News from fishfarmingxpert.com

No ISA virus found on the West Coast of North America Canada: Despite assertions to the contrary by some self-proclaimed “biologists”, no Infectious Salmon Anemia virus have ever been detected in salmon in British Columbia, Washington State or Alaska Thousands of salmon- wild and farmed- from the coast of the Northeast Pacific Ocean- have been sampled for the virus, which has proven to be lethal to farmed Atlantic salmon, but not so for Pacific salmon. The latest sampling results were announced today by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, whose tests show no signs of ISA virus in Washington’s salmon.

Fresh salmon from Chile to the US by sea USA: Global Fresh Foods (GFF) announced that it has successfully ocean freighted 40,000 pounds of fresh salmon from Lirquén, Chile to the Port of Long Beach, California without the use of polystyrene or ice. Instead, GFF employed its patented, controlled atmosphere fuel cell-based technology to keep fish fresh for the entire length of its journey

According to a press release published by GFF, this event marks the first time that a full 40-foot container of non-frozen salmon has been shipped to the US via ocean freight. Global Fresh Foods worked closely with US distributor, Lusamerica Fish, to bring the salmon to California.

“The industry now has a viable alternative to expensive and environmentally harmful air freight for transporting fresh seafood,” said Mark Barnekow, chief executive officer of Global Fresh Foods. “With our technology, seafood distributors can now assure their retail customers they will have an uninterrupted supply of fresh seafood, with far less impact on the environment.”

Chief executive officer of Lusamerica Fish, Fernando Frederico added that “we have a very close partnership with Global Fresh Foods and we will continue to work together to advance this technology, reduce our impact on the environment, and eliminate the need for polystyrene in the seafood supply chain.”

In addition to extending the shelf life of fresh salmon, the GFF technology offers the added advantage of inventorying capabilities for its partners. Shipments can be stored upon arrival, allowing suppliers and distributors the capability to improve forecasting and deliver steady and consistent supply on a just-in-time basis to meet customer demand.

Increased income for Sølvtrans Norway: Operating income ended at NOK 67.9 million for the quarter, including an unrealised loss of NOK 2.9 million related to the sale of the vessel Roy Kristian, compared to 59.5 million in the first quarter last year. Sølvtrans reports freight revenues of NOK 70.8 million in the first quarter of 2013, an increase of 19 percent compared to the first quarter of 2012. The increase is mainly related to a higher utilization resulting from the company being fully operational in Chile this quarter, while the first quarter 2012 was used for mobilization and re-flagging of two vessels in Chile. Also, the company reports lower operating expenses and an increase in EBITDA of 49 percent. Sølvtrans has two vessels under construction, whereas the first vessel will be in operation in the third quarter of 2013. Operating income ended at NOK 67.9 million for the quarter, including an unrealised loss of NOK 2.9 million related to the sale of the vessel Roy Kristian, compared to 59.5 million in the first quarter last year. EBITDA amounted to 33.5 million, a significant improvement from the NOK 22.4 million reported for the corresponding period last year. The company has among other things lower costs related to repair and maintenance. “We maintain high utilisation in a quarter which historically has been somewhat weaker than other quarters. Operations are good and we are looking forward to the launching of our new vessel Ronja Polaris,” says Roger Halsebakk, CEO of Sølvtrans. The utilisation rate for the first quarter was 94 percent, compared to 80 percent for the corresponding period last year. The first of the company’s two newbuildings will be delivered from the yard in the beginning of July this year and is expected to be fully operating for the customer from the end of that month.

Strong growth in the Nordic for Akva group AKVA group achieved revenues of 222.1 MNOK (243.7 MNOK) in the first quarter of 2013 with an EBITDA of 10.4 MNOK (39.7 MNOK). In the Cage Based Technology segment AKVA experienced strong growth in the Nordic segment in Q1. There was a decline in revenues in Chile in Q1 as expected. The decline is explained by low prices on salmon, trout and coho as well as financial and biological uncertainty in Chile. Canada and Scotland had a slow start of the year, impacted by local fish health issues. Delivery and revenue recognition of large Export projects is shifted into the second quarter, reports the company in a press release. Software continues to deliver stable revenues and solid margins and we continue to invest in new product modules to be launched throughout 2013. It is expected that new product modules will strengthen the financial performance of the SW segment throughout the year. The Land Based Technology experienced significant improvement in Q1 2013 compared to previous years, caused by improved margins and reduced cost base. Recirculation technology is on its way of becoming a mature technology. Growing prospect mass gives signals of increased interest in the market. The Land Based Technology segment is positioned for future profitable growth and strengthened through acquisition of 70% of Plastsveis AS in March 2013. There has been a very good inflow of new orders in the quarter especially in the Nordic and Export regions. Compared to first quarter previous years the activity level in this market segment has increased significantly. Order backlog at the end of Q1 2013 was 327 MNOK (275 MNOK). The order inflow in Q1 2013 was 242 MNOK (235 MNOK). Total assets and total equity amounted to 762.2 MNOK (736.5 MNOK) and 337.9 MNOK (341.5 MNOK) respectively, resulting in an equity ratio of 44.3% (46.4%). We maintain our positive outlook in the Nordic market for the coming quarters. Significant growth in salmon prices into 2013 drives demand for technology and services. We see some positive signals in Chile after significant decline in volumes of sales and deliveries in Q1 compared to 2012. Industry and investments in Chile are influenced by financial and biological uncertainty, but strong increase in salmon prices is easing the situation. We are monitoring the market closely and adjusting according to the development. We have moderate expectations in 2013 in UK and Canada due to fish health issues. Performance in Export is expected to be good in the next quarters due to deliveries of large projects.

Marine Harvest restructures VAP Europe The plan includes reducing the number of processing sites in Europe from 13 to 8. This will affect sites in France, Benelux and Poland. As part of the dedication to become an integrated protein company, Marine Harvest has a strong commitment strengthen the value added products (VAP) activities. The Group is determined to have the most cost efficient VAP organisation in Europe, and increase efficiency, new technology and more automated operations is required to reach this objective. As a consequence, a restructuring plan for VAP Europe has been approved and will be implemented by the spring of 2014. The plan includes reducing the number of processing sites in Europe from 13 to 8. This will affect sites in France, Benelux and Poland. Of the approximately 2,400 employees in VAP Europe, about 450 will be affected by the restructuring plan. Marine Harvest VAP Europe will engage in consultations with employee representatives at affected sites. A provision of EUR 27 million will be made in the second quarter to cover costs associated with the implementation of the restructuring plan. The expectation is that all business activities will be retained, and that volumes will be allocated to the remaining sites situated in France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Poland. These sites will be strengthened going forward to accommodate increased efficiency, throughput and end-customer orientation.

Meridian Salmon to create eight new jobs in Shetland UK: Eight jobs will be created in Yell, Shetland following moves by Meridian Salmon Group to breathe new life into the isle’s vacant crab factory close to its existing base, the Shetland Times reports. According to the news source, the company plans to double its processing capacity when it develops its new processing plant in the factory. It has already acquired the empty crab factory at Mid Yell and plans to fit it out with “ultra modern” and “highly-efficient equipment”. The building’s location played a major factor in the company’s decision to expand. Willie Young of Meridian said work had already begun and, all going well, it would hopefully be operational by the first week of September 2013.

Salmon harvests increased 11.6% up to April Chile: The Chilean salmon harvests totalized 292,306 tonnes up to April this year, representing a 11.55 percent increase compared to the same period of 2012 (262,037 tonnes) according to figures submitted by the Chilean Under-Secretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Subpesca).

A comparison of results itemized by species shows a 47.5 percent increase in the Atlantic salmon harvests from 114,736 tonnes to 169,289 tonnes; a 40.1 percent decrease in the Rainbow trout harvests to 57,352 tonnes; a 30.9 percent increase in the Coho salmon harvests to 65,344 tonnes; and a 79.5 percent decrease in the King salmon harvests to 321 tonnes. Regarding the origin of those fish, 93,000 tonnes of Atlantic salmon were harvested in the Region of Aysén while 68,800 tonnes were harvested in the Region of Los Lagos.

Marine energy risk to salmon studied UK: Scientists are examining what impact marine energy devices planned for the Pentland Firth might have on migrating Atlantic salmon, BBC News reports. The salmon pass through the firth between the Scottish mainland and Orkney when they leave rivers for open sea and later return to breed. Sites in the firth have been earmarked for renewable energy projects. The Crown Estate, which owns 50% of Scotland’s foreshore and almost all the seabed out to 12 nautical miles, has leased a number of locations in the Pentland Firth to companies for the development of wave and tidal energy devices. It is funding the research by the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), which are investigating the potential risks the machines pose to young salmon, known as smolts, and adult fish. The possible threats include fish colliding with the equipment and the devices disrupting migratory routes. James Fraser, principal and vice-chancellor, told the BBC News that the salmon study aimed to fill a gap in scientists’ understanding of the fishes’ migratory behaviour.

Tricaine Pharmaq authorized in seven different countries In the past few months Pharmaq has received national marketing authorisations for Tricaine Pharmaq for the United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Iceland, The Faroe Islands, Spain and Italy.

“Appropriate anaesthesia can provide benefits for a wide range of fish handling operations, helping to safeguard fish welfare and also improving operator safety during processes such as vaccination”, says Dr. Ben North, Managing Director of Pharmaq.

Tricaine Pharmaq will replace the former product Pharmaq MS 222, a compound well known to the industry and which held marketing authorisations in the UK and Ireland for many years. The formulation of the product remains the same (100% active tricaine methanesulphonate) and is available by prescription. Tricaine Pharmaq is readily soluble in water, making it safe and easy to use, with no requirement for solvents. Tricaine Pharmaq can benefit all sectors of the aquatic industry, from tranquilisation of ornamental fish during transport, through to full anaesthesia for surgical procedures, as well as anaesthesia of food fish at vaccination and egg collection from brood fish.

Pharmaq UK will be the distribution centre for all of the different markets. Tricaine Pharmaq will be available in four different pack sizes from 25 g to 1000 g, all with separate national labels and inserts. “This is a great opportunity for Pharmaq to introduce an established, safe and efficacious anaesthetic to support our customers in more of the markets where our fish vaccines are already being used”, added Dr. North.