Smir Group, a leader in aquaculture technology and services, has finalized an agreement to acquire Ambiente Aqua AS, a technology company based in Årland, Norway. As part of the acquisition, all rights to Ambiente Aqua's proprietary technologies will be transferred to Smir Group.

"We've been collaborating closely on two key projects that leverage UV-LED technology, and we view this as a promising area of investment for Smir Group. Ambiente's innovative solutions align perfectly with our goals, which led us to pursue this acquisition," said Frank Øren, CEO of Smir Group, in a press release.

Ambiente Aqua AS, founded in 2021 by Kurt Magne Berge, Roald Rø, and Gunder Andre Johansen, specializes in developing advanced light and energy systems, with a particular focus on UV-LED technology.

Øren highlighted the strategic value of this acquisition for Smir Group:

"One of our primary objectives is to offer preventive solutions for the aquaculture industry, and we see significant potential in UV-LED technology when applied effectively. As we continue to innovate and develop new preventive concepts, we are excited about the additional opportunities that Ambiente’s technology will create when integrated with our existing solutions."

This acquisition follows Smir Group's earlier purchase of the service and diving company KB-Gruppen AS in Rørvik, further strengthening its presence in the aquaculture sector.

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ST. PETERSBURG (Interfax) - The Russian aquaculture sector could receive 70 billion-100 billion rubles of investment over a period of three to five years, Russian Agricultural Bank forecasts.

"The bank sees a growth area and investment potential in aquaculture. Profit margins here are stable and very high and return is 45%- 50%. Also, investments are needed in science, fish feed, genetics, vaccine production and software for aquaculture to develop. In general, Rusag Bank sees an investment potential of 70 billion-100 billion rubles in the development of aquaculture over the next three to five years," the bank's deputy CEO, Irina Zhachkina, said at the Seventh International Fishery Forum in St. Petersburg.

Russian aquaculture output rose 4.8% to 402,000 tonnes in 2023 from 383,500 tonnes in 2022. The fisheries development strategy envisages aquaculture production will rise to 600,000 tonnes per year by 2030.

Almost US$5.3 billion in seafood, more than US$4.8 billion in fresh fruit shipments and US$1.073 billion in wine exports were registered from Chile between January and August, a period in which Chilean food reached 171 markets around the world.

According to figures from ProChile, based on records from the National Customs Service, the value of Chilean food shipped around the world in the first eight months of the year reached US$14.536 billion, a growth of 3.6% compared to the same period last year.

Source: aqua.cl l Read the full article here

Climate change impacts Japanese fish stocks. Rising ocean temperatures are permanently altering the distribution of marine species, with long-term consequences for the fishing industry

Once a world power, Japan's fishing industry is facing unprecedented challenges due to the ongoing effects of climate change. Over the past decade, catches of key species such as Pacific saury and Japanese flying squid have fallen to historic lows.

Source: EuropaAzul l Read the full article here

The Norwegian Seafood Council has officially launched its first major campaign in collaboration with football star Erling Braut Haaland, targeting the South Korean market.

The campaign, in partnership with several grocery chains and Norwegian exporters, includes early participation from salmon producer SalMar.

Source: Salmon Business l Read the full article here

The fresh salmon market is back on an upward trend in Norway again, for the first time in several weeks.

But the increase is small, at just 1.4% according to the national monitoring organisation, Statistics Norway.

The average week 37 figure went up by NOK 1.4 per kilo to NOK 74.12 per kilo (£5.30), which was around the average price two years ago.

Export volumes remain robust and last week totalled 27,899 tonnes, almost 1,500 tonnes or 5.6% higher than during the previous week.

Author: Vince McDonagh l Fish Farmer l REad the full article here

Proximar Seafood AS has announced the confirmation of its first slaughter date, set for September 30, marking a significant milestone for the company. The land-based salmon farming company is developing a state-of-the-art facility near Mount Fuji, Japan, to serve the growing demand for fresh salmon in the region.

In addition, Proximar has secured two new loan agreements totaling 1 billion Japanese yen (approximately NOK 75 million or USD 7.07 million). The loans will provide the company with working capital and act as a liquidity buffer to support its operations as it moves forward with production.

These developments reflect Proximar's steady progress toward becoming a key player in land-based aquaculture in Asia.

HANOI (Xinhua) -- Vietnam earned 953 million U.S. dollars in August from exporting fishery products, up nearly 20 percent over the same period last year, local media reported Monday, citing the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

Apart from squid and octopus, of which export turnover decreased by 15 percent, the exports of most of Vietnam's key fishery products reported double or triple-digit growth in August.

Shrimp exports rose by 30 percent, pangasius by 18 percent, tuna by 13 percent, and other marine fish by 12 percent.

The value of Vietnam's fishery exports in the first eight months of 2024 was estimated at 6.3 billion dollars, up 9 percent year on year, said the report.

According to the association, Vietnam saw a gradual recovery of seafood exports during the first eight months of this year, both in terms of demand and price.

The association expects that seafood exports for 2024 will be at 9.4-9.5 billion dollars, up 6 percent compared to 2023.

The Icelandic Fisheries Seafood & Aqua Exhibition (IceFish) opens today in Smárinn (Kópavogur, Iceland), to showcase innovations in technology, products and services in the seafood industry to a wide variety of representatives from commercial fishing organisations and associated companies. The event, which runs until Friday 20th, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year with 57 new exhibitors from 14 different countries.

The official opening ceremony will begin at 2pm. The event will be opened by Bjarkey Olsen Gunnarsdottir, Iceland's Minister for Food, Fisheries and Agriculture.

Source: Fisheries l Read the full article here