animal numbers and experimental design to ensure that the minimum numbers of animals are used to achieve the scientific objective. A potential solution could be to use cultured individuals, but this is not possible for most species of cephalopod as of yet.

Therefore, the issue of sample size in cephalopod research is likely to be a stumbling block to most scientific investigations in the next few years, until efficient culture methods can be established. One consequence of understanding the octopus mind has been the strong views by many that it is quite wrong to subject octopuses to mass production.

Octopus farming is still in an experimental phase and supported by various countries. Many have argued that it is unethical because of concerns about animal welfare as well as environmental impacts. The latter concerns the source of food to cultivate the species that would rely on marine sources such as fish, crustaceans, molluscs and various coelenterates.

Any successful artificial diets would require high protein

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materials from marine origin and development of complete feeds that may not be considered sustainable. Octopus normally reject such diets preferring live foods simulating natural prey. Future research will obviously centre on containment and husbandry of octopus with investigations on fundamental nutrient requirements and diets.

This will necessitate attention to optimal feeding strategy and behaviour including enrichment of their captive environment.

The topic of humane slaughter at harvest will be another major issue.

A milestone for invertebrate research

The EU Directive (2010/63/EU) was a milestone for invertebrate research because it was the first time particular types of research involving an entire class of invertebrates, the cephalopods, was to be regulated in the same way as vertebrates.

Although regulation presents challenges, there are several areas where research could be useful to address key questions related to cephalopod and octopus care and welfare as discussed above.

Most researchers already recognise the relationship between good welfare and good science, but the development of consensus guidelines for care and welfare of Cephalopods led by the research community will facilitate the dissemination and adoption of good practice for the aquaculture industry.

Guidelines are being developed based upon literature reviews and conference meetings, but they are only an initial step.

The evolution of such guidelines will rely upon capturing the experience and knowledge of the cephalopod research community.

A full list of references is available on request

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aquafeed.co.uk International Aquafeed - February 2022 | 25 International Aquafeed - February 2022 | 25

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We protect it We protect them We protect ourselves As a result of innovation and continuous improvement, Dibaq Aquaculture takes advantage of the arrival of summer to announce a new product line: Dibaq AquaSafe®, in which we have been actively working in recent months. It is an internal quality seal to differentiate our high-value products.

Dibaq Aquaculture brand has always been of a valuable company, specialized in the manufacture of special and differentiated products, using high quality raw materials, micronutrients and functional components. However, as a result of the innovation and needs of our global market, we have managed to go further and improve the quality of our nutrients, additives and formulas in our products with this new seal that aims to provide value and differentiation to our clients and achieve them the maximum performance in their production.

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This concept includes the sustainability and safety of water and Planet Earth, as well as the health and safety of fish fed with our products, stimulating the immune system, protecting them against internal and external parasites and improving productive performance. Therefore, it is a global concept that offers and focuses on the safety of the planet and fishes.

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Tech update FishGLOBE closed aquaculture

Located in Forsand in Norway, FishGLOBE is a company that has developed, built and is testing a new patented solution for closed aquaculture. Although the company was established in 2013, the development of closed aquaculture technology has roots back to the late 1980s, when a closed solution was developed in concrete together with AS Betong.

The vision is to develop new cost-effective solutions that makes it possible for the aquaculture industry to expand. The business concept is to offer a solution to the salmon farmers that make farming more profitable, more sustainable and with higher fish welfare.

27 | February 2022 - International Aquafeed

FISH FARMING TECHNOLOGY

HOW CYBER-ATTACKS ARE IMPACTING THE AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY, AND WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT

A

by Caitlin Gittins,International Aquafeed magazine

t the beginning of last year, we were met with the disconcerting news that AKVA group, a major technology supplier present in global markets, had been victim of a cyber-attack and was believed to have been a ransomware attack.

For those who aren’t clear on what this means – it typically refers to hackers entering a company’s system and encrypting their data, then forcing the company to pay a ransom in order to gain back access to that important data.

The more sophisticated cyber gangs will despatch customer service members to communicate with the company, in order to make the payment of the ransom seamless.

In the particular attack against AKVA, their cage-based technology was targeted, and the damage was considerable: it cost AKVA a total sum of US$6 million and continued to be a headache

for the company as they recovered from the financial impact.

The vulnerability of the food production sector

This was not the only major cyber-attack on a company involved in food production that featured in 2021 – major meat processing company, JBS, was hit with a similar attack and suffered major disruption.

In June of 2021, the company was forced to pay a ransom of US$11 million to ‘protect its customers’, as stated by the company. On top of this, it was forced to stop cattle slaughtering at all US plants for a day, impacting on their food supply and potential leading to higher food prices for consumers.

Both of these major attacks – certainly not isolated examples of the disturbance cyber-attacks can bring about – demonstrate the vulnerability of the food production sector and subsequent impact this can have on the food supply chain, as well as companies’ exposed weaknesses and losses suffered in the aftermath.

28 | February 2022 - Fish Farming Technology

FISH FARMING TECHNOLOGY Food security and increased production are key to meeting growing global demands for animal protein, both of which are at risk from cyber-attacks. A cursory Google search will reveal historically vulnerable sectors to cyber threats, such as healthcare or finance, but increasingly, the food production sector is falling prey to such attacks, which we need to be aware of.

The reason behind this seems to partly rest in the increasing digitisation of agriculture and aquaculture. Automation in these areas has led to the utilisation of a variety of technologies and machinery, such as smart agriculture sensors, crop monitoring equipment, and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), among others.

In making the shift towards automated processes rather than manual labour, companies have increased their ‘attack surface’, which refers to the different areas in a system which an attacker can target.

Targeting these technologies can result in a number of detrimental outcomes, which not only disrupts production, but can also reduce farmers’ confidence in adopting new technologies, as an example.

Protecting against the exploitation of increasing connectivity

Automated processes and digitisation of food production are not likely to disappear any time soon – and nor should they. Instead, the industry needs to learn the best practice for protecting itself against the exploitation of increasing connectivity, which is where cybersecurity measures come in.

As International Aquafeed tech editor Erik Hempel pointed out in his column in November 2021 edition, “larger aquaculture companies should now take this threat seriously, perhaps even hire specialised IT experts.”

Recognising that food production sectors are vulnerable to cyber-attacks and large food production companies can be targets, is part of taking the steps needed in order to encourage awareness around cybersecurity and to reduce the risk of such attacks from happening, to ensure food security and continued production.

To gain a better understanding of what our sector faces today in terms of risk, Milling and Grain magazine spoke to James Simison from Sunderland Marine, an insurance company exclusively servicing the marine and aquaculture sectors.

“I think it’s a tough one to speak about [cyber risk],” Mr Simison explains. “You don’t know whether the more you talk about it, the more air you’re giving it.” Certainly, events such as the attack on AKVA group and JBS occupied the headlines for months after, even appearing in news sites unrelated to the food production sector like the BBC. In terms of cyber risk within our industry, Mr Simison sees it as being incredibly impactful, from his perspective as a risk surveyor, which he describes as being tasked with assisting their underwriters with understanding risks on a “more technical basis”.

“As a fish farmer, be it on a barge or on an onshore feeding facility for remote feeding, being locked out of the system is a phenomenal risk. As conscientious farmers … to not have that ability to care for your stock and have good husbandry … it’d be tough.”

Having a financial impact

Husbandry is hugely important for fish farmers, Mr Simison outlines, but he also sees cyber-attacks as having an impact on the financial aspect of a business, which requires Sunderland Marine’s thorough approach when insuring.

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FISH FARMING TECHNOLOGY “With the values involved, we have to be "A ransomware thorough… the money at risk is huge.” This attack typically is where Sunderland Marine comes into play refers to hackers as an insurer, “We have to carry out that due entering a diligence to make sure we are satisfied… company’s taking on that risk.” system and Insurance appears to be one part of encrypting their protecting against risk – when asked about the data, then forcing importance of training employees on a fish the company to farmer, Mr Simison stresses its role against pay a ransom the risks faced. in order to gain As he puts it succinctly, “Any company’s back access to only as good as its staff, the company’s now that important putting a huge amount of resources into data" making sure staff are as good as they can be, and that’s across the board.”

Drawing on his own experience working at a fish farm – as Sunderland Marine employ those with a fish farming background so their employees better understand what a fish farmer faces in their day-to-day operations – explaining that a combination of a degree and hands-on experience worked well for him.

"I worked for a large salmon producer on one of their freshwater farms for three years through university caused by a cyber-attack, through their Risk Surveyors they are before moving to Orkney and Shetland as part of their Fish providing support to farmers to reduce the risks associated with Health Team. I knew how to be a salmon farmer, but by coming an attack from university, that was supplemented with learning about Their breadth of services highlights that while prevalent, a wide range of topics, from diseases, managing the farm cybersecurity is one of many risks facing aquaculture today, and environment and feed formulation, to the physiology and farming the threat from those risks has grown and evolved during Mr methods for all the different species that are farmed globally.”

Simison’s time at the company.

“I started in 2013 [at Sunderland Marine], so that was when I left Orkney and Shetland,” Mr Simison explains. “Amoebic gill Protecting against financial & mortality losses disease was just about coming onto the radar; you were maybe Sunderland Marine offer insurance on mortality of stock, which treating a couple of times a cycle.” covers a number of risks within the aquaculture sector such as “Sea lice weren’t an issue in Orkney,” he adds, describing it disease, theft, storms, predation, pollution, and others. as a ‘phenomenon’ because of this. “As the years have gone by, Whilst Sunderland Marine do not provide cover against losses

"As a fish farmer, be it on a barge or on an onshore feeding facility for remote feeding, being locked out of the system is a phenomenal risk. As conscientious farmers … to not have that ability to care for your stock and have good husbandry … it’d be tough"

30 | February 2022 - Fish Farming Technology

FISH FARMING TECHNOLOGY we’re seeing more and more freshwater treatments being carried out.” The combination of having to treat against parasites and other pathogens, he outlines, proves an ongoing battle against the detrimental effects of climate change.

Mr Simison’s overview of risks facing the aquaculture sector indicates that as an insurance company, to encompass and insure against a number of risks is not only important, but crucial, in order to protect companies from financial and mortality losses posed by the growing risks of cybersecurity and climate change.

A sense of complacency

The number of cyber-attacks being carried out are not decreasing – in fact, due to increased connectivity as a consequence of the pandemic and a marked number of employees working from home, there was a 63 percent increase in cyber-attacks related to the pandemic.

Additionally, companies were forced to shift their working to cloud networks, which left this form of data and information sharing vulnerable to attack. It seems crucial, now more than ever, to ensure companies are properly educated and informed on how to protect themselves, and the food supply chains they service.

CyberAg is an organisation that does exactly that. As a non-profit programme and an initiative of the Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center (ESEC), CyberAg was founded to fill a “quiet space”, its founder Andrew Rose explains.

“There was a sense of complacency in the agriculture sector about cybersecurity risks.

And on the other side, this cybersecurity community didn’t really understand the needs of the food and ag supply chain.”

Mr Rose’s allusion to “other places” that require the attention of this community, rings true when looking at the attacks carried out on the healthcare sector, for instance. There was an increase of attacks carried out between November and December in 2020 by 45 percent.

This, however, does not dismiss agriculture as an equally important sector in terms of what is at stake.

Access to food is an “essential human need,” as Mr Rose puts it.

Learn how to protect your equipment

This is where CyberAg comes in.

As a non-profit organisation, they were founded with the intention of bringing a level of awareness and 31 | February 2022 - Fish Farming Technology

"The number of cyberattacks being carried out are not decreasing – in fact, due to increased connectivity as a consequence of the pandemic and a marked number of employees working from home, there was a 63% increase in cyberattacks related to the pandemic"

FISH FARMING TECHNOLOGY resource to the food supply chain that was missing.

They partner with resources and provide them to food and agriculture as needed, working closely with law enforcement where necessary. They also work closely with F3 Tech, another initiative of ESEC, which provides funding and support for start-ups.

When asked if Mr Rose thought the automation of technologies had increased the ‘attack surface’ of agriculture and led to attacks such as those on JBS, Mr Rose’s answer was clear.

“There’s a strong move because of a lack of labour to the automation of all aspects of agriculture,” he explains. “When you have all those different things plugging into the network … your attack surface has now got much, much greater.”

The technology contributing towards this increased attack surface encompasses a great deal of equipment in agriculture and aquaculture, but more importantly, those adopting it need to learn how to protect it.

“People are very eager to get something out there that performs the way you would expect it to, but then security is sometimes an afterthought … Then the attack surface is not only increased, but then the vulnerabilities are larger as well.”

To ensure companies are best protected as technology and attacks evolve hand-in-hand, Mr Rose has advice to give on the best practices, suggesting that a prepared, careful outlook is best.

“If you haven’t been attacked yet, you will be attacked – or you’re already being attacked, and you just don’t know it yet. On average, the threat actors are in your system for up to four months prior to executing their attack.”

Other steps include being proactive, and not waiting for automatic updates to your system, but to manually update yourself; ensuring you are in possession of secure backups as gangs targeting companies will frequently destroy backups and relevant data; and to embrace multi-factor authentication.

These are a few of the steps that should be taken, representative of the “new normal” Mr Rose acknowledges. He also recommends running a tabletop simulation to see if you are

able to manage your business without access to the internet and getting in touch with your local law enforcement.

“Do a one day where there’s no internet. Could you run your business? How would you run your business?” Equally important is being in touch with the authorities. “Just having that number ready rather than waiting until the airbag doesn’t go off after you hit the telephone pole.”

Cyber threats are ever evolving

As cyber criminals look for new ways to gain access to companies’ information and details, including the emergence of deepfakes and ‘vishing’, which is a combination of ‘voice’ and ‘phishing’: where attackers utilise phone calls to pretend to be an employee of a company to gain information, or a bank employee.

There’s no doubt about it - cyber threats are ever evolving.

With the ever-evolving, ever-growing cyber threats, it seems easy to despair about the future of the industry and how it will manage. There is one, bright light at the end of the tunnel however: the work CyberAg and countless other organisations do in is invaluable, in educating and supporting industry.

They take on an invigorated, spirited attitude towards cyber threats as best summarised by Mr Rose: “We are no longer going to sit back and wait for the punch to come.”

What is the current advice for companies looking to improve their security and protect themselves against potential cyberattacks? There’s an abundance of information out there, so it’s easy to become bogged down in information; the primary steps towards securing as outlined by Mr Rose can be found in the adjacent panel.

For those readers who are interested in learning more about cybersecurity and threats in agriculture, Mr Rose will be attending and hosting a table at the Animal AgTech Innovation Summit in San Francisco.

The conference will be running for a full day on March 21, where it will be addressing current issues within agriculture.

Primary steps towards securing your company

As outlined by CyberAg’s founder Andrew Rose 1. Have multiple and secure backups– to ensure that your data isn’t lost in an attack 2. Keep systems updated – don’t wait for these updates to come 3. Ensure your company is informed – hold workshops and tabletop exercises and keep up-to-date with current and future threats 4. Keep to multi-factor authentication – this will help keep devices protected and reduce the risk of hacking 5. Keep in contact with your law enforcement – have a phone number ready to call should an attack occur 6. Be proactive in your prevention – don’t wait for an attack to happen

32 | February 2022 - Fish Farming Technology

FISH FARMING TECHNOLOGY

Introducing the world’s first pen made from recycled materials

by Trude Olafsen, Business development, AKVA group ASA, Norway AKVA group will, together with Plasto and Oceanize, break the barriers to using recycled plastic in fish farms. The entire pen will now be composed of recycled materials in a development project that has just been allocated funds from the Norwegian Retailer’s Environment Fund.

AKVA group´s strategy is to make pens more sustainable overall, and this has been going on for some time now. The company have invested in a R&D project called Megamould together with Plasto and SINTEF in order to bring forward a greater understanding of how recycled materials weathers and degrades compared to virgin polymer materials. The risk of introducing these materials in an industrial utilisation has also been investigated.

The results show that it is very important to control the material quality before recycled material can be used. Based on this research, AKVA group and Plasto last year developed and commercialised walkways in recycled plastic. The companies have also recently launched pens without polystyrene.

Sustainable pens are more than recycled materials, and this article will describe the different processes on the road to a complete and sustainable pen solution.

Recycling of discarded plastic pens

This new project is taking development of pens entirely based 34 | February 2022 - International Aquafeed

FISH FARMING TECHNOLOGY

on recycled material to a new level and AKVA group and the partners' main goal is to introduce the new pen in the market in one to-two-years from now.

Due to requirements for material quality that are regulated by a technical standard (NS 9415:2021), mainly virgin plastic is used in load-bearing structures in the pens. The project will challenge the standard, not by changing the requirements, but by proving that recycled plastic from a discarded aquaculture facility has the qualities to meet the requirements.

Oceanize has extensive experience in collecting and recycling plastic from aquaculture and today delivers a carefully tested high-quality plastic granulate.

“The project is a major circular economic milestone. Now we get the opportunity to show the qualities of our plastic granulate.

At the same time, complete solutions like these are central in a sustainability perspective,” says Trude Vareide-Giskås, Project Manager in Oceanize.

Great environmental potential

Up to 12,000 tonnes of plastic waste is generated annually from the aquaculture industry in Norway and the plastic resources are reused or collected and recycled. Potential climate savings from national management of plastic waste from aquaculture is up to 50 million kilograms of CO2 by preventing, among other things, 35 | February 2022 - Fish Farming Technology

FISH FARMING TECHNOLOGY

the incineration and export of resources.

Pens today are not a big litter problem, but there is a great potential for using the plastic in new pens. In this project we will achieve short, national value chains as the project participants are all established in Norway.

AKVA group produces the pens in Moi Rana, Oceanize collects pens along the entire coast and has its granulation factory in Rørvik, and Plasto produces parts for the pens in Åndalsnes.

The basis for an efficient and national value chain is in place. In addition, AKVA group will be able to spread knowledge to other fish farming nations where they sell plastic pens.

Pens without polystyrene

Some time ago, AKVA group launched a new flagship pen – the 500R and 500RS series. In addition to its large capacity, this had an innovative solution with waterproof bulkheads as a replacement for the traditional solution with polystyrene in the floating pipes.

The companies have taken an extra step and will produce all new pens without polystyrene. It is replaced by sectioning the floating pipes in waterproof chambers. The pens consist of almost 100 percent HDPE material (high-density polyethene.)

The quality is very good, and the product is more sustainable.

The requirement for residual buoyancy in the event of pipe rupture is maintained, in the same way as the old solution with polystyrene. Waterproof chambers can in some cases increase safety in the event of an accident.

By cutting the use of polystyrene in pens, you also cut all emissions related to transport by car from the manufacturer to the installation site. From a sustainability perspective, it is important to reduce transport, and transport of polystyrene is particularly unfavourable because the product has a very low density. A fully loaded truck trailer that can normally carry 30 tonnes, carries only about 2.5 tonnes when it is fully loaded with polystyrene.

All manual treatment of polystyrene from place to place is also problematic. It is inevitable that pieces of polystyrene are lost in the process when travelling all the way from the manufacturer, via transport to the installation site, intermediate storage at the factory or on-site assembly, installation of polystyrene in floating pipes and last but not least when disassembling old pens.

Walkways in recycled material

In 2021, AKVA group received a request from Grieg Seafood Rogaland (based on input from Bellona) to develop walkways on the cages based on recycled plastic from discarded cages.

Together with Plasto, AKVA group developed a solution based on the results from the research project Megamould.

AKVA group and Plasto developed a solution where the recycled plastic maintains good enough quality. The company has now developed a process that ensures a stable raw material, so that they can guarantee that the products maintain the right quality.

The company accepts finished processed granules, from which it produces new products for AKVA group, which takes it to the end user. In the future all walkways that Plasto deliver will be produced from this material.

As they qualify the processes, more products will come. This is a market Plasto already serve. They do not expect any growth in the first instance, but this helps to halve their footprint within this value chain.

Then they will ensure that the knowledge and technology they have will be used effectively will open up other market areas, that can in turn give them growth that is more sustainable.

Developing sustainable cage solutions

When developing a pen consisting of high-quality polyethylene, it is worth remembering that both the product and its component materials are suitable for recycling and will help towards the establishment of national low emission value chains.

Together with its partners, AKVA group aims to develop sustainable cage solutions and will work intensively with various projects to achieve this. The creation of pens based on recycled granules from discarded pens is currently in the start-up phase but the partners in the project already have high expectations.

Aquaculture is so dependent on the preservation of our natural resources, so the maintenance of clean waters and a healthy environment can only contribute positively towards achieving this goal.

Adopting more sustainable attitudes towards the use of materials is also responsibility that we must take.

36 | February 2022 - Fish Farming Technology

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Sulfate removal by nanomembrane filtration Reducing the risk of Hydrogen sulfide production in RAS farms

by Paulo Mira Fernandes, Paula Rojas-Tirado, Åse Åtland and Helga Åsnes (Norwegien Institute for Water Research, Norway), Carlos Letelier-Gordo & Sanni Aalto (DTU Aqua, Denmark), Jakob Drivenes (Hardingsmolt AS, Norway) and Bjørn Dørum (ENWA Water Technology AS, Norway)

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has recently caused several mass-mortality cases in brackish- or seawater fish farms using recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS).

In the Norwegian Research Council (NFR) project “Aquasulfat”, they investigate the possibility of reducing the risk of H2S production by removing sulfate from the intake water with nanomembrane filtration.

in fish farms to avoid exceeding the concentration of 2 μg/L. The concentration of SO4, the precursor of H2S, is 2700 mg/L in seawater and < 100 mg/L in freshwater, which means that H2S is toxic at a minute fraction of natural SO42- levels. Therefore, obtaining reliable and accurate measurements of the SO42and H2S concentrations in the production waters is of critical importance.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a volatile gas and is extremely toxic to both humans and fish. In aqueous environments, sulfate-reducing Production of H2S in RAS bacteria (SRB) produce dissolved sulfide by degrading organic In short, sulfide is produced when water movement is halted or matter using sulfate (SO42-) as electron donor. hydrodynamics are poor, there is no oxygen and nitrate present and there is enough organic matter to sustain SRB activity. More The process takes places in the absence of free dissolved oxygen, such as in anoxic conditions, as SRB are outcompeted by sulfide, and consequently more H2S, is produced when more other heterotrophic bacteria using dissolved SO42- and dissolved or easily degradable oxygen (O2) or nitrite (NO2-) and nitrate organic matter is sufficiently available.

Therefore, the risk of H2S production (NO3-) to degrade organic matter.

Table 1. Selected water quality Depending on the pH, temperature is higher in seawater than in freshwater parameters of normal (raw) or and salinity of the receiving water, the environments.

However, the connection filtered (with the nanomembrane filtration apparatus) at Hardingsmolt dissolved sulfide can occur in the form of between presence, activity, and location of AS. hydrogen sulfide (H2S), bisulfide (HS-) or SRB’s is also important. b.d.l. = below detection limit In a study within the Research Norwegian sulfide (S2-) (See Figure 1).

Parameter Unit Normal Filtered Council-sponsored project “Aquasulfat” At the natural pH in fresh- or seawater (RCN no. 296545) published in 2021, (6-8.5), most of the dissolved sulfide will Salinity ppt 16 15 Rojas-Tirado et al, observed that the highest be in either H2S or HS- form. In salmonid pH 7.6 7.7 risk for H2S production in a brackish water aquaculture systems, approximately 50 SO42- mg/L 1059 102 (15-17 ppt) RAS environment is in the percent of the total dissolved sulfide occurs Al3+ μg/L 23 19 biofilter (as illustrated in Figure 2). as H2S, since the normal operational pH Ca2+ mg/L 200 84 The authors studied the potential is between 6.5 and 7.5. tolerance levels.

Cl- g/L 9.1 9.0 production of H2S with internal Little is known about the acute and chronic Cu2+ μg/L 1.5 3.0 effects of fish exposure to H2S. microorganisms and carbon sources from Fe3+ mg/L b.d.l. 0.2 the biofilter, system water, and sludge The scientific literature states that H2S K+ mg/L 180 190 collected in a salmon smolt Norwegian is acutely lethal to fish in the 20-50 μg/L Na+ g/L 4.9 5.3 RAS facility in closed environments for 26 range, while for chronic exposure the level days. can be as low as 2 μg/L. Even though the Mg2+ mg/L 580 97 The production of H2S started earlier toxicity limits and exposure to H2S varies Mn2+ μg/L 11 b.d.l. between fish species and their life stages, it in a sludge-based environment, but due Zn2+ μg/L 21 13 is important that H2S does not accumulate to limitations with carbon sources and 38 | February 2022 - Fish Farming Technology

FISH FARMING TECHNOLOGY bacterial activity, and the highest H2S concentration obtained with sludge was much lower than the one obtained with biofilter biomedia.

The high H2S production potential of biofilter biomedia could be due to the higher bacterial production and activity in biofilters, which, coupled to the abundance of SO42- in brackish water, led to a higher production of H2S and for a longer period in biofilters than in sludge environment.

General recommendations to prevent H2S incidents in aquaculture systems, and RAS in specific, are to maintain Nitrate nitrogen (NO3)- levels high, to avoid dead zones as much as possible, to keep biomedia aerated and agitated, to degas efficiently, and to improve hydrodynamics and biofilter/reactor design.

Removal of sulfate by nanomembrane filtration

One possibility to decrease H2S-related incidents in aquaculture is via the removal of SO42- from the rearing water. To test this, a nanomembrane filtration apparatus (80 nm, Figure 3) was installed at Hardingsmolt AS (Tørvikbygd, Norway) to filtrate divalent ions from the intake seawater, and use in post-smolt salmon rearing at 15-17 ppt.

After two weeks of continuous membrane operation without significant downtime, the apparatus managed to reduce SO42concentration by approximately ten times as compared to the expected SO42- concentration at 17 ppt (102 vs 1060 mg SO42-/L, as shown in Table 1).

To test H2S production dynamics in an extreme scenario of halted biofilter media movement in filtered or non-filtered system water, biofilter, system and intake water samples were incubated in 2-L flasks in a similar fashion to Rojas-Tirado et al. (2021).

Figure 1: Dissociation of sulfide species in aqueous solutions according to PH.

The reactors were monitored every second day for 42 days and spiked with acetate on day 26 to a final concentration of 180 mg/L, to simulate an extreme feed load scenario.

The first signs of H2S production in the reactors occurred at day 4 in the raw water reactors and at day 8 in filtered water reactors.

The production of H2S reached its peak at day 12 in the raw water reactors and 14 in filtered water reactors. After day 14 in both reactor types, the concentration of H2S slightly decreased, until the reactors were spiked with acetate on day 26, after which H2S concentration increased again, indicating the reactors were limited with organic matter substrate before day 26.

The timing and intensity of peak H2S in each reactor type were different, and this could probably be attributed to differences in the SO42- start levels. However, it is important to note that, even though SO42- concentration was 10 times lower in the filtered

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FISH FARMING TECHNOLOGY water reactors than in the raw water reactors, the filtered water had roughly four times more organic matter and NO3- at the start of the trial.

Although H2S was produced in all reactors in this trial, it is important to stress that the nanomembrane filtration apparatus significantly reduced the sulfate concentration in the intake water.

Consequently, the production of H2S was delayed, and at a lower level than in non-filtered water.

The use of nanomembrane filtration in the intake water to reduce sulfate levels is, hence, a potentially great benefit to those operating RAS; however, one key aspect of the membrane operation is the operational costs, which will be integrated into the analysis of this dataset in the upcoming future.

With some extra effort, the membrane would probably have been able to remove the remaining sulfate, and those costs, and H2S-related benefits, Figure 3: The membrane filtration apparatus (60 m3/h capacity) at Hardingsmolt AS. Built will be integrated into the

by Aquasulfat project partner ENWA. cost-benefit model of the membrane utilisation.

Figure 2: H2S production in sludge (blue), biomedia in RAS water (grey), biomedia in seawater (yellow), or RAS water (orange). Results are standardised as total sulfide (H2S+HS+S2-) to minimise differences affected by pH.

Figure 4: Total sulfide concentration profile in reactors with fixed biofilter biomedia inoculated with filtered (green) or raw (orange) water.

Going forward

justify the apparatus utilisation.

Secondarily, since the nanomembrane reduces the concentration of divalent and some monovalent cations and anions in the intake water, fish welfare and growth need to be studied in the filtrated water.

The next steps within the “Aquasulfat” project are to determine the safe and optimal utilization of the nanomembrane apparatus.

In this sense, the production of H2S will be tapered, or at least delayed significantly so the installation and operational costs can

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TECHNOLOGY SH Innovations this month February 2022 In this month’s Product Showcase we feature a variety of products to assist fish farmers with the day-to-day management of their farms including the weighing of their fish, reducing the impact of waste, inspecting fish health and welfare, and oxygenating water.

If you would like your product or service to appear in this section in a future edition of International Aquafeed and Fish Farming Technology magazine, then please contact us at editorial@perendale.co.uk.

Fish Farming Booms & Skimmers by Lamor In the oil spill response business, you don’t want the oil to float away before you get a chance to collect it. Enter the humble but ingenious boom, which keeps the oil in one place.

Yet other industries need similar solutions, such as fish farms. Fish farming and oil spill response are very different industries, but the wind, currents and waves work the same way. Lamor talked to fish farmers, studied their needs and how their waste behaves in the ocean, and now have developed containment booms for the industry.

The basic concept is the same that the company uses in oil spill response: protect the environment and our customers’ profits and reputation with a cost-effective investment.

By adding Lamor skimmers to the equation the client can collect the valuable fish oil from the cages and sell it forward. www.lamor.com

The Rotary Screw Blower by Kaeser Kaeser screw blowers are available in sizes up to 335 hp and flows to 5650 cfm and use up to 35 percent less energy than conventional rotary blowers affording significant energy savings, when compared to other available screw blowers.

The combination of a blower with high efficiency SIGMA Profile rotors, flow-optimised components, efficient power transmission and drive components, ensures exceptional performance and oil-free air, guaranteed by Kaeser in accordance with the stringent requirements of ISO 1217.

These highly efficient and low-maintenance blower systems feature dual shaft SIGMA blower blocks and is a complete plug-and-play with its own power supply. It is also available with wye-delta starter (STC) or frequency converter (SFC).

Applications which require flotation and fluidisation stand to benefit from using Kaeser screw blowers, since these applications require blowers to run constantly, energy efficiency is a key consideration. https://us.kaeser.com aqfeed.info/e/1322

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Flobull floating surface aerator, by Faivre The Flobull aerator projects a very emulsified spray of water into the air, thus providing maximum contact with the atmosphere. In this way oxygen in the air is transferred into the water.

This process does not raise the water temperature because a sometimes warmer atmospheric contact is compensated through cooling caused by evaporation.

Despite their low electricity consumption, 180W to 1500W, Flobulls have a water mixing flow rate of 75 to 380m3/h. For a Flobull 1CV (750W), the high oxygen input into the water is 1.2 kg of O2/h.

The Flobull aerator is available in four models which range from 0.25cv (180 w) to 2cv (1,5 Kw), with water processing capabilities from 75 m3/h to 380 m3/h.

Robust conception in high density polyethylene and stainless steel, its 11mm AISI 304 L stainless steel mesh also comes as standard. www.faivre.fr aqfeed.info/e/1323

42 | February 2022 - International Aquafeed

HOWCASE The Fish Farm Inspection System by AKVA Pen sizes have rapidly increased over the last 20 years, and as a result, the visible area has decreased accordingly. In a pen of 160 diameters, only 0.2 percent is visible from the surface. Therefore, a submersible camera is a requirement for monitoring and controlling feedingTop of Form.

The Fish Farm Inspection System gives crystal clear video images from the submerged camera during feeding, providing a unique possibility to feed according to the fish appetite. It can easily be connected to Akvasmart cameras such as the SmartEye 360 Twin, Basic HR and Super HR. There is also an integrated pan/tilt controller for the SmartEye 360 Twin camera.

The built-in battery gives the flexibility to use the system and the solid state system is built into a PELI-case. Accurate fingertip control also provides full overview of the pen in a few seconds. www.akvagroup.com

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Bioscanner Fish Counter by Vaki The Bioscanner is highly accurate and can be utilised with fish from 3g to 6kg. Accurate information on the number and size of farmed fish is very important in modern aquaculture.

Biomass data on the fish in tanks and pens makes it possible to monitor production and facilitates management and planning.

As the fish come out of the basin, they are close together, and have to be separated to be counted accurately. The V-form ensures that the fish cannot turn around, and also that they are not crowded together.

The curved form accelerates the fish down the channel.

If two fish are close together in the beginning the one that is little bit ahead will accelerate faster and this causes a separation of the fish.

For correct operation the amount of water must be adjusted to the size of the fish. https://vakiiceland.is

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International Aquafeed - February 2022 | 43

CS Aquaculture case study

Mangrove crabs

Current developments in Philippine’s crab farming

The tropical Indo-Pacific region is home to the Scylla genus of mangrove crab which is also recognised as the ‘mud crab’ or the ‘black crab’.

Within the Philippines, the mangrove crab is commonly known as ‘alimango’.

by Charlene Rodriguez, Cecilia Souza Valente, Ellie-Ann Conneely, Simon J Davies, Alex H L Wan, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland

These semi-aquatic species are often found living in muddy estuaries, mangroves, and shallow softbottom intertidal waters. Their high value and demand have led to several species of the Scylla crabs being farmed in the country, including the king crab (S. serrata), pulahan (S. olivacea), lawodnon (S. tranquebarica), and the green mud crab (S. paramamosai).

Farming of mangrove crabs is often found in the coastal regions, such as islands of Panay and Mindanao. For the local farmers, they tend to favour mangrove crabs as a robust farmed species over shrimps. This is due to their reduced susceptibility to white spot syndrome virus, transport requirements, and their ability to survive for hours without water. Subsequently, this has led to the farming of these species to be the 9th farmed aquatic species and 4th in value in the Philippines.

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, farm productions had increased from 18,100 tonnes in 2017 to 20,771 tonnes during 2019. Softshell crab harvesting is popular due to its profitability and high consumer demand. To get this product, the moulted crabs must be harvested immediately after moulting to prevent the exoskeleton reforming and hardening. The disadvantages of this are the progressive lack of seed stock and the decrease in the population of mangrove crabs.

Traditionally, mangrove crab farming involves the collection of wild seed stock from the local surroundings for grow-out and fattening to reach an ideal harvest weight. However, their rapid aquaculture expansion over the decades has brought about establishment of dedicated hatchery production facilities in the country.

The high demand has led to governmental restrictions on mangrove farming in the Philippines. Such constraints include the country’s Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 264, which prohibits the trading of wild mangrove crabs with the exception of hatcheries and registered traders. In March 2021, section 3(a) of the order was lifted, allowing trade of mangrove crablets of five cm, only if these were used solely for aquaculture purposes.

Farm operations are often suitable for family-based businesses and has a less negative impact with low stocking densities. While large scale hatcheries are facing the difficulty of competing with cheaper wild seedlings and low survival rates due to disease and cannibalism. The progression from wild to farm produced

seed stocks by hatcheries does have its advantages in producing harvested crab size uniformity

Mangrove crab lifecycle

Mangrove crabs have lifespans that reaches over 10 years, and their lifecycle is dependent on a number of biotic and abiotic factors, such as humidity and lunar cycles.

Crabs typically burrow in sediment and feed on decayed plant litter during the moulting phase. Crabs moult frequently during its early life stages and less as it matures. The stages of the moult cycle include post moult, intermoult, pre moult and moulting.

Individuals typically burrow in sediment and feed on decayed plant litter during the moulting phase.

In males, maturation occurs from a carapace width (CW) 90100 mm and CW 140-160 mm for females. As they mature, they develop a large claw and prominent front walking legs. Mating occurs when the abdomen changes shape from triangular to round and wide. Crabs tend to mate around three years old with males carrying the female for several days before releasing it to moult.

44 | February 2022 - International Aquafeed

CS The females carry the eggs for approximately five weeks before hatching, where they are released into the water column. After the five stages of zoea, they become megalopa that moult after approximately seven days that appear as crab instar to juvenile crab.

Nutrition

Scylla crabs are naturally omnivorous, and under farming conditions, the crabs are often fed with low-value fish and trimmings. However, the use of these raw biomass has led to problems in pond water quality leading to reduced health. Due to this, formulated pellet feeds can be used to feed crablets in the nurseries.

In the hatchery, rotifers are typically used for feeding mangrove crabs at the larval zoea stages. Studies have shown that larval survival rate increased when the feeding of rotifers was limited

to the first (zoa 1) or first two (i.e., zoa 1-2) larval stages. Green microalgae (e.g., Tetraselmis and Nannochloropsis) have been used to enrich rotifers and added to mangrove crab larval rearing tanks.

Compared to rotifers or Artemia (brine shrimp), microalgae alone had a low nutritional value and cannot sustain the growth of larvae. However, microalgae contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n3) which are essential fatty acids of the omega-3 family important for mangrove crab larval development. However Artemia is a main live feed for mangrove crab larvae in most practices.

Within 24 hours of incubation in seawater, the free-swimming nauplii can be fed to the zoeae and megalopae at densities from 0.5 to 14 mL-1 of Artemia. Feeding rates are temperature dependent, with lower rates in colder months at a rearing range from 25 ℃-30 ℃.

Broodstock

The biology of each species differs slightly, resulting in variations of farming methods being used. By far, S. serrata is the fastest growing and is also the most cultured Scylla crab. The following must be considered in mangrove crab production: managing the remaining wild population and enforcement of existing provincial legislation on the collection and transport of on growing crablets.

Other main issues in mangrove crab farming include the cost of seed production, diseases in the hatchery and grow-out phases and the use of low-value fish for feeding.

Breeding success depends on the broodstock used. Mangrove crab broodstock can be sourced from either wild stocks or produced from commercial hatcheries. The collected broodstock is dependent on location and can be a mixture of

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the three common species found. S. serrata, S. olivacea and S. tanquebarica have overlapping ranges.

Healthy mature female crabs with complete limbs are usually chosen as broodstock. They are usually kept in natural seawater (3-3.5 x 10-11 mg mL-1) from 25-32°C. Keeping mangrove crab broodstock in low lighting conditions has been found to minimise stress, resulting in higher egg quality.

For mature female crabs with dark orange ovaries, their eggs are released and attach to the hairs of the crab’s abdominal flap (berried females). It’s easier to obtain females with mature ovaries than berried females but the spawning process can take many weeks in a hatchery.

The production and storage sites of the gonad inhibiting hormone (GIH) that prevents ovarian maturation is found in the eyestalk.

Eyestalk ablation is the common method of removing eyestalks from a crustacean and can induce ovarian maturation by reducing the levels of GIH. Cautery is the preferred method of eyestalk ablation as it closes the wound and allows scar tissue to develop faster. Ablation is currently a topic of debate, and other methods should be considered on animal welfare grounds.

Hatchery operation

Establishing commercial hatcheries is essential for increasing seed stocks for on-growing farms and meeting the commercial demand. Within the Philippines, commercial-scale hatchery seed stock over the past decade have been used. However, there are some production issues with hatcheries.

For instance, moulted crabs are at risk of being cannibalised when housed together in farm density settings. Due to the risk of cannibalism, mangrove crabs are initially reared in polyculture systems with other farmed species such as milkfish and shrimps in earthen brackish water ponds.

The stocking density is dependent on availability from the mangroves. Mangrove crabs are typically stocked at low densities of 1000-2000 larvae per litre in tanks and are grown for four to six months to the desired market size, allowing for two possible cohorts cycles in a year.

Hatchery design requires biosecurity for broodstock and larvae as

it can be negatively impacted by pathogenic organisms and poor hygiene. High-quality water is important for larval culture and live feeds such as rotifers, algae and Artemia. This can be carried out through UV sterilisation and cartridge filters.

In hatcheries with high-quality seawater, and sand filtration is sufficient for broodstock biosecurity. Another oxidising agent to kill harmful microorganisms in seawater is hypochlorite, used in hatchery tanks. To avoid harming them, chlorinated water must be strongly aerated to remove the chlorine residues.

After the hatchery phase, the crablets are grown in the nursery and these juveniles are one form of additional product that adds value to small crabs sold by farmers for further on-growing.

Hatchery crablets with 0.5 - 0.6cm carapace width (CW) are grown to 1.5-2.0cm CW in net cages in pond systems.

Mangrove crabs may be raised for up to three months in pens built-in existing mangroves with a surface area ranging from 500 to 1,000m2. In mangroves, net cages provide an alternative to pond cultivation. It also helps to improve the image of brackish water aquaculture, which had previously been associated with the historical clearing of mangroves to make room for shrimp ponds.

Within 30-45 days, lean crabs can be fattened in cages established in mangroves. Mangrove crab pens should be used in areas with established mangrove trees in the lower intertidal zone.

Genetics for mangrove crab breeding and broodstock

Aquaculture has benefitted in genetic techniques for use in stock management. There have been difficulties in identifying the genus from the early crablet stage. Genetic sequencing has been used to determine the hierarchy of existing characteristics in species identification. Species identification is important in Filipino aquaculture as any batch of wild crablets used for growout culture can have a mix of S. serrata, S. tranquebarica, and S. olivacea with their overlapping ranges.

Diagnostic markers for Scylla species are used during the late crablet stages when the carapace width is roughly 80 mm.

Broodstocks are developed from the offspring of founder stocks.

DNA marker analysis has been used to determine the potential of mangrove crab broodstock which can be prohibitive to farmers but can be beneficial in establishing a closed hatchery.

46 | February 2022 - International Aquafeed

FISH FARMING TECHNOLOGY Diseases and Health Management

Quarantine of broodstock from the wild and use of sterilised seawater should be carried out to reduce the incidences of introducing new pathogens into the hatchery facility.

Diseases associated with eggs and larvae include luminescent vibriosis, shell disease, fungal infection, fouling, and failed moulting.

Diseases associated with juveniles and adults include white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), bacterial shell disease, shell discolouration and fouling, microbial contain hemolymph, gill fouling with debris, algal encrustation, gill commensals and parasites, gill discolouration, blackened ovaries, egg loss, incomplete moulting, and limb loss.

Foodborne diseases caused by bacteria such as Vibrio parahaemolyticus have been linked to S. serrata. Moult death syndrome (MDS) is an infectious disease caused by Vibrio sp that causes zoea 5 (z5) to have difficulty in moulting to megalopa.

MDS also causes other bacterial and fungal infections in S. serrata eggs and larvae.

Antibiotics should be a last resort when treating diseases.

Approved antibiotics in aquaculture are ormetoprim and trimethoprim at 0.05 mg ml-1 for Vibrio control. Probiotics have been popular in grow-out ponds and can be used in hatcheries in concern of negative effects of antibiotics such as bacterial resistance.

Impact of climate change and future outlooks

Rising temperatures in the sea have now elevated to a point where they have reached the maximum temperature tolerance of the mangrove crab. This has the potential to negatively impact on their survival, reproduction success, and population recruitment.

Survey maps on sea surface temperatures have been used in the Philippines by policymakers to guide farmers in selecting ideal sites for mangrove crab farming.

This is particularly used in the island of Panay and mangrove areas of the Cagayan province where temperature data at 1m2 resolution are visualised using geographic information system mapping to identify vulnerable sites.

In the Philippines, guidelines for sustainable mangrove crab aquaculture in mangrove pens have been developed. Such guidelines include farmers working with government bodies on environmental assessments and manage the harvesting of crablets. These findings provide an insight into the mangrove crab population and further development is needed to enhance its production rate.

Developments include pen construction to avoid damage to mangrove roots and allow natural drainage. Despite these issues, with careful management and implementation of scientific research, there is great potential for stock enhancement to secure the sustainable expansion of mangrove crab aquaculture.

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47 | February 2022 - Fish Farming Technology

Industry Events

Status updates for industry events amidst global effects of COVID-19 25-27 Agritechnica Asia 2022 Bangkok, Thailand www.agritechnica-asia.com

2022 2022

February

4-6 Fish International 2022 Bremen, Germany https://fishinternational.de

March

7-8 Seagriculture USA 2022 Portland, Maine, USA https://seagriculture-usa.com

8-10 AFIA Purchasing and Ingredient Suppliers Conference 2022 San Francisco, California, USA www.afia.org

13-15 SPACE 2022 Rennes, France http://uk.space.fr

2022

22-23 Aquaculture New Zealand Conference 2022 Nelson, New Zealand www.aquaculture.org.nz

June 29-30 Seagriculture EU 2022 Bremerhaven, Germany https://seagriculture.eu

27-30 Aquaculture Europe 2022 Rimini, Italy www.aquaeas.org

July 24-26 Aquafuture Spain 2022 Santiago De Compostela, Spain http://en.aquafuturespain.com 25-28 Aquaculture Africa 2022 Alexandria, Egypt https://www.was.org/Meeting/Code/ AFRAQ20 30-31 RASTECH 2022 Hilton Head Island, USA www.ras-tec.com 2022

April 26-28 Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global 28th Edition Barcelona, Spain www.seafoodexpo.com

2022

6-8 16th Indo Livestock Jakarta, Indonesia www.indolivestock.com 2022

August 3-5 Ildex Vietnam 2022 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam www.ildex-vietnam.com 10-12 Livestock Malaysia 2022 Malacca, Malaysia www.livestockmalaysia.com 15-18 Aquaculture Canada and WAS North America 2022 St John’s, Newfoundland, Canada www.was.org/meeting/code/WANA2021

3-5 Aquaculture UK 2022 Aviemore, Scotland https://aquacultureuk.com

October 12-14 Vietstock 2022 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam www.vietstock.org

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November

9-11 Ildex Indonesia 2022 Jakarta, Indonesia www.ildex-indonesia.com

24-27 World Aquaculture 2021 Mérida, Mexico www.was.org/meeting/code/AQ2022

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2022

9-11 AFIA Equipment Manufacturers Conference 2022 St. Petersburg, Florida, USA www.afia.org

May

25-26 Aquafarm 2022 Pordenone, Italy www.aquafarm.show

September 1-3 Taiwan SMART Agriweek 2022 Taipei, Taiwan www.taiwanagriweek.com

31-2 VIV Europe Utrecht, The Netherlands www.viveurope.nl

28-4 Aquaculture 2022 San Diego, CA, USA www.was.org/meeting/code/AQ2022 2022

2022

15-18 EuroTier 2022 Hannover, Germany www.eurotier.com 23-25 Aquaculture Philippines 2022 Manila, Philippines www.livestockphilippines.com 48 | February 2022 - International Aquafeed

29-2 World Aquaculture Singapore 2022 Singapore www.was.org

Sustainable Aquaculture – Feeding Africa AQUACULTURE AFRICA 2021 Alexandria Egypt • March 25 - 28, 2022 The 1st Annual International Conference & Exposition of the African Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society (AFRAQ2021) Egypt is the biggest aquaculture producer in the continent. Both local and international aquaculture delegates will converge for the event at the beautiful City of Alexandria, the Pride of the Mediterranean Sea.

May 24-27, 2022 Mérida, Mexico

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Aquaculture UK's 2022 show set to be the biggest yet One of the UK’s largest aquaculture shows is back this spring with a larger than ever in-person exhibition and a simultaneous conference programme, which is expected to draw record crowds from around the world.

Aquaculture UK, to be held May 3-5 in Aviemore, Scotland, will be the first opportunity for many in the industry to meet face to face post-Covid and excitement is already building for the event.

Last staged in 2018, the normally biennial show will highlight the developments in the sector over the past four years, with familiar big-name suppliers exhibiting alongside newer entrants to the aquaculture community.

With over 200 exhibitors including Scottish heavyweights Gael Force Group, AKVA, Morenot, W&J Knox, Inverlussa Marine Services and Ace Aquatec, will be joined by younger companies, all with a keen focus on fast changing technology.

Along with advances in cage infrastructure, netting, feeding systems and humane stunning, visitors will be able to see firsthand the progress being made towards smarter ​​ fish farming, combining traditional husbandry with digitalisation, artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Underwater sensor technology to detect disease outbreaks and optimise feeding; automatic sea lice counters; and acoustic based treatment systems are just some of the innovations that will be on display by cutting edge companies such as Bluegrove, CageEye, Aquabyte and Pulcea.

And the exhibition will provide a platform for alternative farming methods, whether offshore, semi-closed or land-based RAS (recirculating aquaculture systems), with initiatives from InnovaSea, Ecomerden, AquaBioTech and CM Aqua Technologies, among others.

There will also be a chance to learn about recent scientific breakthroughs - in fish health and welfare, genetic selection, cleaner fish breeding, and more – from the likes of Benchmark, Xelect and the world-renowned Institute of Aquaculture.

Innovation and sustainability are the themes of the conference on the first day of the show. Featuring a series of presentations from the industry’s new wave of pioneers, these sessions will provide valuable insights into how organisations are offering sustainable solutions for the industry.

Meanwhile, inside the conference tent across the three-day exhibition, attendees can hear from the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) and Salmon Scotland (formerly the SSPO); participate in a Women in Scottish Aquaculture (WiSA) breakfast; or meet the teams behind R3-IOT, the communications and data analysts; nutrition expert SPAROS; and Canada’s Centre for Aquaculture Technologies.

Aquaculture UK also hosts the Aquaculture Awards, which recognise those who have made an exceptional contribution to global aquaculture. Entries will open shortly for the awards, with the winners announced at a glittering celebratory dinner in Aviemore on the night of May 4.

Cheri Arvonio, event director at show organiser Diversified Communications, says Aquaculture UK offers an unbeatable backdrop for doing business, networking and hearing industry updates.

"Aquaculture professionals have waited a long time for this dynamic show to return and now the countdown has begun, expectations are high for a memorable three days,” she adds.

"We are confident that this year’s event will mirror the vision, drive and passion of the sector and live up to its reputation as the most important UK based exhibition in the aquaculture calendar."

50 | February 2022 - International Aquafeed

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Animal Health, Nutrition & Technology Innovation Europe The next Animal Health, Nutrition and Technology Innovation (AHNTI) event is set to take place February 21-23 in London, UK. Now in its 7th year, AHNTI Europe is the sector’s premier Innovation Summit showcasing the most exciting investment opportunities globally and connecting businesses with investors and strategic corporate partners.

Their mission is to engage all key participants in the value chain so they can address the full scope of how animal health impacts pet owners, veterinarians, and farmers today.

Following overwhelming feedback from the market, the organisers have significantly expanded their programme this year with new focused content on nutrition and technology, alongside their production and companion animal health content.

They will be running four separate innovation showcases in production animal health, companion animal health, nutrition, and technology.

By presenting the most exciting innovations in prediction, prevention, and cure, the new programme will address the full extent of this ever-evolving market.

The organisers are excited to provide an innovation platform that is bigger than ever and to continue to play a critical role in shaping the future of the animal health industry.

Innovation showcase

The showcase is a unique opportunity for emerging companies with amazing technology to pre-sent in front of the industry’s most influential figures and investors. 40 start-ups, hand-picked by the Selection Committee, introduce themselves and their innovations and achievements on the main stage.

This year, presenting companies will be split into four distinguishable sections that will run across the show that will include Production Animal Health, Companion Animal Health, Nutrition and Technology.

Titles of discussions in 2022 include

1. Improving animal health through interventions in monoclonal antibodies 2. The opportunities for transgenic and genome editing technologies in the health of production animals 3. How the expectations of Gen-Z and Millennials are transforming technology for companion animals 4. Finding the middle ground between sustainability, economic efficiency, and profitability for all stakeholders across the supply chain 5. How robotics and AI can improve the efficiency and sustainability of livestock farming

Industry Events

SPECIALIST IN S Q UA R E S I LO S CO M P O UND FEED P REM IX

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FISH FARMING TECHNOLOGY

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aquafeed.co.uk International Aquafeed - February 2022 | 53

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EuroTier 2022 takes place in November ‘Transforming Animal Farming’ - this is the guiding theme of EuroTier 2022, reflecting the changes currently embracing the livestock and aquafeed sectors. The EuroTier trade fair will take place from November 15 to 18, 2022 at the Hanover Exhibition Grounds and will be supported by an additional digital offering.

The organiser DLG (German Agricultural Society) is placing the trade fair’s technical program of the world's leading trade fair for animal farming, aquaculture and livestock management under the guiding theme of ‘Transforming Animal Farming’.

The focus is on animal welfare, animal health, sustainability, emissions, genetics, husbandry, feeding, digitalisation, management, processing and direct farm sales.

Transformation in the livestock sector

The national and international livestock sector is undergoing a transformation.

A range of topics are shaping the current developments - animal welfare, sustainability, biodiversity, climate change and global food security as well as production efficiency and marketing strategies.

These factors influence changes in production and value chains as well as societal and environmental demands on livestock farming. "In this challenging environment, livestock farmers need new perspectives, strategic approaches and the right technologies more than ever, in order to be able to successfully address the changes in the industry.

“As the world's leading trade fair and leading professional platform, EuroTier plays a decisive role in offering the relevant innovations and solutions for farmers, farm managers and companies," explains Ines Rathke, EuroTier Project Manager, describing the central

importance of EuroTier for international livestock farming.

Innovation platform of the global livestock sector

As an innovation platform for the global livestock sector, EuroTier offers a complete overview of innovations and established standards. The trade fair presents solutions for cattle, dairy, pig and poultry production. Additionally, the topics of sheep and goats, boarding horses, aquaculture, alternative proteins and direct farm sales round off the exhibition and trade program.

The trade fair portfolio includes products and services for the entire value chain for the production of foodstuffs of animal origin. This includes the areas of genetics, feed, husbandry systems, climate and environmental technology, milking and cooling technology, manure removal, transport, operating resources, accessories, processing, marketing and services for agricultural production.

High-calibre international program

Under the guiding theme "Transforming Animal Farming", the DLG, together with national and international partners, will present a high-calibre technical program with a large number of events and conferences on the current focus topics of the animal husbandry sector.

The cattle/dairy, pig, poultry and aquaculture spotlights will be dedicated to industry-specific topics such as animal welfare, animal health, sustainability, emissions, breeding, husbandry, feeding, digitalisation and management.

The spotlight on direct farm sales will focus on the topics of processing and marketing. A new focus in the feeding section is the prospects for alternative protein sources.

New at EuroTier 2022 is the dedicated start-up area "DLG-AgrifutureLab" for

newly-founded innovative companies.

This prime location within the trade fair allows both national and international company founders to launch their presence prominently, attracting plenty of footfall.

The German Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) supports the participation of German start-ups at the trade fair.

Additional digital offering

In addition to the trade fair appearance in Hanover, the world's leading trade fair for animal farming and livestock management offers exhibitors and visitors an additional digital service on the ‘DLG Connect’ platform, an interactive online platform developed

by DLG as part of its objective to further knowledge in the international agricultural sector.

Already over 500 individual virtual events have been held at this platform including DLG’s in-depth spotlights on emission control in livestock farming as well as virtual visits to pig and dairy farms.

Exhibitors can use this digital platform to deliver information about their products and innovations in order to optimise their preparations for the trade fair. The platform offers visitors the opportunity to network with exhibitors in the run-up to EuroTier thereby benefiting from the latest specialist information.

Optimal exhibition complement: EnergyDecentral

EnergyDecentral takes place in Hanover alongside EuroTier. The international trade fair has established itself as the leading platform for decentralised energy supply. Covering the entire value chain of sustainable energy production: Resources, energy production and smart energy, EnergyDecentral is thus an optimal extension of the specialist range of EuroTier.

International Aquafeed - February 2022 | 55

Coolers & driers Bühler AG +41 71 955 11 11 www.buhlergroup.com

Welcome to the market place, where you will find suppliers of products and services to the industry with help from our friends at The International Aquafeed Directory (published by Turret Group)

IDAH +866 39 902701 www.idah.com

Additives Evonik +49 618 1596785 www.evonik.com

Inteqnion +31 543 49 44 66 www.inteqnion.com

Biorigin www.biorigin.net GePro +49 54415 925252 www.ge-pro.de

Tapco Inc +1 314 739 9191 www.tapcoinc.com

Grupo Dibaq +34 921 574 286 www.dibaqacuicultura.es

Elevator & conveyor components 4B Braime +44 113 246 1800 www.go4b.com

Liptosa +34 902 15 77 11 www.liptoaqua.com

Enzymes Evonik +49 618 1596785 www.evonik.com

Phileo (Lesaffre animal care) +33 3 20 81 61 00 www.lesaffre.fr

Biomin +43 2782 803 0 www.biomin.net

Skretting + 47 51 88 00 10 www.skretting.com

Equipment for sale ExtruTech Inc +1 785 284 2153 www.extru-techinc.com

Conveyors

Computer software

Anpario +44 1909 537 380 www.anpario.com

Alapala +90 212 465 60 40 www.alapala.com

Symaga +34 91 726 43 04 www.symaga.com

Satake +81 82 420 8560 www.satake-group.com

Alltech +44 1780 764512 w: www.alltech.com

Elevator buckets

Bulk storage

Bühler AG +41 71 955 11 11 www.buhlergroup.com

Aller Aqua +45 70 22 19 10 www.aller-aqua.com

Faivre + 33 3 81 84 01 32 www.faivre.fr

Amino acids

Colour sorters

Adisseo + 33 1 46 74 70 00 www.adisseo.com

Drum filters

Romer Labs +43 2272 6153310 www.romerlabs.com

Vigan Enginnering +32 67 89 50 41 www.vigan.com

Feed and ingredients

Yemmak +90 266 733 83 63 www.yemmak.com

Analysis

TSC Silos +31 543 473979 www.tsc-silos.com

Zheng Chang +86 2164184200 www.zhengchang.com/eng

Wenger Manufacturing +1 785-284-2133 www.wenger.com

Liptosa +34 902 157711 www.liptosa.com

Silos Cordoba +34 957 325 165 www.siloscordoba.com

Yemmak +90 266 733 83 63 www.yemmak.com

FrigorTec GmbH +49 7520 91482-0 www.frigortec.com

Kaeser Kompressoren +49 9561 6400 www.kaeser.com

Silo Construction & Engineering +32 51723128 www.sce.be

Wenger Manufacturing +1 785-284-2133 www.wenger.com

Ferraz Maquinas e Engenharia +55 16 3615 0055 www.ferrazmaquinas.com.br

Air products

Evonik +49 618 1596785 www.evonik.com

Ottevanger +31 79 593 22 21 www.ottevanger.com

FAMSUN +86 514 85828888 www.famsungroup.com

Faivre + 33 3idah 81 84 01 32 www.faivre.fr

R-Biopharm +44 141 945 2924 www.r-biopharm.com

IDAH +866 39 902701 www.idah.com

Consergra s.l +34 938 772207 www.consergra.com

Aerators

Phibro +972 4 629 1833 www.phibro-aqua.com

Ferraz Maquinas e Engenharia +55 16 3615 0055 www.ferrazmaquinas.com.br

Feed Mill Clextral +1 813 854 4434 www.clextral.com

Extruders

Van Aarsen International +31 475 579 444 www.aarsen.com

Almex +31 575 572666 www.almex.nl Andritz +45 72 160300 www.andritz.com Buhler AG +41 71 955 11 11 www.buhlergroup.com Clextral +1 813 854 4434 www.clextral.com

56 | February 2022 - International Aquafeed

Fish counters Faivre + 33 3 81 84 01 32 www.faivre.fr

Fish Graders Faivre + 33 3 81 84 01 32 www.faivre.fr

Fish pumps Faivre + 33 3 81 84 01 32 www.faivre.fr

Dinnissen BV +31 77 467 3555 www.dinnissen.nl

Dinnissen BV +31 77 467 3555 www.dinnissen.nl Ferraz Maquinas e Engenharia +55 16 3615 0055 www.ferrazmaquinas.com.br

Zheng Chang +86 2164184200 www.zhengchang.com/eng

Yemmak +90 266 733 83 63 www.yemmak.com

Pulverisers

Weighing equipment

IDAH +866 39 902701 www.idah.com

Ottevanger +31 79 593 22 21 www.ottevanger.com

Predator Defence

Moisture analysers

Yemmak +90 266 733 83 63 www.yemmak.com

Ace Aquatec + 44 7808 930923 www. aceaquatec.com

Yeast products

Probiotics

Nets & cages

ICC, Adding Value to Nutrition +55 11 3093 0753 www.iccbrazil.com

Biomin +43 2782 803 0 www.biomin.net

Leiber GmbH +49 5461 93030 www.leibergmbh.de

RAS Equipment

Packaging

Fish Farm Feeder +34 886 317 600 www.fishfarmfeeder.com

FAWEMA +49 22 63 716 0 www.fawema.com

Phileo (Lesaffre animal care) +33 3 20 81 61 00 www.lesaffre.fr

FISA +51 998128737 www.fisa.com.pe

Paddle Mixer Anderson www.andersonfeedtech.com

Vacuum

Yemtar +90 266 733 8550 www.yemtar.com

Ferraz Maquinas e Engenharia +55 16 3615 0055 www.ferrazmaquinas.com.br

FISA +51 998128737 www.fisa.com.pe

TSC Silos +31 543 473979 www.tsc-silos.com

Yemmak +90 266 733 83 63 www.yemmak.com

Hammermills

Hydronix +44 1483 468900 www.hydronix.com

FAMSUN +86 514 85828888 www.famsungroup.com

Ottevanger +31 79 593 22 21 www.ottevanger.com

Ace Aquatec + 44 7808 930923 www. aceaquatec.com

Yemtar +90 266 733 8550 www.yemtar.com

Silos

FAMSUN +86 514 87848880 www.muyang.com

Fish Stunning

Yemmak +90 266 733 83 63 www.yemmak.com

Aqua Ultraviolet +1 952 296 3480 www.aquauv.com

Dinnissen BV +31 77 467 3555 www.dinnissen.nl

RAS system

IDAH +866 39 902701 www.idah.com

Pellet mill Clextral +1 813 854 4434 www.clextral.com IDAH +866 39 902701 www.idah.com

To include your company in the International Aquafeed market place in print, and a company page on our website contact Tuti Tan +44 1242 267700 • tutit@perendale.co.uk To visit the online market place visit: www.aqfeed.info/e/1130

PTN +31 73 54 984 72 www.ptn.nl

Plants Andritz +45 72 160300 www.andritz.com Buhler AG +41 71 955 11 11 www.buhlergroup.com Clextral +1 813 854 4434 www.clextral.com

International Aquafeed - February 2022 | 57

FISH FARMING TECHNOLOGY

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58 | February 2022 - International Aquafeed

MyMag - the Aquafeed info links system

Market place members in this issue

Company Number Ace Aquatec Adisseo Alltech Almex Anpario Cablevey Conveyors Dibaq Dinnissen Faivre Famsun Fish Farm Feeder GePro Hydronix Idah Inteqnion Kaeser Compressors Leiber Liptoaqua Orffa Ottevanger Phileo TekPro The Packaging Group TSC Van Aarsen Wenger ZhengChang

See company profile

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aqfeed.info/e/1216 aqfeed.info/e/1101 aqfeed.info/e/1111 aqfeed.info/e/1270 aqfeed.info/e/1219 aqfeed.info/e/1304 aqfeed.info/e/1262 aqfeed.info/e/1263 aqfeed.info/e/1225 aqfeed.info/e/1104 aqfeed.info/e/1265 aqfeed.info/e/1228 aqfeed.info/e/1305 aqfeed.info/e/1221 aqfeed.info/e/1271 aqfeed.info/e/1114 aqfeed.info/e/1231 aqfeed.info/e/1267 aqfeed.info/e/1233 aqfeed.info/e/1235 aqfeed.info/e/1240 aqfeed.info/e/1306 aqfeed.info/e/1272 aqfeed.info/e/1269 aqfeed.info/e/1273 aqfeed.info/e/1274 aqfeed.info/e/1266

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myMAG myMAG LINKS AND PAGE FISH FARMING TECHNOLOGY

International Aquafeed's myMAG shortlinks are custom links that enable readers to get the most out of the products we showcase in the magazine each month.

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the interview Joe Kearns – Lead Presenter, Online Aquafeed Production School With a career that includes 42 years at Wenger Manufacturing, Joe Kearns is widely known and respected for his in-depth knowledge of the extrusion process and his know-how in ensuring the maximum output of an extrusion system that meets customer and livestock needs.

Following his retirement from Wenger and from assisting Meridian-Biotech as Director of Sales for advanced single cell proteins for aquatic and animal feeds, Mr Kearns then formed JPKearns Consulting for feed and pet-food projects.

He is currently consulting in the Feed Industry on extrusion projects, their use, situation solving and related topics, whilst also operating as a Technical Consultant for Grand Fish Feed in Egypt.

Joe Kearns is a lecturer and moderator with the Online Milling School and will be involved in two of its 12-week Courses - one on aquatic feeds and the other on petfood - and will be writing about both topics in our magazine Milling and Grain, International Aquafeed and International Petfood, with the aquafeed production edition returning to our screens at the end of February 2022.

You have had a rich career in the industry of animal feed and petfood production, what initially lead you to get into this field of work?

We are seeing many possibilities as in insect meal, algae’s and fermented products where the final product has fishmeal qualities and protein contents. We need to get better and more efficient at using fish as a source of protein and its production will continue to grow as the conversion factor is quite good, much like chickens.

The University of Missouri Kansas City had a placement centre where Wenger International has a request registered for a student who could do some drafting, I applied and my career in feed and food production equipment started.

What are the most common issues you have seen in aquafeed production facilities, and what advice would you give to those looking to improve their operation?

Sometimes things just happen and to answer this question, it was the desire to get my degree in engineering that started this adventure. Funds were needed for college and thus a job search that related to engineering was my goal.

Layouts for all kinds of plants for extruded products completed resulted in being asked if I wished to transfer to Kansas State University and continue my education while drafting for Wenger part time.

Finished my Engineering Degree with all my elective classes in Grain Science. Extremely important as these classes related to extrusion cooking in many cases. Returned to work for Wenger full time and continued drafting while getting into sales of equipment. I still thank my mom for insisting I go do the interview, even if the interview ended up just being practice.

Throughout your extensive career what are the most significant changes that you have observed in the aquafeed production industry?

The changes of significance all centred on equipment design advancements allowing for more specific products being produced. Floating feeds obviously were easy so most advancements were in the ability to make sinking feeds of some sort. Shrimp feed, salmon feed, sea bass, sea bream, grouper and many others.

Shrimp had to hold together in water and soften while releasing the smell or attractant so the shrimp could find the feed.

Salmon was special as total fat levels desired kept increasing, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 as the level kept going up. Getting the cell structure right to hold the oil infused by the newly invented vacuum coaters. Sea bass and bream with elevated oil levels as well as salmon feeds had to sink slowing, about 15 sec per meter.

Therefore, controlling of the equipment and all of mechanical improvements greatly assisted in being able to make these kind of feed continuously and correctly. When all is good and running well it would be expected to get the best conversion ratio of feed to fish.

What aspects of aquafeed production would you like to see addressed and why?

One thing that was addressed was not having to state that the extrusion die was limiting the process capacity. Fortunately, I was in a position to be part of inventing new designs allowing for three-to-five times increase in capacity of feeds under 2mm in diameter. Perfect for shrimp feed and starter diets.

Feeds down to 0.5mm became possible at capacities that justified interest. The industry will tell us what needs to be addressed as has happened in most cases from the past.

Having said this it becomes clear that protein sources to replace expensive and highly used fishmeal used in aquafeeds need to be developed.

Having mentioned these before, the main points in aquafeed production is the formula, the equipment used, the running conditions and the final product specifications. There will be developments but the nutritional knowledge and product specifications are usually defined.

The areas of improvement will centre on the other two areas. Knowledge of the equipment and how to modify and operate it for the wide variety of products is the area that seems to be the common thread when visiting plants. In other words, optimise the system for the best product at the highest capacity and produce the feed with ease.

You have recently taken on the role as lead presenter for the Online Aquafeed Production School, why did you take on this role, and what do you enjoy about working as an educator?

I was invited to do this and with nobody traveling due to reasons we all now know, it seemed to be an interesting thing to do and one that could be done from my desk. It’s both challenging and rewarding, if the feed producers pick up a few ideas and these assist them in achieving higher capacities and better production of better feeds, the fish farmers have a better yield and all the other benefits so as many people around the world can have a better life, consuming more quality aquatic products.

Having travelled and visited many companies and countries and made many friends it seemed to be the right thing to do - assist the industry in elevating their abilities just like was done for me from my mentors over many years.

In this course we have experts from all aspects of feed production presenting. Complete discussions from start to finish on all the steps in the production cycle. We discuss many trouble areas and give suggestions on what to do.

Knowing there are many different types of extruders and pellet mills out there the basics of how they operate are similar thus this course is of use for all kinds of equipment users - including discussions on historic and current methods will allow us to assist all types of equipment users.

I knew presenting was in my future when at 20 years old, in my second year at KSU, I was asked to give a presentation in Chicago. 500 people were there and it was scary. The talk was on textured soy proteins. I quit reading the presentation stepped out from behind the podium left the papers behind and did it and then fielded questions.

That was it, game over, I was then destined to learn extrusion and present the facts and continue on this path.

60 | February 2022 - International Aquafeed

International Aquafeed - February 2022 | 61

THE INDUSTRY FACES Blue Ocean Technology is bringing in new personnel

A

llan Ødegård has been hired as Vice President Sales and will be responsible for the company's sales organisation.

Mr Ødegård previously worked as the Segment Leader Aquaculture at Schneider Electric and was responsible for putting Schneider on the map. He has also worked as a product manager in charge of uw-cameras and sensors.

With an education in sales and marketing coupled with a long career in technical sales, Mr Ødegård's portfolio also boasts broad international experience and a substantial network.

“Allan is a dream-hire for us. His background and personality is an excellent match for Blue Ocean.

We have a shared vision of making a difference for an industry moving towards more contained aquaculture, with a stronger focus on circular economy, total waste management control and digitalisation,” says Hans Runshaug, the CEO of Blue Ocean Technology, on hiring Mr Ødegård.

New director general announced for Russian Fishery Company

O

lga Naumova takes up the position of General Director of the Russian Fishery Company. Viktor Litvinenko, who previously held this position, will continue to work for the Company.

Olga Naumova graduated from Lomonosov Moscow State University, and from 2001 to 2013 she held executive positions in the structures of Severstal and NLMC groups.

Since November 2019, she has been a member of the Board of Directors of the RFC and Russian Crab LLC as an independent director; she will remain her position in the latter even after her new appointment.

“When making this decision we, among other things, took into account Olga Naumova’s experience in retail. Under her leadership, the RFC will be able to significantly expand the sale markets for high value-added products manufactured by the new fleet”, says Gleb Frank, Chairman of the RFC Board of Directors.

Cermaq Chile announces appointment of new Managing Director

W

ith more than 20 years of experience in the industry, Pedro Courard, current Production Director of the company, becomes the new Managing Director of Cermaq Chile.

He replaces Steven Rafferty who becomes the new CEO of Cermaq Group, based in Oslo, Norway, starting March 1, 2022.

Mr Courard is an industrial civil engineer from the University of Chile and has an MBA from the University of Tulane, USA. He has previously held senior management positions.

“I am very happy to take on this challenge in a company like Cermaq, a leader in the industry both nationally and globally,” states Mr Courard.

“My intention is to continue the work started by Steven, which has allowed us to improve our results in all aspects.”

Mr Courard will take over as General Manager as of March 1.

Salmar Aker Ocean appoints new CEO

T

he aquaculture company SalMar Aker Ocean has appointed Roy Reite to be its new CEO. For 20 years, Roy Reite held key executive positions in Aker Yards and was CEO of what is now the shipbuilding group Vard.

He has considerable experience of leading companies and has helped to build a business comprising more than 10,000 employees. In 2019, he took over as CEO of Fjordlaks.

“Roy Reite has in-depth knowledge of the coastal culture. This is important and necessary to realise SalMar Aker Ocean’s ambitions,” says Atle Eide, who chairs SalMar Aker Ocean’s board of directors.

“In SalMar Aker Ocean, I see a business with a considerable growth potential, and that is a powerful motivator for me. And underpinning it all is the belief in – and need for – sustainable production of healthy seafood,” says Mr Reite.Mr Courard will take over as General Manager as of March 1.

62 | February 2022 - International Aquafeed

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: No.28 Zhengchang Road, Kunlun Development Zone, Liyang, Jiangsu, China Telephone : +86 21-6418 4200 Fax : +86 21-6416 3299 E-mail : International@zhengchang.com Website : www.zhengchang.com/eng

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