Happy 40th to us all!

THE first editor of Fish Farmer wrote in the pilot issue of the magazine in January 1977: ‘Never did an industry make more sense.’ Denis Chamberlain’s words were well chosen, for back then, 40 years ago, no one could have guessed at the leaps and bounds aquaculture would make in such a short period.

In fact, the prevailing view, especially outside the industry, was far more sceptical. The then minister for fisheries, Edward Bishop, said in an interview with Denis in the launch issue of Fish Farmer in November 1977: ‘Fish farming is not, and is not likely to be, a very significant contributor to the nation’s food supply.’

What would he say now, with farmed salmon the UK’s biggest food export and worth £1.5 billion a year to the economy?

As we approached our 40th anniversary at Fish Farmer we thought it offered a perfect opportunity to celebrate four decades of aquaculture and so we have devoted most of this issue to marking not just our own milestone but the industry’s achievements.

We welcome back Denis Chamberlain, along with many names familiar to readers over the years, some of them still regular contributors to Fish Farmer.

We have also tracked down several of the generation of pioneers who worked so tirelessly to establish a sector that has rejuvenated communities across the Highlands and islands of Scotland, and exported its expertise and often its experts to the rest of the world.

While reminiscing, those who have spent much of their lives within the industry also look to the future, some with vision and others with advice, but all with optimism.

Many talk about the incredible journey that has seen aquaculture develop from humble beginnings, when farmers knelt on carpets to dispatch their fish, to the technical refinement of today’s businesses. Who, 40 years ago, could have imagined giant offshore farms towed to Norway from China and wellboats fitted with jacuzzis!

Scientific breakthroughs have been equally astonishing, in the fields of diagnostics, vaccination, selective breeding, feed formulation and many more.

The team at Fish Farmer would like to thank everyone who helped put this special issue together and, in particular, our editorial board, whose wisdom continues to keep us on track.

As Jim Treasurer said: ‘The history and content of Fish Farmer over the last 40 years reflects the advances, setbacks, culture and technology in the industry itself and catalogues and follows that whirlwind and rollercoaster progress.’

Here’s to the next 40 years!