Significant reforms are needed on salmon farms to better protect the environment and give farmed fish a good life, according to the charity behind the leading organic standards for the industry.

The Soil Association, which sets standards for certified organic salmon, has warned it will withdraw from the sector if “meaningful progress” is not delivered in the next year.

The charity has just finished an 18-month review looking at welfare and environmental problems facing salmon farms across the entire Scottish salmon farming industry

 Source: Fish Focus l Read the full article here

Algae has led to a large number of salmon deaths in northern Norway, the authorities are reporting.

The Institute of Marine Research, which is monitoring the spread, said it is receiving reports of increased mortality.

Last week it was reported that the company Nordlaks had been seriously affected and had been forced into slaughtering several hundred thousand salmon.  The problem is spreading, with several farms being affected.

Nordlaks CEO Eirik Welde told his local newspaper the Lofoten Post that it was very hard to see so many fish die.

Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer l Read the full article here

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has awarded Thai Union Group a USD 150 million (EUR 133 million) loan, which the latter said it will use to source sustainable shrimp.

The funding will be used to help expand Thai Union’s sourcing of certified sustainable shrimp, one of the pillars of the company’s SeaChange 2030 global sustainability strategy designed to reach net zero greenhouse emissions by 2050. According to Thai Union, shrimp will be considered sustainable if they are produced under schemes certified by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI) or sourced from producers enegaged in credible Aquaculture Improvement Projects (AIPs).

Author: Nathan Strout / SeafoodSource l Read the full article here

Barcelona – The participation of the Organization of Mussel Producers of Galicia (Opmega) in the Seafood Expo Global fair, held in Barcelona from May 6 to 8, concluded with resounding success. The organization attended with the aim of consolidating commercial relationships, showcasing the work of its members, and opening new avenues for collaboration, all of which were more than fulfilled.

During the three days of the fair, the Opmega stand received visits from numerous clients, suppliers, distributors, and institutional representatives, including representatives from the Consellería do Mar (Regional Ministry of the Sea), who showed their support for the sector and the work carried out by the organization.

The Opmega board of directors maintained an intense schedule of meetings, both commercial and institutional, in which they were able to highlight the quality of Galician mussels and the producers' commitment to sustainability and innovation. The video shown at the stand, subtitled in English, offered a detailed look at the cultivation process, from seed collection to hanging on rafts, sparking the interest of visitors from different countries.

One of the elements that generated the most attention was the presentation of ready-to-eat mussel trays, a format that is already successful in the national market and is beginning to consolidate internationally as well, due to its convenience, quality, and respect for the original product.

Land-based fish farmer Stolt Sea Farm has become the only farmed turbot producer in the world to achieve Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification for all its farms.

ASC chief executive Chris Ninnes presented the certification to Stolt president Jordi Trías at the Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona yesterday, commending the company’s commitment to environmental and social responsibility across its nine turbot farms.

Source: fishfarmingexpert l Read the full article here

Salmon Scotland urges renewed trade talks as UK-US deal leaves 10% salmon tariff in place.

Salmon Scotland has called on the UK Government to pursue further negotiations with the United States after confirmation that Scottish salmon will remain subject to a 10% tariff under the new UK-US trade agreement.

The trade body, which represents the UK’s largest food export, said the continued tariff is a missed opportunity to support growth in one of Scotland’s most important overseas markets.

Source: SalmonBusiness l Read the full article here

Grieg Seafood has published a preliminary first quarter update, in advance of its main report, showing mixed performances at its Norwegian and Canadian locations.

The company said it expects operational and financial performance for the period to be above previous guidance in Rogaland, and slightly below consensus in Finnmark, British Columbia, and Newfoundland.

The change in Rogaland is primarily related to lower farming costs and higher harvest volumes. The site harvest in Q1 showed better-than expected biological performance throughout the cycle.

Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer l Read the full article here