Latest news with #Aquaculture
Times of Oman
25-05-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Sustainable Food Security Forum explores innovation support and national capacity building
Muscat: The Sustainable Food Security Forum, held on Sunday in Muscat under the theme "Innovation in Agriculture, Fisheries, and Aquaculture," examined practical and innovative solutions to enhance productivity and efficiency in vital sectors linked to food security. The event focused on fostering integration between these sectors, promoting sustainability, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, and building national capabilities. Organised under the auspices of Eng. Yaqoub Khalfan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources for Fisheries, the forum aligns with national efforts to achieve Oman Vision 2040. This vision aims to build a diversified and sustainable economy based on innovation and advanced technology, with a focus on natural resource sustainability as a cornerstone for strengthening food security systems. The forum addressed four main themes: innovation in agricultural sustainability, sustainable fisheries development, water resource management, and capacity building alongside innovation and entrepreneurship support. Running parallel to the forum, an Innovation in Food Security Exhibition showcased over 30 pioneering projects presented by students, graduates, and startups. The event also featured advisory sessions with specialized experts and highlighted national success stories. Through the participation of speakers, academics, and specialists from various government and private entities and universities, the forum seeks to support national initiatives, strengthen public-private partnerships, attract investments, and provide an interactive platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange. These efforts aim to enhance Oman's food security framework for future generations.
Zawya
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
The African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) Visits the University of Cape Coast (UCC) to Evaluate and Strengthen Fisheries Governance Collaboration in Africa
AU-IBAR, through Mr. Delvis Fortes, Project Coordinator of the EU-funded FishGov2 Project, recently visited the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (DFAS) at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Ghana. The visit aimed to review ongoing cooperation, evaluate the recently expired Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), and explore future collaboration opportunities. Present during the engagements held on 5th May 2025, with UCC were Prof. Denis Aheto, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, and Dr. Noble Kwame Asare, Senior Lecturer and Marine Ecologist at the Department of Fisheries&Aquatic Sciences. Over the years, AU-IBAR and DFAS have successfully partnered on several activities within the framework of the FishGov2 Project: Transforming Fisheries Data Management Together, they developed a comprehensive continental database for fisheries and aquaculture to improve data accuracy, accessibility, and coordination. The database now serves as a central hub for African fisheries data, supported by regional training workshops and pilot installations in seven AU Member States. Mapping Fisheries Data in West-Central Africa DFAS researchers conducted a detailed mapping of fisheries, aquaculture, socio-economic, and environmental data to guide evidence-based governance and foster collaboration with governments and industry players. Empowering AU Member States on Ocean Governance and Fisheries Access Agreements In 2022, AU-IBAR and DFAS led a training program that equipped policymakers and stakeholders with the skills to engage effectively in ocean governance and negotiate fair fisheries access agreements. This initiative has contributed to stronger continental representation in global negotiations. In addition to the engagement with DFAS, a courtesy call was made to the Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience (ACECoR) at UCC. ACECoR has played a significant role in multiple FishGov2 consultancies, notably: • Advancing Policy Coherence: ACECoR supported 15 AU Member States in aligning national policies with the AU's Policy Framework and Reform Strategy (PFRS), delivering targeted support to eight countries for enhanced policy harmonization. • Amplifying SIDS Voices: A dedicated study was conducted to raise the profile of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in fisheries governance, providing a roadmap for resilience, equity, and inclusion. • Bridging Global Commitments with Local Action: ACECoR developed practical mechanisms to domesticate international fisheries instruments, enhancing national capacities and aligning Africa's efforts with global sustainability goals. This strategic engagement with UCC reaffirms AU-IBAR's commitment to strengthening partnerships with academic and research institutions to foster sustainable fisheries and aquaculture governance, improve data systems, and promote inclusive policy development across Africa. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).
RNZ News
05-05-2025
- Science
- RNZ News
Snapper trialled in Tasman Bay open ocean aquaculture farming system
Snapper are being trialled in a new open ocean aquaculture farming system in Tasman Bay that has been developed by Plant & Food Research scientists. Photo: Plant & Food Research Snapper are being trialled in a new open ocean aquaculture farming system in Tasman Bay. It is the first time a new finfish species has been trialled off the New Zealand coastline; with Chinook salmon the only fish currently raised commercially in sea-based aquaculture. The prototype is the work of Nelson-based Plant & Food Research scientists, who have developed a mobile fish farm that's based in the open ocean. Senior scientist Suzy Black, who leads the programme, said the aim was to create a low impact, aquaculture system that is designed around the needs of the fish. Dr Suzy Black leads the Whakapōhewa ki ahumoana – Reimagining Aquaculture programme for Plant & Food Research in Nelson. Photo: RNZ / Samantha Gee "Over the last 10 years, we've developed a concept around a mobile aquaculture system, that's submerged below the surface and can be moved around." The project was granted consent last July after consideration by an independent panel under the now-repealed Covid-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act. The trial system is on a swing mooring, near Rangitoto ki te Tonga, D'Urville Island at the top of the South Island. It sits 10-15 metres below the surface, and moves with the tide. Black said it was a stepping stone toward a fully mobile version. A birds eye view of Plant & Food Research's open ocean aquaculture prototype near Rangitoto ki te Tonga, D'Urville Island at the top of the South Island. Photo: Plant & Food Research "That's the vision in the future, so the fish can be transported to the best water temperature that they can grow in and the best water conditions, year round." Black said around 2000 snapper, or tāmure, were transferred to the 500 cubic metre enclosure in April, while the water was warm enough for the first trial, with a focus on how they grow and cope in the pen. The snapper will be replaced with Chinook salmon for a longer trial over the winter months. The system is monitored remotely, with scientists able to feed and check on the fish from land through cameras within the pen, alongside visiting the farm at least once a week. "We need to know that they are content, healthy, that they are being fed and are growing well, and that the water flowing through the pen is at a comfortable flow-rate for them. "The 30-year vision is to have a fully mobile system that is controlled from land, and you don't have people out there, its tootling around in the ocean, the fish are growing their best, living their best lives in a system that's providing everything for them, having the best temperatures, best flow rates, best water quality, that we can control from land." Snapper being transferred into the first prototype of a mobile open ocean aquaculture system near Rangitoto ki te Tonga, D'Urville Island at the top of the South Island. Photo: Plant & Food Research The farm was roughly six kilometres from shore, in an area subject to intense weather. "The hydrodynamics out there are pretty substantial, the wave height can be considerable, and the currents can be considerable as well. The storm systems like we're experiencing at the moment, it's giving it a real test but it's holding up really, really well." She said there was a Māori co-innovation group within the research programme, and the scientists worked closely with the eight iwi of Te Tauihu. The snapper transferred into the pen were about 16 months old and weighed about 200 grams. They were cultured from wild broodstock caught in Tasman Bay at Plant and Food Research's Port Nelson facility. Black said that had been important to iwi. Plant & Food Research scientists have deployed their first prototype of a mobile open ocean aquaculture system near Rangitoto ki te Tonga, D'Urville Island at the top of the South Island. Photo: Plant & Food Research "This is a prototype system, so if something happens where it breaks up and the fish are released, they wanted fish that were going out that were close to wild type as possible." Black said a huge amount of work had gone into developing the system with a focus on animal welfare, with the trial farm different to open ocean structures seen in other parts of the world. "We've taken a soft engineered approach to this system, we see it as being particularly scalable, and for the infrastructure cost being a lot lower than some of those heavily engineered systems around the world." Black said there was lots of work to be done before the the mobile open ocean farm was commercially viable, but she was hopeful of seeing pilot scale trials happening in the next 10 years. It is the first time snapper have been trialled in an open ocean aquaculture farm off the coast of New Zealand. (File photo). Photo: 123RF Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones launched the New Zealand Aquaculture Development Plan 2025-2030, with the aim of growing the industry's revenue to $3 billion a year by 2035. Black said the prototype was at the technical feasibility stage and they needed to prove it could be scaled up, was reliable and could withstand wear and tear for a number of years, but ultimately that it could contribute toward generating that revenue. "We believe that this type of scalable, lower-cost approach to open ocean aquaculture could become a real opportunity, not just for the big players in aquaculture here in New Zealand, but potentially for new players coming in." The project has been funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Endeavour Fund. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Farmed salmon called into question - so is it safe to eat?
Over the last two weeks, many Aussie consumers have been questioning whether they want to continue eating farmed salmon. Thousands of the fish have died inside Tasmanian aquaculture facilities over the last fortnight, sparking concern about pollution, the use of antibiotics, and the prevalence of disease. But switching to wild caught alternatives in Australia isn't an option for most, because it's not locally produced. The large foreign-owned aquaculture ventures around Tasmania's coastline supply around 90 per cent of the Atlantic salmon consumed across the nation. Very little wild Atlantic or Pacific salmon is imported fresh from its native ranges around North America, Europe and Russia. But is wild salmon more nutritious or environmentally superior? According to Melbourne University seafood expert Professor Giovanni Turchini, the answer is complicated. He is privy to the most up to date research on the seafood and aquaculture industries, and heads the multidisciplinary research team at AquaS, the Aquaculture Sustainability laboratory. Related: 'Disgusting' photos of popular Aussie food spark furious debate When it comes to Omega 3, then farmed fish generally have more of the most beneficial long-chain fatty acids EPA and DHA per milligram, and these are thought to be most beneficial to human health. But the reason farmed fish have more is that they're much fatter than their leaner wild cousins. 'It's important to educate the consumer that there's no good or bad. What is good for one person may be not good for another,' he said. 'For example, a nice fresh salad with a lot of vegetables is good for us when compared to a burger. But if you go to Central Africa where they lack protein, a burger is much better than a salad. When it comes to contaminants and pollutants being absorbed by salmon from the water they inhabit, Turchini notes they both have 'very small' risks. 'Wild salmon might have the risk of more contaminants. You don't know where they grow, so there could be environmental contaminants like PCBs, mercury, or dioxins, which in farm fish, you don't find it because typically there's a lot of environmental control of the quality of the water and the food,' he said. 'However, in farmed fish you could have other contaminants like antibiotics if they're not used properly.' Similar to most other fish, salmon flesh is naturally white. But like flamingos, its flesh turns pink due to the consumption of small crustaceans which contain astaxanthin, a carotenoid molecule similar to what we find in carrots. Farmed fish are mostly fed on a diet of pellets. 'With chickens, they use these molecules that increase the color of the yolk. The same happens in fish. Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant that's similar to Vitamin A and is very good for our health and good for the fish because it helps them cope with environmental stress or heatwaves,' Turchini said. And the pellets can contain either natural shrimp astaxanthin or a synthetic alternative. 'Some consumers are worried about this synthetic astaxanthin, but it's exactly like all the multivitamins they buy – all are synthetic. They are chemically identical to the natural one, and it's the reality in all food systems, not just salmon,' Turchini said. 😳 Mammoth de-extinction team produces 'groundbreaking' new creature 🚨 Aussie residents fearful as 50-metre 'toxic' towers built over community ☠️ Call for answers after poison found buried in rare predator's habitat While the scale of the recent fish deaths in Tasmania is unprecedented, but Tasmania's $1 billion salmon-farming industry has been controversial. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton are diehard supporters of the industries, but there have been ongoing concerns about pollution from the farms. In Macquarie Harbour, the resulting lower oxygen levels have led to the near extinction of a native fish, the maugean skate, that inhabits the same waters. There have also been ongoing concerns about salmon farmers deterring seals away from the salmon with explosives and rubber bullets. Turchini believes another problem with farmed salmon is that farmers need to capture and grow food to feed the salmon, including chicken, grain and soy. But he believes it takes the pressure off wild populations, some of which have been over-fished. 'There's also the issue of bycatch – catching additional species we don't want. And then with trawling there's habitat destruction,' he said. 'But then with farmed fish there is the risk of escape. And those salmon could have an impact on the wild populations of fish.' According to Turchini, the main difference between salmon raised in Australia and New Zealand is the species. Most fish produced at home is Atlantic salmon while across the ditch it's King salmon, but they are farmed in a very similar way. 'Nutritionally they are similar on all aspects, as they are very similar species, and they are fed with basically the same feed and farmed in similar high-quality waters, with the only difference being that New Zealand king salmon contains more fat, and thus also more Omega 3. For that it is particularly appreciated on some markets, and less on others,' he said. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
