The Prisoner’s Dilemma of Salmon Farming

How does one small fish in one corner of the Pacific end up shaping the entire global aquaculture feed system? In this week’s episode, we break down the latest developments from Peru’s anchovy fishery, from the unusually low provisional quota, to the rapid EUREKA survey that reshaped the biomass picture, to why analysts like Rabobank are warning that long-term fishmeal and fish oil shortages are becoming more likely. We revisit what happened during the 2023 juvenile-driven closure, unpack what the 2025 numbers actually tell us, and explain why Peru’s anchoveta remains the single most important swing factor for salmon, shrimp, and even pet food production worldwide. For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

What’s driving Norway’s sudden wave of investment in closed fish farming systems? This week we unpack the real story behind the headlines, from Mowi’s new Fiizk orders to Lerøy and SalMar’s push toward enclosed pens. It all traces back to an October 10th regulatory change that quietly created the biggest financial incentive yet for producers operating in red zones. Tony breaks down how this new rule works, why companies are moving fast to adapt, and whether it marks the beginning of a larger shift toward closed and semi-closed farming systems across Norway or even the world.For more aquaculture insights, head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

What can one number really tell us about an entire industry? This week, we unpack the Scottish Fish Farm Production Survey 2024, a report that’s sparked headlines and controversy with its 61.8% survival figure, the lowest in more than three decades. But beyond the shock value, the data reveals something deeper: the long-term cycles of progress, constraint, and adaptation that define Scottish salmon farming. We’ll explore what the numbers actually mean, why short-term data can distort reality, and how progress in sustainability often comes with biological trade-offs. For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

What if the next major leap in aquaculture doesn’t come from the ocean but from the genome? In this week’s episode, we trace the story of genomic sequencing: from Darwin’s first evolutionary trees to the breakthroughs that now let scientists map entire fish genomes in a single day. You’ll learn how falling sequencing costs are opening the door to disease tracing, genetic selection, and smarter breeding programs that could redefine sustainability across aquaculture. For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

How much does Washington, D.C. actually influence the global seafood industry? After speaking at the National Fisheries Institute’s Leadership Summit, we’re breaking down what happens when seafood meets policy — from tariffs and trade to nutrition and public health. Featuring insights from speakers like Sean Spicer and Elana Natker, this episode looks at how politics, perception, and food policy are shaping seafood’s next chapter, and what the industry can learn from it. For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

Can New Zealand turn its bold aquaculture growth plan into a $3 billion industry by 2035? In this episode, we dig into the numbers behind the country’s strategy, from premium salmon and mussel exports to the risks of offshore expansion, and look at the political and regulatory roadblocks that could derail momentum. Drawing lessons from Norway, Canada, and Iceland, we explore what it takes for a nation to scale aquaculture without repeating the same missteps. For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

What does it really mean when headlines say “95% of AI pilots fail”? In this episode, we unpack MIT’s State of AI in Business 2025 report, looking past the hype to see why so many initiatives stall—and where the real success stories are happening. From the GenAI Divide to lessons on internal vs. external builds, and from ROI in back-office operations to parallels with past tech revolutions like the PC and internet, we’ll explore what this all means for seafood and aquaculture companies considering AI. For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

What does sea lice management have in common with one of the most famous problems in game theory? In this episode, we look at why rising lice levels in Norway reflect the dynamics of the Prisoner’s Dilemma—where individual short-term choices can create long-term harm for the entire industry. We’ll break down the latest data on lice pressure, explain why fragmented treatments are driving reinfestation risk, and explore how coordinated action, better models, and shared incentives can turn the tide. For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

What happens when strong biology collides with weak markets? In this episode, we break down the Q2 earnings season in salmon farming, where EBIT margins have tightened, prices continue to slide, and producers are facing tough calls on investment, strategy, and survival. From Mowi’s consistency to Bakkafrost’s split results, and from Norway’s political backdrop to Scotland’s biological struggles, we look at who’s weathering the storm and who’s most exposed. Beyond the numbers, we explore the Catch-22 of salmon farming: better fish health leading to oversupply and weaker profits, just as ecological and political pressures intensify. Download the full report here.For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.

What fuels the world’s most powerful AI models isn’t just data, it’s how that data is labeled and given context. In this week’s episode, we take listeners inside the often-overlooked world of data labeling, from Meta’s $14B investment in Scale AI to the billion-dollar rise of Surge AI, and connect the dots to aquaculture. You’ll learn why context-rich data—not just perfect data, is the real driver of better models, and how farms can apply these lessons to turn messy records into predictive intelligence. For more aquaculture insights head to our Fish n’ Bits blog.