Smoltification: The Industry’s Race to Optimize Sea Transfers

What happens when an old virus makes a new appearance? In this episode, we explore the legacy and resurgence of Infectious Salmon Anemia (ISA)—a disease that has shaped the global salmon industry for decades. With recent outbreaks reported in Northern Norway, we dive into what ISA is, how it spreads, and what history can teach us from past crises in Canada, Chile, Scotland, and the Faroe Islands. You’ll learn how modern tools like genetic sequencing, DNA vaccines, and strict biosecurity protocols are helping farms fight back—and what today’s uptick in cases might signal for the industry’s future. For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

When farms push smolt growth, what happens to biology, health, and risk? In this episode, we explore the evolving science and rising business pressures behind smoltification in salmon farming. From light control and brackish water systems to the push for 1 kg smolt, Tony breaks down why getting this phase right is so critical, and how larger smolt bring a new set of biological and operational challenges. Then, stay tuned for a conversation with Dr. Bill Harris, whose journey from Harvard pediatric nephrology to smoltification feed innovation reveals just how interconnected fish and human biology can be.For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

What happens when the biology is strong but the market turns against you? In this week’s episode, we break down the Q1 2025 earnings from publicly traded salmon producers across six countries. While fish health remains solid, companies are facing some of the lowest salmon prices in recent memory, dragging down profits, shaking up leadership, and forcing a rethink of what “profitable farming” really means. We dive into EBIT/kg performance across the board, spotlight standout results from Grieg and Salmones Camanchaca, and unpack why Iceland and Canada are at a strategic crossroads. Download our report for Q1 of 2025.For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

What happens when we build policy on the wrong measurements? In this episode, we unpack Norway’s proposed lice regulations and why the industry's biggest concern might not be the rules themselves, but the science behind them. From farm-level impact forecasts to a surprising case out of British Columbia, where sea lice returned despite the complete removal of salmon farms, we explore the statistical pitfalls that can shape, or misguide, long-term policy. If you're in farming, regulation, or simply trying to make sense of where the industry’s heading, this episode offers critical perspective.For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

What does it mean when sea surface temperatures break records before summer even begins? In this week’s episode, we dive into early-season sea lice data and rising ocean temperatures that are already signaling a challenging year for Norwegian salmon farms. From warnings of heat-driven outbreaks to shifting regulations and market pressure, we break down why 2025 could be another pivotal year for fish health strategy. Then, stay tuned for a conversation with oceanographer and Senior Researcher, Dr. Helene Langehaug of the Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center (NERSC), who explains the science behind marine heatwaves, their classifications, and what this year’s climate models are telling us about what’s coming next.For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

What happens when two global biotech giants team up to tackle one of aquaculture’s biggest bottlenecks? You get Veramaris - a joint venture between DSM and Evonik that’s producing high-potency omega-3s from algae, not fish.In this episode, Tony sits down with Ian Carr and Yann Le Gal from Veramaris to unpack how industrial-scale fermentation could be the key to unlocking more predictable, scalable, and sustainable feed nutrition for the seafood industry.We dive into:Why the supply of EPA and DHA is critical - and maxed out from traditional sourcesHow algae oil offers pricing stability in a volatile marketWhat it took to scale a fermentation plant in NebraskaAnd what new big data from Manolin reveals about omega-3 nutrition and farm performance at scaleWhether you’re a feed miller, farmer, investor, or just trying to make sense of the evolving aquafeed landscape, this is an episode packed with insights on innovation, sustainability, and the future of aquaculture.

How do you turn millions of noisy farm records into clear, actionable insights that drive real-world change? In this week’s episode, we go behind the scenes of our recent Big Data study with Veramaris, unpacking how Manolin’s advanced techniques—like traced populations and inverse probability weighted regression—are redefining how aquaculture can learn directly from farm operations. Beyond the findings on EPA and DHA feed levels, we explore why better data science is becoming the new competitive edge for salmon farms worldwide.Download the EPA+DHA Study Whitepaper.For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

This week we sat down with acclaimed journalist Alexandra Talty, whose investigative reporting spans oceans, farms, and the global dinner plate. From her experiences covering fisheries and aquaculture to food security and climate resilience, Alexandra brings a grounded, global perspective to the conversation around sustainability in seafood. Alexandra's writing has appeared in publications such as Civil Eats, the New York Times, the Guardian, Outside Magazine, Forbes, The Fish Site, and more.Visit her website to learn more.

This week we break down Norway’s proposed overhaul of its aquaculture licensing system—a seismic shift that could redefine global standards. From scrapping biomass-based licenses to introducing sea lice emission quotas and a mortality tax, the new framework flips traditional input-based regulation on its head. We walk through the 115-page white paper to unpack what this means for farms, investors, and suppliers alike—and why this policy could drive both innovation and industry shakeups.For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

Why are salmon prices dropping so dramatically—and why now? This week Tony unpacks one of the most unexpected trends so far this year: the early and steep decline in Norwegian salmon prices. With insights pulled from two decades of pricing data, fresh export stats, and market commentary, we explore why this drop is different, whether it could have been predicted, and what it means for farmers, exporters, and supply chain businesses going forward. For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.