A new contest to innovate a fish oil alternative that doesn’t rely on wild-caught fish officially launched this week. The F3 Fish Oil Challenge will award a $100,000 prize to the company or team that makes and sells the most fish-free “fish oil” to aquaculture operations or feed manufacturers. The goal of the Challenge is to accelerate the availability of cost-competitive, viable alternatives to fish oil that provide the essential nutritional components for fish that at the same time help reduce demand for wild-caught for fish feed and enhance food security. “We are seeking innovators who do not accept business-as-usual and will apply their ingenuity to make aquaculture industry more feasible, and more environmentally responsible now and in the future.”

Whole Foods will offer lower prices on a selection of best-selling grocery staples across its stores, including responsibly-farmed salmon and tilapia. “We’re determined to make healthy and organic food affordable for everyone. Everybody should be able to eat Whole Foods Market quality. We will lower prices without compromising Whole Foods Market’s long-held commitment to the highest standards.”

The European Commission is seeking comments on the existing EU feed additive regulations to asses if it is still relevant. The legislation is open for public comment until September 25, 2017. 

The National Aquaculture and Fisheries Authority (AUNAP) is conducting research on freshwater artemia as part of its work to validate new technology and innovations to reduce production costs in aquaculture. Freshwater artemia can be used as live food as native fish feed such as \"bocachico\" (Prochilodus magdalenae) and \"dorada\" (Brycon moorei sinuensis), in their larval phases. After several analyzes and studies, researchers found two different types of freshwater artemias and are working to determine their behavior in captivity and how they would be helpful to feed larvae.

A team of researchers in China has found 132 antibiotic resistant genes (ARG\'s) in commercially available fishmeal. The study, published in Environmental Science and Technology, investigated high-throughput ARG profiles in representative fishmeal products and the impact of fishmeal on the sediment resistome. \"Our study has revealed for the first time that fishmeal itself is a major reservoir for ARGs, and the shift in the bacterial community induced by the nutrients in fishmeal is the main driver shaping the resistome in mariculture microcosm sediment. Our findings caution against the previously unperceived risk of ARG propagation in fishmeal-receiving ecosystems.\"

A team of researchers in China has found 132 antibiotic resistant genes (ARG\'s) in commercially available fishmeal. The study, published in Environmental Science and Technology, investigated high-throughput ARG profiles in representative fishmeal products and the impact of fishmeal on the sediment resistome. \"Our study has revealed for the first time that fishmeal itself is a major reservoir for ARGs, and the shift in the bacterial community induced by the nutrients in fishmeal is the main driver shaping the resistome in mariculture microcosm sediment. Our findings caution against the previously unperceived risk of ARG propagation in fishmeal-receiving ecosystems.\"

Twelve companies have been selected from over 40 applicants as finalists to participate in the Emerging Company Showcase at the upcoming Aquaculture Innovation Summit. Finalists include AquiNovo, an emerging company that produces a non-GMO, non-hormonal feed additive; KnipBio, a company that has developed a batch and semi-continuous fermentation process at large pilot scale to grow methylbacterium extorquens; and Ynsect, which has developed a novel insect-based feed for fish of all stages. The finalist will present at the Summit on September 28-29, 2017 in London. 

The United Soybean Board (USB) has named Polly Ruhland as its new chief executive officer (CEO) effective November 1. “Polly brings a platform of experience and expertise that parallels the opportunities and challenges facing the soy industry – building demand in domestic and global markets, creating consensus throughout the commodity supply chain, solidifying partnerships with national and state organizations, and being an industry catalyst.”

South Korea’s CJ CheilJedang Corp completed the purchase of a 90% stake in Brazilian soy protein maker Selecta, and promptly launched the new brand CJ Selecta. Selecta is a large producer of ingredients for the feed industry in Brazil and abroad. Selecta produces and distributes soy-derived ingredients for animal nutrition, and has a current soy processing capacity is 700,000 tonnes; with investments promised by CJ, it is expected to ramp up production by 50 percent.

In a ceremony last week, Nicovita inaugurated its fourth Experimental Aquaculture Center (CEA) in Peru. The new CEA for shrimp is located in the city of Trujillo, and represents an investment of $350,000 by Vitapro S.A. The Center features a module for digestibility, a module for culture trials, and a room exclusively for attractability tests.

A trade delegation from China, representing more than 10 companies, opened the U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange by signing contracts worth more than $1.5 billion of U.S. Soy. China remains U.S. Soy’s top customer, buying more than one of every four rows of soybeans grown in the U.S. The sustainability, quality, and consistent reliable supply of U.S. Soy make it a preferred feedstock for aquaculture in China. “For 35 years, USSEC has helped foster a dialog between the U.S., as suppliers of soy and soy products, and China, as end users. U.S. soybean farmers are really listening to Chinese demands and delivering attributes like sustainability and reliability.”

Nutreco has appointed Therese Log Bergjord as the new Managing Director of Skretting Global Salmon and Fish Feed Southern Europe. She will take over this position from Steven Rafferty, who resigned from this role earlier this year. “Aquaculture is a dynamic and thriving industry and I look forward to make my contribution to the further growth of Skretting.”

Aller Aqua has stated that they will continue to “take risks” when it comes to developing emerging aquaculture markets. The firm has grown rapidly in recent years and in 2017 will open two new plants in Zambia and China to bring its total up to six – doubling its overall production capacity, to around 300,000 metric tons. 

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) recently launched seven documents for public consultation, including the ASC Feed Standard. The Feed Standard will define requirements for both responsible factory practices, and requirements that define parameters for responsible ingredients for the three main ingredient groups used in aqua feed: marine ingredients, terrestrial plant ingredients and terrestrial animal ingredients.

A new fish feed factory that has started operations in Rwanda, reducing the cost of feed by half for local farmers. The factory has the capacity to produce about 700 kilograms of feed per hour, and is expected to boost fish farming in the country. The plant will save farmers from the difficulties they have been facing in importing fish feeds from Israel, Germany, Mauritius, and Uganda.

BioMar group has reported an increase in volumes and profits for the first half of 2017. According to the company\'s half-year report, BioMar sales volume was 28% higher than the same period last year, mainly driven by the salmon markets in Europe. BioMar expect to reach revenue of 9.8 billion DKK in 2017, which will be a record year for the company. At the same time BioMar is preparing for growth in new markets through acquisitions and green field projects.

Anpario has announced the appointment of Edward Seed as the General Manager for USA. “I am delighted to welcome Edward to the Anpario team, his wide ranging international leadership and industry specific knowledge and experience will be invaluable to help Anpario grow as a global business and continue our North American expansion.\"

Recent soybean research discoveries may greatly expand the use of specialty soybeans in fish feeds. Schillinger Genetics have commercialized an Enhanced Nutrition soybean variety — Navita 3553 — targeted for fish and poultry rations. Analyses for Schillinger Genetics suggest the 3553 variety has higher crude protein, lower neutral detergent fiber, lower acid detergent fiber, higher methionine, higher lysine and higher histidine levels than conventional mid-Group 3 soybeans.

Avanti Feeds is fairly confident they will reach a goal of 25 percent revenue growth for the next two years. The fish feed maker reported a 204 percent year-on-year jump in net profit during the April-June quarter. \"To achieve a similar level of growth in the margin is difficult due to routine fluctuations in prices of raw materials but margin may settle between 15 to 20 percent in the future.\"

The June 2017 Cargill Feed4Thought consumer survey found that 72 percent of American consumers believe seafood is important to their health and nutrition, and eighty-eight percent of those same consumers are willing to pay more for seafood that is certified as sustainably and responsibly sourced. \"The majority of American consumers believe seafood is important to their health and nutrition, but they also want to have peace of mind as to where it came from – and that\'s where we can play an integral role. We are committed to delivering healthy seafood for future generations, and we know we must do this in a way that is responsible and meets consumer preferences.\"