Happy Christmas

This has been a year of much excitement in the aquaculture industry, here in Scotland, where salmon farmers have invested millions in both the health of their fish and the development of their farms, and further afield. We have reported from Norway on the latest technological advances in the sector; from South Africa, to witness the expansion of freshwater fish farming in the sub-Saharan region; and from many conferences and exhibitions, with the focus always on growth.

As well as looking forward - to ambitious production targets, continued backing from the government and, hopefully, greater understanding from the angling lobby about the importance of aquaculture to Scotland - we have also looked to the past for inspiration. In celebrating the magazine’s 40th anniversary in October - on top of Otter Ferry’s milestone 50th and Wester Ross Salmon’s 40th earlier in the year - we were reminded of the inventiveness and enthusiasm of the pioneering generation. Much of that spirit has been harnessed by today’s farmers, suppliers, scientists and business leaders, who will lead the charge into 2018.

Everyone at Fish Farmer would like to thank you, our readers, contributors and advertisers, for another year of support, and we wish all of you a very happy Christmas.