Page 21 - Vol.38-No.6

FISHERIES & FISH FARMING

MERCK ANIMAL HEALTH LAUNCHES A NEW

FISHERIES PLATFORM TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE

FOOD PRODUCTION AND MARINE CONSERVATION

quotas more effectively across a range of also offers an important new tool in the fight
fish species including cod, herring, horse against illegal, unreported and unregulated
mackerel and sprat. Catch limits help re- (IUU) fishing with a simple, cost-effective
duce the chance of overfishing, which can method to detect and deter, providing con-
deplete fish populations beyond the point of sumers with the confidence that the fish
recovery and endanger ocean ecosystems, they buy are responsibly and sustainably
Merck Animal Health, known as MSD
Animal Health outside the United States jeopardizing major food sources for billions sourced.
of people worldwide.
and Canada, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., The DNA TRACEBACK Fisheries platform
Rahway, N.J., USA (NYSE:MRK), announced “Thousands of particularly informative is currently being used in Irish waters to
today the launch of the DNA TRACEBACK® genetic markers have been selected for assess annual herring stocks and can be
Fisheries platform, a new DNA-based an- each species based on recent whole ge- used to provide a standardized platform
alytical tool which helps governments and nome sequencing efforts and are now rep- and common data framework for other spe-
fishery agencies to identify the sustainable resented on the DNA TRACEBACK Fisheries cies managed under the European Union’s
yield of wild fish stocks and our customers platform,” says Dr. Leif Andersson, pro- Common Fisheries Policy.
to more accurately identify the total al- fessor of functional genomics at Uppsala “Substantive progress in seafood sustain-
lowable catch for fishermen in their region. University. Fish species, or stocks, are as- ability can be achieved through this type
sessed to examine the effects of fishing and of scientific innovation and collaboration.
The sustainability of oceans’ fisheries is other factors to determine their current and
vital for the conservation of marine ecosys- future statuses and ensure they are being We are delighted to extend our activity
tems, global food security and nutrition of managed responsibly. “These extraordinary into global marine fisheries,” said Kasha
a growing population. In collaboration with advances in DNA sequence analysis offer Cox, global aqua commercial leader, Merck
the Uppsala University (Sweden), Merck great potential in fisheries management Animal Health.
Animal Health presents a real-world solution when they are made widely accessible “Further innovation is expected and many
to address the global need for sustainable and affordable.” more commercially important species, in-
food production and marine conservation. cluding major tuna species, could soon be
By harnessing the precision of whole ge- Illegal fishing is also a difficult-to-detect incorporated into the DNA TRACEBACK
nome sequencing, the DNA TRACEBACK but key driver of overfishing, threatening Fisheries platform. The more fish species
Fisheries platform provides policymakers marine ecosystems while also being linked that are included, the more beneficial this
and regulators with the tools they need to major human rights violations. With up to technology becomes for its users – so we
to determine and monitor catch limits and 1 in 5 fish sold coming from illegal fishing, are excited by the opportunity to connect
the DNA TRACEBACK Fisheries platform with researchers working in this space.”
Circle 24 on enquiry card
ANDFJORD SALMON, SKRETTING AND ZOOCA®

(CALANUS® AS) TEAM UP FOR SPECIALLY

DESIGNED SALMON FEED

Andfjord Salmon, Skretting Norway and Andfjord Salmon is the first salmon farmer which continues to improve daily. Fish mor-
Sortland-based Zooca® have signed a let- in the world that utilises a commercially tality rate is extremely low, so it has been a
ter of intent that facilitates the provision developed feed that contains Calanus. promising start,” adds Martin Rasmussen.
of a specifically designed salmon feed for “Our ambition is to develop the world’s CALANUS® PLUS BY
Andfjord Salmon and a long-term cooper- most fish friendly and sustainable aqua-
ation to increase the utilisation of the zoo- culture facility of its kind. Having our own ANDFJORD SALMON
plankton Calanus finmarchicus (Calanus) specially designed feed, with unique in- In February this year, Andfjord Salmon
in salmon feed. gredients from a local supplier, is another entered into a strategic feed supply agree-
important building block towards realising ment with Skretting, which is the aquacul-
this ambition,” says Martin Rasmussen, CEO ture business line of global leader in animal
of Andfjord Salmon, who released the first nutrition and aquafeed, Nutreco.
smolt on Saturday 25 June. Under this agreement, Skretting has de-
“The fish has settled quickly and has veloped a feed that is specifically tailored to
already demonstrated a healthy appetite, Andfjord Salmon’s flow-through technology

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