Industry bites back

AS we prepared this issue, with its focus on innovation and, in particular, on start-up companies, it quickly became evident that the global aquaculture industry of the future is in safe hands. Some of the world’s best brains, from California to Norway (and not forgetting Scotland), are creating groundbreaking technology to improve how fish and shellfish are farmed - not just to increase profitability but to address environmental challenges.

The word ‘sustainable’ is embeddded in the aquaculture lexicon, and the upcoming leaders in this field - such as the Dutch investment fund Aqua-Spark - place ethical outlook on a par with commercial potential.

But despite the increasing efforts of farmers to embrace sustainable production and live in harmony with nature - and despite the planet friendly credentials of fish farming - they are still coming under attack. In Canada, salmon farmers have had to defend their businesses against a threat by the Liberal and Green Parties to close down open net pen farming in British Columbia.

And in Scotland, the environmental watchdog Sepa stands accused of trying to stifle growth and harm fish welfare with its feed cap proposal (page 7). The SSPO, quite rightly, has reminded the agency that its role should be an enabling one, and warned Sepa boss Terry A’Hearn that its ‘poor performance’ is damaging the industry. It is now up to Sepa to get its act together. www.fishfarmermagazine.com