Show stopper

The recent Aqua Nor exhibition in Trondheim was notable for its even bigger than usual crowds, as well as the sophistication of the technology on show, as we report this month. New entrants into the industry from the oil and gas sector were much in evidence, but some of the most headline grabbing products were created by familiar names. One of these was Scotland’s own Ace Aquatec, which walked off with the show’s prestigious Innovation Award, despite stiff competition from Norway. Congratulations from all of us to the firm’s Nathan Pyne-Carter!

Also in this issue, our correspondent in Ireland, Devin O’Connell, investigates the shellfish sector there, in particular the progress of a family owned oyster business. And we welcome back Jon Gibb, who addresses the reasons behind the decline in wild salmon catches on Scotland’s west coast. His plea, for all those interested in salmon to work together for the health of the species, was very much the theme of Scotland’s Salmon Festival, which drew big crowds to the banks of the River Ness earlier this month.

Our British Trout Association columnist, Doug McLeod, is still recovering from a hip operation. We wish him well and hope he will be back with us next month - when Fish Farmer marks its 40th anniversary with a special edition.