A new company that aims to use marine worms to clean up waste from fish farms has won a prestigious national business competition.

N-ovatio-N CEO Dr Georgina Robinson, received the Converge Challenge prize at the Converge Awards ceremony in Glasgow earlier this month. The Converge Challenge prize was the premier award presented on the night and is given to the company that shows the greatest growth and innovation potential.

Dr Robinson is a Research Associate at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), which is a partner of a partner of the University of the Highlands & Islands (UHI). N-ovatio-N is a spin-out from SAMS.

N-ovatio-N offers an environmentally friendly solution to the issue of organic waste in the aquaculture industry. The scalable biotechnological approach can convert waste into high value, sustainable feed ingredients in the form of marine worms, rich in protein, lipid and omega-3 fatty acids. The technology can be co-located at aquaculture production facilities to deliver circular aquaculture.

This innovative approach enables N-ovatio-N to grow high quality polychaete worms year-round for UK and global export markets. In doing so, the technology creates a circular economy, reducing waste disposal costs and impacts, and creates low-carbon alternate feed ingredients.

Dr Robinson said: “I was thrilled to be a finalist and win the Converge Challenge award. We participated in Converge 2023 for the entrepreneurial training to support our spin-out journey and I want to thank Converge for its incredible support.

“I am driving the spin-out of N-ovatio-N to deliver impact and help meet Scotland’s Net Zero targets through a circular economy solution that upcycles waste into high value feed ingredients in the form of marine worms. Our solution centres around net zero solutions for the Scottish salmon farming sector and global aquaculture industry.

“We will use this cash prize to leverage non-dilutive grant funding to further build our IP portfolio.”

Since launching the SAMS spin-out company, Dr Robinson has secured placements on a range of accelerator programmes, as well as £75,000 from Scottish Enterprise High Growth Spin-Out Support Programme.

Polychaete worm

This was the 13^th year of the Converge Awards, which were set up as a springboard for university spin-outs and start-ups that seek to transform society, people and planet for the better. The Converge Challenge category, which recognises novel business ideas with solid IP foundations, high commercial potential and scalability, awarded N-ovatio-N £50,000 in cash and £20,000 in in-kind business support to drive the company forward in its next phase.

SAMS Director Prof Nicholas Owens said: “We are absolutely thrilled that N-ovatio-N and Georgina’s efforts have been recognised in this way.

“Our emerging blue economy needs innovative and creative thinkers, but the marine science knowledge behind these ideas is crucial. Georgina is an excellent example of that.

“I look forward to seeing the evolution of N-ovatio-N and the impact it will make on aquaculture. This award, thanks to the backing of Converge, is a fantastic start.”

Professor Neil Simco, UHI’s Deputy Principal Academic and Research, said: “It’s fantastic to see Georgina’s innovative and important work recognised in the 2023 Converge Awards. UHI’s 2030 strategic plan sets out our commitment to driving sustainability and net zero initiatives so I’m delighted that our researchers are being recognised for their valuable contributions in this area. Georgina is a credit to SAMS and the UHI partnership. We look forward to supporting Georgina as she continues to develop her groundbreaking enterprise.”

The post Innovation award for SAMS spin-out appeared first on Fish Farmer Magazine. By Editors

Specialist post smolt producer Biofish says its capacity expansion plan has now been completed.

It follows an equity issue which raised NOK 74.5m (£5.6m) during the early part of this year.

The Bergen, Norway-based company said in a Stock Exchange announcement that it was delighted to have achieved a vital phase in its production plan.

The main items installed and in use are:

• a new RAS (recirculating aquaculture system) facility
• a new seawater outlet pipe
• a novel automatic water surveillance system
• a new grading system and
• a tank-based video surveillance system.

Biofish added: “This announcement is an important leap in Biofish’s plan to utilise the aquaculture licence gradually, fully for production of up to five million smolt and the discharge license up to 2,200 tons.

“The new facilities are already in use with various sized fish in the tanks from September and October 2023.

“This is to build up biomass for future planned deliveries. The cost of the above works is broadly as stated during the new equity raising process in the first quarter. The remaining proceeds are used to strengthen the working capital, general maintenance purposes and building biomass.”

BioFish was established in 2016 and describes itself as a land-based producer of high quality smolt destined for salmon farms along the Norwegian coast. The company’s production takes place in Ljones outside Bergen, using a RAS process which recycles at least 99% of the water used.

Last month the company appointed Sondre Hagerup Johnsrud as its new CEO, replacing Torbjørn Skulstad, who had decided to step down.

Sondre Hagerup Johnsrud, CEO, Biofish

The post Biofish completes growth plan appeared first on Fish Farmer Magazine. By Vince McDonagh

Mowi today unveiled a 2023 third quarter record high harvest and an EBIT or operational profit of €203m (£177m) with Scotland showing a marked improvement on two fronts.

The company’s global harvest was 135,000 tonnes against 134,000 tonnes in Q3 last year.

The Farming Scotland harvest rose by 500 tonnes to 15,000 tonnes while the operational EBIT per kilo more than doubled from €0.30 to €0.65 (£0.56).

Farming Ireland also showed an improvement on the financial front. The quarterly harvest remains at 2,000 tonnes, but the division turned a loss of €1.60 per kilo last year into a profit of €0.80 per kilo (£0.69) this time.

Norway remains Mowi’s main revenue driver by a long way, although production was slightly lower this time.

The Farming Norway harvest was 86,000 tonnes against 87,500 tonnes 12 months ago while the operational EBIT was also lower at NOK 2.15 per kilo, against NOK 2.55 in Q3 last year.

Other divisional results (Q3 2022 figures in brackets) were:

• Farming Chile 17,500 tonnes (17,000 tonnes). Operational EBIT per kilo NOK €0.50 (€1.25).
• Farming Canada 7,500 tonnes (11,000 tonnes). Operational EBIT per kilo €0.60 (loss of €0.35 although Canada West produced a profit of €0.80 last year). Mowi said earnings in Canada were negatively impacted by algae-induced mortality during the period.
• Farming Faroes 2,500 tonnes (2,000 tonnes). Operational EBIT per kilo €1.90 (€1.05)
• Farming Iceland (Arctic Fish) 4,500 tonnes. Operational EBIT per kilo €0.15 (the business was not part of Mowi in Q3 2022).

Seafood analysts in Norway said the Mowi results were weaker than expected, adding that higher costs are now eating into company profits. Last year’s Q3 EBIT was €229m (£199m).

The full Q3 report will be published on 8 November.

The post Higher Q3 harvest and profit for Mowi Scotland appeared first on Fish Farmer Magazine. By Vince McDonagh

Bacterial kidney disease (BKD) has been detected at several locations in central Norway since the start of the year, the country’s Veterinary Institute has reported, and its spread is slightly puzzling marine veterinarians.

Salmon farms are mainly being affected but there has been at least one incident involving a trout farm.

The development is the latest in various biological issues affecting parts of the Norwegian coast this year.

• Infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) has also been prevalent, with the number of outbreaks in the first half of this year already passing the total for 2022.
• The main areas affected by BKD include Trondelag, More and Romsdal counties and the Vestland region.

The Institute says BKD is caused by infection with the bacterium Renibacterium salmoniarum. The bacterium grows slowly, and it can take a long time to show clinical signs after fish become infected.

BKD is a chronic disease and was first reported in the wild Atlantic salmon populations in the rivers Spey and Dee in Scotland in the early 1930s.

Subsequently BKD has been found in both wild and farmed salmonid populations in Norway, North and South America, continental Europe and Japan.

Clinical signs include darkening of the skin, pale gills, fluid in the abdomen distended abdomen, protruding eyes and pinpoint bruising. Fish appear anaemic and lack food in the gut. The liver, kidney and spleen are often pale.

The Institute said the primary source for the latest infections is unknown, but it thought that wellboats, delousing vessels and other fish farming equipment have contributed to the spread of the disease along the coast of central Norway.

It is now in the process of whole-genome sequencing of bacteria that have been cultivated in connection with this year’s outbreak and previous outbreaks, and the results should reveal whether it has resulted from a single introduction or several.

The post Concern as BKD spreads in central Norway appeared first on Fish Farmer Magazine. By Vince McDonagh

Both the seafood industry and a number of fellow politicians from the north of Norway  have reacted with dismay over the surprise sacking of Fisheries Minister Bjørnar Skjæran yesterday.

This important post has been handed to 39-year old Cecilie Myerseth, who is a professional psychologist but who had been a Labour fishery spokesperson in the Storting.

Many people are mystified as why someone who, they argue, has performed well in difficult circumstances and who made it clear he didn’t want to go, should have faced the axe in such a brutal manner.

Seafood Norway CEO Geir Ove Ystmark, said his organisation had a sound and constructive working relationship with Skjæran, despite the fact that they and the government had strongly disagreed about, among other things, the new land rent tax on aquaculture.

He had always been available for talks despite those differences, he added. He hoped for the same with the new minister.

Kåre Heggebø leader of the Norwegian Fishermen’s Association told the state broadcaster NRK that news of Skjæran’s departure “…came like lightning from the blue.”

He said:” Our experience was that Bjørnar was a good man for the industry. He was in the final phase of laying the foundations for fishing, hopefully for a long time to come. That is why we are surprised he is being replaced now.”

Mona Nilsen, leader of Nordland Labour Party, was more forthright. “What is happening now is completely incomprehensible,” she told NRK.

She added: “He was certainly someone who knows the region, delivered on many important issues for Nordland and should have continued in government.”

Nordland had lost a good minister and there was now no-one from that region in the government, she said.

The post Norwegian industry dismayed at Fisheries Minister’s dismissal appeared first on Fish Farmer Magazine. By Vince McDonagh

Grieg Seafoods today reported a greatly reduced 2023 third quarter harvest and considerably higher production costs.

In one case costs soared way above NOK 80 a kilo (£6). The company has also been hit by various biological issues in Norway.

The  three month July to September period harvest (gutted weight) was almost cut in half to around 12,200 tonnes on both sides of the Atlantic. However, the figure is  around 1,700 tonnes higher than predicted when the Q2 figures were released back in the summer.

This year’s third quarter harvest  compares with 22,900 tonnes in Q3 last year when biological problems were far less of a problem.

The company reports: “Operating costs for farming in Rogaland were affected by harvesting related to ISA (infectious salmon anaemia, editor’s note) and reduced survival in the quarter.

In Finnmark, harvesting was not planned during the third quarter, but early harvesting was prioritised over biomass growth in order to maintain fish welfare related to [the parasite] Spironucleus salmonicida.  Early harvest and low harvest volume affected operating costs.”

The breakdown is (last year’s figures in brackets):

• Rogaland 4,800 tonnes (6,800 tonnes).
• Finnmark 1,300 tonnes (8,200 tonnes)
• British Columbia 6,100 tonnes (7,900 tonnes).

Rising costs, particularly in Norway,  where the company is spending money tackling biological challenges, continue to be an issue for Grieg.

The cost breakdown per kilo produced (Q3 2022 figures in brackets) is:

• Rogaland NOK 65.8 ( NOK 51.8)
• Finnmark NOK 83.8 (NOK 48.1)
• British Columbia CA $10.8 (CA $10.1)

The complete Q3 2023 report will be released on Tuesday 14 November.

The post Grieg Q3 costs rise and harvests drop appeared first on Fish Farmer Magazine. By Vince McDonagh

Norway Fisheries and Seafood Minister, Bjørnar Skjæran, has lost his job in a major government reshuffle, it was confirmed today.

After much media overnight speculation his replacement is confirmed today as another senior Labour politician, Cecilie Myrseth, who comes from the same Troms region.

Cecilie Myrseth

Skjæran, a former dairy farmer,  who has been in post since Labour and the Centre party formed a new government two years ago. It is reported he was reluctant to go and the move has gone down badly among Labour members in his home area.

But prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre has been anxious to change the shape of the government to  boost its  flagging popularity, which probably has more to do with the rise in the cost of living rather than the salmon tax. He has made six senior changes.

The coalition suffered a heavy defeat in last month’s municipal elections, suggesting a Conservative return to power in two years time.

Labour’s performance was the worst in almost a century while the Centre Party lost its much of grip in fish farming communities where traditionally it has been strong.

Some Labour allies of  Skjæran  have described his removal  as  “incomprehensible”.

A Conservative party led alliance is strongly tipped to win the next general election in 2025 but its leader and former prime minister, Erna Solberg, has her own political problems over a  scandal involving her husband’s share dealings when she was in power.

Despite Skjæran’s backing for the salmon tax which may be down to party loyalty more than anything else, he has been seen as an effective  minister and a supporter of aquaculture, backing moves to expand cod and offshore farming.

He has also worked to improve post-Brexit fishing relations and seafood export rules between Norway and the UK.

Cecilie Myrseth (39), who is replacing him, is a psychologist by profession with, it would suggest, limited experience about the seafood industry although she was previously Labour spokesperson on fishing and is from the Troms region, a fish farming area.

She was elected to the Storting, Norway’s parliament,  in 2017.

The post Breaking – Seafood minister Skjæran sacked in reshuffle appeared first on Fish Farmer Magazine. By Vince McDonagh

FIVE of Norway’s largest salmon breeders have entered into a multi-million Canadian dollar price fixing case settlement following a class action over the border in the United States.

It follows a civil case involving claims brought by two Canadian consumers. It means the five, Mowi, SalMar, Grieg Seafood, Cermaq and the Lerøy Seafood Company, will be paying a total of CA $5.25 million (£3.1m).

According to the Norwegian business news site Finansavisen it became known almost four years ago that several producers and sellers of Norwegian salmon were being sued following allegations of price collusion.

This latest development follows a final settlement in the United States after a number of salmon buyers asked a Florida federal judge to approve a US $33m payout to resolve anti trust claims against the same companies.

The US anti-trust claims are thought to have involved up to 400,000 possible claimants who had brought the action against the likes of Mowi, SalMar, Cermaq, Lerøy and Grieg.

It should be stressed that all the companies strenuously deny any allegations of price fixing, claiming they are completely unfounded.

Finansavisen says the companies were originally sued for some 500 million Canadian dollars (£410m) .

A settlement statement says: “The plaintiffs and defendants have entered into a proposed settlement to avoid uncertainty, risk and costs of further litigation. The represented plaintiffs and the complaint handler believe that this settlement is in the best interest of everyone.”

Like the earlier US settlement, the statement says that while the defendants have “good and reasonable defences” they were settling “to obtain a final and domestic resolution of all claims that have been brought or could have been brought.”

They also want to “avoid further expense, inconvenience, the distraction of burdensome and lengthy litigation, and the risks associated with litigation and appeals.”

The post Norway’s “big five” settle Canadian price fixing case appeared first on Fish Farmer Magazine. By Vince McDonagh

Norway Fisheries and Seafood Minister Bjørnar Skjæran could be about to lose his job, according to reports from Oslo.

His replacement is tipped to be another senior Labour politician Cecilie Myrseth (below) , the national broadcaster NRK has said.

Cecilie Myrseth

Skjæran, a former land farmer, who has been in post since Labour and the Centre party formed as new government two years ago, is thought to be reluctant to go.

The prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre looks poised to carry out a major reshuffle to boost the government’s flagging unpopularity which has more to do with the rise in the cost of living rather than the salmon tax.

The coalition suffered a heavy defeat in last month’s municipal elections, suggesting a Conservative return to power in two years time.

But the current Conservative leader, Erna Solberg, has become embroiled in a political scandal involving her husband’s share dealings when she was prime minister.

The station TV-2.no also says sources say that Skjæran will lose his job in a move that has been described as by some senior Labour figures as “incomprehensible”.

Despite his backing for the salmon tax which may be down to party loyalty more than anything else, Skjæran has been seen as an effective minister and a supporter of aquaculture. He has backed moves to expand cod farming and offshore aquaculture, for example.

He has also worked to improve fishing relations and seafood export rules between Norway and the UK.

Cecilie Myrseth (38), who is tipped to replace him, is a psychologist by profession with, it would suggest, little experience about the seafood industry. But she is from the Troms region, a fish farming area. She was elected to parliament in 2017.

The post Norway Seafood Minister Skjæran facing sack – reports from Oslo suggest appeared first on Fish Farmer Magazine. By Vince McDonagh