MAY/JUNE 2020
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 3
COVID-19 • For up-to-date coverage of the pandemic’s impact on the aquaculture industry, visit aquaculturenorthamerica.com
PANDEMIC
CAREER TALK
SEE PAGES 19-28
RAS players address talent shortage
(File photo) Survey results indicate the aquaculture sector is losing confidence because of the uncertain business climate Credit: Liza Mayer Credit: Hudson Valley Fisheries
Cultural fit and soft skills rank high, but technical training is a game-changer BY LYNN FANTOM
hen Atlantic Sapphire suffered a second salmon die-off at its Denmark facility in March, jitters about land-based aquaculture reignited among investors and insurers. At the core of the concern: there is just not enough talent to safeguard the future of so many new RAS ventures. The industry needs to grow its pool of competence, leaders agree. Otherwise, companies are just locked in a game of musical chairs. Yet despite the challenges and the skeptics, RAS
W
SEE PAGES 6-11
forerunners are steely eyed in their focus on recruiting motivated people and building strong cultures. From the well-funded Norwegian salmon enterprises to an entrepreneurial pompano start-up in Florida and a steelhead farm in Upstate New York, they are pursuing different approaches, but share a common philosophy. “Fish welfare always comes first,” says Marianne Naess, commercial director of Nordic Aquafarms. “I think it is very important to build a culture where people are passionate about what they do.” continued on page 19
TECH TALK
Should fish farmers worry about AI?
Farmers seek relief from pandemic uncertainties Survey reveals grim picture of US aquaculture BY LALOU RAMOS
layers in the aquaculture, aquaponics and allied industries in the United States are raising alarm and seeking to identify resources to support their business as 90 percent of farmers say the coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19) had impacted their operations in Q1 2020. This was the key finding of a survey jointly conducted by Virginia Tech and the Ohio State University Extension representing 652 companies within the broader aquaculture/aquaponics ecosystem. The year-round survey, with quarterly reports scheduled, seeks to determine the prevailing market conditions and the industry’s overall economic sentiment as it struggles with the unforeseen impact of COVID-19 in the months ahead. While grim realities of market disruption and loss of business didn’t seem to have hit the 10 percent of the respondents in the study in the first quarter, 20 percent of them expect to be “definitely” impacted by COVID-19 within the year.
P
continued on page 11 Publications Mail Agreement #PM40065710
hen asked about his view on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Microsoft founder Bill Gates was quoted as saying, “The world hasn’t had that many technologies that are both promising and dangerous.”
W
continued on page 12
RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO 111 Gordon Baker Rd., Suite 400, Toronto, ON M2H 3R1
Credit: © pathdoc / Adobe Stock