Exciting new international aquaculture collaboration

PIONEERING genetics company, Landcatch, Troutlodge and Hendrix Genetics have concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aiming to significantly extend their global share of the Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout markets.

Scottish company, Landcatch, which supplies Atlantic salmon eggs and smolts as well as cutting-edge genetic services to the international aquaculture industry, has signed a MoU to become a 45 per cent shareholder in Seattle-based Troutlodge, Inc, the worlds largest rainbow trout egg producer.

It will mean Landcatch diversifying into a new species for the first time, a strengthening of the Hendrix Genetics aquaculture operations, as well as enhanced support and growth for Troutlodge, with all three companies enthusiastic about the opportunities that will come from greater positioning in world aquaculture.

The deal includes:

A joint venture (JV) that will see a new company, Landcatch-Troutlodge Chile SA, being formed to establish an independent Atlantic salmon breeding programme, backed by genetics research. It aims to capture a substantial market share of salmon eggs in Chile within 3-5 years.

Troutlodge Chile SAs existing trout egg production and supply operation will be developed and expanded. It is also planned to develop a pedigree coho salmon programme to service the Chilean industry. With all three species combined, it is expected that the employment will grow significantly.

A Genetics Support Agreement (GSA) that will ensure all Troutlodge breeding programmes will now be supported by Landcatch and Hendrix Genetics, combining pioneering genetic technologies transferred from the salmon and livestock industries with Troutlodges decades-long genetic improvement programme.

Neil Manchester, Managing Director of Landcatch, said: This is a very exciting investment, which will see Troutlodge and us make a further significant impact in world aquaculture.

It increases our sustainability by working with such a credible partner; it allows us to become re-established in Atlantic salmon egg production in Chile and it enables us to pursue a significant expansion strategy with the aim of becoming one of the main global players in salmon and trout.

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Exciting new international aquaculture collaboration