Smir Group Acquires Aquaculture Technology Firm Ambiente Aqua AS
NORWAY
Friday, September 20, 2024
Smir Group, a leader in aquaculture technology and services, has finalized an agreement to acquire Ambiente Aqua AS, a technology company based in Årland, Norway. As part of the acquisition, all rights to Ambiente Aqua's proprietary technologies will be transferred to Smir Group.
"We've been collaborating closely on two key projects that leverage UV-LED technology, and we view this as a promising area of investment for Smir Group. Ambiente's innovative solutions align perfectly with our goals, which led us to pursue this acquisition,"said Frank Øren, CEO of Smir Group, in a press release.
Ambiente Aqua AS, founded in 2021 by Kurt Magne Berge, Roald Rø, and Gunder Andre Johansen, specializes in developing advanced light and energy systems, with a particular focus on UV-LED technology.
Øren highlighted the strategic value of this acquisition for Smir Group:
"One of our primary objectives is to offer preventive solutions for the aquaculture industry, and we see significant potential in UV-LED technology when applied effectively. As we continue to innovate and develop new preventive concepts, we are excited about the additional opportunities that Ambiente’s technology will create when integrated with our existing solutions."
This acquisition follows Smir Group's earlier purchase of the service and diving company KB-Gruppen AS in Rørvik, further strengthening its presence in the aquaculture sector.
The research vessel Árni Friðriksson has completed a week-long capelin survey off the northwest coast of Iceland, focusing on spawning migrations and stock abundance. Survey coverage extended from west of Dohrnbank along the continental slope off the Westfjords to Skagagrunn.
At the same time, the vessel Þórunn Þórðardóttir gathered acoustic data during a hydrographic survey examining ocean conditions around Iceland in February. Scientists reported almost no capelin north of Iceland. A small quantity of mature capelin was detected near the continental slope at Bardagrunn, while immature fish were observed farther offshore near drift ice off the Westfjords.
Researchers estimate that the bulk of the 328 thousand tonnes of capelin recorded northwest of Iceland in January has now migrated eastward, moving clockwise around the country. The stock is expected to spawn in coastal waters in the south and west in March.
The Marine and Freshwater Research Institute has announced no further capelin surveys will be conducted this winter.
The event, produced by Diversified, is returning to the Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center, and will bring together seafood suppliers, processors, equipment manufacturers, and service providers from around the world to showcase products and close deals.
With 246,665 net square feet of exhibit space and exhibiting companies representing 48 countries confirmed to date – with continued growth expected – the 2026 edition reinforces its position as the must-attend event for seafood industry professionals seeking to maximize business opportunities in one place
Source: SeafoodSource | Read the full article here
A new study led by researchers at University of Stirling has found that changes in aquafeed composition over the past two decades have significantly reshaped the environmental footprint of European aquaculture, reducing reliance on wild-caught fish while increasing impacts across several other environmental indicators.
The research, led by Björn Kok and Dr Wesley Malcorps of the university’s Institute of Aquaculture, examined developments between 2000 and 2020 and found that the European aquaculture sector cut its overall use of wild-caught fish in feed by 13%, despite nearly doubling in production over the same period. Growth was largely driven by the expansion of Atlantic salmon farming in Norway.
Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here
King salmon farmer leases vessel to support expansion ambitions
New?Zealand?King?Salmon (NZKS) is to introduce the country’s first wellboat, it has announced.
Until now, New Zealand has been the only major salmon-producing country not using this technology.
The 18-year-old wellboat, previously called the Ronja Nordic, has been appropriately renamed the Ronja King. It is currently on its way from Haugesund in Norway to Spain and is expected to arrive in New Zealand waters in April.
Author: Gareth Moore / fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
The winter storms that battered large areas of the United States in January have had a very noticeable effect on supermarket shelves: more stockpiling, fewer restaurant visits, and a rise in sales value across virtually all seafood categories. This phenomenon was also accompanied by a second decisive factor: an acceleration of seafood-specific inflation, more pronounced than general food inflation.
Data from Circana, analyzed by 210 Analytics, shows the extent to which bad weather can reshape consumption patterns in just a few days.
EJF and Calamasur Want to Put a Stop to Chinese Activity Operating Outside of Scientific Recommendations
“One of the world’s most important squid fisheries is heading toward an ecological and social crisis as vast Chinese fishing fleets take advantage of weak governance, lack of transparency, and regulatory gaps throughout the Southeast Pacific.” Adding to this biological crisis, new research by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) highlights labor abuses by one of the companies involved—China National Fisheries Corporation—whose catches are exported to the US, the European Union, and the UK.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
What sounds like a terrible idea – farming tropical shrimp in chilly northern Germany – is exactly what HanseGarnelen is turning into a high-tech, almost-zero-carbon showcase for “German shrimp”.
HanseGarnelen runs what is currently the largest operational clear-water shrimp recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS) farm in Europe, producing around 100 tonnes of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) a year in Glückstadt, northern Germany. After a brush with insolvency and a change of ownership, the company is betting on automation, local branding and continuous improvement to make “German shrimp” a viable alternative to imports.
Author: Emma Barbier / The Fish Site | Read the full article here
Current estimates predict that floating offshore wind turbines will make up more than one third of the UK’s total offshore wind capacity by 2050. And as floating offshore wind scales up, the importance of coexisting with other sea users, such as commercial fisheries, is a crucial consideration within the development and consenting process.
‘The Floating Offshore Wind and Fishing Framework for Coexistence’ project, led by ORE Catapult on behalf of the Floating Offshore Wind Centre of Excellence, in partnership with Crown Estate Scotland, has developed a set of guidelines, following dialogue between offshore developers and commercial fisheries
De Heus Animal Nutrition has officially opened its state-of-the-art animal feed production plant in Kenya.
With an annual production capacity of 240,000 metric tons and a total investment of KES 3 billion (USD 23 million), the new facility represents the first dedicated animal feed plant in the country, marking a significant milestone for De Heus.
The family-owned firm is one of the world’s leading animal nutrition companies, operating feed mills in more than 20 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America, and activities spanning over 50 countries worldwide. It supports thousands of livestock and aquaculture farmers by providing high-quality feed, nutritional expertise, and tailored farm support.
EU–India Free Trade Agreement Set to Reshape European Tuna Market European Union
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NORWAY
"We've been collaborating closely on two key projects that leverage UV-LED technology, and we view this as a promising area of investment for Smir Group. Ambiente's innovative solutions align perfectly with our goals, which led us to pursue this acquisition,"
ICELAND
WORLDWIDE.jpg)
UNITED STATES
Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America
UNITED KINGDOM
A new study led by researchers at University of Stirling has found that changes in aquafeed composition over the past two decades have significantly reshaped the environmental footprint of European aquaculture, reducing reliance on wild-caught fish while increasing impacts across several other environmental indicators.
NEW ZEALAND
King salmon farmer leases vessel to support expansion ambitions
The winter storms that battered large areas of the United States in January have had a very noticeable effect on supermarket shelves: more stockpiling, fewer restaurant visits, and a rise in sales value across virtually all seafood categories. This phenomenon was also accompanied by a second decisive factor: an acceleration of seafood-specific inflation, more pronounced than general food inflation.
EJF and 
GERMANY
What sounds like a terrible idea – farming tropical shrimp in chilly northern Germany – is exactly what HanseGarnelen is turning into a high-tech, almost-zero-carbon showcase for “German shrimp”.
Current estimates predict that floating offshore wind turbines will make up more than one third of the UK’s total offshore wind capacity by 2050. And as floating offshore wind scales up, the importance of coexisting with other sea users, such as commercial fisheries, is a crucial consideration within the development and consenting process.
KENYA.png)
With an annual production capacity of 240,000 metric tons and a total investment of KES 3 billion (USD 23 million), the new facility represents the first dedicated animal feed plant in the country, marking a significant milestone for De Heus.
