Latest news with #Faroese
Scotsman
23-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Football may divide communities in Scotland, but it has nothing on fish
Removal of Brexit red tape should boost Scotland's salmon industry Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... If you are landing cod in a trawler off the Aberdeenshire coast, this week's news that the UK had struck a trade deal with the European Union was 'a horror show', according to the Scottish Fishermens' Federation. The granting of 12 years of access to UK waters for EU fishing vessels was seen as a betrayal. But if you are working on a salmon fish farm off the west coast, it was 'breakthrough', according to Salmon Scotland. The group includes the largest salmon farm businesses in the world, including Bakkafrost, a Faroese company, Cooke Scotland of Canada, as well as Mowi Scotland and Scottish Sea Farms, both of Norway. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A trawler in the North Sea | PA For team salmon, removal of Brexit red tape ought to boost French sales. That's because physical checks of lorries at Boulogne-sur-Mer, a major distribution hub for seafood entering continental Europe, will no longer be needed, shaving precious hours off the time it takes to get fresh salmon to the restaurants of Paris. France is the largest market in the world for Scottish salmon, accounting for 55 per cent of exports and 95 per cent of all product sold in the EU, making the fish the UK's largest food export. Yet the story of salmon is not only one of export success. The sector remains plagued by battles between Salmon Scotland and campaign groups claiming that the industry's animal welfare practices mean its product doesn't deserve to appear on supermarket shelves or restaurant menus. Among them, WildFish and the Coastal Communities Network (CCN) argue that the use of seaborne 'open net' pens to grow salmon results in unacceptably high death rates because of overcrowding, poor animal welfare and disease, chiefly sea lice that cause skin lesions, rendering the salmon unmarketable. Last year, the Canadian government announced a ban on open pen salmon farming in British Columbia by mid-2029. Polarisation on salmon farming is clear Salmon Scotland counters that salmon farmers are the only farm sector in the UK to voluntarily publish 'farm level' mortality data and that the industry has invested heavily in fish health and welfare - to the tune of £1 billion since 2018. Mowi Scotland and Edinburgh University's Roslin Institute have just started joint research into improving resistance to disease by studying the fish's DNA and immune system. The level of polarisation on the issue is clear from the language used. Campaigners and marine scientists talk of 'mortality' of up to 25 per cent, while the industry sometimes prefers to talk about 'survival' rates, which Salmon Scotland says improved last year by 10 percentage points to 82 per cent. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Holyrood's latest effort to resolve matters came in January with the results of an inquiry by the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee (RAIC) into progress on improving conditions in salmon farming since a critical Scottish government report in 2018. The committee was 'disappointed' that mortality rates had not improved, adding they were 'too high'. The String of Pearls jellyfish has been blamed for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of salmon | Getty Images Tavish Scott, Salmon Scotland's chief executive, says he doesn't believe the report was 'particularly thorough', criticising it for containing 'anti-farming language' similar to that from campaign groups. 'What the committee seemed to completely fail to understand is that is that we could not sell a single fish to any supermarket or restaurant if we were not complying with the highest regulatory standards,' he says. The Scottish government's response to the RAIC's report reveals the difficulty it appears to be having in navigating between the Scylla of an economically vital industry that employs 12,500 people and the Charybdis of voter sensitivity to animal welfare. In her response to the RAIC report, cabinet secretary Mairi Gougeon dismissed a recommendation that powers be given to limit or halt production at salmon farms that record persistent, high mortality rates. Instead, analysis would merely be done to 'explore thresholds' for such mortality. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The need to display high standards Ultimately, Scottish salmon's reputation as a premium product rests on its ability to show consumers that it's engaged in the highest standard of animal welfare. In France, that reputation is embedded in the 'Label Rouge' quality mark awarded by the French government in 1992. This may matter less in distant markets like China and Taiwan, which are growing at a healthy clip. But reputation must continually be earned, and won't have been helped by video footage this week allegedly showing what animal rights campaigners at Green Britain Foundation said was 'systemic cruelty' to salmon at a fish farm on the Isle of Skye. Some restaurants are already voting with their menus. A campaign launched in 2022 called 'Off the Table' by WildFish to persuade chefs not to offer salmon has so far signed up restaurants in Australia, Iceland, the US and the UK, including The Palmerston in Edinburgh. 'Not enough research has been done so I don't have confidence in the system,' co-owner and chef Lloyd Morse tells me. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Meantime, climate change may be the industry's biggest threat. Scientists agree that ocean warming is making it easier for disease and parasites to take hold, with obvious consequences for densely packed salmon pens. 'The effect of climate on mortality of farmed salmon is one of the biggest elephants in the room,' says John Aitchison , an aquaculture spokesman at the CCN.
Daily Record
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Graham Norton claims Eurovision entry bares uncanny resembles to Eastenders icon
The UK commentator claimed that the soap legend 'changed her name' to take part in the singing contest. While many people watch the Eurovision Song Contest to see what outlandish performances some countries will deliver, a vast majority of us are viewing the show to hear the witty comments and bold claims of Irish comedian Graham Norton. And the TV presenter didn't disappoint. In his 16th year in the commentary booth, Graham continued to crack up viewers from across the UK as we settled in for the night to see who the public and jurors deemed to be the winner of this year's contest. While he initially struggled with his microphone at the beginning of the show, the 62-year-old didn't hold back on this honest thoughts regarding the 26 acts from across the globe competing in Basel, Switzerland. From comparing Ukraine's act to Margaret Thatcher to saying Italy's performer was dressed like the child catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Graham had BBC viewers in stitches throughout the four hour show. However, one act that caught Graham's eye was Denmark's competitor Sissal, reports Manchester Evening News. Despite living in Copenhagen, Sissal is originally from Tórshavn in the Faroe Islands - making her the second Faroese act to represent Denmark since Reiley in 2023. Despite wowing viewers with her song Hallucination, Sissal had a very small chance of winning the show, with Ladbrokes giving her victory odds of 150/1 before the final began. After watching Sissal's performance, Graham went on to humorously claim that Eastenders star Letitia Dean had "changed her name" to perform on the show and move away from playing her iconic character Sharon Watts. The TV presenter jokingly went on to add that this was Letitia's way of "continuing the 40th anniversary celebrations" after the soap hit the huge milestone back in February this year. Many viewers at home agreed with Graham, with some taking to social media to point out the resemblance between Sissal and Letitia. One X user said: "Not sure why Sharon is representing Denmark #Eurovision." While another added: "Bloomin' love this entry from #Denmark #Sissal/Sharon from EastEnders." A third user went on to say: "Great to see Sharon from Eastenders has found a new gig #Eurovision." While another person quipped: "Can't believe Sharon left the square to perform on Eurovision #Eurovision." Another viewer commented: "Hello is that Sharon Watts. #Eurovision." This was followed by someone writing: "Not Graham comparing the Danish entry to Sharon from EastEnders omg. #Eurovision." Unfortunately, neither Denmark or the UK earned enough points to win this year's contest - placing 23rd and 19th respectively. Austria instead took the crown with 436 points with their entry JJ singing his song Wasted Love. Despite Sam Ryder's surprise score of 466 in 2022 which landed him in second place, the UK's entry Remember Monday managed to achieve the country's best score since 2017 - when Lucie Jones came 15th place. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Edinburgh Live
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Graham Norton claims EastEnders legend 'changed her name' to compete in Eurovision
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Get the latest Edinburgh Live breaking news on WhatsApp Graham Norton has humorously suggested that an EastEnders icon has 'changed her name' to compete in Eurovision 2025. Back in the commentary box for the 16th time, Graham was on top form, delivering his trademark witty remarks and amusing assertions. After initially grappling with his microphone, the Irish telly host began sharing his candid opinions on all 26 acts vying for victory in Basel, Switzerland. READ MORE - HMRC writing to thousands of UK households who had kids between 1978 and 2000 READ MORE - Prince William and Kate's prepare Prince George for public life in major change From setting aside his usual sharpness for UK act Remember Monday to likening Ukraine's act to Margaret Thatcher, Graham provided BBC viewers with another unforgettable evening. One performer who piqued Graham's interest was Denmark's contender Sissal, whose full name is Sissal Jóhanna Norðberg, reports the Manchester Evening News. Although she resides in Copenhagen, Sissal hails from Tórshavn in the Faroe Islands, becoming the second Faroese artist to represent Denmark in the Eurovision after Reiley did so in 2023. (Image: BBC) (Image: Getty Images) Singing her song Hallucanitation, Sissal was a dark horse for a surprise win, with Ladbrokes offering her victory odds of 150/1 before the show. Once Sissa had finished performing, Graham quipped that EastEnders actress Letitia Dean 'changed her name' as part of a departure from her role as Sharon Watts. Graham jested that this was Letitia's method of 'continuing the 40th anniversary celebrations' after the soap reached the significant milestone in February. Viewers at home concurred with Graham, taking to X to highlight the resemblance between Sissal and Letitia. @adhddjmenace questioned: "Not sure why Sharon is representing Denmark #Eurovision." @toniearlybird chimed in, enthusing: "Bloomin' love this entry from #Denmark #Sissal/Sharon from EastEnders." @LewisCoakley tweeted: "Great to see Sharon from Eastenders has found a new gig #Eurovision." Meanwhile, @Lilly__0b1 was surprised: "Can't believe Sharon left the square to perform on Eurovision #Eurovision." @wildpartydude cheekily asked: "Hello is that Sharon Watts. #Eurovision." And @ReeceRJC couldn't hold back a laugh, posting: "Not Graham comparing the Danish entry to Sharon from EastEnders omg. #Eurovision." Last year's British entry for the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, Olly Alexander, had a brief stint on Albert Square just weeks prior to ending up 18th place at the event in Italy.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Minesto's unique ocean energy technology at the centre of global branding campaign together with SKF
GOTHENBURG, Sweden, March 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Minesto, leading developer of ocean energy is selected by renowned bearing manufacturer SKF to be part of a large-scale international marketing brand campaign. The campaign "The Faroe Islands Space Program - a space program that never leaves earth" highlights Minesto's innovative and lightweight yet powerful tidal energy kites; and the opportunity to harness 'moon energy', making the most of the Earth's resources in a sustainable approach. The global brand campaign by SKF showcases Minesto's unique competitive technology, ready for commercial roll-out. The unique tidal energy technology has the potential to unlock a new global renewable resource presently untapped by mankind. Minesto brought SKF on board to design the bearing and sealing systems for the rudders and elevators of the Minesto Dragon kites. SKF now selects Minesto for a global brand collaboration, a marketing campaign including films, social media, editorial content and a press event, is being rolled out across the globe, starting from today. "It is of significant value for Minesto to get global exposure for our technology and the value of the untapped ocean resource that constitutes our market. The timing is near perfect given our ambition to secure commercial partnerships in the Faroe Islands and beyond. The creative 'space angle' combined with our fascinating Dragons where SKF is a strategic technology contributor will most certainly boost awareness and brand recognition for both companies beyond anything historically achieved," says Martin Edlund, CEO of Minesto. "Collaboration across industries is essential for progress. Together with Minesto, we are demonstrating how technology and innovation can drive the transition to renewable energy," comments Annika Ölme, CTO & SVP, Technology Development, SKF. "From a brand perspective, we are honoured to be selected for this global campaign by renowned friction-fighting innovator SKF. The campaign collaboration between Minesto and SKF creates an intriguing composition. Moreover, we share the same commitment to sustainability and innovation," says Cecilia Sernhage, Chief Communications Officer at Minesto. Introduction to the campaign "The Faroe Islands Space Program - a space program that never leaves earth": Increased demand for energy has led to a new space race where major nations are said to compete to control the Moon's resources. But in fact, we already have endless moon energy on Earth. Tidal energy, driven by the Moon's gravitational pull on our oceans, offers a renewable and predictable power source. Industry leader SKF and ocean energy developer Minesto, together with the Faroese energy company Sev, are launching the Faroe Island Space Program to harness this untapped potential and highlight the urgency of utilizing Earth's existing resources in a smart and sustainable way. Link to Minesto web site:Minesto | Renewable energy. From the ocean. Link to SKF official Newsroom:Newsroom | SKF Link to SKF campaign web site:A Fighting Friction Initiative | SKF PresskontaktCecilia Sernhage, Chief Communications Officer+46 735 23 71 58press@ This information was brought to you by Cision View original content: SOURCE Minesto AB Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Yahoo
These undersea tunnels connect remote islands halfway between Iceland and Scotland
In the Faroe Islands, wild, unpredictable weather — fierce winds and rain, and thick fog that settles like a curtain — can sometimes make travel by car or ferry problematic. No wonder the Faroese love their tunnels. They've built 17 of them on land and four subsea — including the world's only subsea tunnel with a roundabout that's underwater. The network makes for easier navigation of the self-governing island nation within the Kingdom of Denmark 'Though we are 18 islands, we often joke that (because of the tunnels) we defy the fact that we are islands,' says Súsanna Sørensen, marketing manager of Visit Faroe Islands. Located in the North Atlantic halfway between Iceland and Scotland, the volcanic islands' unspoiled scenery wows visitors. The two latest subsea tunnels are statement makers, too. 'These are our Eiffel Tower or Big Ben,' says Teitur Samuelsen, CEO of Eystur-og Sandoyartunlar, the company operating the tunnels, 'with people, especially tourists, driving through them just to see the art.' Art? Yes, indeed. A stunning marriage of art and engineering. Every day, more than 6,000 vehicles travel through the nearly seven-mile (11-kilometer) subsea tunnel connecting Streymoy, the largest of the Faroe Islands and home to Tórshavn (one of the world's smallest capitals), with Eysturoy, the archipelago's next biggest island. In addition to its stunning natural landscapes, Eysturoy is home to the G! Festival, an outstanding local and international musical event held each July in the waterfront village of Syðrugøta. Construction of the Eysturoy Tunnel took about four years, opening in December 2020. These subsea tunnels are created by using the drill and blast method: drilling holes in the basalt — a strong, igneous rock — and then packing the holes with dynamite. At its lowest point, the tunnel is about 614 feet (187 meters) below sea level. And though having the North Atlantic over your head might provoke anxiety, you can feel confident in its construction, says Samuelsen. 'The tunnels are designed by the world's leading engineers and geologists, so safety with regards to the Atlantic above is not an issue,' he says. Actually, the drive is kind of magical, with the highlight being a sculptural roundabout with shifting colors that is so striking, some compare it to the Aurora borealis or jellyfish glowing in the sunlight. 'The roundabout — nicknamed 'the jellyfish' — is certainly a tourist attraction,' says Sørensen. Many take several turns around the roundabout to soak up the mesmerizing scene. Revered Faroese artist Tróndur Patursson was commissioned to create this vibrant installation. But why spend time and money putting art in subsea tunnels? 'We have a lot of good art in the Faroes, and we'd like to support our artists. In addition, it breaks up the monotony in a long, dark tunnel, so it's good for driving safety,' says Samuelsen. When this tunnel was created, a natural central basalt column was left standing for the roundabout where the tunnel branches off toward Strendur and Rókin, located on either side of a fjord on Eysturoy. The central column, radiating clouds of color, is ringed at its base by a striking steel sculpture. Drivers gaze at a steel ring of silhouettes, life-size people holding hands around the pillar and looking inward at the ever-changing lights. Patursson has said his intent was to represent how the Faroese, despite living in a rugged environment, are resilient, united in their accomplishments by working together. But for many, the circle of interlinked figures is evocative of the traditional Faroese chain dance that you'll observe if you visit the Faroes for Ólavsøka, National Day, on July 29. Beyond the visuals, the tunnel is also saturated with auditory art. Musician Jens L. Thomsen composed the ethereal soundscape that you can listen to by tuning into FM97 when driving through. The experience was created by 'recording the sounds of the construction as well as the silence in the tunnel,' says Thomsen. Instead of using conventional instruments, 'this technique allowed me to find the voice of the tunnel,' adds Thomsen. The Eysturoy Tunnel isn't the only dazzling undersea experience. Since December 2023, Streymoy and the wee island of Sandoy have been connected by the latest subsea tunnel, the Sandoy Tunnel. About 1,000 vehicles a day navigate the approximately six-and-a-half-mile stretch that at its nadir is 508 feet (155 meters) below the North Atlantic. You'll find the visual and auditory art enthralling here as well. Along the rough basalt walls, almost a dozen glowing images reference some of the characters in Faroese folklore, such as a bishop wielding a battle ax, an old witch and a seal woman. This is the creation of Edward Fuglø, a prominent Faroese artist, who put a contemporary take on ancient cave paintings. He also depicts birds as an homage to the self-taught, 19th-century bird painter Díðrikur á Skarvanesi, the first known visual artist in the Faroes. Sunleif Rasmussen, a renowned Faroese composer, created the acoustic landscape. 'I had a dream of the melody,' says Rasmussen. He relied on some of the sounds of the tunnel, including water dripping during the construction, as well as music by the lead singer of the pop group Snowflakes to produce this inventive electroacoustic work. This creates a surreal experience for those drivers tuning into FM100 while navigating this tunnel to Sandoy, where white, sandy beaches, tall sand dunes — the only ones in this archipelago — and an expansive lake that's perfect for kayaking await. 'With all the well-developed tunnel infrastructure, it's easy for our guests to move around the country,' says Sørensen. With the roundabout tunnel, the driving time from the capital city Tórshavn to the island of Eysturoy was cut from about 60 minutes to about 15 minutes. It's also easier to visit other islands. 'You can now drive from Tórshavn to Klaksvik, the second largest city (located on Borðoy), in just 45 minutes versus 75 minutes,' adds Sørensen. The Sandoy Tunnel has been especially life-changing. 'More and more people are now moving to Sandoy from Tórshavn. In one village where 145 people live, 10 apartments are under construction. This is a lot for us,' says resident Barbara av Skardi, who would never have considered moving to Sandoy if it wasn't for the tunnel. 'During winter, the ferry sometimes could be canceled for days' because of gusty winds and unpredictable currents, she says. New businesses are opening, and others are seeing an uptick in visitors. 'Because of the tunnel, my wife, Barbara, and I both moved back to Sandoy and opened Cafe Retro,' says business co-owner Dávur Jacobsen. And according to Ólavur Jøkladal, director of the Sandur Art Museum, 'The number of visitors has more than doubled since the tunnel opened.' These inventive undersea creations blend art and technology and mark a new era of connectedness for these remote islands.
