Fish Farming Technology supplement 1403

SU PPLEM EN T
FISH FARMING
TECHNOLOGY
SUPPLEMENT
Nets and cages
Recirculating Aquaculture Systems
- Benefits and disadvantages of
modern basic systems

A
t Boris Nets all
our fish cages are
manufactured to
the highest standard
using drawings and technical
information gathered through-
out our years of experience in
the industry.
The company works closely
with each customer so that its
cages are crafted using a mix of
traditional methods and modern
technology with great attention
to individual specifics and site
conditions. The result is a pre-
mium quality product with an
excellent reputation.
Cages are predominantly
made using knot-less nylon net-
ting. Good for its strength elastic-
ity and resistance to abrasion with
a relatively high uv resistance.
Together with the comparatively
low cost this makes it an excellent
choice for fish cage manufactur-
ing.
Nylon netting size ranges from
first feeder to larger mesh size
higher-grade netting, perfect for
offshore heavy weather condi-
tions. There is some shrinkage
but this is taken into consid-
eration during our manufacturing
process.
“We have conducted large
scale trials with polyester in com-
parison to traditional nylon cages.
Although it is perceived that
the lower elasticity, decreased
shrinkage and higher UV resist-
ant properties are advantageous
it is not proven that these are
significant. Nylon remains the
preferred material of the two for
most of our customers,” says the
company.
Dyneema has been widely
used in production for several
years. Although more expensive
than other materials it provides
3-4 times greater strength by
weight than traditional nylon net-
ting and retains this strength for a
longer period leading to
an increase in longevity
in the life of the cages.
Dyneema is favoured
by freshwater clients as
it is easy to handle being
light and the increased
strength offers superior
protection from preda-
tors such as otters. It
is also widely used in
cages for sea bream as they have
a tendency to chew at the cages.
Again the increase in strength
provides better resistance to this.
“We have used dyneema in
the production of seawater cages.
“However due to lack of elas-
ticity we would recommend an
increase of at least a 25 percent
in strength to compensate for this
and ensure that the integrity of
the cage is left uncompromised.
“These specifications make the
dyneema cages approximately
half the weight in comparison to
a conventional nylon cage. Due
to the nature of dyneema it is
critical that nets are produced to
the correct size with the correct
amount of slack added evenly.
“In our opinion this makes the
need for hand mounted ropes
greater to ensure the probity of
the product. There is a propen-
sity by many manufacturers due
to the raised costs and machine
mounted roping to use con-
siderably less than the amount
required to make a premium
quality cage.”
More recently there's been a
significant interest in the use of
Ultra high tenacity PE.
Generally, knotted provides
the advantage of being around 20
percent stronger in comparative
weight to nylon. It has very good
abrasion resistance and is very
low stretch. These properties
make it excellent in cages where
in situ net washers are used. That
said it is difficult to obtain in sizes
below 18-20mm which could
lead to restrictions in its use.
“The majority of our ropes are
made from polysteel due to its
superior abrasion resistance. We
use the traditional hand mounting
method in preference to machine
sewing as it allows for more even
strain distribution reducing future
repair needs,” says the company.
In situ net washing processes
have necessitated a change in
design of cages.
The amount of slack incor-
porated into the netting for the
manufacture of the cages has
had to be reduced to allow a
firmer surface to allow the wash-
er to operate efficiently. If too
little slack is used the integrity
is comprised. The ropes will no
longer form the framework of
the cage and too much strain
will be placed on the netting
itself leading to potentially cata-
strophic results. For this reason
it is imperative that all ropes are
hand mounted to ensure even
and consistent distribution of the
netting therefore minimising the
risk of unnecessary damage.
Working closely
with customers
We work closely with our
customers to develop anti preda-
tor methods with great success.
A large number of our customers
use predator screens permanent-
ly attached to the outside of their
cages for extra protection and
allowing the net itself to be tight-
er which is also a good deterrent
.Along with weighting systems
and in particular the froya ring
support system which helps to
maintain net shape in strong cur-
rent reducing the potential loss
from seal attacks, excellent results
have been achieved and the loss
of fish has greatly reduced.
“We are currently involved in
a research and development pro-
gram and have successfully trialled
a new sewing machine for use
in the manufacture of treatment
tarps on a larger scale using very
heavy duty materials .
The old and the
new makes for a
premium product
&
NETS
CAGES
02 | INTERNATIONAL AQUAFEED | Fish farming Technology
FISH FARMING TECHNOLOGY

W
&J Knox has
been making
nets for aqua-
culture since
the inception of the industry in
Scotland.Traditionally, knotless
nylon netting has been utilized
for cage nets; however in the
past year, Knox has started
to introduce cage nets to
Scotland which have been
produced from star netting, a
modified HDPE developed by
Garware-Wall Ropes of India.
Star netting is flexible
and easy to handle, weighing
approximately 25 percnet less
for the same strength as nylon.
The key benefits are that there
is less algae formation and no
antifoulant is required.
Both the structure and
the raw material make it
more suitable than nylon
for machine cleaning.
Samples of star net-
ting and further details
will be on display at
Aquaculture UK at the
Knox stand
D
aily ‘morts’
removal and
handling are part
of best practice
in fish farming and Lift Up AS
has, since 1989, supplied many
thousand ‘morts’ collection
systems from it factories in
Norway and Chile.
The systems use the age-old
air-lift principle and are sim-
ple in construction and efficient
in operation. A souser-shaped
cone is lowered to the bottom
of the floating net-cage and from
there a hose allows ‘morts’ to
be lifted from the bottom of the
cage to the surface by means of
compressed air introduced into
the cone at the base.
Lift Up has a wide range of
models for different species of
fish and various sizes of nets,
and exports its products to fish
farmers worldwide.
Its newest generation of col-
lection systems incorporate a
full enclosed systems to bring
‘morts’ from the bottom of
cages all the way to a cen-
tral collection point on a ser-
vice barge or onto shore for
dewatering and disposal. This
allows for all waste water to
be disposed away from the live
fish in the cages and minimises
contamination.
Lift Up AS will again be
exhibiting at this years
Aqauculture UK 2014 show in
Aviemore, Scotland, with spe-
cial focus on its newest and
fifth generation of collection
systems.
Star netting introduced to Scotland
Next generation for Lift Up
“This has resulted in a com-
pany in Australia ordering and
shipping one of our largest
ever products over, with great
potential for further purchases
in the near future.
“Our cages have proven a
great success in some of the
worst storms on record both
nationally and internationally
offshore. Leaving them intact
and uncompromised when
other machine sewn cages
have been destroyed with
devastating fish losses.
“Changing the method in
which netting is mounted from
the usual square hanging form to
diamond style on all or part of
the net has proven very beneficial
in keeping the integrity of our
nets in bad conditions around
the world, whilst still allowing for
good aeration from water flow.”
The use of gussets, chaf-
fer panels and double netting
on areas of the net that are
prone to more abrasion is
extremely effective. Together
with the hand mounted roping,
attention to specifics, excellent
design, highly skilled net mak-
ers and machinists Boris Nets
produces cages often classed
as some of the best in the
world.
Fish farming Technology | INTERNATIONAL AQUAFEED | 03
S
eafood – that is fish
from both fishing and
aquaculture - is the
most traded food com-
modity in the world and it is an
essential product for the health
of humans globally and critical
for many under developed
countries for food security.
As professionals, we all need
to be aware of issues covering
everything from food safety
to environmental sustainability,
trade barriers to fraud, etc,
are all important as we move
forward.
The aim of this association
is to network, share, educate,
communicate and promote all
activities relating to creating a
better seafood world.
There are no boundaries as
this a large and diverse industry
but our aim is not to duplicate
what others are doing and to
work with all dedicated sea-
food organisations and people.
We have created a web-
site, blogs, LinkedIn, Facebook
and Twitter (see details below)
to enable there to be a ter-
rific flow of information and
to enable us all to promote
the exchange of ideas and
information, foster interac-
tion, understanding and pro-
fessional collaboration among
individuals, organisations and
governments, disseminate
knowledge about fish, seafood
and associated products and
promote advancement of the
state-of-the-art in fish research,
development, extension and
education.
Our association does not
aim to charge for membership
as we believe that it is best to
engage as many industry peo-
ple as we can and we do not
want fees getting in the way.
We plan to create services
and opportunities for all our
members and for those ser-
vices there will be charges.
You will get to choose if you
want to sign up to the services
or not. If the services are not
what you want then you will
not have to pay for them. The
emphasis is on us to ensure the
services will be seen as being
seen to be worthwhile to you,
otherwise you will not sign up.
We can all grow and
improve ourselves and our
industry simply by learning
from each other and nature.
We use the Canadian Geese
as an example - Scientists
believe that the characteris-
tic “v-shaped” flock of geese
migrating serves two purposes.
First, it creates a current of air
along the lines of geese that
makes it easier for individuals
to fly. Second, it allows for bet-
ter communication and unity of
the flock while in the air.
• 7-11 June 2014 Association engaged in many events at
World Aquaculture Conference, Adelaide, SA, Australia
• 28-29 June 2014: Association assisting with EMS Forum, Thailand
• 1-2 July 2014: Association invited to speak at
Monaco Blue Initiative, Santiago, Chile
• 6-8 August 2014: Association organizing in conjunction
with VASEP the Vietfish Conference, HCMC, Vietnam
• 21-22 September 2014: Association invited to
speak at Aquatic China, Beijing, China
• 9-11 November 2014: Association organizing
SEAFEX Seafood Summit, Dubai, UAE
• 11-13 March 2015: Association assisting
Seafood Processing Conference at VIV
Asia, Bangkok, Thailand
UP-COMINGACTIVITIES
Association of International
Professionals
Certification
seafoodprofessionals.org

E
very fish farmer hopes to achieve
the same goal of high quality fish to
a minimum production cost.
RAS with degassing tanks and
fixed bed up flow bio filters
In fixed bed up-flow filters with fixed sub-
strate, the water is distributed evenly throughout
the bottom of all the bio filters. This is done to
secure a low water flow speed up through the
bio filter media - in order to also remove the
smaller particles. It also reduces the amount of
solid material the bio filter has to break down
as there is settlement in the bottom of the bio
filters prior to entering the bio filter media. The
media has an open structure (media is 15%
of the volume) which helps to secure a low
water speed. This low water speed helps the
media and the bacteria that grow on them to
effectively catch the microscopic particles. In
fixed bed up-flow bio filters the whole surface
of the media is used to remove particles and
ammonia, and the result is cleaner water. Back
flush of the bio filter is a simple operation that
doesn’t significantly affect the water quality. The
bio filter is separated in sections meaning that
one can be cleaned while the other sections
are still running. The cleaning intervals are 8-16
weeks depending on the amount of feeding. It is
possible to implement a semi-automatic cleaning
system to the bio filters which ease the cleaning
operation of the bio filters significantly. Efficient
removal of micro particles reduces the need for
ozone treatment to get clean and clear water. If
ozone is used, then only a small doze is needed
due to less particles in the water.
The degassing system contributes posi-
tively to the water temperature in the RAS
because the air blowers heat up the air blown
into the water and degas the CO2 in the
water simultaneously. So in addition to the
improved water quality, heating costs are
reduced thanks to the design.
Due to the design of the bio filter, set-
tlement in the first part of the bio filter is
impossible.
The use of 2-3 bio filters gives each
bio filter less volume this will result in sig-
nificant higher water speeds in the bio filters.
High water speed makes it difficult to catch
micro particles. The cleaning of the bio filter
blocks has shown to be very time consuming
because it sometimes needs to be taken out
of bio filter for manual cleaning.
It is a known fact that the relatively large
amount of air needed for trickling filters cools
the water significant because of the evapora-
tion. This technology is actually well known in
cooling towers.
When using trickling filters for CO2 degas-
sing, there is a need to have a high water flow
to keep the CO2 level down as trickling filters
have lower efficiency compared to degassing
tanks.
The water enters the trickling filter just
after the drum filter and still has a lot of
organic material in the water. Organic mate-
rial creates a lot of sludge in the bio filter, the
trickling filter, “drops off” of old sludge that
goes back to the fish tanks as small particles
(circa 70% goes to fish tanks and circa 30% to
fixed bed filters). This design makes the water
dirty due to low cleaning efficiency. The fixed
bed bio filter has more chambers which runs
in series at 4 times the speed of the water
compared to fixed bed up-flow filters were
the water runs parallel.
Benefits Disadvantages
Low energy consumption due to “one time
pumping”. Best mechanical capture of particles
in the bio filter! This makes clean water. Less
oxygen consumption due to clear water = less
CO2 production = less power consumption.
A little higher area requirement. Not full
automatic cleaning of the bio filter.
Low energy consumption of the pumping of
the water due to the one-time pumping. No
cleaning of the bio filter.
Makes dirty water when running at full capacity.
Little CO2 degassing capacity.
Trickling filter does 2 jobs - CO2 stripping and
ammonia removal.
2 times pumping gives higher power
consumption. CO2 stripping is cooling the
system down at winter and heating it at summer.
Labor intensive to clean bio filters. Need higher
water flow to control CO2.
Trickling filter does 2 jobs - CO2 stripping and
ammonia removal.
2 times pumping gives higher power
consumption. CO2 stripping is cooling the
system down at winter and heating it at summer.
Labor intensive to clean bio filters. Need higher
water flow to control CO2.
Benefits and disadvantages of modern basic systems
RASRECIRCULATING AQUACULTURE SYSTEMS

The trickling filter is made of bio block
systems which requires cleaning 1-2 times a
year with a high pressure cleaner.
The water is pumped 2 - 3 times which
gives higher power consumption.
The high water speed in fixed bed up- and
down-flow filters makes it difficult to remove
the micro particles. In combination with a
trickling filter this makes the water unclean.
As described before, the relatively large
amount of air needed for a trickling filter
cools the water significant because of the
evaporation.
Moving bed filters are self-cleaning
because of the air that is blown into the bio
filter medias to keep them moving. When
the layers of dead micro-organisms grow too
thick it will peel off causing dirty water. The
smallest particles that come into the mov-
ing bed filter will not be caught in the filter
but go back into the fish tanks causing very
unclear water.
Blowing air into deep water columns as it is
done in moving bed bio filters gives high super
saturation of Nitrogen which requires sig-
nificant vacuum degassing systems to remove
the super saturation of Nitrogen in the water.
Dirty water in the fish tanks creates a
significant higher oxygen consumption and
CO2 production of up to 50% which requires
up to 50% more electricity consumption for
oxygen injection and CO2 removal as well as
50% more oxygen purchase.
BOC is a leading end-to-end supplier to fish farms, offering:
gas supply, specialist oxygenation and control equipment,
installation and consulting services.
The BOC SOLVOX® range
Better conditions for fish, cost efficiencies for fish
farmers.
Contact us
UK www.BOConline.co.uk/aquaculture, Tel 0800 111 333
IE www.BOConline.ie/aquaculture, Tel 1890 355 255
Key Benefits
→ Reduced feed conversion rate
→ Reduced fish mortality
→ Improved growth rate
→ Higher stock densities
Visit us at
AQUACULTURE UK 2014
stand 35
507955-MPG Aquaculture Landscape 216mm x 303mm Advert 02.indd 1 30/04/2014 11:09

T
wo key companies to the aqua-
culture sector have entered into
a distribution agreement that will
benefit fish farming operators
when it comes to combining fish health with
fish nutrition.
By signing a distribution agreement with
the German ingredient manufacturer, Leiber
GmbH, Pharmaq AS teams up with a very
competent partner in the interesting segment
of yeast products and immune stimulation for
its global aquaculture customer base.
“Pharmaq is very happy to add the quality
products of Leiber GmbH to its portfolio.
It will make a basis for early entry into new
geographies and species, as well as strength-
ening the relationship with customers in our
present markets," says Jan Oppen Berntsen,
Director Feed Products and Equipment in
Pharmaq AS.
For 60 years, Leiber GmbH, located in
Bramsche in Lower Saxony, Germany, has
been
one of the
leading manufac-
turers of specialist yeast
products. The natural raw material of
brewers' yeast is processed using an innova-
tive biotechnological method to form high-
quality products which are used in the areas
of animal nutrition, food, food supplements
and biotechnology.
“Our customers are found in the salmonid,
tilapia, pangasius, sea bass/bream as well as
the shrimp segments of the global aquaculture
industry.
“By adding a high-quality beta-glucan man-
ufactured by Leiber to our Pharmaq product
portfolio, we will support unspecific immunity
to products administered by the oral route,”
says Jan Oppen Berntsen.
Pharmaq AS provides environmentally
sound, safe and efficacious health products
for the global fish farming industry. Besides a
range of therapeutic products, the company's
core products are fish vaccines with a broad
portfolio of 25 different vaccines for various
markets.
Pharmaq in ‘holistic ‘
distribution deal with
Leiber to expand its global
product portfolio
Interview - Pharmaq
International Aquafeed interviewed Jan
Oppen Berntsen, Director - Feed Products
and Equipment based in Pharmaq’s Oslo
office, Norway, who answered questions
with interesting insights and depth.
How will Leiber’s products
benefit Pharmaq’s customers?
Traditionally, Pharmaq AS has had its main
focus on vaccines for farmed fish. And as
such our vaccines are specific products,
meaning one component in any given vac-
cine is designed to solve one specific disease
in one specific specie.
A vaccine can contain many different
components and thus solve many disease
problems in one injection. The most com-
monly used injection vaccine in Norwegian
salmon farming today contains six differ-
ent antigens and protects against as many
pathognes.
Leiber's products are delivered through
feed and their basic ingredient is beta-glucan.
Beta-glucans boost the animal’s unspecific
immune system and as such is a more
general way of helping animals overcome
general stress periods.
Feeds containing immune stimulating
substances such as beta-glucan are often
recommended during stress periods caused
by for example change in temperature,
change in feeding regime, before handling
such as sorting and vaccination.
At what stage is it now and
what is the long-term goal
of the agreement? Is this
a world-wide agreement
or for specific regions?
Leiber wanted to strengthen their presence
in the aquaculture segment and chose to do
so through the collaboration with Pharmaq
AS.
Pharmaq AS is recognised as the world's
leading pharmaceutical company specialising
in aquaculture. We provide environmentally
sound, safe and efficacious health products
to the global aquaculture industry through
targeted research and the commitment of
dedicated people.
The agreement gives Pharmaq access
to Leiber's products exclusively to
aquaculture in a few selected markets
(Greece and Spain) and as our own
branded products to aquaculture on a
global basis.
Leiber's brands are BioLex MB40 and
Beta-S. Pharmaq's corresponding brands are
Vetregard and ALPHA Beta 80. The latter
products (Beta-S and AB 80) are purified
and with a very high content (> 80%) of
Beta-glucan.
The long term goal is to build a stronger
presence in the feed additive segment for a
product portfolio that fits our business idea.
(Pharmaq provides environmentally sound,
safe and efficacious health products to the
global aquaculture industry.) Leiber products
fit this perfectly.
Has there been a history of
working with fish farmers
that use Leiber products
anyway? Has it been a
naturally, gradual process?
No, we have a small product portfolio in
selected markets in this segment. Some
of our present customers will naturally be
interested in the Leiber products.

Interview - Leiber
I
nternational Aquafeed
interviewed Karen
Mörler, Marketing -
Animal Nutrition at
Leiber GmbH in Bramsche in
Lower Saxony, Germany who
also answered question about
the agreement in detail.
How will Leiber’s
products benefit
Pharmaq’s customers?
Leiber’s high quality ‘made in
Germany’ products for aqua-
culture include the highly puri-
fied 1.3-1.6-ß-D-glucan Leiber
Beta-S and the yeast cell wall
product Biolex MB40, which
are both delivered through the
feed.
The famous phrase “pre-
vention is better than cure”
gains more and more impor-
tance in today’s aquatic ani-
mal husbandry. Following this
approach, the overall aim and
result of these prophylactically
administered products is to
boost the immune and health
status of fish and shellfish in
order to increase their resist-
ance against the variety of
stress factors that occur during
the production cycles in inten-
sive aquaculture.
As a result, the efficiency
and profitability of the aquacul-
ture farms is improved, mainly
but not exclusively through a
reduction in mortality rates.
How important is the
health of fish to Leiber’s
current customers, and
does Leiber's immune
stimulation products
match well for fish
farmers with Pharmaq’s
products and expertise
in fish vaccination
and fish health?
The health status of fish
and shellfish is the decisive
factor in why Leiber’s cus-
tomers are using the health
promoting products Leiber
Beta-S and Leiber Biolex
MB40.
In today’s intensive aqua-
culture fish and shellfish are
often subjected to a plethora
of various stress factors in
their living environment. A
chronic stress response is gen-
erally believed to suppress or
dysregulate immune functions
and makes the organism more
susceptible to pathogens with
the eventual risk of causing
diseases.
Among others one fre-
quently occurring stress factor
is handling, and this is where
Leiber’s and Pharmaq's prod-
ucts complement each other
perfectly.
Especially Leiber’s ß-glucan
product Leiber Beta-S pre-
pares the fish to better over-
come the stress of a vaccina-
tion procedure and, in addi-
tion, subsequently improves
the effect of the vaccination
through its proven, adjuvant
effect.
What links will this
distribution partnership
bring, are there
long-term goals?
Leiber wants to further
strengthen its presence in
aquaculture and Pharmaq as
the market leader in aquacul-
ture pharmaceuticals, with a
direct link to the farmers, is
an ideal partner.
The combination of both
companies’ products will
generate a more holistic
approach to the improve-
ment of fish health and ulti-
mately to the profitability
of aquaculture operations
for the farmers’ benefit in a
sound, safe and sustainable
way.

A
n ever increasingly crowed ocean
where increasing demands are being
made by various activity groups is
putting unnecessary pressure on the
fishing and aquaculture industries.
That’s the message delegated attending the
inaugural Seafood Summit event which was part of
the Seafex Seafood Exhibition (which in itself was
part of a massive program covering all activities sea-
food related from world hospitality competitions
through to various trade shows and meetings), at
Dubai World Trade Centre earlier this year.
The Association of International Seafood
Professionals (AISP) was engaged to put together
the Summit program.
The opening of the Summit included a message
from Carl-Christian Schmidt, Head of Fisheries
Policies Division at OECD with a video which
sets the scene for the challenges ahead for what is
describes as the “Green Growth Period”.
Starting proceedings with a session ‘Corporate
Ocean Responsibility: Regional Ocean Industry
Collaboration’ was Paul Holthus from the World
Ocean Council (WOC). Mr Holthus highlighted
how complex and challenging it is when we are
dealing with an ever increasingly crowded ocean
with everyone demanding their needs should get
priority.
The WOC session brought together repre-
sentatives from shipping, desalination and fisheries/
aquaculture and much was learned about the chal-
lenges and opportunities in each sector.
Captain Anshuman Singh, a legal expert in
shipping matters, explained that at the moment
many shipping companies were economically chal-
lenged and this has seen many vessels simply left an
anchor, that is, dumped. Captain Singh also spoke
about water ballast issues and action plans in case
of oil spillages – these can both have incredible
impacts on fisheries/aquaculture.
Prathapchandra Shetty, Emirates Star Fisheries,
commented that in addition to fisheries, aquacul-
ture, shipping and desalination, these same waters
host an increasing level of many other economic
activities - oil and gas, ports, dredging, coastal devel-
opment, tourism and their ocean uses - which
collectively create challenges to maintaining marine
ecosystem health and productivity in the region.
Felix Dent, FAO Globefish, gave an excellent
presentation on ‘Status and Trends of Global
Fisheries & Aquaculture’ and gave some basic
information on FAO and Globefish roles.
‘Certification – Benefits beyond the Demands’
was a presentation by Peter Redmond, Global
Aquaculture Alliance. Through the development
of its Best Aquaculture Practices certification stand-
ards, GAA has become the leading standards-
setting organisation for aquaculture seafood.
Trading seafood in MENA, especially the
Middle East is an important activity that people do
not know enough about. Sadaf Murad, an AISP
member based in UAE, gave her views on ‘Import,
Consumption and Re-Export’ business.
Sadaf highlighted that the area has become a
large re-processing hub for the MENA area.
Sadaf gave information on import patterns
(species, sources and connections); the spectrum
of seafood products (the top echelon, masses,
bottom of the pyramid consumption, species
and movements, etc.); inter trade and cross trade
(re-processing, re-export, etc.). The presentation
created a taste for the next subject ‘Fishing &
Aquaculture including Financing and Investing in the
Arab Region’ led by Izzat Feidi, Fisheries Consultant
based in Egypt and a panel of people he had
engaged.
The panel consisted Salih Salem Bahawini,
Al-Qalzam (Sea Global Co, Saudi Arabia);
Professor Jean-Yves Mevel, UAE University, UAE;
Prathapchandra Shetty, Emirates Star Fisheries,
Yemen/UAE and Max Goulden, MacAlister-Elliott
Partners Ltd, UK.
We learnt that whilst the overall resources of
the Arab region in general constitute a small part
in the international fisheries scene they are consid-
ered a very important economic activity especially
in the traditional, artisanal communities in these
countries where it provides employment, food
and a source of income from the various activities
associated with the fisheries industry.
“With this background, and in order to increase
the benefits of a largely low level industry in terms
of returns of the industry to the various national
economies as well as to the various sectors of
the industry including the fishermen communities,
there is a significant need for more attention and
prospective of development in the region in order
to raise the potential of food security.
“Major investments will need to be injected
in the sector to increase the future benefits of
aquaculture in these countries of the region,” com-
mented Izzat.
A successful day one was wrapped up with
a presentation on Aquaculture without Frontiers,
highlighting the issues regarding the alleviation of
hunger and poverty and the activities of the AwF.
Day Two at SEAFEX was focused on how to
make money from our oceans/water responsibly.
Dr Jed Brown, of the MASDAR Institute, gave
us an insight into ‘Integrated Seawater Aquaculture/
Agriculture Project for Bioenergy Production in
UAE’.
The importance of seafood as it relates to
individuals health was a GILLS presentation. The
catch cry is that everyone knows the importance of
seafood and health but if that was true then surely
we would not be getting anti-seafood activities
and surely every country would address their food
security needs as far as seafood is concerned.
Importantly, we would not have eating disor-
ders as we have with both hunger and obesity
around the world and seafood would be given
priority in areas relating to space/access. We know
that is not the case so we need to continue to find
new ways to spread the message globally.
Roger Gilbert, International Aquafeed, just
returning from an important Chinese Nutrition
Conference which focused on aquaculture feeds,
etc., gave an excellent presentation on the chal-
lenges we face on how to feed a growing popula-
tion in the future.
He stressed that aquatic organisms like fish,
have an advantage in efficiency (very effective feed
converters) compared to land animals which is
due to their advantage of having ambient body
temperature,and requiring less energy for keeping
body in balance, as they live in water. As feed
resources become scarce and more expensive this
advantage will become stronger he believed.
Despite these facts, there is a perception,
mainly outside the aquaculture society, that feed
is a major sustainability issue for aquaculture. Most
concern is related to the use of fish as feed for
fish but he believed that as long as there is good
management of fisheries ensuring that fish harvest
is sustainable, due to the efficiency benefits of fish,
aquafeed is the best allocation for fishmeal and oil.
However, he pointed out that the industry has
invested in substantial knowledge allowing use to
reduce fishmeal input in diets with many feed com-
panies reducing the inclusion of marine ingredients
by 50 percent over the last 10 years, and clearly
had more gains to make.
‘MarketingandLessonsinFishing&Aquaculture’
was presented by Professor Jose Fernandez
Polanco, Universidad de Cantabria, who has a
wealth of experience in these areas stressed that
marketing is an imperative in driving the industry
from being commodity driven to consumer driven.
Through various case studies which he has
completed over the years he highlighted that mar-
keting was still an important issue to be overcome.
Dr Farshad Shishehchian from Blue Aqua,
Thailand,spokeabout‘MakingProfitinAquaculture’
and attracted a good audience.
The IASP launched its website (http://seafood-
professionals.org/) highlighting that its aims were to
create a professional association representing all indi-
viduals from all sectors of the global seafood industry
community enabling interaction, understanding and
collaboration; disseminating knowledge about fish,
seafood and associated products; lifting values by
promoting advancement in seafood research, devel-
opment, extension, education and standards that will
lead to a professional accredited industry.
The event closed with the International
Premiere showing of “Drawing the Line”, an
80 minute movie, a concept of Bruce Davey, a
Northern Territorian Spanish Mackerel fisherman
who was keen to get some factual issues on record
about the previous Australian Governments push
for Marine Parks and with the added value of
explaining the ‘Super trawler’ issue as it unfolded
in Australia.
SEAFEX Middle
East/North Africa
Seafood Summit

Fish Farming Technology supplement 1403

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Fish Farming Technology supplement 1403