There is a great deal of coordination in the “anti” groups that exist all over the world to campaign against a range of industries, argues Nick Joy in his latest column for Fish Farmer.

And he turns his spotlight on one organisation in particular, Common Purpose, which offers training for leadership roles but, in can be argued, aims to ensure that people in positions of authority are in sympathy with its own agenda.

Should the aquaculture industry be doing more to present a counter-argument? Read Nick Joy’s article on page 74 of Fish Farmer’s September 2023 issue, available to read or download here.

The post Common Purpose – or hidden purpose? appeared first on Fish Farmer Magazine. By Editors

Changes in the body fat of mackerel may give a clue to a factor in the decline of wild salmon. So argues Dr Martin Jaffa in his latest column for Fish Farmer.

A new study from the University of Aberdeen funded by pelagic fishermen, yet to be fully published, has found that from around 2010, there has been a sharp decrease in the body fat content of caught wild mackerel.

Why does this matter to salmon conservation? Because if changes in the marine environment are impacting on mackerel, they may also affecting salmon survival rates.

Read the whole article, starting on page 24, online here in the September issue of Fish Farmer.

The post Warning signs appeared first on Fish Farmer Magazine. By Editors

Aquaculture plays a key part in the economy and the social fabric of coastal communities, writes Salmon Scotland Chief Executive Tavish Scott in his latest column for Fish Farmer.

Two recent high profile visits to farms – by the BBC Countryfile team and by the Shadow Scottish Secretary (pictured, right) – illustrate how important it is to make that case. The message was the same for both – the best way to address the issue of rural depopulation is to make sure that businesses do not just survive, but prosper.

You can read Tavish Scott’s column online here, starting page 26.

The post The vital role of salmon farms appeared first on Fish Farmer Magazine. By Editors

While it’s easy to blame elected politicians when regulations appear to place excessive burdens on the aquaculture sector, perhaps we should give them a break and consider that the problem may lie with those who are informing and advising them. So says Nick Joy, in the August issue of Fish Farmer. You can read it here (page 66) or download the issue to save for later.

The post Politicians galore appeared first on Fish Farmer Magazine. By Editors

Now that the Scottish Government has rowed back on its plans to introduce HPMAs (highly protected marine areas), it could also be time for a rethink on other areas of marine policy – with the most obvious candidate being the sea lice risk framework developed by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

So says Dr Martin Jaffa in his latest column for Fish Farmer. You can read his case for change, starting on page 24 of the August issue, available here to read online or download.

The post One down… appeared first on Fish Farmer Magazine. By Editors

In his latest column for Fish Farmer magazine, Salmon Scotland chief executive Tavish Scott welcomes the publication of the Scottish Government’s new vision for sustainable aquaculture and sets out his own organisation’s view of the future of Scottish aquaculture.

Read his article, starting on page 30, in the August issue of Fish Farmer, out now here to read online or download.

The post A vision for the future of salmon farming appeared first on Fish Farmer Magazine. By Editors

A paper on the prospects for increasing the consumption of shellfish may be over-optimistic, argues Dr Martin Jaffa in his latest Comment article for Fish Farmer.

Scientists at the the Department of Zoology of the University of Cambridge have examined ways to encourage the British public to eat more bivalve shellfish – a product which is arguably better for the environment. But can consumers be persuaded to change their ways? Read Martin Jaffa’s article, starting on page 32 of Fish Farmer’s July magazine, available here.

The post Picky punters appeared first on Fish Farmer Magazine. By Editors

Nick Joy recalls doing business with someone who turned out to be more notorious – and dangerous – than could have been imagined. Read the latest issue of Fish Farmer here to find out how Loch Duart Salmon ended up supplying mutinous mercenary leader Yevgeny Progozhin. See page 86.

The post Supplying Putin’s chef appeared first on Fish Farmer Magazine. By Nick Joy

As the summer holidays get underway, Salmon Scotland Chief Executive Tavish Scott explains why we should encourage visits to farm sites, to see the reality of aquaculture rather than the version presented by its critics.

Read his article, starting on page 24 of Fish Farmer’s July 2023 issue, which you can find here.

The post Showcasing our salmon farms appeared first on Fish Farmer Magazine. By Editors