Intelligence

News and notes from Seafood Expo North America in Boston, Mass., USA, 19-21 March, 2017. Posts by James Wright, Editorial Manager of the Global Aquaculture Alliance. 

A rating change for Pacific geoducks farmed in Washington state and British Columbia surprised and confused many in the field, since it’s a segment of the industry generally considered sensitive to sustainability issues. 

Brine freezing of shrimp at processing plants requires much less energy than other traditional methods. Brine freezing systems are not complex but require attention to detail during the entire production process. 

Brine freezing of shrimp at processing plants by immersion in a chilled, aqueous brine solution is commonly used to chill the shrimp after cooking, and requires much less energy than other traditional methods. It results in very small ice crystals forming in the shrimp tissue, minimizing drip loss. 

Insurance is available for a wide range of species, and will protect capital investment against events or natural hazards that affect fish health, assets and harvests. Effective risk assessment and management strategies are important. 

Tilapia aquaculture has expanded significantly in the last 30 years. Production systems range from extensive, low-density and low-technology in small earthen ponds, to semi-intensive systems in larger ponds, to recirculating systems with high densities.   

The “Towards a Seaweed Based Economy” report made the case that poor nutrition is the major cause for the pandemics of obesity and several chronic diseases. It recommended increased use of food-production systems like integrated multi-trophic aquaculture. 

Scott Nichols concludes his four-part series about GM foods with a simple question about transgenic animals: Are they truly meeting a need? We need more food and we need better nutrition. Both desires should be achieved without increasing environmental impacts. 

A project to develop Arctic charr culture and commercialization in Canada involves governmental and non-governmental agencies, universities and research institutes, and Canadian producers from eight provinces and territories of Canada. 

Research shows farmed fish fed diets heavy on vegetable oils have higher amounts of omega-6s and lower amounts of omega-3s, compared to fish fed diets heavy on fish oil. We take a deep dive into the relationship between the two fatty acids. 

While consumer demand for seafood is helping to create opportunities for shellfish farmers in the northeastern United States, the NIMBY attitude toward aquaculture lingers on, as do challenges with permitting. 

For the first time, the Aqua-Spark investment fund has partnered with a consumer brand. With its investment in U.S. company LoveTheWild, the Netherlands-based group seeks to become a trusted voice in aquaculture. 

A study assessed the nutritional value of farmed vs. wild white-fleshed fishes using hybrid striped bass, largemouth bass and bluegill. Results showed that farmed, white-fleshed fish are as nutritionally valuable – and in some cases, more so – than wild fish. 

The operators of Hudson Valley Fish Farm see their inland locale as a pilot to prove that land-based fish farming, located in close proximity to major metropolitan markets, can be successful. 

Once a darling of the sustainable seafood crowd for its vegetarian diet and potential to feed the world’s growing population, mild-mannered tilapia now has an image problem that may be causing a dip in consumption levels.