The FishVet Group is set to expand into the Americas and Scandinavia (Photo: FishVet/ FIS)

FishVet Group Announces Global Expansion

FishVet Group (FVG) has announced the expansion of its aquaculture health services into the Americas and Scandinavia, positioning operations in Louisiana, Portland, Canada and Norway within the coming months. 

In addition to providing expert advice on use of its core products Salmosan and Virasure, FVG’s vets and scientists will provide independent, global aquaculture knowledge, and expertise in the areas of health, clinical, environmental and auditing services to existing and developing industries within the global fish supply chain.

David Cox, Managing Director of the FishVet Group

Commenting on FishVet Group’s global expansion, David Cox, Managing Director said: “Our expansion has been very much demand-led."

"We started out by providing veterinary health services for a number of fish farming operations based around the coast of Scotland but over the last fifteen years, the production of farmed fish and shellfish has more than doubled around the world," he continued.

"Pressures on the use of land and water for farming have created new aquaculture health issues and the need for scientific response and sustainable management systems."

"We have been consulting extensively for governments, fish farmers and retail chains in Asia where aquaculture makes up around 90% of the global aquaculture industry, and more recently in Canada and the US," Cox clarified.

"Since 2009, the number of fish and shellfish farms has increased in North America and Europe, but in relation to marine catch operations, caged fish farming still only represents a third of the fish consumed."

"Globally, this relatively young industry is in a strong period of growth. Demand is rising for intelligent, practical solutions and veterinary products and so we are moving closer to our customers,” Cox explained.

David added: “While fish farming goes some way to alleviating the depletion of wild fish stocks, the conversion rate can be variable in some farmed species of fish."

Members of the FishVet veterinarian team at work

"To help protect the biodiversity of the ocean, producers are starting to implement more sustainable farming methods, but because the industry is still relatively new, there are issues to be resolved."

"Farming of herbivorous and filter feeders such as carp, catfish and tilapia in the US will soon contribute to the global supply of affordable animal protein, but for the supply chain to be truly sustainable, solid partnerships need to be fostered between industry experts, public and private sectors and consumers,” he stated.

“The requirement for traceability from farm to plate means that every stage of production needs to be managed ethically, economically and with environmental consideration."

"Through positioning our core scientific strengths at the heart of fish farming industries, we aim to help large and small scale suppliers of catfish, shellfish and salmon understand and implement best practice in husbandry, feed, stocking levels, habitat, biosecurity, treatments and dealing with waste products, and their impact on the environment, in order to develop healthy businesses that will support the growing population.”

Samples being examined at the FishVet laboratory

David emphasised: “Our priority has always been the health and care of fish. This extends to best practice advice and training for all those involved in the fish and crustacean supply chain."

"We have updated our brand to reflect our offering, employed local expertise and extended our resources to position ourselves as a global player. Needless to say, we are very excited about the opportunities our business expansion will bring,” he concluded.

About FishVet Group

FishVet Group is an aquaculture health business owned by Benchmark Holdings Ltd.

Fish Vet's services include world-class histology and bacteriology

Its core diagnostic specialisms include world-class histology and bacteriology and its development of sea lice treatment Salmosan and pond disinfectant Virasure has led to the company’s growth globally in the field of total aquaculture health.

FishVet Group operates in Europe, the Americas and Asia, providing independent veterinary, clinical, environmental, biosecurity, educational and auditing services.

The company works extensively with government and non-government organisations, fish farms, fisheries, regulatory authorities, academics, pharmaceutical, feed companies and retail chains to develop sustainable food chain systems that will help support the world’s rising human population.

Source: Fish Vet Group

Brian Loubet Jambert
[email protected]
www.seafood.media

Address:	22 Carsegate Road
City:	Inverness
State/ZIP:	Scotland (IV3 8EX)
Country:	United Kingdom
Phone:	+44 1463 717 774
Fax:	+44 1463 717 775
E-Mail:	[email protected]
More about:

Print