Intelligence

Many current eating habits have negative results for our health, lending credence to “you are what you eat.” Eating habits can be changed, and increasing seafood consumption can provide numerous health benefits, including as a significant source of critical micro-nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Seafood should have its own spot in our dietary food pyramid. 

An article by FactCheck.org concluded that fears regarding risk to human and environmental health posed by GM salmon are unfounded. Meanwhile, a group of environmental NGOs has sued the U.S. Food and Drug Administration over its approval of the fish last year. 

Aquaculture and fisheries – although significantly different as one is farming and the other one is hunting – are very closely related activities that share many components of their value chains, including their markets and customers. 

Past and ongoing studies at the UWSP Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility (UWSP-NADF) have shown that walleye and hybrid walleye can be successfully raised indoors using early advanced spawning, incubation and rearing techniques. Marketing studies indicate good aquaculture potential and high demand. 

Drug-related import refusals at U.S. ports were up in 2015 for the third straight year. Representatives from the National Fisheries Institute and the Food and Drug Administration discussed U.S. aquaculture drug policy at Seafood Expo North America and how the supply chain can avoid problems. 

In a discussion format somewhat unique to the bustling halls of Seafood Expo North America, aquaculture backers lamented the lackluster U.S. consumer acceptance for farmed fish. 

Bivalve shellfish culture is a low-impact form of protein production, and in many cases is a net-positive for water quality. So why move it indoors? Smit & Smit in the Netherlands has a good argument for doing so. 

A study was conducted to assess the feasibility to grow Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) in an outdoor biofloc system during winter in a temperate zone. High biomasses of market-size channel catfish were successfully maintained through the winter with high survival and in good condition in both treatments. 

A wide range of important topics was discussed at the Aquaculture 2016 conference and trade show in Las Vegas last week. Editor Emeritus Darryl Jory shares his notes from the four-day event, which occurs every three years. 

The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization convened fishery officials from around the world in Morocco last week and referred to the industry as the world's fastest-growing food-producing sector. This infographic takes a closer look at the importance of aquaculture featuring FAO statistics. 

Only farmed salmon from four regions in the world have earned a “best choice” or “good alternative” buy ranking from Seafood Watch. Maine-produced product is now an option for retailers and restaurant buyers who follow the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s influential recommendations. 

Brazil will have to deal with an adverse economic and political environment in the next few years. One should expect high value fish products like shrimp, tilapia, Chilean salmon and cod being replaced by more affordable seafood and alternative meats, as consumers keep losing purchasing power due to inflation, unemployment and monetary devaluation. 

The Brazilian aquaculture industry has been growing steadily during the last two decades. Despite facing a number of challenges it is looking at continued growth and a larger role in the export markets. 

The explosive growth of shrimp farming has long been associated with mangrove deforestation in Southeast Asia. A silvofishery method of producing the popular seafood is protecting the fragile ecosystems in Vietnam. A hungry marketplace is reaping the rewards. 

In his first piece for the Advocate, industry veteran Phil Walsh, VP of Growth for Alfa Gamma Seafood Group in Miami, wonders why consumers are so comfortable with farm-raised land animals, but not farm-raised fish.