Looking back, thinking ahead: Craig Graham
Fish Farming Expert has asked individuals connected to the salmon farming industry about their year, and what they hope for in 2023. We conclude the series with Craig Graham, marine technology director at Inverness-based aquaculture supplier Gael Force Group.
What have been the highlights for you professionally in 2022?
I have been exceptionally lucky to work alongside our amazing team in Gael Force Marine Technology this year and they have delivered great results with product development ongoing and some fantastic new products due to launch in the new year, which is exciting!
We have been carrying out a large volume of work concentrating on advancing our feeding software and the possibilities have been eye-opening for me.
Taking soundings and feedback from our customers to drive continual improvement in our equipment is always highly motivating and so I’d also consider the customer interactions that I have had this year as being a highlight for me.
What are the most significant challenges and opportunities for your company in the coming year?
Customers are operating in some of the most remote areas of Scotland in high energy environments, and this requires robust and reliable equipment backed up by excellent service.
It’s incumbent on the supply chain to understand and create solutions that customers could benefit from to better mitigate any issues that occasionally present themselves in farming
Craig Graham
This challenge continually presents us with excellent opportunities to develop the right equipment while aiming to deliver a sector leading service offering and a highly trained service team. All of this contributes to minimising the chances of downtime, which will support our aim of letting our customers focus on growing healthy, superior fish.
What do you see as the most significant challenges for the salmonid farming industry in Scotland and globally in 2023?
I believe that it’s incumbent on the supply chain to understand and create solutions that customers could benefit from to better mitigate any issues that occasionally present themselves in farming. Of course, this isn’t an easy or small task, but I sincerely believe that Gael Force can continue to be a significant part of the solution in 2023 and onwards.
Globally, the proposed resource rent tax in Norway will of course be causing concern for producers. It’s disheartening to think that a low-carbon, nutritious source of protein production, which is increasingly important for food supply, can be targeted in this manner. We need to continue to help support the good-news story of aquaculture, across a range of stakeholder groups, and the effect that big decisions like those happening in Norway can have on the wider supply chain.
