All eyes on Europe

The aquaculture industry descended on the beautiful city of Trondheim last month for the world leading Aqua Nor show, where under sunny summer skies deals were done and contacts were renewed. For those who couldn’t make it, we bring you some of the highlights, not just from the greatly expanded exhibition but from the many seminars that kept visitors engaged for the best part of a week.

Looking further south, the Mediterranean fish farming sector is seeing some expansion, particularly in Turkey, but also faces many challenges. Representatives from other European countries were in Norway in August to see what could be learnt from the Norwegians’ successful salmon farming model, and to appeal to potential international investors for support.

And even further afield, we talk to the business brains behind a well known Canadian venture, Kuterra, about the latest progress in its land based salmon farm and its confident forecast of a commercial breakthrough next year.

It was the Danes who spearheaded recirculation aquaculture technology and it is a Danish company that claims to lead the charge to produce large quantities of land reared salmon profitably. Thue Holm of Langsand Laks tells us how his enterprise has re-booted after a difficult 2014 and is now on track to meet all its targets.

Staying in Denmark, this month we launch our new series of interviews with industry pioneers. Peter Poulsen, of Hvalpsund Net, is a very fitting first candidate for this slot, having started his career in fisheries 60 years ago!

Next month Fish Farmer will be in Rotterdam for Aquaculture Europe 2015, where the focus will be on the contribution of fish farming to the management of natural resources. We hope we bump into you there but if not, we will, as always, bring you reports from the front line of aquaculture.