The October issue of Fish Farmer magazine is out now online and you can read or download it here.

Our cover story this month focuses on seaweed farming, an industry that is already huge in Asia and offers a fascinating potential in Europe and the UK especially. But what are the barriers that will need to be overcome to realise that potential?

We also report on the European Aquaculture Society’s annual conference in Vienna. Holding the conference in land-locked Austria offered a reminder that aquaculture is not just about the marine economy – freshwater fish farming is part of the food system too and it will need to thrive if Europe is to achieve improved food security.

As those attending the conference discovered, traditional pond farming is highly sustainable, but climate change and economics are proving very problematic for this sector. You can read more about the conference in our report, starting on page 34.

The freshwater theme continues with our feature on trout farming which finds that these farmers are facing many of the same challenges as the much larger salmon sector.

Meanwhile, as Salmon Scotland’s Tavish Scott writes in his column this month, although this has been another difficult year for salmon farming, the latest survival rates indicate that solutions are being found despite warming seas.

You can also read a round-up of the latest developments in land based farming and hatcheries. Investment continues around the world in facilities to grow salmon – and other species – to harvest size without ever placing them in the sea. Technical difficulties and rising costs for a number of these have, however, demonstrated that combining new technology with biology is a risky business.

The October issue of Fish Farmer also features the concept of the circular economy, with a profile of EcoFishCircle – a company that aims to use waste from fish production to help create fish feed – and an article from BlueBio’s Ingeborg Korme on the regulatory issues in Europe that are holding back the development of a truly circular food system.

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The September issue of Fish Farmer is out now, and you can read it here, or download to read later.

Last month saw the return of Aqua Nor, the aquaculture industry’s biggest trade show, which after four years has regained its truly international status, with visitors and exhibitors from Chile, North America, China and New Zealand as well as across Europe.

Aqua Nor 2023 saw the return of a full-scale Scottish Pavilion, which had not featured in the show since 2017. It says much for the international nature of collaboration in this industry that the piper who created such a stir at the Pavilion’s opening was a Norwegian.

You can read our report from the show in this issue. Trondheim also gave Fish Farmer an opportunity to catch up with Mairi Gougeon, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, and you can read our interview with her, starting on page 32.

This month’s issue also features a couple of stories from the southern hemisphere, focusing on shrimp production. Vince McDonagh writes about a project in Australia that aims to provide an opportunity to benefit from aquaculture for indigenous communities, in a way that does not damage the environment, and we also profile Selva Shrimp, a business that is helping shrimp farmers in Vietnam and Indonesia to work with the precious mangrove forests rather than threatening them.

We chart the latest progress for Loch Long Salmon, in the company’s efforts to introduce semi-closed systems to fish farming in Scotland, and our roundup of Boats and Barges news focuses on the latest developments in that field.

Nicki Holmyard’s shellfish column focuses on celebration and frustration – celebration of the UK’s long-lived oyster industry at festivals around the country, and frustration at the failure so far to make the burdensome system of export health certificates.

Finally, aquaculture offers many and varied career opportunities, especially in coastal communities where jobs can be hard to come by. Our Careers in Aquaculture feature, starting page 56, gives a flavour of just how important this is.

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The August issue of Fish Farmer is available now, and you can read or download it online here.

This month, we finally got to report on the Scottish Government’s Vision for Aquaculture, which had originally been expected by the end of last year.

The Vision sets out the Scottish Government’s aspirations for the aquaculture sector – finfish, shellfish and seaweed – and explains the thinking which will underpin its policies. It is a broadly positive document, stressing the importance of aquaculture to Scotland’s economy and to its rural and island communities, and welcoming developments such as offshore farming and investment in local sources to supply fish ova, shellfish spat and seaweed seed.

The paper has been welcomed by the industry. Anyone expecting a plan or a programme, however, might be a little disappointed. There is no overall target for growth, whether in terms of output, economic contribution or jobs, or any specific commitment as regards what government is prepared to encourage growth. The Vision is best seen as an explanation of the thinking that will underpin future policy.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in this issue we look at the way in which Scotland’s salmon farmers are using cleaner fish as a natural ally to help control sea lice numbers. And with the consultation deadline fast approaching, there’s an explanation of how the proposed Wild Salmon Protection Zones – intended to ensure that lice on fish farms do not pose an unacceptable threat to migrating wild salmon – will work.

Sandy Neil reports on the Invest in the West campaign, which is focusing on the need for better housing and infrastructure for the islands and along Scotland’s west coast.

We also talk to Donna Fordyce, Chief Executive at industry body Seafood Scotland, about her organisation’s role in helping spread the word about this important sector.

Elsewhere in the magazine you can find a preview of the Aquaculture Europe conference in Vienna this September; Nicki Holmyard’s report on the debate over non-native oysters on the British coast; and find out why Nick Joy, perhaps surprisingly, wants us to be fair to politicians.

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The July issue of Fish Farmer is out now, and you can read or download it here.

This month we are celebrating the shellfish sector. When it comes to producing healthy protein for human consumption, with a minimal impact on the environment, it’s hard to beat farmed molluscs.

You would think, therefore, this sector might receive a little more support and understanding from the powers that be. As Nicki Holmyard reports from the Shellfish Association of Great Britain conference, that isn’t always the case and the industry’s voice needs to be better heard.

Also in this feature we highlight innovative thinking in oyster restoration, and Dr Martin Jaffa ponders whether the British consumer will ever fall in love with the “clamburger”.

In the July issue we also look ahead to Aqua Nor, the aquaculture industry’s biggest trade show, due to take place next month in Trondheim, Norway. Find out what to expect from Aqua Nor 2023 and also see how Team Scotland will be represented in a way that’s bigger and better than ever.

Recently Fish Farmer was lucky enough to catch up with AKVA Group’s Chief Executive, Knut Nesse, and you can see the insights he shared with us about the direction in which technology is going in the aquaculture sector.

This issue also features an article on Ireland, including the findings from an annual survey of the Irish seafood sector and the strategy drawn up by state agency BIM to make the Emerald Isle a seaweed superpower.

Also, Vince McDonagh looks at the repercussions of the Norwegian salmon tax that was voted through in May, and at the critical findings of a report on farmed fish welfare by the country’s National Audit Office; Salmon Scotland’s Tavish Scott recommends making a fish farm visit part of your summer plans; and Sandy Neil looks at what will happen once the UK finally puts its post-Brexit import checks on seafood into effect.

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The June issue of Fish Farmer is out now online and you can read or download it here.

If you’re wondering why your June magazine has a cephalopod on the cover, this month we are asking the question: Does farming Octopus vulgaris, the common octopus, represent an innovation too far? As Nicki Holmyard reports, opinion is sharply divided over plans to farm this species at commercial scale, but seafood giant Nueva Pescanova is determined to press ahead.

Meanwhile, artificial intelligence has been making the headlines this year. AI is often referred to as the “fourth Industrial Revolution”, and not surprisingly AI and robotics are already making their impact felt in the field of aquaculture.

Our feature on Underwater Services focuses on potential applications for this new technology in fish farming, including a project which it is hoped will result in a fully autonomous net cleaning robot for salmon cages.

We also report on two events showcasing the enormous breadth of innovation taking place in aquaculture. The Sustainable Aquaculture Summit was hosted in Glasgow last month by the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre. It saw 300 industry practitioners, academics and suppliers come together to discuss how the “Blue economy” could be greener, and better for people, planet and of course profit. The report from the Summit is on page 38.

You can also read about the Blue Food Innovation Summit, which took place in London with a full cast of international speakers and delegates. The Summit heard about the latest in aquatic food production, from plans to farm tuna in floating RAS (recirculating aquaculture facilities) to the prospects for seaweed mariculture in North America. For details see page 50.

Does farming Octopus vulgaris, the common octopus, represent an innovation too far? As Nicki Holmyard reports, opinion is sharply divided over plans to farm this species at commercial scale.

Also in June’s Fish Farmer, Dr Martin Jaffa argues that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s proposed framework to mitigate the threat posed by sea lice to wild salmon is based on flawed and untested modelling; Vince McDonagh reports on the debate over the future of aquaculture in Iceland; and Sandy Neil considers the lessons from a tragic accident that took the life of a Mowi Scotland worker.

Finally, this issue includes an appreciation of Neil Manchester, Managing Director at Kames Fish Farming, whose untimely death last month came as such a shock to friends, colleagues and of course his family.

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The May issue of Fish Farmer magazine is out now online and you can read it online or download it here.

Otter Ferry Seafish, featured in our cover story this month, encapsulates the history of fish farming in Scotland, all within one site on the shores of Loch Fyne.

Starting as a trout and then a salmon farm, the business evolved into a broodstock provider and then branched to embrace new species: halibut, wrasse and lumpfish.

Otter Ferry has adapted to changing technology and changing market conditions, but Alastair Barge and his team have been consistent in their passion, and in their willingness to extend the boundaries of the known in aquaculture.

Also in in this issue we report on the world’s biggest seafood trade show, Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, which was back in its new home, Barcelona, for the second time. The five halls of the Fira Barcelona, packed with exhibitors from around the world, are probably the best way to get across the sheer scale and diversity of the seafood business.

With a growing human population on this planet and an imperative to ensure wild fish stocks are not fished to extinction, the pressure is on aquaculture to fill the gap – and to show that it can do so sustainably.

Also following the sustainability theme, this month we focus on Waste and the Circular Economy, and on developments in packaging, with new regulations coming into force in the UK that place extra responsibilities on producers to ensure that the packaging they use is, as far as possible, both recyclable and recycled.

Sandy Neil reports on a freshwater crayfish farming venture based in Singapore, that its founder hopes will help local farmers in that part of the world to produce nutritious and cheap protein.

And Vince McDonagh profiles the Marine Donut – not a seagoing sugary snack but a new concept in fish cages that has already attracted international attention.

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The April 2023 issue of Fish Farmer is out now online and you can read it here.

Last year was a tough one in Scotland for salmon, and for salmon farmers. As part of Fish Farmer’s fish health special this month, we talk to the experts about the reasons behind the spike in mortalities we saw in 2022, and even more importantly, about what the industry can do in future to mitigate such threats.

In the Fish Health special we also look at the latest report – which is highly critical – from the Norwegian Veterinary Institute on fish health and welfare; and WellFish Diagnostics’ Chris Mitchell reports on the TriNation Conference on fish health and welfare, which was held in Edinburgh late last year.

This issue also features Careers in Aquaculture, including – for the first time – an exclusive report on findings from a new survey into salaries and recruitment by online recruitment specialists HiJobs. The survey confirms what many of us already knew – that aquaculture is a dynamic sector full of opportunity.

Meanwhile, Sandy Neil examines the Scottish government’s proposals for Highly Protected Marine Areas. These zones, which would bar almost any commercial activity – including fish farming – are envisaged to cover as much as 10% of Scotland’s coastal waters. Their supporters say they are vital to preserve biodiversity, while others argue they will threaten the viability of coastal communities – and the argument goes all the way to the top of the Scottish government.

Also in the April issue, Nicki Holmyard looks at attempts to force water companies in England to do more to protect shellfish farmers’ water quality; Vince McDonagh looks at the debate over cod farming in Norway; and Tavish Scott sets out the key issues Salmon Scotland is looking to ensure find a place on the agenda for Scotland’s new First Minister, Humza Yousaf.

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The March issue of Fish Farmer is out now online and you can read it here.

In this issue, our feature on Cages, Nets, Pens and Moorings focuses on the trend to larger pens for salmon farmers, which is partly driven by the need to find more high-energy locations. Placing farms further offshore creates huge pressure on the farm infrastructure. Larger pens – 160 metres rather than 80, 90 or 120 metres – are more resilient in an environment where the power of currents, waves and tides is immense.

Another approach is to take the farm out of the sea altogether. We have seen land-based projects being developed all over the world, but not so far in the UK. All that may be about to change, however, with plans to build a RAS farm in Grimsby, a location better known for processing fish rather than rearing them. Predictably, the protests have already started.

Also this month, Fish Farmer takes a look at the Faroe Islands, which so far seem to have avoided the worst of the headaches – fiscal and biological alike – that have recently afflicted their near neighbours in Norway and Scotland.

Sandy Neil reports on a project, supported by Mowi, to renovate the historic harbour at Carradale, on Scotland’s Kintyre peninsular; and Salmon Scotland’s Tavish Scott makes the case for ensuring some of the funds the state raises from fish farming should to mitigate the housing crisis faced by rural and remote communities.

Among other topics, you can also read about the threat posed by copper to marine life; the prospects for blue mussels rivalling their green-lipped counterparts as a source of “nutraceuticals”; and how the campaign to develop greener technology for working vessels is progressing.

And to celebrate International Women’s Day earlier this month, we meet some of the women making their mark on aquaculture and hear about their achievements and aspirations.

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The February issue of Fish Farmer is out now online and you can read it here.

In this issue we feature a tiny organism that has created big problems for fish farming: the humble sea louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis.

Exactly how farmed fish, their wild equivalents and the sea lice interact has been a topic of fierce debate for a long time. In the latest twist in this saga, a report commissioned by Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans has concluded, based on statistical analysis of a huge amount of data, that there is no significant correlation between sea lice numbers on fish farms and the levels of infestation in wild fish.

Will this be enough to change the Canadian government’s mind about the need to scrap net-pen farming? Only time will tell.

Meanwhile, you can read the report’s findings in our Sea Lice feature this month, as well as more research from Norwegian institute Nofima on how evolution “hotspots” help to spread the lice’s resistance to pesticides.

There is already enough science on sea lice to fill a large book, and that is the subject of this month’s Book Review, which features Sea Lice Biology and Control.

Also in this issue of Fish Farmer, we focus on Land-Based Farming and some of the projects around the world that are looking to rear high quality fish without having to rely on the ocean environment.

Sandy Neil looks at the rise of the humpback (or “pink”) salmon, an invasive species in Norway that now appears to have made a home in the UK too.

We also chronicle Bakkafrost Scotland’s efforts to salvage a potentially dangerous feed barge after it sank in Storm Arwen; we assess Norway’s tentative steps towards licensing offshore fish farming; and with Valentine’s Day coming up this month, we celebrate the romantic’s favourite shellfish: oysters.

February’s Fish Farmer also includes a report from the International Lumpfish Conference, which considered how to care for these cleaner fish that a playing an increasingly important role in protecting farmed fish against sea lice.

And finally we have some forthright comment from Salmon Scotland Chief Executive Tavish Scott, Dr Martin Jaffa, Nick Joy and, responding to our article on the planning system, John Aitchison of the Coastal Communities Network.

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